Best Ski Resorts in Colorado
Colorado is home to more ski resorts than any other state in the western United States (are you as surprised as me that I have to specify west vs. east?). With 32 resorts/areas to choose from, there’s something to fit everyone’s needs. We are by no means expert skiers and are giving you this rundown as people who love the mountains (and skiing) but go on about two ski trips every three years.
*Disclaimer: I (Jared) have been skiing since I was five and have seen first hand the evolution of skiing in the states. To be honest, it’s not as good as it used to be. Prices have skyrocketed while the product itself has gone downhill. The problems stem from climate change (it’s no longer a given that the entire mountain will be open in February/March) and resort holding companies trying to squeeze every dollar out of resort guests while also not paying ski patrol, instructors, food service employees, lift operators, etc. enough to find a decent living arrangement close to work.
The Summit County Resorts
Vail
If you asked a random person to name the first ski resort they can think of, they’ll likely answer Vail. The resort is convenient (located right off I70), is big (third biggest in North America), has a wide variety of terrain and offers up a great (albeit inauthentic) village experience.
Vail is a great spot for families due to its terrain variety, great ski school operation, food options and the amount of lodging.
Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek and Vail were resort siblings long before Vail Resorts started to gobble up as many mountains as it could. You’ll find similar offerings at Beaver Creek but in a smaller, more intimate package.
Beaver Creek is also great for families due to the amount of beginner and intermediate terrain. Another factor which makes Beaver Creek a great experience is how easy it is to get from one side of the mountain to the other.
It’s a very easy mountain to learn and navigate and there is almost always a variety of difficulty levels for your descent (Grouse Mountain Express lift being a notable exception).
Breckenridge
Breck is another big resort with a real solid variety of terrain. The resort does pack a bit more advanced/expert terrain than Vail but is hugely popular with families. You’ll likely find slightly more reasonable food/lodging prices but you’ll also have to battle bigger crowds than most other resorts.
What really makes Breckenridge stand out is its town. Unlike Vail, the town of Breckenridge is an authentic Colorado Ski Town (rather than a fake Austrian village).
A word of warning, Breckenridge is one of the higher elevation resorts in the country. It might not be the best option if you’re prone to altitude sickness.
Keystone:
I’ve always thought the vibes of Keystone and Breckenridge were similar. They’re both very close to Silverthorn (just 10-15 minutes in opposite directions) and similarly to Breckenridge, Keystone is a favorite for families.
In my opinion, Keystone is a better option for novice or low intermediate skiers. There are fantastic Greens and some easier Blues on the mountain. You might not get quite the same level of town experience at Keystone but it’s still got its fair share of charm.
Arapahoe Basin:
I’ve sadly never been to these next two resorts so my overview is strictly based on what I’ve heard from other skiers in the area. Arapahoe Basin (or A-Basin as many call it) is much more suited for advanced and expert skiers.
Like Breckenridge, its elevation is higher than your typical resort which can result in the area staying open later and opening earlier in the year.
If you’re an advanced skier and all you care about is skiing and perhaps having a few beers at the ski beach to end your day, this is the place for you.
Copper Mountain:
Copper Mountain is a good middle ground between A-Basin and the more developed resorts like Vail or Beaver Creek. It’s a slightly more economical option and has plenty of lodging at its base.
Where Copper Mountain shines is its variety of terrain and the layout. On many other mountains, a novice skier needs to stay alert as to not take a wrong turn heading toward a slope they aren’t ready to tackle. Copper is great due to how for the most part, its harder and easier runs are grouped together.
Other Major Resorts:
Telluride:
We’ve visited Telluride just once but it made an impression. It’s got a much more independent feel which makes sense due to how isolated the resort is. Telluride is located in the San Juan Mountain Range in the far southwest corner of the state. Due to this, it’s not nearly as heavily trafficked as the Summit County Resorts.
If you’re not averse to very long drives (it’s an 8-hour drive from Denver in good conditions), I recommend you make the journey at least once. You can of course fly into Telluride or nearby Gunnison if you have the financial means.
Telluride is the most picturesque town and resort in Colorado by far and has a great variety of terrain. Where it shines is its expert terrain but there are some great options for more novice skiers.
Crested Butte:
Crested Butte is not quite as isolated as Telluride, but it still requires a bit of extra planning to get there compared to the resorts located along I70. Once there, you won’t regret it.
The town is authentic and unspoiled and the skiing is excellent. The mountain definitely is more conducive to advanced skiers. It even touts the run with the steepest sustained pitch in the United States (Rambo).
Steamboat Springs:
As the northern most major resort, Steamboat touts what it calls “champagne powder.” The mountain is well known for its abundance of tree skiing and recently just expanded its footprint to include much more terrain. The town is known as “Ski Town USA” due to how many world class skiers have grown up in and around Steamboat.
Within the town, you’ll find a ton of great shopping and food/drink options. Though the resort is a little further out of the way than other major resorts, it’s much easier to get to than Telluride and Crested Butte and the drive is not nearly as nerve wracking in bad weather.
Final Thoughts
Colorado’s unique topography (even with respect to the different mountain ranges) has resulted in the state being perhaps the most well known ski destination state in the United States. Another fantastic perk of going to a Colorado ski destination is that you’ll likely drive through several scenic areas and small towns along the way. From the moment you enter the mountains, it’s an experience. As long as you do your homework and plan your vacation well, you’ll have a fantastic getaway.
Recommendations
