Colorado Ski Resorts
Colorado is the premier ski destination in the US due to the high elevation of its mountains and consistent snowfall. It is home to major household ski resorts such as Aspen, Vail and Breckenridge. No matter what you are after on a ski vacation, Colorado will have a resort for you. We have put a list of all active ski resorts in Colorado. If you are after a more curated list, you can check out our article on the Best Colorado Ski Resorts.
Skiing in Colorado
- Abundance of snow: Known for its reliable snowfall and famous Colorado fluffy powder.
- Varied terrain: Colorado ski resorts cater to skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels.
- Scenic beauty: Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, offering breathtaking natural beauty and stunning landscapes.
- Crowds: Popular ski resorts can get crowded, especially during peak seasons.
- Cost: Skiing in Colorado can be expensive.
- Altitude and acclimatization: High elevation can pose challenges for visitors.
Map of Colorado Ski Resorts
Explore the location of Colorado ski resorts with the interactive map below.
List of Destination Ski Resorts in Colorado
Colorado is famous for its world-class ski resorts. We have sorted the list of ski resorts into destination resorts and local resorts. Destination ski resorts are popular ski resorts that have managed to establish a brand and are considered by many as must-visit based on terrain diversity, snow quality, resort amenities, base village and overall ski experience. Local ski resorts are smaller resorts that cater more to skiers native to Colorado.
Keystone Resort
Known for: Keystone Resort is best known for its night skiing, family-friendly atmosphere, and diverse terrain spread across three mountain peaks.
Preferred Airport: Denver Intl. Airport
Summit Elevation: 12408 feet
Skiable area: 3149 acre
Average Snowfall: 235 inch
Pass Program: EPIC Pass
Breckenridge Ski Resort
Known for: Breckenridge Ski Resort is known for its extensive and diverse terrain spread across five interconnected peaks, offering world-class skiing and snowboarding opportunities.
Preferred Airport: Denver Intl. Airport
Summit Elevation: 12998 feet
Skiable Area: 2908 acre
Average Snowfall: 300 inch
Pass Program: EPIC Pass
Vail Ski Resort
Known for: Vail Ski Resort is best known for its expansive and diverse terrain, including the famous back bowls, along with its high-end amenities and vibrant, pedestrian-friendly village.
Preferred Airport: Eagle County Regional Airport
Summit Elevation: 11570 feet
Skiable Area: 5317 acre
Average Snowfall: 353 inch
Pass Program: EPIC Pass
Winter Park Resort
Known for: Winter Park Resort is best known for its extensive terrain with seven distinct ski areas and its proximity to Denver, making it one of the most accessible major ski resorts for city dwellers.
Preferred Airport: Denver Intl. Airport
Summit Elevation: 12060 feet
Skiable Area: 3081 acre
Average Snowfall: 353 inch
Pass Program: IKON Pass, Winter Park Resort Season Pass
Beaver Creek Resort
Known for: Beaver Creek Resort is best known for its high-end, luxury ski experience, family-friendly amenities and meticulously groomed slopes.
Preferred Airport: Eagle County Regional Airport
Summit Elevation: 11440 feet
Skiable Area: 2,082 acre
Average Snowfall: 325 inch
Pass Program: EPIC Pass
Copper Mountain
Known for: Copper Mountain is best known for its naturally divided terrain catering to different skill levels and its convenient proximity to Denver.
Preferred Airport: Denver Intl. Airport
Summit Elevation: 12441 feet
Skiable Area: 2507 acre
Average Snowfall: 305 inch
Pass Program: IKON Pass, Copper Mountain Season Pass
Steamboat Ski Resort
Known for: Steamboat Ski Resort is best known for its Champagne Powder® snow, friendly Western-style town, and producing more Winter Olympians than any other ski town in North America.
Preferred Airport: Yampa Valley Regional Airport
Summit Elevation: 10568 feet
Skiable Area: 2965 acre
Average Snowfall: 352 inch
Pass Program: IKON Pass
Telluride Ski Resort
Known for: Telluride Ski Resort is best known for its scenic beauty, steep and challenging terrain, and its unique, historic mining town with a vibrant cultural scene.
Preferred Airport: Telluride Regional Airport
Summit Elevation: 13150 feet
Skiable Area: 2000 acre
Average Snowfall: 309 inch
Pass Program: EPIC Pass
Aspen Snowmass
Known for: Aspen Snowmass is one of the largest mountains in Colorado, offering a diverse range of ski terrain and experience along with world-class terrain parks.
Preferred Airport: Aspen/ Pitkin County Airport
Summit Elevation: 12510 feet
Skiable Area: 3332 acre
Average Snowfall: 300 inch
Pass Program: IKON Pass, Mountain Collective
Aspen
Known for: Aspen Ski Resort is best known for its upscale amenities, diverse terrain, excellent snow conditions, vibrant nightlife, and cultural events, making it a favorite among both beginners and expert skiers.
