12 Top-Rated Ski Resorts in Colorado, 2023/24

Colorado offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the United States, and snowfall amounts during major storms can be spectacular. Ski resorts range from top-end, world-class resorts with seemingly endless terrain to single-lift, family-run operations that deliver skiers to groomed runs and some of the best hike-to possibilities in the country.

Finding the right resort typically comes down to personal taste, skiing preferences, skill level, budget, convenience of location, and even what time of year you want to ski in Colorado. Unlike some of the ski resorts in Utah, all the resorts in Colorado are open to both skiers and snowboarders.

Several of the major Colorado ski resorts are near Denver, including Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Copper, Vail, and Beaver Creek. Aspen and Steamboat are slightly further afield but still within range of Denver. These two also have airports with direct flights to destinations in the US.

In the more remote southwest region of Colorado are Purgatory, Telluride, and Silverton, along with a number of other smaller resorts.

Opening and closing dates of the ski resorts are often dependent on conditions. Some resorts stay open as long as the season permits and open as soon as conditions are good enough; others have planned closing dates regardless of conditions. Several of the major resorts have invested heavily in snowmaking equipment to extend the season, and now open much earlier than in previous years. Many of the dates you see listed below are the ski resorts’ estimates.

Get inspired and plan your winter trip with our list of the best ski resorts in Colorado.

1. Vail Mountain Resort

The seven back bowls are enough to occupy skiers for a whole season. This is if you manage to drag yourself off the long groomed runs, which stretch along the front side, overlooking the town of Vail. And certainly, there are people who never do venture into the back bowls.

The Mountain:

When it comes to skiing in Colorado, Vail is the biggest name around. This is one of the largest resorts in the world and home to some of the best terrain in Colorado.

The extensive and varied terrain means the resort can easily accommodate all levels of skiers, from beginners to experts, and you can almost always find good conditions somewhere on the mountain regardless of the weather. Beginners and intermediates tend to enjoy the groomed runs on the front, while more advanced skiers and experts will find excellent tree skiing, moguls, and steeps on the back.

Vail is not as high as some of the other resorts in the area but still receives a heavy amount of snow, with more than 350 inches per season. The resort has also recently completed a huge snowmaking enhancement project, which has led to a longer season.

Spread over 5,289 acres, the hill has 31 lifts, three terrain parks, and does an extensive amount of grooming. It is a great place for beginner and intermediate-level skiers.

In 2023 Vail replaced the current quad in the Game Creek Bowl with a six-person high-speed chair. This has significantly increased the number of skiers being transported and now allows for more laps of this amazing terrain. The new Sun Down Lift has also eased the pressure on Lift #5 (always a bottleneck) and makes accessing Sun Down Bowl easier.

Day lift ticket sales at Vail are limited to a set number of skiers. This is an effort to maintain the user’s experience on the hill. EPIC day pass and EPIC season pass holders, as well as patrons of the ski school, will be exempt from this limitation. Quantities available per day will be posted on the resort’s website.

Vail is part of the EPIC ski pass program.

Opening and Closing: The 2023/2024 ski season is expected to run from November 10, 2023, to mid-April 2024.

The Town:

At the base of the mountain, just off Interstate 70, is the town of Vail. It caters largely to high-end travelers, with luxury accommodations, fine dining, and upscale shopping.

By ski village standards, Vail is big. Along the interstate, you’ll see exits for East Vail, Vail Town Center, and West Vail. Vail Town Center, including Lionhead Village immediately to the west of Town Center, is where all the action is located. Town Center or Lionhead Village is also where you will likely want to park for a day of skiing, and where you will find dining and shopping. These two areas are essentially connected to each other.

East Vail is quite removed from the action and is mostly occupied by homes and condos. Staying here will require figuring out transport to the ski hill. West Vail is a little more accessible and offers easy access to grocery stores, fast food restaurants, and more everyday shopping. You will still have to take a shuttle to the mountain.

Nearby Towns and Accommodation Options:

Staying in Vail is pricey, but more affordable accommodation can be found in the surrounding towns, from Silverthorne and Frisco over to Avon and Eagle. Many visitors fly into Denver and drive or take a shuttle to Vail. The closest airport is actually the Eagle Vail Airport, about a 40-minute drive from Vail.

Official site: www.vail.com

Accommodation: Where to Stay near Vail Mountain

Vail Historical Climate Averages

2. Aspen Snowmass

Aspen Snowmass is actually a combination of four ski areas around Aspen and Snowmass Village. The four mountains together, which consist of Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk, cover a massive amount of terrain, rivaling Vail in sheer size. Note that these are all separate ski areas that you must drive between, they are not connected mountains.

