With so many ski mountains in Colorado, it can be tricky to decide which Colorado ski resorts to visit.
I’m a long-time local who can help you plan your winter itinerary! Whether you’re a serious powderhound or a family skiing for the first time, there’s a Colorado ski resort that’s perfect for you. I’ve rounded up the best ski resorts in Colorado with tips on pricing, amenities, local favorites, gorgeous tourist destinations, and more.
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Best Ski Resorts in Colorado
Vail Ski Resort
⛷️ Best varied terrain for all types of skiers.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Vail Ski Resort is one of the world’s most popular ski resorts, and one of the top places to go in Colorado for winter sports. Just the word “Vail” is basically synonymous with skiing, so it’s no wonder it has skiable terrain for every skill level.
Vail Village and Lionshead Village are at the base of the mountain. Both feature shops, fine dining, ice skating, and other activities for any non-skiers in your party.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 10 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 189 inches / 480 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 8,120 feet / 2,475 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 11,570 feet / 3,527 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$$$
- 📚 Related Reading:Top Things to Do in Vail,Best Areas to Stay in Vail
❄️ Arrive Prepared: You need a lot of gear for Colorado skiing. Don’t forget the essentials with our Colorado packing guide — and download a printed version of the list!
Beaver Creek Resort
⛷️ Less crowded upscale resort.
📍Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Beaver Creek is in the same general area as Vail but with fewer amenities, it’s not nearly as crowded. Still, Beaver Creek Village offers dining, shopping, and lodging, plus some of the best skiing in Colorado.
Here, you’ll find a famous World Cup run, plus plenty of beginner through advanced runs. When I skied at this resort, helpful guides at the top of the lifts suggested routes based on my ability.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 22 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 325 inches/ 826 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 8,100 feet / 2,469 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 11,440 feet/ 3,488 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$$
Breckenridge Ski Resort
⛷️ Ski in, ski out lodgings.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Skiing and riding are some of the best things to do in Breckenridge so, of course, Breckenridge Ski Resort makes our list. Peak 8 has terrain parks, bowls, and plenty of intermediate and advanced ski runs. The resort also offers lessons for beginners or anyone looking to improve.
If you want a break from skiing, other outdoor adventures like dog-sledding, tubing, and snowmobiling are available. Downtown has great restaurants, bars, shops, and plenty of great places to stay.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 10 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 366 inches / 930 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 9,600 feet / 2,926 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 12,998 feet / 3,962 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$$
Keystone Resort
⛷️ Best for beginners.
📍Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Keystone Resort is family-friendly and one of the best ski resorts near Denver. It has plenty of free gear wagons to cart kids and stuff around, a Kidtopia play area, and deals on gear and lessons. Lift tickets here aren’t as expensive as other ski mountains in Colorado and entry is permitted with an Epic Pass, too.
The resort has beginner and intermediate runs scattered throughout so new skiers have plenty of choices. For a unique experience, check out Keystone’s night skiing that goes until 8 pm on weekends and holidays.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 1 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 225 inches/ 571 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 9,280 feet / 2,829 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 12,408 feet/ 3,782 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$$
- 📚 Related Guides:Best Activities in Keystone,Best Places to Stay in Keystone
🏔️ Pro Tip: I-70, the main thoroughfare for many ski resorts in Colorado, is notorious for its traffic. To improve your chances, ski during the week, leave really early in the morning or very late the night before, and always check the weather.
Crested Butte
⛷️ Best real Colorado ski town.
📍Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Crested Butte prides itself on being a “real Colorado ski town” with no high rises or even traffic lights. It’s one of the best small towns in Colorado, and the ski area features a terrain park and runs for all levels. Get lift tickets or the Epic Pass to experience what some locals call the best ski resort in Colorado.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 22 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 234 inches/ 594 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 9,375 feet / 2,856 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 12,162 feet/ 3,707 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$$
- 📚 Related Reading: Best Things to Do in Crested Butte
Telluride Ski Resort
⛷️ World-class resort with every amenity.
