If there's one state that we can call 'ski paradise’, it's definitely Colorado. Home of several world-class ski resorts, Colorado has some of the best terrain diversity, snow quality, off-slope amenities, and more.
With over 30 ski resorts, from the famous household names Vail, Aspen, and Breckenridge, to family favorites like Keystone, Steamboat, and Winter Park, it can be hard to choose the right resort for you. To help, our ski travel specialists have put together a list of the best ski resorts in Colorado.
10. Araphaoe Basin
Why Ski Arapahoe Basin
A-Basin is all about extreme skiing rather than the amenities. It’s one of the best ski resorts in Colorado with 1,428 ac of skiable terrain for advanced skiers who don’t mind a no-frills experience. With a summit elevation of 13,050 ft, A-Basin is known for having some of the highest skiing landscapes in Colorado. Its season can go from October to June which makes it the longest ski season in Colorado. A-Basin’s laid-back atmosphere comes to life with its parking lot après scene. However, there's limited dining and no lodging at the base, but it’s just a short drive from nearby towns and Colorado resorts.
The Town
There is not village or town attached to the resort as it is more of a local ski resort. Most visitors stay at accommodations near Colorado resorts and towns. The closest locations to A-Basin are Keystone Resort, just a 10 minute drive away and the town of Silverthorne, a 20 minute drive away.
Official Site: https://www.arapahoebasin.com/
9. Copper Mountain
Why Ski Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain is ideal for those looking to ski big name ski resorts in Colorado on a more affordable budget. The terrain is well-distributed, with its 2,465 ac of skiable area naturally split into three sections, advanced, intermediate and beginner terrain. Outside of skiing, there are a plethora of family friendly activities available - a four-laned tubing hill, the Rocky Mountain Coaster as well as an indoor training facility with trampolines and foam pits to keep the kids busy.
The Village
There are three villages that sit at the base of Copper Mountain: Center Village, East Village and West Village. Check out the location of these villages in the official Copper Mountain trail map.
Center Village
Home to the resort's dining and shopping options, most people like to stay here to be close to the action. You’ll have the best access to the intermediate slopes, the Rocky Mountain Coaster and ice skating on West Lake.
East Village
You’ll find Copper’s tubing hill and JJ’s Rocky Mountain Tavern in the East Village. But unless you’re more of an advanced skier, you won’t find much else on this end of the resort.
West Village
West Village is quieter, with limited amenities, but you’ll have the best access to a wealth of green terrain. The ski school is also based here, making it ideal for beginners and families.
Official Site: https://www.coppercolorado.com/
8. Telluride
Why Ski Telluride
Telluride stands out for its stunning scenery and Wild West town. Offering more than 2,000 ac of skiable area and 11,904 ft summit elevation, Telluride’s terrain is varied and perfect for all ability levels. Beginners can experience high alpine territory and mountain vistas usually reserved only for experienced riders while advanced skiers can enjoy expert terrain with intense chutes and bowls. Exploring the shops and eateries in the former mining town are also a key part of the experience. Relative to most Colorado resorts, it can be quite difficult to reach from Denver, but this means there are fewer crowds. Typically, our customers fly into Montrose Regional Airport to reduce commute time.
The Town
Stay in town to enjoy the bustling Western atmosphere and its restaurants, bars, shops and nightlife. You’ll also be close to intermediate and advanced slopes. Other areas to stay is on mountain at Mountain Village. Mountain Village can be a convenient choice for families. You’ll be close to beginner and intermediate terrain, the ski school, kids camp and ice skating. There are restaurants and shops but the options are limited compared to the town of Telluride.
Official Site: https://tellurideskiresort.com/
7. Steamboat
Why Ski Steamboat
Being located close to an authentic cowboy town with relaxing geothermal hot springs, Steamboat offers a unique Colorado ski experience. Skiers of all abilities can enjoy the resort's 2,965 ac of “Champagne Powder” snow and famous glade skiing. Plus, the resort has a relatively low summit elevation of 10,568 ft so it can be a good option to avoid altitude sickness.