The Mountains:

Snowmass, with more than 3,300 acres of terrain, dominates in terms of size. The base elevation is just over 8,100 feet, and the top elevation is just over 12,500 feet. It is largely a family-oriented hill with great intermediate skiing.

Last season’s installation of the new $10.7-million-dollar high-speed quad chairlift, which replaced the old Big Burn lift, has made a big difference in skier flow and uphill capacity. The base area is also much improved with new restaurants, infrastructure upgrades, and new shops. The snowmaking capacity increase and additional high alpine lift improvements will bring big smiles to the faces of skiers and boarders.

At the base of the mountain, Snowmass Village has a very traditional ski village atmosphere, with pedestrian-only streets lined with shops and restaurants. This is a good place to base yourself if you plan on skiing at Snowmass.

Snowmass started a tradition of offering free s’mores between 3:30 and 4:30 daily at the Base Village fire pits and at the Snowmass Mall.

Buttermilk, although it has a relatively small amount of terrain (less than 500 acres), has gained notoriety by frequently hosting the Winter X-games. It has a large number of beginner and intermediate runs.

Aspen Mountain, by contrast, has no beginner runs, this is for intermediate or advanced skiers. This mountain is accessed directly from the town of Aspen. You can see the runs as you walk through town. Like Buttermilk, it is a smaller ski area with less than 700 acres of skiable terrain.

Aspen Highlands is known for its advanced and expert runs, although it does have beginner and intermediate skiing. It has a little over 1,000 acres. All mountains seem to be packed these days but Aspen Highlands is known for having fewer people and a good place to escape the crowds.

Aspen Snowmass will be hosting the best downhill racers in the world, with the men’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup on March 1-3, 2024.

Aspen Snowmass is part of both the Mountain Collective Ski Pass program and the IKON Ski Pass program.

Opening and Closing: Snowmass opens on November 23, 2023, and closes on April 14, 2024. Aspen Mountain opens on November 23, 2023, and closes on April 21, 2024. Aspen Highlands opens on December 9, 2023, and closes on April 7, 2024. Buttermilk opens on December 9, 2023, and closes on March 31, 2024.

The Town:

The town of Aspen, at the base of Aspen Mountain, has long been known for its high-wattage celebrity status. Many famous people, ranging from Hollywood superstars to famous athletes, own property in the area. It’s a popular place for a weekend getaway from Denver, even if you are not a skier. There are several ways to get from Denver to Aspen, even if you don’t want to drive.

This is not just a resort that has been developed around a ski hill. It began as a mining camp, and as a result, has an authentic mountain town feel. You can find a full range of hotels and resorts at the base of the slopes or a little farther back. Aspen also offers plenty of things to do for non-skiers.

Official site: www.aspensnowmass.com

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Aspen

Aspen Historical Climate Averages

3. Telluride Ski Resort

In a remote setting in the San Juan Mountains, Telluride is one of the most scenic ski towns in the United States. Add to that a top-end ski resort with incredible terrain and consistently good snowfall amounts, and it’s no wonder Telluride has become such a popular resort destination.

The Mountain:

If you are looking to log a serious amount of vertical, this is one of the best places to ski in Colorado. The resort has more than 2,000 acres of terrain, a base elevation of 8,725 feet, and a maximum elevation of 13,150 feet (4,425 feet vertical drop).

The mountain offers a good mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs, and experts will find a substantial amount of hike-to terrain for more extreme skiing. The annual snowfall amount is about 300 inches.

The new chair installed last season on lift #9 (The Plunge) has cut the ride time almost in half to seven minutes from the former 12 which allows for even more shredding in this fantastic area.

A free gondola moves people between the town of Telluride and Mountain Village, meaning skiers staying at the village can come into town whenever they like, and it’s easy for skiers staying in town to access the ski hill. You don’t have to be on skis to hop a ride on the gondola; anyone can go up and have a look around.

Skiers staying in Telluride, rather than Mountain Village, can ski all the way down to the town when they are done skiing, or download using the gondola. The runs from the top of the gondola down to the town are not green runs and are steeper than some skiers want to attempt, particularly at the end of the ski day.

Telluride is part of the EPIC Ski Pass program.

Opening and Closing: Telluride opens on November 23, 2023, and closes in mid-April 2024

The Town:

Telluride is a true ski town, not a company-owned resort town. The scenic main street is lined with interesting stores, restaurants, and coffee shops. You don’t have to be a skier to enjoy a stay here, and the town is as enjoyable from spring until fall as it is in winter. The town hosts events and interesting things to do throughout the year, making it a great getaway anytime.

