Colorado Ski Resorts

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Click icon above for a Colorado ski resorts map
Click icon above for a Colorado ski resorts map
The Colorado ski resorts are some of the best in North America
The Colorado ski resorts are some of the best in North America
Aspen Colorado has 4 ski resorts
Aspen Colorado has 4 ski resorts
Breckenridge: one of the most popular ski resorts in Colorado
Breckenridge: one of the most popular ski resorts in Colorado
Breckenridge Colorado Ski Resort
Breckenridge Colorado Ski Resort
Aspen Colorado
Aspen Colorado
Iconic Colorado ski towns - Crested Butte
Iconic Colorado ski towns - Crested Butte
Crested Butte Colorado Ski Resort
Crested Butte Colorado Ski Resort
Frisco provides access to a range of Colorado ski resorts
Frisco provides access to a range of Colorado ski resorts
Beaver Creek: a perfectly manicured Colorado ski resort
Beaver Creek: a perfectly manicured Colorado ski resort
Amazing CO ski resort - Telluride
Amazing CO ski resort - Telluride
Telluride Ski Resort Colorado
Telluride Ski Resort Colorado
Steamboat is a popular spot for a Colorado ski vacation
Steamboat is a popular spot for a Colorado ski vacation
Buttermilk Aspen: mellow Colorado skiing
Buttermilk Aspen: mellow Colorado skiing
Purgatory Ski Resort Colorado
Purgatory Ski Resort Colorado
Snowmass: overall great Colorado skiing
Snowmass: overall great Colorado skiing
Ski Colorado for steep & deep - Silverton
Ski Colorado for steep & deep - Silverton
Ski Colorado - Keystone is close to Denver
Ski Colorado - Keystone is close to Denver
Copper Mountain Ski Resort Colorado
Copper Mountain Ski Resort Colorado
A Basin: one of the Colorado ski resorts not on the Epic Pass
A Basin: one of the Colorado ski resorts not on the Epic Pass

Colorado Ski Resorts

Skiing in Colorado

Skiing in Colorado is world renowned because the Colorado ski resorts are some of the best ski resorts in North America, and indeed the world. Colorado is the nation’s highest state and it has more than 50 peaks higher than 14,000 feet. So it’s not surprising that this incredibly mountainous state and the magnificent Rocky Mountains are synonymous with spectacular snowboarding and skiing in Colorado.

Over the years there have been more than 150 Colorado ski areas, but it’s been a case of survival of the “fittest”. There are now only 27 major Colorado ski resorts (only!!) and the competition continues with the resorts working very hard to stay fit! Many of the Colorado ski resorts have invested millions of dollars in recent years to enhance the ski and snowboard terrain, chair lifts, snowmaking facilities, terrain parks, and resort amenities.

Colorado Ski Resorts

Some of the Colorado ski areas offer world class luxury. Beaver Creek caters to the well heeled market, and the massive Vail Ski Resort also offers high levels of service, lavish accommodations, and well developed facilities. The popular Aspen Snowmass is also where the glamorous people go to strut – whoops, I mean ski.

Other high profile mega ski resorts in Colorado with great infrastructure include Telluride, Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Winter Park and Steamboat Ski Resort.

Conversely there are lesser known resorts that fly under the radar of international skiers, where you’ll find relatively fewer crowds, minimal frills, and a much cheaper skiing or snowboarding experience. These Colorado ski areas also tend to be smaller. Examples include Arapahoe Basin, Wolf Creek Ski Area, Powderhorn, Monarch Mountain and Ski Cooper. At the extreme end is Silverton Mountain that has one lift, 100% expert terrain and absolutely no grooming or luxuries.

Examples of a compromise between the high end ski resorts and the gems include Crested Butte and Purgatory Ski Resort. These have the benefit of very good facilities minus the big crowds and the high price tag.

Colorado Ski Towns

Some of the Colorado ski resorts are purpose built (e.g. Keystone, Copper Mountain), and whilst they have impressive amenities, they can lack a little charm.

Other ski areas sit above historic mining towns that have made the progression from pick to powder. Some of these ski towns are bustling and trendy (Aspen, Breckenridge), whilst others have delightful rustic charm (Crested Butte, Silverton). Other beautiful Colorado ski towns include Telluride and Steamboat.

Which Colorado Ski Resort?

Can’t decide which ski resort to go to? Everyone has different factors that are important when deciding on the best Colorado ski resorts. To aid in your decision making:
  • See our “best ski resorts in Colorado” awards for ideas on which resort may suit your needs. As well as overall awards these are broken down into many aspects such as: terrain for different abilities; the powder; lift infrastructure; family-friendliness; cost; nightlife; and the likelihood of finding “freshies”. 
  • For more detail on the strengths and weaknesses of each resort, check out the Powderhounds' Colorado ski resort ratings
  • See our USA ski resort statistics comparison for stats on terrain size, terrain for ability levels, and annual snowfall.