Steamboat is a popular resort among families, with a Kids’ Vacation Center and the new Skeeter’s Ice Rink. Although Steamboat is located further out from major airports and less accessible compared to other Colorado ski resorts, that ultimately means less crowds.
The Mountain
Where Steamboat really excels is in its glade skiing, which is some of the best in Colorado. There are just swathes of terrain to make fresh tracks between the trees. Head up to Sunshine Peak and go over the backside to Morningside Park - here you'll find the best tree runs in Colorado. The snow is also fantastic here - without getting too deep into the science, there's a desert off the west where most snowstorms come from which can dry out the moisture, turning the snow into tiny flakes that are incredibly easy to blow through, even when you're knee-deep in it.
The Town
There are two main areas to stay, on-mountain or in downtown Steamboat Springs.
On-Mountain
Lodging in the base area is conveniently close to the lifts, as well as the resort's dining and shopping. Another option is the Mountain Village area which is adjacent to the base. There isn’t much nightlife in either area, but you can always head to downtown Steamboat Springs.
Downtown
Stay in downtown Steamboat Springs to experience the Wild West town. There aren’t as many lodging options to choose from but you’ll be close to restaurants, bars, shops and some hot springs. The ski resort is just a 10 minute drive away.
Official Site: https://www.steamboat.com/
6. Keystone
Why Ski Keystone
Keystone is one of the best ski resorts near Denver, especially since it is tailored towards families who are after the big mountain skiing experience. Apart from its 3,149 ac of skiable terrain and 3,128 ft vertical drop, Keystone has lots of family friendly activities outside of skiing such as tubing, sleigh rides and the Kidtopia kids program. While the resort is less expensive than higher-end resorts like Vail or Beaver Creek, it can get crowded due to its popularity.
Other draw cards for Keystone are its night skiing and terrain parks. It has the largest number of trails lit up after dark here, which solidifies Keystone's claim of having Colorado's longest ski day. The 60 ac A51 Terrain Park is also regarded as one of the best in Colorado, with its own dedicated chairlift that will keep you skiing all day!
The Village
River Run Village and Mountain House are the two villages that sit right at the base of the first peak, Dercum Mountain.
River Run Village
Located at the heart of Keystone’s base area, the pedestrian-friendly village has a range of shops and eateries and is home to the Kidtopia Headquarters. Staying in River Run Village will give you close access to the River Run Gondola, which is a scenic ride to the peak.
Mountain House Area
About a 5 to 10 minute drive from River Run Village is the quieter Mountain House area. It’s the best place to access the base learning area and Keystone’s famous terrain park, Area 51. There isn’t a gondola here so you’ll need to take two chairlifts to get to the peak.
Official Site: https://www.keystoneresort.com/
5. Beaver Creek
Why Ski Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek’s luxurious amenities sets it apart from other Colorado resorts - pampering guests with everything from escalators between the village and the chairlift and free freshly-baked cookies. Beginner and intermediate skiers and riders will get the most out of the scenic, well-groomed terrain here. The highest point is the summit of Beaver Creek Mountain at 11,440 ft, served by both the Cinch Express Chairlift and the Red Buffalo Express Chairlift. If you’re worried about altitude sickness, Beaver Creek has the lowest base elevation of the big resorts in Colorado, making it a good option for people flying in from lower elevations. The ski area is smaller than neighboring Vail with 2,082 ac of skiable terrain, but it attracts less crowds.
Despite all the top-notch amenities, it’s not the place to come if you’re looking for nightlife in the base villages or a budget-friendly vacation.
The Mountain
Immaculately groomed green and blue runs make up the large portion of skiing here, and unlike many other ski resorts, most trails at Beaver Creek don't flow straight down the fall line. Instead, they leisurely wind down the resort for a scenic and unique skiing experience. There’s a nice chunk of expert terrain too, but if that’s your goal, you’ll find bumpier bumps at Winter Park or steeper chutes at Arapahoe Basin.
