Denver, Colorado is located on the high plains just east of the Rocky Mountains about 336 miles (540 km) north of Albuquerque, New Mexico and 98 miles (157 km) south of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Denver is often named the “Mile High City” because it is exactly one mile (1609 m.) above sea level. The Rocky Mountains get a lot of snow every winter but Denver's climate is mild. The city sees approximately 300 days of annual sunshine; and when winter storms do occur, the snow melts fairly quickly.
The people of Denver are friendly, and their attitude and dress are usually casual. The area offers plenty of outdoor recreation, including 200 parks in the city and 20,000 acres of parklands in the local mountains, making it the largest park system in the USA. Denver has a thriving arts and cultural scene. It is passionate about sports (Denver has eight professional sports teams), and is a popular destination for visitors.
Denver is the primary gateway to the numerous Colorado ski resorts. Most travelers fly into Denver International Airport (DIA) before going on to the various ski resorts located from fifty to one hundred miles westward within the Rocky Mountains. Many airlines have commuter planes that fly directly into the resorts from Denver, and there are also shuttles and bus services that take passengers to the resorts.
DIA is one of the largest airports in the world by area. It sits on 34,000 acres or 53 square miles (85.30 square km). The airport's white tent-like exterior also makes it one of the world's most recognizable airports. Its 34 white peaks on the roof represent and reflect the nearby Rocky Mountains. The airport is located nearly twenty miles from downtown.
