Who’s got the best Fall colors?

Living in the Utah’s Wasatch back, I’m extremely proud of our wonderful fall foliage with its beautiful reds (mountain maple) and golden aspens. I’m not bashful either to share pictures of our technicolor falls and boost about them with friends and family. 

Of course, this emulates responses from my Alpine friends and relatives that show me theirs in return. This is how I started to wonder, when all is said and done which special places or region can claim to have the best foliage in the world and that led me to this… 

To begin that discussion, we need to understand what makes a region “Best”? Things like tree diversity, with the more species the likelihood of many more color variation. Elevation and climate also play a huge role with sharp temperature shifts enhancing pigment intensity. 

Then there’s the picturesque nature of a place or backdrop, including mountains, lakes, and historic architecture that will amplify the visual drama. Timing is also crucial; some regions offer longer or more predictable foliage seasons. 

Our Utah pride is well-earned with our fiery mountain maples and golden aspens with breathtaking contrast and when it comes to our friendly foliage rivalry with my Alpine friends, this perfectly illustrates how autumn becomes a global celebration of color. 

Sure the best foliage isn’t just about colors, it’s also about context. It’s the way the light hits our favorite trail, the scent of crisp air, and the stories we share with those who see it with us. 

So while Vermont or Kyoto might win on postcard perfection, my biased Wasatch technicolor landscapes, shared with the people I love and echoed by the Alpine kin are fully part of a global tapestry of autumn wonder.