10 Best Ski Resorts in Colorado, 2022

Why Ski Breckenridge

With 187 trails spread across 5 peaks, Breckenridge has some of the best slopes in Colorado. It is also home to North America’s highest chairlift, the Imperial Express Super Chair at 12,840 ft! The ski resort has an unusually high base elevation at 9,600 ft which makes for good quality snow - from this height you can spot the peaks of a whole bunch of Colorado's magnificent fourteeners. Just beware altitude sickness is a thing here. The centerpiece is unquestionably Peak 8, offering everything from groomers, award-winning terrain parks and powder-filled bowls. Skiing is not the only draw card at Breckenridge, it is also known as a party town with a wide range of apres ski activities and nightlife. 

Beginner Skiing

Beginners, rejoice! Breckenridge has some of the best beginner skiing in Colorado. The lower half of Peak 9 is entirely beginner terrain with 2 magic carpets and the ski school. Peak 8 is another great ski spot which is readily accessible from a gondola in the main town. 

Intermediate & Advanced Skiing

There is plenty of terrain for intermediate skiing across all five of Breckenridge's peaks. In fact, with how wide and mellow many of these runs are, they are also suitable for beginner skiing. For advanced skiers, almost half the terrain at Breckenridge is either black or double-black diamond. Much of the expert skiing is in high alpine, well above the tree line - not something every Colorado resort offers. Many of these runs are served by their own lifts so you don't have to go all the way down the mountain to keep skiing.

Where to stay

The town’s Main Street is lined with bistros, bars, saloons and a brewery, while activities like dog-sledding and snowmobiling are just nearby. Breckenridge is known for having affordable lodging compared to other big-name resorts such as Aspen and Vail. There are two key areas, at the base of the peaks or in the Historic District, essentially the town of Breckenridge.

Base:
Most people stay around the base of Peaks 7, 8 and 9 or around the 4 O’clock and Skyway skiway. These areas are best for those looking to be close to the slopes or chairlifts but you’ll be further from town. Staying at the base of Peak 9 is ideal for beginners thanks to the green slopes there and you can walk or shuttle to town. Peak 7 and 8 offer more luxury ski-in/ski-out accommodations and connect to town via the free BreckConnect Gondola, which takes about 10 minutes.

Town:
Staying in the historic town of Breckenridge is perfect for those looking to be close to restaurants, nightlife, and shopping. You can easily access the resort via the BreckConnect Gondola on the north edge of the town or you can walk or shuttle to one of the other chairlifts. Aside from the legendary après ski scene, you’ll be near other activities including art galleries and ghost tours.

Getting around

Within the resort:
It’s easy to get around Breckenridge if you don’t have a car. The most popular access point is Breckenridge station located at the center of town. This takes you straight up to Peak 8 base station which is ideal skiing for families as it's close to amenities and beginner skiing. 

There are two free bus services which ferry skiers and riders to and from the mountain. Breck Free Ride serves stops all over the town and its nearby surroundings, including all the resort’s base areas. Additionally, many lodging properties offer their own shuttles around town so always check. There is also 

Within Summit County:
The Summit Stage bus system serves Colorado resorts throughout Summit County, including Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, and Keystone. The bus service stops every 30 minutes or so.

Why Ski Vail

It's 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 is one of the rare ski destinations that has it all; enormous terrain and a world-class ski village. The frontside of the mountain is jam-packed full of green and blue groomers, while the seven back bowls are perfect for advanced skiing. The resort has charming European-style villages, with plenty of restaurants, shops and après options. Keep in mind that with luxury amenities like heated sidewalks, Vail doesn’t come without crowds or a price tag.

The Mountain

It's big, real big. Vail is spread along the broad front face of a ridge running generally east to west, with an equally broad expanse of terrain on the backside consisting of seven "Back Bowls". This terrain is serviced by 31 state of the art lifts. That's a lot of big mountain skiing. Grooming reports are provided daily via the EPIC Mix app along with estimated wait times and lift statuses. 

There are two main beginner skiing areas which is easily accessible - one at the base of Golden Peak and the other above Lionshead area clustered around the Little Eagle Lift. Both areas have magic carpets, ski schools and slow moving lifts which is ideal for beginners to learn skiing. 