Nearby Towns and Accommodation Options:

Telluride is one of the best ski towns in Colorado and the best option is to stay in Telluride. You can find accommodation in town or on the mountain. Due to the demand in the high season, prices can be high. Also, if you are traveling with a furry companion, finding a hotel that accepts pets can be very difficult.

For better prices, pet-friendly accommodation, and a lively ski culture, you may want to consider staying in Durango, about two hours away, and commuting. Even locals in Durango who have the option of skiing at Durango’s Purgatory Resort make day trips to ski Telluride. Another option is to stay in Montrose, about a 90-minute drive away, although it does not have the same ski town atmosphere.

Official site: www.tellurideskiresort.com

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Telluride

Telluride Historical Climate Averages

4. Beaver Creek Resort

The Mountain:

Owned by Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort lies just a short distance down the highway from Vail, and only two hours from Denver. This resort is known for its high level of customer service, groomed runs, and friendly atmosphere.

With over 1,800 acres of skiable terrain, this hill offers a full range of runs for all abilities but it is one of the best ski resorts in Colorado for beginners. The resort does an exceptional amount of grooming, creating perfect conditions for new skiers.

Two new quad chairs service the McCoy Park area of the mountain and skiers have loved the new quicker access to 250 acres of high-altitude terrain suitable for intermediate and beginner skiers.

Each afternoon at 3pm the smell of fresh-baked treats wafts through the air as chocolate chip cookies, served by staff in chef’s hats, are handed out to skiers coming off the hill or lingering around the base.

Escalators take guests up several flights of stairs from the town to the chairlift, and attendants are always around to help tired and struggling skiers carry their skis down the escalators and to the bus stop at the end of the day. The town sidewalks are heated, so there is never a buildup of ice.

The mountain has the lowest elevation of the big resorts in the area, with a base elevation of 8,100 feet and a summit elevation of 11,400 feet. This makes it a good option for people flying in from lower elevations and worried about altitude sickness. If you are planning a multi-day trip and visiting several ski hills, starting at Beaver Creek will help lessen the effects of the altitude.

At Beaver Creek, day lift ticket sales will be limited to a set number of skiers. This is an effort to maintain the users’ experience on the hill. EPIC day pass and EPIC season pass holders, as well as patrons of the ski school, will be exempt from this limitation. Quantities available per day will be posted on the resort’s website.

Beaver Creek is part of the EPIC Ski Pass program.

Opening and Closing: Beaver Creek opens on November 22, 2023, and closes mid-April 2024.

The Town:

At the base of the ski resort is the quaint Beaver Creek Village. After a day of skiing or snowboarding, this is a nice place to relax at an outdoor table and watch the last remaining skiers come down the slopes.

Behind the restaurants and establishments lining the mountain is a pedestrian-only area with a lovely outdoor space. Here, you’ll find seats, fire pits, and a large outdoor skating rink in the center. Surrounding the open space are shops and restaurants.

Nearby Towns and Accommodation Options:

About 10 minutes down the hill from Beaver Creek Village is the town of Avon, which can also serve as an excellent base. You can often find more affordable accommodation options and a full selection of restaurants and retail shops, like sports stores, grocery stores, and a pharmacy. Free shuttle buses run regularly, taking guests from their hotels in Avon up to Beaver Creek.

For upscale dining with a semi-casual atmosphere and great food, check out Vin 48 or Blue Plate in Avon. A local favorite for breakfast is the Northside Kitchen, where you can sit down and enjoy a tasty meal or grab some takeaway pastries from the front counter.

Official site: www.beavercreek.com

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek (Avon, CO) – Historical Climate Averages

5. Breckenridge Ski Resort

The Mountain:

Breckenridge is the complete package, from groomed runs through the trees to extraordinary high alpine bowls that you can access with a lift. And with even a minimal amount of hiking off the Imperial Chairlift, you can find some outstanding terrain. The exposed bowls may look intimidating from a distance, but they offer unparalleled skiing opportunities for advanced skiers. This is the place to come for anyone looking to push their skill level beyond intermediate.

Breckenridge has terrain for everyone, with green, blue, and black diamond runs lower down on the mountain, moguls here and there, and beginner-friendly areas. This mountain is fairly easy to navigate, largely due to the fact that it is spread out along the front side of a series of peaks. Also of note, the on-mountain dining is always quite good at Breck.

The skiing here is high, with a base elevation that begins at 9,600 feet. The Imperial Chairlift on Peak 8 is the highest lift in North America, and the hill’s summit elevation is 12,998 feet. On spring days, when the bottom of the hill is soft, the top of the hill often has full-on winter conditions with excellent snow.