The Town
Out of the three base villages, Beaver Creek Village is the heart of the resort. Stay here to have close access to a large portion of the resort’s terrain. You’ll also find most of the resort dining and shopping options in this pedestrian-friendly village, as well as an ice-skating rink and fire pit.
The Town of Avon is located about a 7 to 10 minute drive away from Beaver Creek Village but is connected to the mountain via a 3 minute gondola ride. Lodging is more affordable in Avon, and you’ll find a range of dining and shopping options, including grocery stores.
Official Site: https://www.beavercreek.com/
4. Winter Park
Why Ski Winter Park
Winter Park is a family-friendly mountain and one of the more affordable ski resorts in Colorado. There are 7 territories across 2 interconnected mountains, each with their own base area and reaching a total of 3,081 ac of skiable terrain. This makes it the fourth largest resort in the state! The base village is more relaxed compared to other large resorts in Colorado, but you’ll still find a range of dining and shopping options. There are also plenty of kid-friendly activities outside of skiing including the tube park, ice bumper cars and snowmobiling. Winter Park is easily accessible from Denver as it's relatively close to the city and the only ski resort in the US that has an Amtrak service via the Winter Park Express!
The Mountain
The resort is split into seven territories, each with its own distinct skiing personality. The beginner areas are at the base of the mountain in the Winter Park Territory which is also very family-friendly with plenty of groomers. Mary Jane is famed for its monster moguls and tree skiing. It’s the place to be if you're a fan of knee-shocking bumps and blitzing through trees. The one gripe we have is that the lift layout and connections are not the best for efficient skiing which is a problem for older resorts.
The Town
There are two main areas to stay in; the Winter Park Village at the base of the mountain or in the surrounding areas. The Winter Park Village is the most convenient option for getting on the slopes and being amongst the resort restaurants and shops. Keep in mind lodging here is limited, and the price of convenience can add up. For more dining and shopping options, Main Street in downtown Winter Park is just a 10 minute drive away.
If you’re willing to drive to the slopes each morning, you might save some money by staying in one of the nearby areas. With lodging options just a few miles from the slopes, downtown Winter Park is a 10 minute drive from the resort, but you’ll have access to all of the dining, shopping and nightlife options on Main Street.
Official Site: https://www.winterparkresort.com/
3. Aspen Snowmass
Why Ski Aspen
A ski mecca for the rich and famous, Aspen has grown into four standalone ski resorts since the flagship resort Aspen Mountain opened way back in 1946. It is now joined by Snowmass, Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands, each offering a distinctly different skiing experience. Lift tickets at one resort allows skiing across all four Aspen ski resorts, spanning 5,517 ac of skiable terrain in total but you'll need a ride because the ski resorts are spread across 9 mi. There are endless dining, nightlife and shopping options in the upscale town, which holds a reputation for attracting the rich and famous. It’s no doubt an expensive option, but the fantastic après-ski scene attracts hordes of skiers each year.
The Four Mountains
Aspen Mountain is the most accessible of the ski resorts from downtown Aspen and is collectively known as the 'skier's mountain' as it primarily appeals to intermediates with nearly half the runs rated blue and the remainder carved up for advanced skiing. If it's your first time skiing, best head down to the sister resorts Snowmass or Buttermilk.
Snowmass has a mix of skiing terrain and is located further out from the other three ski resorts but has the highest elevation of 12,510 ft. This resort is ideal for skiing with families or beginners.
Buttermilk is one of Aspen's smaller ski resorts and known to cater for beginner and family skiing. The Winter X games are hosted here annually (at least until 2024).
Aspen Highlands is another great mountain for advanced skiing but unlike Aspen Mountain, does have a few beginner runs . It is between Snowmass Village and downtown Aspen.
The Town
Snowmass Village and the Town of Aspen are the main locations to stay in when visiting Aspen ski resorts.