There is no shortage of intermediate or advanced skiing terrain which is spread across the resort. Advanced skiers will want to make for the upper areas below Northwoods Express Lift, the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin. 

Where to stay

Vail has three main areas: Golden Peak, Vail Village and Lionshead. Altogether they're stretched across 7 miles which is served by a free bus system. 

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 super pipe 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. 

Vail Village is at the heart of the resort, with most of the shops, dining and bustling apres ski and nightlift spots. It's also where the Vail Transportation Center is so if you're not driving, this is a major stop to be dropped off. From here you access the mountain from Gondola One which accesses intermediate skiing. This is also where you find high end lodging options. 

Lionshead is about a 5 minute drive from Vail Village. Somewhat smaller than Vail Village, 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.

Nearby Areas: Cascade Village is another 5 minute drive to the west of Lionshead. It’s away from the hustle and bustle, but served by its own lift.East Vail and West Vail are both up to 25 minutes away from the center of the resort by bus, but offer more affordable lodging. West Vail has more shops and dining options.

Getting around

Within Vail Village, you’ll find that most places are within walking distance. To travel between the base villages, the free Town of Vail buses operate throughout the resort, and to East and West Vail. The resort has a dedicated app to track bus locations and parking availability.

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. The lift tickets at one resort allows skiing across all four Aspen ski resorts but you'll need a ride because the ski resorts are spread across 9 miles. 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.

Aspen Mountain: This 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: Snowmass has a mix of skiing terrain and is located further out from the other three ski resorts. This resort is ideal for skiing with families or beginners. 

Buttermilk: Buttermilk is one of Aspen's smaller ski resorts and known to cater for beginner and family skiing. The Winter X games is hosted here annually (at least until 2024). 

Aspen Highlands: 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. 

Where to stay

Snowmass Village and the Town of Aspen are the main locations to stay in when visiting Aspen ski resorts. There are limited lodging options at the base of Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands.

Snowmass Village:
Stay here to have close access to Snowmass resort, with the largest terrain of the four ski resorts. It is a better option for families, as it has less nightlife than downtown Aspen. You’ll still enjoy a charming atmosphere with restaurants, shops and 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 be 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.

Getting around

The local RFTA bus system regularly operates free routes between the four ski resorts. Many hotels also offer their own shuttles to and from the slopes. The resorts have a dedicated app to check parking availability before arriving.

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. 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’s also plenty of kid-friendly activities outside of skiing including the tube park, ice bumper cars and snowmobiling. The resort 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 Skiing

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 and the place for skiing 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. 

Where to stay

There are two main areas to stay in; the Village at Winter Park at the base of the mountain or in the surrounding areas.

Village at Winter Park:
Staying here is the most convenient option for getting on the slopes and being amongst the resort restaurants and shops. Keep in mind that the number of lodging options are limited, and the convenience can add up in price. For more dining and shopping options, the Main Street in downtown Winter Park is just a 10 minute drive away.

Nearby Areas:
If you’re willing to drive to the slopes each morning, you might save some money by staying in one of the nearby areas. The Old Town Winter Park area is located between the resort and downtown Winter Park. It has 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.

Getting around

The Lift is a free shuttle service that loops between the resort and the towns of Winter Park and Fraser throughout the day and into the night. The shuttle’s downloadable app allows you to track the bus in real time.

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 ski area is smaller than neighboring Vail, 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 Skiing

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 resrot 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 better skiing at Winter Park or A-Basin.

Where to Stay

You can stay in one of the villages at the base of the mountain, or nearby in the Town of Avon.

Base:
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. Bachelor Gulch Village and Arrowhead Village don’t have as many lodging or dining options.

Town:
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.

Getting around

There are free shuttle and bus services operating between Avon and Beaver Creek Village. A free, on-demand shuttle service is also offered throughout the resort. The ECO Transit bus system operates a paid service between Vail and Beaver Creek resorts during the ski season.

Why Ski Keystone

Keystone is a resort which tailored to families who are after a big mountain skiing experience. It has all the amenities to be a family favorite, with lots of activities outside of skiing such as tubing, sleigh rides and Kidtopia kids program. The resort is less expensive than higher end resorts like Vail or Beaver Creek but can get crowded due to its popularity. 