For late-season skiing, Breckenridge can be a good option. Keep in mind, that if you are flying to Colorado from a much lower elevation, the altitude can sometimes be challenging, especially on day one.

Breckenridge has undergone several recent upgrades, including a new guest-service facility, with a new children’s ski and snowboarding school, childcare facilities, and new equipment rental facilities.

The installation of the new Freedom SuperChair last season has dramatically relieved the lines typically experienced at the Independence SuperChair. Another improvement, more targeted at beginners, is the replacement of Rip’s Ride. The old fixed grip double chair is gone and in its place is a brand new high-speed quad. And the investment continues unabated; a new upgrade to the 5-Chair has now transformed it into a new, high-speed quad and a new name: the FIVE SuperChair. This new chair completes the vision of Peak 8 being entirely serviced by high-speed equipment.

Breckenridge will be limiting day lift ticket sales to a set number of skiers. This is an effort to maintain the user’s experience on the hill. EPIC day pass and EPIC season pass holders as well as patrons of the ski school will be exempt from this limitation. Quantities available per day will be posted on the resort’s website.

Breckenridge is part of the EPIC Ski Pass program.

Opening and Closing: Breckenridge opens November 10, 2023, and closes the 1st week of May 2024

The Town:

Breckenridge is a fun, small town with a cute main street offering great après ski opportunities. On a spring day, you can grab a snack and sit on an outdoor patio in town watching the late afternoon sun hit the mountain you just skied.

The gondola accessing the mountain leaves from town, and you can park right here. This makes the whole process of getting on the mountain extremely simple and convenient. Parking is relatively inexpensive compared to other resorts in the area.

Nearby Towns and Accommodation Options:

Breckenridge is an enjoyable place to stay, and you should make this your first choice if you are skiing Breck.

If you can’t find accommodation here, nearby Silverthorne often has some moderately priced hotels. Frisco is another good option in the vicinity. This is a cute town with plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, and attractions.

Official site: www.breckenridge.com

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Breckenridge

Breckenridge Historical Climate Averages

6. Keystone Resort

The Mountain:

Keystone is spread over three mountains, each taking you back farther into the wilderness, away from the resort. As a result, the deeper you go, often the less crowded the skiing becomes. This is a large resort with 21 lifts and terrain to suit every ability, making it perfect for families.

The runs on the first mountain, Decorum Mountain, are primarily groomed cruisers and beginner runs. Beyond this is North Peak with slightly more advanced terrain, including moguls and steep runs. At the back is The Outback, with the resort’s highest peak at just under 12,000 feet. This area is also designed for intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders.

There’s huge excitement at Keystone for the 2023/24 season; construction has been completed on the new six-passenger lift in the Bergman Bowl. This new lift has opened up 555 new acres and skiers will find 16 new trails targeted to intermediate plus ability in both the Bergman and Erikson Bowls.

Other recent improvements include a replacement of the aging quad Peru chair with a new six-passenger version. This has increased uphill capacity by 25 percent and made a big difference in skier flow in the Mountain House area.

For those looking for even more adventure, the resort offers CAT skiing, providing access to a number of bowls. Keystone Resort also lays claim to “Colorado’s longest ski day” due to its night skiing schedule.

Keystone limits day lift ticket sales to a set number of skiers. This is an effort to maintain the users’ experience on the hill. EPIC day pass and EPIC season pass holders, as well as patrons of the ski school, will be exempt from this limitation. Quantities available per day will be posted on the resort’s website.

Keystone is part of the EPIC Ski Pass program.

Opening and Closing: Keystone is targeting an unbelievable mid-October, 2023 open date and will close in mid-April 2024

The Town:

Keystone has two villages: River Run and Lakeside. River Run Village is the main village at the base of the mountain. For skiers, this is the heart of the action. It offers a variety of relaxed dining options, just perfect following a day on the hill.

The parking here is convenient and free, making the whole process of spending a day skiing at this resort easy and more affordable than some of the surrounding resorts, like Vail, where parking is at a premium, and rates are correspondingly high.

Lakeside Village is, as the name suggests, set around a small lake. In winter, it’s frozen over and becomes a huge skating rink. Shops, restaurants, and condos surround the lake.

Keystone Resort does a great job of entertaining guests who choose to stay in the area. Activities beyond skiing, snowboarding, or skating include horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowmobiling, yoga, an art studio, and more.

Official site: www.keystoneresort.com

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Keystone

Keystone Resort Historical Climate Averages

7. Steamboat Ski Resort

The Mountain:

Steamboat Ski Resort is centered around Mount Werner, just outside Steamboat Springs. The mountain receives ample snow each year, averaging 334 inches annually. The resort has trademarked the term “Champagne Powder Snow” which refers to the dry fluffy powder Steamboat is known for.