📍Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Telluride is hard to reach (it’s a 6+ hour drive from Denver!) but once you’re there, it has everything you’ll need for a winter vacation. The mountain views are legendary and the resort has a variety of beginner-advanced runs. There’s a free gondola in town, and an adventure park, and other winter fun.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 24 – April 7
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 280 inches/ 711 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 8,750 feet / 2,667 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 13,150 feet/ 4,008 meters
- 📚 ,Best Places to Stay in Telluride
Aspen Mountain Ski Resort
⛷️ Best for expert runs.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
There are four ski resorts in Aspen, and Aspen Mountain Ski Resort is the closest to downtown. There aren’t many beginners runs here, but there are plenty of black diamonds and a few blues. If you’re experienced, it’s one of the best places to ski in Colorado.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 23 – April 21
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 300 inches / 762 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 7,945 feet / 2,422 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 11,212 feet/ 3,417 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$$$
- 📚 ,Aspen vs Vail vs Breckenridge
Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort
⛷️ Best intermediate resort.
One lift ticket allows you to access all four major ski resorts in Aspen. Snowmass is the largest and most popular. It’s in between the expert runs of Aspen Mountain and Highlands, and the easy runs at Buttermilk. It also offers plenty of non-ski activities like zip lines, an alpine coaster, and ice skating.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 23 – April 14
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 300 inches/ 762 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 8,104 feet / 2,470 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 12,510 feet/ 3,813 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$$$
Aspen Highlands
⛷️ Best for Aspen locals.
Aspen Highlands isn’t as popular as the other Aspen resorts, which could be why it’s a hangout for locals and more advanced skiers. More than two-thirds of the resort is expert skiing, and the views of the Maroon Bells are unrivaled.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: December 4 – April 7
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 300 inches/ 762 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 8,040 feet / 2,451 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 12,392 feet/ 3,777 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$$$
Buttermilk Mountain
⛷️ Best Aspen resort for beginners.
Buttermilk is the best of the four Aspen resorts for learning to ski, and for kids wanting to take to the mountain. There’s also a popular terrain park. Buttermilk’s visibility as home to the X Games also makes it popular with freestyle skiers and riders.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: December 9 – March 31
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 200 inches/ 508 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 7,870 feet / 2,399 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 9,900 feet/ 3,018 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$$$
Steamboat Resort
⛷️ Best “Champagne Powder”.
📍Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Steamboat Resort trademarked their snow. It’s the only place in the world where you can ski on official “Champagne Powder” and the pillowy, fluffy snow is a whole lot of fun. The mountain is lower than most others so if you struggle with altitude sickness, this could be a good option. Steamboat also has great runs for tree skiing.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 22 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 336 inches/ 853 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 6,900 feet / 2,103 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 10,568 feet/ 3,221 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$$
- 📚 ,Where to Stay in Steamboat Springs
Winter Park
⛷️ Great for families.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Winter Park is another popular place for locals, as it makes for one of the best winter day trips from Denver. If driving, Winter Park is just 90 minutes from the city; and public transit will get you from Denver International Airport to this resort, too.
Here, you’ll find a wide variety of trails for beginners to expert skiers and boarders. There’s plenty of lodging nearby along with shops and restaurants, plus tubing and other activities for kids.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 3 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 327 inches/ 831 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 9,000 feet / 2,743 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 12,060 feet/ 3,676 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$$
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
⛷️ Local skiing for intermediates and beyond.
Thanks to its close proximity to Denver and the fact that there’s no on-site lodging, A-Basin is popular with locals and less so with tourists. The slopes are more challenging here, and there aren’t a ton of options for beginning skiers.
For more fun, picnic at “The Beach” — a section of the parking lot where people tailgate. See our full A-Basin guide for more.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: October 29 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 350 inches/ 889 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 10,780 feet / 3,286 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 12,408 feet/ 3,782 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$
Copper Mountain
⛷️ Popular overnight resort for locals.
📍Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
When locals want to get away for a weekend of skiing, many of them head to Copper Mountain. It has upscale amenities and quick freeway access makes for an easy drive. It’s family-friendly with plenty of runs for every level, plus tubing, ice skating, and other activities.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 13 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 305 inches/ 774 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 9,712 feet / 2,946 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 12,441 feet/ 3,792 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$$
Loveland Ski Area
⛷️ Best for a quick day trip.
