Best Time to Ski Colorado: A Month by Month Guide

The window for ski season seems to be decreasing with every passing year. Later winter starts, less snow and global warming has impacted how and when you ski.

As a couple that tries to get out skiing at least once a season or every other season we’ve noticed the effects significantly. Planning your vacation with all of these variables plus within a budget can be difficult to navigate.

This guide breaks down the pros and cons of each ski month including snow conditions, crowds, temperatures, and pricing to help figure out what is the best time to meet your individual needs.

Our Experience

We’ve gone skiing during every month you can during the winter with the exception of April. We’ve experienced crowds, high prices and disappointing snow levels.

One thing we’ve discovered is you really can’t predict when the perfect time to ski will be as far as weather is concerned. You may think there’s plenty of time for snow to accumulate before you arrive and then arrive at a mountain where many of the lifts aren’t even running due to lack of snow. All you can do is plan the best you can and cross your fingers sometimes.

Many resorts have had to increase their snow manufacturing to help compensate for the dwindling snow, so hopefully they are able to continue to pad the runs when the weather isn’t cooperating.

All that to say, our favorite time to ski is during February. It provides the best tradeoffs between crowds, prices and snow. We’ll break it all down below.

Early Season Skiing - December

Early-Mid December

Honestly, we’d avoid this time at all costs. If you want to save some money, it’s the cheapest time to go and there are fewer people. However, it doesn’t outweigh the cons.

There’s not nearly enough time to generate snow, so many of the lifts will be closed. Also, there may be fewer crowds but it may not feel like it since most of the mountain won’t be open yet.

It’s also hard to plan ahead as the mountains don’t usually have a specific opening date. It’s all weather dependent, so you really will be rolling the dice.

Late December - Holiday Weeks

We went skiing once during this time and regretted it. There was beautiful snow when we went, but there still wasn’t enough base foundation of snow on the mountain to open all of the lifts.

It was insanely busy, as we were there just a few days after Christmas and we spent a lot of time in lift lines. Prices during this time are exorbitantly expensive for both lodging and lift tickets.

Early Season Skiing

January - Best Value Month for Skiing

With the exception of New Year’s and MLK Day weekend, January can be a great time to go skiing. If you time your trip over one of those holidays, you can expect fighting crowds and high prices for pretty much everything.

Besides those holidays though, January is the best-value month to ski. More snow has fallen so you get better ski conditions and less people are visiting during this month. Less people means lower prices on lodging and lift tickets.

The tradeoff? It’s usually the coldest month, so pack your layers. Expect sub 20 degree temps. Snow fall can be iffy as well. You won’t know if you get a good snow storm before you arrive or a snow drought.

Mid Season Skiing

February and Early March - Peak Ski Conditions

Like mentioned previously, this is our favorite month to ski. With the exception of President’s Day weekend, you get the best of worlds between weather, crowds and prices. Weather during February is usually good with highs in the 30s and lots of snowfall.

Crowds are manageable and prices are reasonable especially in early February. Prices will be higher than January, but less than holidays and in mid-March.

Late Season Skiing

Mid March

Besides the holidays, mid-March is one of the most crowded times to go skiing. You have many families descend upon the mountains during spring break. Prices are sky high as well.

It can be a great time to ski though if you don’t mind the crowds and prices. The skiing conditions are hit/miss. Mountains have a solid base of snow, but if it gets too warm then you will be battling snow that melts and then freezes overnight.

Late March-Mid April

Like early December, this is not a great time to go. The mountains are starting to shut down and you never know if they will have to close early. The weather is warming up and the mountains will be melting. Not great skiing conditions.

Prices are cheap though and crowds are thinning.

Final Thoughts

If you don’t live near a ski mountain, it can be hard to plan a ski vacation. It’s one of the most weather dependent trips you can take. Even so, you can make the best of it no matter how the snow ends up being.

There truly are some times of the year that are better to avoid especially early season and over holidays. Our final recommendation is if you want the best chances for good skiing with all lifts/trails being open then you should try to plan your trip towards the end of February into early March.

Trying to save as much money as you can? Shoot for sometime in January (besides New Years and MLK day weekend). Early February is a good compromise usually with prices and weather as well.

Happy skiing!