The elevation ranges from 6,900 feet at the base to 10,568 feet at the summit. By Colorado standards, this is not particularly high and it can be a good option for people concerned about the effects of high altitude.

With 2,965 acres, Steamboat is a big resort with plenty of terrain and is particularly well-known for its fabulous tree skiing.

It’s hard to believe that the resort could get bigger. Last year an incredible 355 acres of new terrain was added in the Pioneer Ridge area, opening up some steep and deep powder stashes that were, up until now, locals-only secrets. If you feel like a bite to eat and want a bit of history on the side, check out the newly renovated Hazie’s restaurant, one of Steamboat’s most famous eateries.

The new terrain and restaurant renovations are just the start of huge changes at Steamboat. Alterra, Steamboat’s owner, is investing over $200 million in new infrastructure over the next four years. When they are done in 2024/25, you won’t recognize the place.

For 2023/24, you’ll notice that the base area is a major construction site. Gone are all the old buildings, and in their place are new and innovative shops and restaurants. Steamboat Square has undergone a major change, making it more user-friendly, a new skating rink has been added for post-skiing family fun.

The most exciting addition to lift infrastructure is the new Wild Blue gondola. Work is ongoing, for the 2023/24 season; it will be operational to the top at Sunshine Peak. This huge investment will move an additional 4,000 skiers from the base area on an hourly basis.

You may wonder where the Christie Peak Express Lift went. Don’t worry, it hasn’t been demolished; it has just been moved. However, the mini golf and mountain coaster ride have been removed and will not be replaced.

Another huge upgrade is the installation of the Mahogany Ridge Chairlift. This long-anticipated expansion will see 650 acres of advanced to expert terrain added to Steamboat’s total making them the second-largest resort in Colorado.

Lessons have been moved uphill to the new 14-acre Greenhorn Ranch Learning Center. Everything up here will be brand new, including a chairlift, four magic carpet surface lifts, and its own dedicated snowmaking.

Less noticeable but still important to note is that the resort has also added two new groomers, new snowmaking capacity, and an upgrade to the Sunshine Express lift.

You may not even want to bring your old skis. The rental shop has received $500,000 in the latest new equipment. The Ski Patrol will have a new look, with new gear and clothing.

Steamboat is part of the IKON Ski Pass program.

Opening and Closing: Steamboat opens on November 22, 2023, and closes the second week of April 2024.

The Town:

Steamboat Springs is set off on its own, well off the I-70 corridor and a fair distance from the other major ski resorts in Colorado. The town has a strong Western heritage and cowboy culture, which gives the area a casual and Wild West feel. Festivals, events, and other things to do in Steamboat Springs are often based around this theme.

Steamboat Springs is a three-hour drive from Denver, but it has an airport with direct flights from several of the major airports around the USA.

Official site: www.steamboat.com

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Ski And Resort – Historical Climate Averages

8. Purgatory Resort

The Mountain:

Purgatory Mountain Resort, formerly known as Durango Mountain Resort, is primarily a family-oriented ski hill just outside of Durango, in the San Juan Mountains. This is a local’s mountain with a friendly atmosphere and old-school attitude, although facilities are being upgraded on an ongoing basis. It is also known for offering decent value, with reasonably priced lift tickets and amenities.

The terrain at Purgatory has traditionally been heavily skewed towards beginner and intermediate level skiers and boarders. However, those with advanced skill levels have always been able to find places to challenge themselves here. In recent years the resort opened up new intermediate and advanced terrain and new areas for tree skiing.

One great money-saving program for parents: all kids under 12 years of age ski for free with no blackout dates. Those children who qualify are issued a free season pass.

The Town:

Purgatory has a range of accommodation options in the area surrounding the resort, but there is no town at the base of the mountain. Many people stay in Durango, about a 20-minute drive away, and commute.

A former mining town, Durango is a lively tourist town with restored historic buildings lining the downtown. It also has wonderful old hotels, trendy restaurants, and numerous ski shops.

Purgatory is about a 2.5-hour drive from Telluride. If you want to base yourself here for your trip, you can day trip up to Telluride to check out some new terrain.

Opening and Closing: Purgatory opens on November 18, 2023, and closes the first week of April 2024.

Official site: www.purgatoryresort.com

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Durango

Purgatory Resort Historical Climate Averages

9. Copper Mountain

The Mountain:

Copper Mountain is a popular family-focused resort a little more than an hour’s drive from Denver. As you are driving along Interstate 70 towards Vail, you can see the runs trailing down the mountainside.