The other draw cards for Keystone is its night skiing and terrain parks. It has the largest number of trails light up after dark here which solidifies Keystone's claim of having Colorado's longest ski day. The 60 acre A51 Terrain Park is regarded as one of the best in Colorado, with its own dedicated chairlift that will keep you skiing all day!

Where to stay

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 also home to the Kidtopia Headquarters. You’ll have close access to the River Run Gondola, which will take you directly up 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.

Getting around

There are shuttle stops throughout Keystone and the free shuttle system makes stops every 20 minutes or so. The Summit Stage bus system is a free service that operates throughout Summit County resorts and towns including Frisco, Silverthorne and Breckenridge.

Why Ski Steamboat

Steamboat offers a unique Colorado ski experience, located close to an authentic cowboy town and relaxing geothermal hot springs. Skiers of all abilities can enjoy the resort's “Champagne Powder” snow and famous glade skiing. It’s a popular resort among families, with a Kids’ Vacation Center and the Outlaw Mountain Coaster, which is over a mile long! The resort has a relatively low summit elevation so it can be a good option to avoid altitude sickness. Steamboat is located further out from major airports and is not easily accessible as other Colorado ski resorts, but that means less crowds.

The Skiing

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 great - without getting too deep into the science, there's a desert off the west where most snowstorms come which dries out the moisture, turning the snow to tiny flakes that are incredibly easy to blow through, even when you're knee deep in it. 

Where to stay

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 resorts dining and shopping. Another option is the Mountain Village area which is adjacent to the base. There are plenty of lodges and condominiums that are a short walk or drive to the slopes. There isn’t much nightlife in either area, but the drive to downtown Steamboat Springs is about 10 minutes.

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 of the hot springs. The ski resort is just a 10 minute drive away.

Getting around

The Steamboat Springs Transit (SST) is a free bus system that operates between the ski resort and downtown. Many hotels also offer their own shuttle service to take guests to and from the slopes.

Why Ski Telluride

Telluride stands out for its stunning scenery and Wild West town. Although the terrain is varied, you are skiing Telluride for its intense chutes and bowls are worth noting for the advanced. Exploring the shops and eateries in the former mining town are also a key part of the experience. Relative to most Colorado resorts, it's difficult to reach from Denver, but this means there are fewer crowds.

Where to stay

The main areas to stay are on-mountain in Mountain Village or at the base of the mountain in the town of Telluride.

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. 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.

Getting around

The free gondola operates between Mountain Village and the town of Telluride, from 6:30 am to midnight. The ride takes 13 minutes one way. The town is easy to walk around, but there is also a free shuttle service called the Galloping Goose which operates a loop.

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 the mountain naturally split into three sections, advanced, intermediate and beginner terrain. Outside of skiing, there are a plethora of family activities available - a four laned tubing hill, the Rocky Mountain Coaster and an indoor training facility with trampolines and foam pits to keep the kids busy.

Where to stay

There are three villages that sit at the base of the mountain: Center Village, East Village and West Village.

Center Village:
Home to the resorts 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.

Getting Around

To travel between the villages, the Village Shuttle operates a number of routes in a continuous loop. Alternatively, the Copper Coach is a free, on-demand ride service for overnight guests. You can catch the free Summit Stage bus to get to and from nearby towns and resorts including Frisco, Silverthorne, Breckenridge and Keystone.

Why Ski Arapahoe Basin

A-Basin is all about extreme skiing rather than the amenities. It’s perfect for advanced skiers who don’t mind a no-frills experience. Known for having some of the highest skiable terrain in Colorado, it typically stays open from October to June. There's limited dining and no lodging at the base, but it’s just a short drive from nearby towns and Colorado resorts. A-Basin’s laid-back atmosphere comes to life with its parking lot après scene.

Where to stay

There isn’t any lodging at the base, but most visitors stay at nearby Colorado resorts or 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.

Getting around

Walking around A-Basin itself is easy, thanks to the compact base area. To get to the resort, you can catch the free Summit Stage bus from nearby Colorado ski resorts including Keystone, Breckenridge, Silverthorne or Frisco.