Found along the scenic Loveland Pass, Loveland Ski Area and A-Basin are two of the most popular local ski areas. While Loveland Valley is much easier for less-experienced skiers, the Basin features more challenging runs. However, Loveland offers expert terrain via its free snowcat, which traverses the Continental Divide.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 10 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 422 inches/ 1,072 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 10,800 feet / 3,292 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 13,010 feet/ 3,965 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$
Purgatory Resort
⛷️ Jaw-dropping scenery, budget price.
📍Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Set in the San Juan Mountains, Purgatory is an affordable southwestern Colorado resort. It’s mostly visited by local families as there are plenty of beginner and intermediate runs, but advanced skiers will find terrain for them, too. Durango is the closest town, about a 20-minute drive away.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 18 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 260 inches/ 660 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 8,793 feet / 2,680 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 10,822 feet/ 3,299 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$$$
Silverton Mountain
⛷️ Expert backcountry skiing.
Silverton is the steepest ski slope in Colorado, so it’s not for beginners. It’s also unique in that there’s one double chairlift that drops you off at a spot where you then have plenty of options to hike to ski. If that’s not your style… you can also heli-ski.
Every skier on the mountain is required to carry avalanche gear, and nothing is groomed — it’s all untouched snow. Guides are required during most of the season.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 25 – April 14
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 400 inches/ 1,016 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 10,400 feet / 3,170 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 13,487 feet/ 4,111 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$-$$$$
- 📚 ,Where to Stay in Silverton
Wolf Creek Ski Area
⛷️ Best for early skiing.
📍Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Wolf Creek brags that it receives the most snow of all the Colorado ski mountains. There’s a good range of beginner and intermediate runs, and almost half the runs are advanced.
There’s no town or lodgings at the resort, but Pagosa Springs is just over half an hour away. There, you’ll find some of the best hot springs in Colorado — perfect after a day on the slopes!
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 11 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 430 inches/ 1,092 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 10,300 feet / 3,139 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 11,904 feet/ 3,628 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$
Eldora Mountain
⛷️ Best for Boulder locals.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Eldora Mountain is less than an hour from Boulder, making it popular among locals. It’s a laid-back resort with plenty of skiing for all levels. The children’s center also makes it a great choice for families looking to ski.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 3 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 300 inches/ 762 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 9,200 feet / 2,804 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 10,600 feet/ 3,231 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$$
- 📚 ,Places to Stay in Boulder
Ski Cooper
⛷️ Best family budget ski area.
As evidenced above, Ski Cooper is one of our family’s favorites. Here’s why: it’s not crowded. It’s cheap. It’s small enough that older kids who want to ski on their own aren’t going to get lost. It’s not built up or fancy.
One drawback: the drive is close to two hours, although you can stay in Leadville about half an hour away.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: December 6 – April 7
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 260 inches/ 660 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 10,500 feet / 3,200 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 11,700 feet/ 3,566 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $
- 📚 Related Reading: Top Things to Do in Leadville
Powderhorn Mountain Resort
⛷️ Best Western Slope skiing.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Powderhorn is known for its awesome tree skiing, but they also have great options for beginners. If you don’t want to downhill ski, it has cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 24 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 250 inches/ 635 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 8,200 feet / 2,499 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 9,850 feet/ 3,002 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $
Sunlight Mountain Resort
⛷️ Best uncrowded ski area.
Sunlight is off the beaten path and is a budget-friendly, family-friendly resort without a lot of fancy amenities. There’s skiing and boarding for all abilities, along with snowmobile tours. You can also soak in Glenwood’s famous hot springs after a day of hard work on the mountain!
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: December 8 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 250 inches/ 635 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 7,880 feet / 2,402 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 9,895 feet/ 3,016 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $
Monarch Mountain
⛷️ Best hidden gem.