Preferred Airport: Aspen/ Pitkin County Airport
Summit Elevation: 11214 feet
Skiable Area: 675 acre
Average Snowfall: 300 inch
Pass Program: IKON Pass, Mountain Collective
Aspen Highlands Ski Resort
Known for: Aspen Highlands Ski Resort is best known for its expert terrain, including the challenging Highland Bowl, offering some of the most intense in-bounds skiing in the US.
Preferred Airport: Aspen/ Pitkin County Airport
Summit Elevation: 11677 feet
Skiable Area: 1040 acre
Average Snowfall: 300 inch
Pass Program: IKON Pass, Mountain Collective
Buttermilk Ski Resort
Known for: Buttermilk Ski Resort is best known for its family-friendly atmosphere and excellent beginner terrain.
Preferred Airport: Aspen/ Pitkin County Airport
Summit Elevation: 9900 feet
Skiable Area: 470 acre
Average Snowfall: 200 inch
Pass Program: IKON Pass, Mountain Collective
Crested Butte Ski Resort
Known for: Crested Buttle Ski Resort is known for its diverse extreme terrain and ample backcountry access.
Preferred Airport: Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport
Summit Elevation: 12162 feet
Skiable Area: 1547 acre
Average Snowfall: 300 inch
Pass Program: EPIC Pass
List of Local Ski Resorts in Colorado
If you want to avoid the crowd, budget-friendly but also maximise your ski experience, head to these lesser-known Colorado ski resorts that are often overlooked by destination skiers.
Echo Mountain
Known for: Echo Mountain is the closest, most affordable resort to Denver, although small in size.
Preferred Airport: Denver Intl. Airport
Summit Elevation: 10650 feet
Skiable Area: 226 acre
Average Snowfall: 275 inch
Pass Program: Echo Mountain Season Pass, Indy Pass
Kendall Mountain Ski Area
Known for: Kendall Mountain Ski Area is a small family-friendly resort with a laid back atmosphere, perfect for beginners.
Preferred Airport: Durango La Plata County Airport
Summit Elevation: 9596 feet
Skiable Area: 16 acre
Average Snowfall: 200 inch
Pass Program: Kendall Mountain Season Pass
Loveland Ski Area
Known for: Loveland Ski Area is a local's mountain with free cat skiing along the Continental Divide
Preferred Airport: Denver Intl. Airport
Summit Elevation: 13010 feet
Skiable Area: 1800 acre
Average Snowfall: 422 inch
Pass Program: Loveland Season Pass
Purgatory Resort
Known for: Purgatory Resort is an unqiue blend of tree skiing, groomers, beautiful views and consistent dry powder.
Preferred Airport: Durango La Plata County Airport
Summit Elevation: 10822 feet
Skiable Area: 1525 acre
Average Snowfall: 260 inch
Pass Program: Purgatory Season Passes
Powderhorn Mountain Resort
Known for: Powderhorn Mountain Resort is a quiet local's mountain, great for beginners and intermediates as well as tree skiing.
Preferred Airport: Grand Junction Regional Airport
Summit Elevation: 9850 feet
Skiable Area: 1600 acre
Average Snowfall: 250 inch
Pass Program: Powderhorn Season Pass
Wolf Creek Ski Area
Known for: Wolf Creek Ski Area is an excellent in-bounds backcountry experience and the highest average snowfall in Colorado.
Preferred Airport: Telluride Regional Airport
Summit Elevation: 11904 feet
Skiable Area: 1600 acre
Average Snowfall: 430 inch
Pass Program: Wolf Creek Season Pass
Granby Ranch
Known for: Granby is a learner's mountain with beginner slopes making up for half of Granby Ranch's terrain.
Preferred Airport: Grand County Airport
Summit Elevation: 9202 feet
Skiable Area: 406 acre
Average Snowfall: 221 inch
Pass Program: Indy Pass, Granby Ranch Season Pass
Arapahoe Basin
Known for: Arapahoe Basin is best known for its extended season often into late spring or early summer, challenging high-altitude terrain, and laid-back, local atmosphere.
Preferred Airport: Denver Intl. Airport
Summit Elevation: 13050 feet
Skiable Area: 1428 acre
Average Snowfall: 350 inch
Pass Program: IKON Pass, Mountain Collective, Arapahoe Basin pass
Ski Cooper
Known for: Ski Cooper surrounded by incredible views of the Rocky Mountains and soft snow.
Preferred Airport: Denver Intl. Airport
Summit Elevation: 11700 feet
Skiable Area: 480 acre
Average Snowfall: 260 inch
Pass Program: Cooper Season Pass
Hesperus Ski Area
Known for: Hesperus Ski Area is perfect for night skiing with light on 80% of the ski terrain.