With 23 lifts spread across 2,465 acres, there is plenty of terrain for skiers and boarders to explore and good carrying capacity. It has a decent mix of runs for all levels, including advanced skiers.

Ski conditions are generally on par with the rest of the ski resorts in this area. Copper is high, with a base elevation of 9,712 feet and a summit elevation of 12,313 feet. You can sometimes see feet of fresh powder after a storm, but the mountain has plenty of grooming capacity to ensure everyone gets their fair share of morning corduroy.

Copper is part of the IKON Ski Pass program.

Opening and Closing: Copper Mountain opens on November 13, 2023, and closes in mid-April, 2024.

The Town:

The mountain empties onto an adorable little village, with shops and restaurants. Places like the City Pop, serving gourmet popcorn and candy, are fun stops for families, but you’ll find plenty of adult restaurants and entertainment options as well.

The village is divided into East Village, Center Village, and West Village, each of which has chairlifts, but these areas are all very close together. Center Village, where all the action is, centers around the main plaza at the base of the lift, and West Lake is tucked in behind.

Official site: www.coppercolorado.com

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Copper Mountain

Copper Mountain Resort – Historical Climate Averages

10. Arapahoe Basin

The Mountain:

Known more commonly as “A-Basin,” Arapahoe has the distinct advantage of being high. Located on Loveland Pass, the summit elevation reaches 13,050 feet and the base elevation is 10,780 feet. This allows the resort to stay open into June and sometimes even later, well beyond the April closing dates of the surrounding mountains. Arapahoe is one of the best places in Colorado for spring skiing.

At Arapahoe, you can expect to find beautiful open runs, some steep, and others designed for beginners. Runs flow down two sides of a ridge, meaning you can usually find good conditions regardless of the day. This can be a windy mountain, but usually, one side or the other is sheltered on any given day.

The resort has traditionally not been known for having an excessive amount of terrain, especially compared to the surrounding Vail Resorts, but that’s all changing. The resort is in the process of a multi-year expansion, which includes the Beavers and Steep Gullies expansion for “hike-to” skiing. This new area has proved to be very popular with advanced skiers.

The relaxed, fun, and old-school atmosphere at Arapahoe is also one of the mountain’s big attractions. On warm spring days, people set up their barbecues on picnic tables at the edge of the parking lot at the base of the mountain and watch the skiers make their way down the runs. Kids, dogs, and the whole family come out to enjoy the day, whether they are skiing or not.

Arapahoe Basin is easy to reach from Denver, has good value, and is included on several of the multi-resort and multi-day passes. They also offer many of their own specials, which can be excellent deals if they correspond with your ski plans. Even if you don’t plan a full vacation to A-Basin, it’s definitely worth checking out if you are skiing at some of the surrounding resorts.

Arapahoe will be limiting day lift ticket sales to a set number of skiers. This is an effort to maintain the users’ experience on the hill. EPIC day pass and EPIC season pass holders, as well as patrons of the ski school, will be exempt from this limitation. Quantities available per day will be posted on the resort’s website. Note also that day lift tickets must be purchased in advance, online. No tickets will be sold at the resort.

Arapahoe is part of the EPIC, Mountain Collective, and IKON Pass programs.

Opening and Closing: Arapahoe’s opening and closing is based on snow conditions. They usually open in October and close in June.

Nearby Towns and Accommodation Options:

Since Arapahoe Basin does not have a town at the base, you’ll need to find accommodation in the surrounding area. From Arapahoe, it is a 10-minute drive to Keystone and a 30-minute drive to Breckenridge.

If you are looking for reasonably priced hotels, it’s best to look in Silverthorne, about a 20-minute drive from the mountain. Just slightly farther away, but with a more lively atmosphere and a good selection of hotels, is the town of Frisco.

Official site: www.arapahoebasin.com

Accommodation: Where to stay in Frisco

Arapahoe Historical Climate Averages

11. Silverton Mountain

No article on skiing or snowboarding in Colorado is complete without a mention of Silverton Ski Resort. This mountain is not for everyone but it does offer a completely unique experience that many people dream about. This resort was featured in the Warren Miller ski movie, Timeless.

The Mountain:

A lone, old, double chairlift takes skiers and boarders up the mountain to hike-to terrain. It’s essentially backcountry skiing with a lift. This resort is only for advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders, and people come here specifically for the powder. The area gets an exceptionally high level of snowfall, with annual totals of about 400 inches, and there are no groomed runs.

Everyone is outfitted with avalanche gear before they head up the mountain. Old school buses pick up guests where they come off the runs, a kilometer or so down the road from the lodge, and shuttle them back to the base.