Monarch is west of Salida and a lesser-known ski area with amazing views. If you want to branch out from the 64 trails, you can also go snowcat skiing or backcountry skiing in the Mirkwood Basin.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: December 6 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 350 inches/ 889 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 10,790 feet / 3,289 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 11,952 feet/ 3,643 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$
Granby Ranch
⛷️ Best place to learn to ski.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Granby is a family-friendly resort that’s one of the best places in the state to learn to ski. It also offers night skiing and boarding. It’s about an hour and a half from Denver, so you can make it a long day or stay nearby.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: December 8 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 120 inches/ 305 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 8,202 feet / 2,500 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 9,202 feet/ 2,805 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $$
Echo Mountain
⛷️ Closest to Denver.
📍Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Your Stay on Booking
Echo Mountain is one of Colorado’s newest resorts and is the closest to Denver. It has night skiing and boarding, and a terrain park. Although, if you’re a beginning skier, you may find there aren’t many runs for you here.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: December 12 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 275 inches/ 699 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 10,050 feet / 3,063 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 10,650 feet/ 3,246 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $
- 📚 Related Reading: Best Things to Do in Denver,Where to Stay in Denver,Top Denver Hotels
Howelsen Hill
⛷️ Best long jumps .
Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs is the oldest ski resort in Colorado. The town has also produced the most Olympic skiers. Howelsen has great night skiing and is cheaper than Steamboat Ski Resort.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: November 25 – March 24
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 170 inches/ 432 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 6,696 feet / 2,041 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 7,136 feet/ 2,175 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $
Kendall Mountain Ski Area
⛷️ Best tiny community ski spot.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Kendall Mountain was a resort that closed in the ’80s. The city of Silverton then bought and opened it for the community. It isn’t fancy but it has one lift, a terrain park, and four trails. It’s a great spot for families who want to do a little skiing for barely more than it costs to go to the movies.
- 📅 2023-2024 Dates: December 15 – TBD
- ❄️ Average Annual Snowfall: 200 inches/ 508 cm
- 🎿 Elevation at Base: 9,313 feet / 2,839 meters
- 🏔️ Elevation at Summit: 9,596 feet/ 2,925 meters
- 🚠 Lift Ticket Cost: $
Want more? Hit play on this video to learn about the best mountain towns in Colorado:
FAQs About Skiing in Colorado
How many ski resorts are in Colorado?
There are 32 ski resorts in the state of Colorado.
What months are best to ski in Colorado?
January and February are the best months to ski in Colorado. All resorts – even the late-starting ones – are open by then, and there has been time for snow to accumulate. Just remember that these months can be very cold, and also get busy on weekends.
What are the major ski areas in Colorado?
Colorado has several major ski areas. Many resorts are along I-70 as it winds through the mountains, including Loveland,Arapahoe Basin,Copper Mountain,Vail, and Beaver Creek. There are several resorts in southwestern Colorado as well, like Telluride,Purgatory, and Silverton. Aspen has four resorts. Finally, there are some smaller resorts near Denver like Echo Mountain and Eldora.
What is the oldest ski area in Colorado?
Howelsen Hill is the oldest ski area in Colorado. It opened in 1914 and has been in operation for more than 100 years. It has also produced more Olympians than any other ski area in the U.S.
What is the prettiest ski resort in Colorado?
Telluride is considered the prettiest ski resort in Colorado by many. The remote location means fewer people crowd the slopes and streets of Telluride, and the jaw-dropping scenery is one-of-a-kind.
Which Colorado ski resorts stay open the longest?
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area is known for staying open the longest – usually into June each year. Loveland and Winter Park both tend to stay open until May.
Which is the biggest ski resort in Colorado?
Vail is the largest ski resort in Colorado, based on skiable acreage. It has 5,317 skiable (or boardable) acres – 2,000 acres more than the next resort on the list. See our guide to Vail vs Aspen vs Breckenridge for more.
Is skiing better in Utah or Colorado?
The consensus seems to be that skiing is better in Utah than Colorado. Utah resorts get more snow overall, and it’s easier to predict when that snow will land. However, Colorado does have more – and higher – resorts than Utah. The altitude can produce fluffier, lighter snow but Colorado just doesn’t have as much of it.
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Hopefully, you found several Colorado ski resorts to suit your plans. Continue building your ski trip itinerary with our guide to the best things to do in Colorado!