Preferred Airport: Durango La Plata County Airport
Summit Elevation: 8888 feet
Skiable Area: 60 acre
Average Snowfall: 150 inch
Pass Program: Hesperus Season Pass
Eldora Mountain
Known for: Eldora Mountain is best known for its convenient proximity to Boulder and Denver, and varied terrain suitable for all skill levels.
Preferred Airport: Denver Intl. Airport
Summit Elevation: 10600 feet
Skiable Area: 680 acre
Average Snowfall: 300 inch
Pass Program: IKON Pass, Eldora Season Pass
Howelsen Hill Ski Area
Known for: Howelsen Hill Ski Area is the oldest, small ski area in Colorado with the largest natural ski-jumping complex.
Preferred Airport: Yampa Valley Regional Airport
Summit Elevation: 7136 feet
Skiable Area: 50 acre
Average Snowfall: 150 inch
Pass Program: Howelsen Hill Ski Area Season Pass
Monarch Mountain
Known for: Monarch Mountain is best known for its affordable prices, natural powder snow, family-friendly environment, and varied terrain suitable for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
Preferred Airport: Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport
Summit Elevation: 11952 feet
Skiable Area: 800 acre
Average Snowfall: 350 inch
Pass Program: Monarch Mountain Season Pass
Silverton Mountain Ski Area
Known for: Silverton Mountain Ski Area has the highest and steepest ski area in North America for advanced and expert riders only.
Preferred Airport: Durango-La Plata County Airport
Summit Elevation: 13487 feet
Skiable Area: 26819 acre
Average Snowfall: 400 inch
Pass Program: Silverton Mountain Season Pass
Silverton Powdercats
Known for: Silverton Powdercats has the true alpine experience with chutes, steeps, trees, glades and open bowls.
Preferred Airport: Durango-La Plata County Airport
Summit Elevation: 12500 feet
Skiable Area: 6000+ acre
Average Snowfall: 249 inch
Steamboat Powdercats
Known for: Steamboat Powdercats is best known for providing guided backcountry snowcat skiing and snowboarding experiences in the pristine powder snow of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Preferred Airport: Yampa Valley Regional Airport
Summit Elevation: 9895 feet
Skiable Area: 4000 acre
Average Snowfall: 500+ inch
Sunlight Mountain Resort
Known for: Sunlight Mountain Resort is beginner friendly and offers big skiing at an affordable price.
Preferred Airport: Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport
Summit Elevation: 9895 feet
Skiable Area: 730 acres
Average Snowfall: 250 inch
Pass Program: Indy Pass, Sunlight Mountain Season Pass
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 30 major ski resorts in Colorado. Some of the well-known resorts include Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, Winter Park and Aspen Snowmass.
Vail Ski Resort is the largest ski resort in Colorado with a massive skiable area of over 5,300 acres.
Colorado ski season typically runs from mid-November to early April, with the prime period being from December to February. This time frame is widely regarded as the optimal season for skiing in the region. Most ski resorts have excellent snow coverage, and the slopes are well-groomed. March is often the snowiest month providing ideal conditions for skiing and snowboarding.
Skiing in Colorado, Utah, and Lake Tahoe each offer unique experiences with different advantages.
- Colorado: Colorado has a higher number of ski resorts compared to Utah and Lake Tahoe. It is home to some of the world's most renowned resorts such as Vail, Breckenridge, Aspen, and Telluride. The state is known for its high-altitude skiing, which can result in lighter, fluffier snow, though this can also present some challenges for those not acclimated to the altitude. Colorado also tends to have a longer ski season, sometimes extending into late spring.
- Utah: Utah is famous for having "The Greatest Snow on Earth," a slogan rooted in the state's typically dry climate that results in very light, powdery snow, perfect for skiing. Utah's skiing is concentrated mainly in the areas around Salt Lake City and Park City, including resorts like Alta, Snowbird, Park City Mountain Resort, and Deer Valley. While Utah doesn't have as many resorts as Colorado, its resorts are less spread out, making it possible to experience multiple in a single trip.
- Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe, straddling the border between California and Nevada, offers a unique combination of skiing and lake views. Resorts like Squaw Valley (now known as Palisades Tahoe), Heavenly, and Northstar offer a wide variety of terrains for all levels. The weather in Lake Tahoe is often milder than in Colorado or Utah, which some may find more comfortable. However, this can also mean that snow conditions are a bit more variable.
Compare the most popular resorts in Colorado
Stat | Resorts |
|---|---|
Best for Beginners | |
Best for Intermediates | |
Best for Advanced and Experts | |
Best for All-rounder | |
Highest Summit Elevation | Silverton Mountain |
Highest number of runs | |
Largest ski area | |
Highest number of lifts |
Colorado Ski Packages
If you are planning a ski vacation to Colorado, you can package lift tickets with lodging, rental equipment as well as transfers. SnowPak is a mountain travel company specializing in ski vacations and will make sure you have all the right ski products for your winter getaway. See Colorado ski packages for more information.
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