The base “lodge” is little more than a home-built, tent-covered yurt. This is not a resort that screams posh. What it does have is great skiing, a strong following of skiers who live for this type of terrain and experience, and an atmosphere like no other ski hill in Colorado. Everyone here is pumped up for a great day of skiing, and the rustic ambience is embraced.

If it all seems a bit overwhelming, don’t be dismayed. Silverton has a program that will pair you up with a local (for a fee) who will ski with you all day and show you the best snow on the mountain.

Silverton Mountain also offers heli-skiing and heli-boarding. This includes six runs in areas reserved for heli-tours. The heli-skiing season starts much earlier than the lift-serviced season; generally, you can get that untouched powder beneath your skis by late November.

Have you always wanted to rent out a ski resort for you and 40 of your closest friends? For the relatively reasonable price of $9,990, which breaks out into $250/per person, it’s all yours! Availability ranges throughout the season, but mid-week days are always open.

Opening and Closing: Silverton Mountain opens December 28th, 2023, and closes mid-April 2024.

The Town:

Silverton Mountain is just outside of the tiny town of Silverton. This former mining town is today a largely summer-focused tourist town and many of the establishments here close in winter. It sits at over 9,300 feet and in winter is piled deep with snow. In winter, much of the accommodation here is motels, but a couple of small historic inns offer a bit of boutique luxury.

Nearby Towns and Accommodation:

In good driving conditions, Durango is a little over an hour’s drive from Silverton. In snowy conditions, plan on much longer. If you are looking for a little more action than Silverton, Durango is the place to base yourself. There is also much more accommodation here.

Official site: https://silvertonmountain.com

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Silverton

Silverton Historical Climate Averages

12. Wolf Creek Ski Area

The Mountain:

This is one of the best places to ski in Colorado if you’re looking for epic powder skiing!

Outside of Pagosa Springs in the southwest corner of Colorado, Wolf Creek Ski Area is set in the San Juan Mountains and known for huge amounts of snow. It receives a mind-boggling 430 inches (over 35 feet) of snow annually and proudly claims to have “the most snow in Colorado.” Much of it comes down in major storm events. When snow storms roll through this area, you can expect to be floating down feet of snow at Wolf Creek.

The ski area has a base elevation of 10,300 feet and a summit elevation of over 11,900 feet. The mountain offers a mix of beginner and intermediate runs, but advanced and expert terrain makes up almost half of the runs. The mountain offers 1,600 acres of skiable terrain and 1,604 feet of vertical.

New for 2023/24 is the installation of the fixed grip quad Tumbler Chair. This unique chair operates at half the speed of a regular chairlift and is targeted at beginner skiers.

Opening and Closing: Wolf Creek usually opens in late October, and closes mid-April.

The Town:

There isn’t one. Wolf Creek Ski Area is set on a high mountain pass. A day lodge at the base of the mountain serves good food, but you will have to look elsewhere for accommodation.

On the west side of the pass, the nearest place to stay is at Pagosa Springs, about 35 minutes away. On the east side of Wolf Creek is South Fork, about 25 minutes away, where you will also find a decent assortment of hotels.

Official site: https://wolfcreekski.com

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Pagosa Springs

Wolf Creek Ski Area – Historical Climate Averages

Other Ski Resorts to Consider

• Crested Butte: Close to the middle of the state, and some people say in the middle of nowhere, Crested Butte is another favorite destination for skiers, but its remote location and distance from any major center takes some trip planning. This is not a large resort by Colorado standards. The mountain offers a little over 1,500 acres of skiable area. The town itself is fun, and the reason many people choose this destination for their skiing. Crested Butte is part of the Epic Pass program.
• Value Ski Resorts: A number of smaller or lesser-known resorts are spread around the state, and many of these offer good value. These are perfect for families on a budget. Some ski resorts to consider in this category are Winter Park, Eldora, Loveland, Ski Cooper, Powderhorn, and Sunlight Mountain. For a complete look, see our guide to the best cheap ski resorts in Colorado.