Snowmass Village
Stay here to have close access to Snowmass resort, with the largest terrain of the four ski resorts. Aspen Snowmass is the best option for families, as it has less nightlife than downtown Aspen. You’ll still enjoy the charming atmosphere of the pedestrian-only village with restaurants and shops, along with activities like tubing and an indoor climbing wall. The other three ski resorts and Aspens town itself, are about a 15 to 20 minute drive away.
Town of Aspen
In downtown Aspen, you’ll be at the base of Aspen Mountain and amongst one of the greatest après ski scenes. The former mining town has plenty of restaurants, bars, shops and galleries. There aren’t any beginner trails at Aspen Mountain resort, but Buttermilk is just a 10 minute drive away.
Official Site: https://www.aspensnowmass.com/
2. Vail
Why Ski Vail
Vail is one of the biggest and baddest of Colorado ski resorts. As the flagship mountain of Vail Resorts, the company behind the EPIC Pass, it is one of the most iconic and recognized resorts in North American skiing. Often touted as the crowning glory of Colorado ski resorts, Vail has it all; from enormous terrain to a world-class ski village. Having a look at the official trail map before you go will come in handy when you get on the mountain. The resort has charming European-style villages, with plenty of restaurants, shops and après options. That said, Vail can come with crowds and a price tag.
The Mountain
It's big, real big. Vail is spread across 5,317 ac of skiable terrain and along the broad front face of a ridge running generally east to west, with an equally broad terrain on the backside consisting of seven "Back Bowls". This terrain is serviced by 31 state-of-the-art lifts and has something for every level of skier. Although Vail may not be crowned as the ski resort with the highest elevation, it is still a fierce competitor, soaring up to 11,570 ft.
There are two main beginner skiing areas that are easily accessible - one at the base of Golden Peak and the other above the Lionshead area clustered around the Little Eagle Lift. Both areas have magic carpets, ski schools and slow-moving lifts which are ideal for beginners to learn skiing.
The Town
The three main areas are Golden Peak, Vail Village and Lionshead. Altogether they're stretched across 7 miles which is served by a free bus system.
Vail Village
Vail Village is at the heart of the resort. It is where most of the shops, restaurants and bars are located. The majority of lodging here are mostly high-end options with ski in ski out or walk access to the lifts.
Lionshead Village
Lionshead is about a 10-15 walk and a 5 minute drive from Vail Village. Although somewhat smaller, it still has plenty of dining and apres ski options as well as access to the slopes via Born Free Express Lift and the Eagle Bahn Gondola.
Golden Peak
Golden Peak is on the east end of the resort. It's quieter and more residential than the rest of the resort village, but it's also convenient to the race area and superpipe where events like the Burton US Open are held. It's also close to beginner skiing and one of the ski schools which makes it a good choice for families.
Official Site: https://www.vail.com/
1. Breckenridge
Why Ski Breckenridge
With 187 trails spread across 2,908 ac of skiable terrain, Breckenridge has some of the best ski slopes in Colorado. It is also home to North America’s highest chairlift, the Imperial Express SuperChair, soaring to a height of 12,840 ft! Don’t forget to take this opportunity to catch a glimpse of Colorado’s breathtaking peaks when you're at the top! The ski resort also boasts one of the highest base elevations in Colorado at 9,600 ft, creating the perfect formula for making good quality snow. Just beware altitude sickness is a thing here. Breckenridge centerpiece is unquestionably Peak 8, offering everything from groomers, to award-winning terrain parks and powder-filled bowls. You can access Breckenridge with the EPIC Ski Pass program.
The Town
With a town that was voted one of the best ski towns in the US, Breckenridge's Main Street is lined with bistros, bars, saloons, and a brewery, while activities like dog sledding and snowmobiling are just nearby. Breckenridge has a good balance of lodging options, après-ski entertainment and non-skiing activities at an affordable price.
Official Site: https://www.breckenridge.com/