Where are the Colorado Ski Resorts?

Skiing in Colorado is all in the western part of the state and west of Denver (see the Colorado ski resorts map icon at the top of this page). The left hand column shows the detailed geographical groupings of the CO ski resorts, or the majority of resorts can be categorized by location a little more broadly.

Closest to Denver are the Denver and Front Range ski resorts. These tend to be frequented by the locals, and other than Winter Park, they’re not destination ski resorts.

A little further along the I-70 are the very popular (aka super busy!!) ski resorts in Summit County and Vail Valley. Most of these ski areas are household names such as Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone and Breckenridge.

Travelling a little further west are the famous Aspen Snowmass ski resorts, and not far away as the crow flies is Crested Butte.

The bulk of other ski resorts in Colorado are in the southwest of the state, which include Silverton Mountain, Telluride (rated as the best Colorado ski resort), and Wolf Creek. Due to their distance from Denver, these ski areas tend to have relatively little skier traffic so they’re well suited to powder hounds looking for fresh tracks.

Snow in Colorado

The Colorado ski resorts have reasonably high snowfalls ranging from 220 to 430 inches per season and an average of 304 inches. The quality of the snow in Colorado is generally very good, and if you’re a fair weather skier you’re likely to be in luck. Many of the ski resorts in Colorado boast a statistic of 300 days of sunshine annually. Break out the man-kini!

Other Skiing in Colorado Characteristics

Most of the Colorado resorts have a spread of terrain for all ability levels, but there are a few exceptions. Silverton Mountain solely caters to experts whilst there are a couple of CO ski resorts that only have mellow terrain for beginners and intermediates.

Buttermilk, Breckenridge and Keystone have phenomenal terrain parks whilst many other ski resorts can also cater pretty well to park dudes.

High elevation is also a key characteristic of skiing in CO and most of the resorts have a top elevation of greater than 3,000 metres (9,843 feet). Some of the Colorado ski towns are also pretty high so it comes as no great surprise that some visitors suffer from altitude sickness.

When is the Best Time to Ski Colorado?

Like most other North American ski resorts, they are incredibly busy and expensive between Xmas and New Years, and then prices for lodging falls dramatically for January. Prices rise during February and the weekend of President’s Day is super busy. Late March and April are cheap times to visit, but as to be expected the snow conditions are not as reliable. Of course, if you don’t have a heavy social calendar in December, pre-Xmas is a great time to visit for piste skiing. See our USA ski resort statistics for the typical season length for each of the resorts.

More Reasons to Go Skiing in Colorado

In addition to resort skiing, there are lots of Colorado snowcat skiing companies and a couple of Colorado heli skiing operators. Cat skiing and heli skiing are a superb way for powder hounds to escape the crowds and get loads of fresh powder.
Colorado Ski Tours

Heli Skiing Tours

Telluride Helitrax - Day Heli Skiing
TELLURIDE DAY HELISKIING TOUR
6 Runs of Powder Heaven!
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Solo skiers/boarders, small groups & larger groups can enjoy an epic day of heliskiing at Telluride Helitrax. And if you’re skiing at Vail or Aspen, they can organise a same-day charter flight (fixed wing aircraft) to get you to Telluride. Have an awesome day heli-skiing & be home in time for dinner with the family!
Price p/p From price based on single day of heliskiing (6 runs) per person for 2023 season.
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 1,650
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See all Heli Skiing tours that visit Colorado here

Cat Skiing Tours

Steamboat Powdercats - Day Cat Skiing
DAY SNOWCAT SKIING STEAMBOAT
Revel in Steamboat's deep dry powder
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Cat skiing with Steamboat Powdercats makes the perfect adjunct to a Steamboat ski vacation. Take in some resort skiing and then head out for a day with Steamboat Powdercats. Or if you know you’ll be hooked on riding virgin powder, go cat skiing for as many days as you’re able!
Price p/p From price based on per person in a mixed group for a single day of cat skiing in 2023/24
Base/invoice currency is in USD inc taxes (ex gratuities).
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 950
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Jones Pass Cat Skiing
DAY CAT SKIING JONES PASS
Full day guided cat skiing + lunch + apres drink
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Join Jones Pass Guides for an epic day of guided cat skiing in the Jones Pass area located just 45 minutes from Denver. The day includes avalanche safety gear, lunch and apres drink. Join as a solo/small group or rent the entire cat for up to 12 guests.
Price p/p From price based on per person in a mixed group per day for the 23/24 season.
Base price/invoice currency is USD
Price includes taxes
USD 700
View Details
 
See all Cat Skiing tours that visit Colorado here