Ski Passes and Deals

• Epic Pass: The Epic Pass is the best pass for skiing in Colorado. It allows unlimited access to all of the resorts owned and operated by Vail Resorts in Colorado, plus access to many others across North America and around the world. In Colorado, the Epic Pass covers Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin, Crested Butte, and seven days of skiing at Telluride. You can also buy limited Epic Passes, which are good value if you are only skiing in certain spots in Colorado or skiing for a limited number of days.
• Six other regional Epic Passes are available as well. With recent technological improvements you can now download the myEPIC app on your phone, and purchase your tickets online and Bluetooth technology will allow you to ride the lifts (with your phone of course!)without ever having to visit a ticket booth.
• Ikon Pass: The Ikon Pass offers access to 58 destinations globally, but some of this is restricted. In Colorado, it includes unlimited access to Steamboat, Winter Park, Copper Mountain, and Eldora. It also allows for seven days of skiing at each, Aspen Snowmass and Arapahoe. Ikon also offers a base pass, which includes blackout dates.
• Mountain Collective: The Mountain Collective is a much more restrictive pass, allowing for two days of skiing at 24 ski resorts, up to a total of 48 days with no blackout dates. In Colorado, it includes Aspen Snowmass and Arapahoe. It can be good for skiers and boarders doing a larger tour of ski resorts in the US and Western Canada.

Tips for Skiing in Colorado

Dealing with Altitude: Skiing in Colorado means skiing at high altitudes and this is something first-time visitors may not be prepared for. Many Colorado ski resorts, particularly some of those just west of Denver, are set at incredibly high elevations. In some cases, you can expect to be skiing between 11,000 and 13,000 feet. For some perspective, Sunshine Village, the highest ski resort in Canada, has a top elevation of only 8,960 feet.

If you are flying in from much lower elevations, you will feel the effects of altitude. Consider allowing some time to acclimate before hitting the slopes, especially if you are planning on skiing in destinations like Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, and Keystone. If you are planning to ski at a few different resorts, plan to ski your first day at the lowest-elevation mountain. Learn more about how to avoid altitude sickness.

Weather Report for Skiers: For the best and latest snow reports and detailed ski forecasts, you can’t beat meteorologist Joel Gratz’ Snow Report.

Finding the Right Skis for You: Wondering what length of ski you need, or maybe what type of ski? Your height, weight, intended ski conditions, skiing ability, and a number of other factors are things to consider when buying skis. Have a look at this buyer’s guide to skis for some ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions about Skiing in Colorado

When is the Best Time to Ski in Colorado?

The ski season in Colorado begins in October and November and builds, with January, February, and March seeing the most snow. Overall, the best month for skiing in Colorado is February. Spring skiing generally runs from mid-March to late April. Some resorts start closing in late March or mid-April, and many are closed by the end of April. A couple of higher elevation ski resorts stay open later, such as Arapahoe Basin, which can be open until June or even July.

Skiing in Colorado in December, as a general rule, can be hit and miss, but most resorts have a reasonable amount of snow by Christmas.

If you are planning your ski trip and trying to hit the best month for snow, your best bet is February. Snow amounts are peaking at many resorts around this time. In January, temperatures can be cold and in March, resorts are busy due to spring break.

Lower elevation ski resorts, like Steamboat, tend to peak in February, with spring-like conditions building near the end of the month and into March. Telluride, on the other hand, usually sees its peak snow conditions in March.

How Far is Vail from Denver?

While there are many ski resorts near Denver, Vail is the most visited, and it’s easy to reach. Vail is just under 100 miles from Denver, and about 120 miles from Denver International Airport. Drive times can vary depending on traffic and road conditions. Without traffic and in good conditions, you can count on less than a two-hour drive from Denver to Vail.

Interstate 70, which runs from Denver to Vail, goes over the Vail Pass, which reaches an elevation of 10,666 feet. During snowstorms, the conditions can be treacherous, and the highway is sometimes closed to traffic.

If you are coming directly from Denver International Airport, which is on the east side of Denver, allow an extra 20 minutes, and more if you are heading out at rush hour.

Whether you are driving yourself or looking for an easy alternative, see our guide to getting from Denver to Vail. This will give you a complete look at shuttles, buses, and more.

Map of Top-Rated Ski Resorts in Colorado

The Best Ski Resorts in North America and Europe

Ski Utah & California: Just one state over from Colorado, you’ll find another great playground for skiers and boarders. Check out our article on the Top-Rated Ski Resorts in Utah to discover more of the best ski destinations. Ever wonder what skiing is like in California? Have a look at the Best Ski Resorts in California or zero in on the ski resorts around Lake Tahoe. There’s more to this area than just Squaw Valley.

Ski Canada: The mountains in western Canada offer some of the best skiing in North America. Eastern Canada also has a surprising number of ski resorts, and many of Canada’s most famous Olympic skiers have come from and trained in this area. For details on skiing from coast to coast, see our list of the Best Ski Resorts in Canada.

Ski the Eastern USA: If your skiing is taking you east this year, see our article on the Top Ski Resorts on the East Coast for a complete overview. For a more detailed breakdown of the best ski resorts in each state, have a look at our articles on the Top-Rated Ski Resorts in Vermont, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Michigan.