Colorado is a dream state for skiing. It has some of the largest, highest altitude ski resorts in the United States, with top notch snow conditions and a wide range of trails ranging from beginner-friendly to expert-only. But with so many ski resorts and areas to choose from, it can be daunting to book a trip to the state. SRG Skiing‘s basic guide to Colorado skiing will make that process a bit easier.
Picking a Time to Go
- Ski season duration: Colorado ski season runs mid-October to early June, but bookends are not ideal for most skiers.
- Early season (October-November): Typically a write-off due to limited runs, artificial snow, and crowded groomers; not recommended for most.
- Early December risks: Limited terrain open, dependent on November snowfall; suitable for beginners but mostly artificial snow.
- Wolf Creek exception: Opens significant terrain in November/December, best for advanced/expert skiers, though conditions can be rough.
- Holiday period (late December): Ideal for families due to school breaks, but expect massive crowds, especially between Christmas and New Year’s.
- Holiday period conditions: Most groomers open, some non-groomed runs; hit-or-miss snow but generally decent somewhere in Colorado.
- Core season (January to mid-March): Best snow conditions, most resorts fully open, but crowded, especially on weekends like President’s Day.
- Shoulder season (mid-March to early April): Preferred for decent snow, nearly full resort access, and fewer crowds; slight slush possible.
- Late season (April to June): Slushier snow, resort closures, and increasing crowds; best for those who enjoy spring skiing.
- Crowd avoidance tip: Weekdays, especially before Christmas or in mid-March, significantly reduce lift line congestion.
Finding a Resort
- Timing influences resort choice: Pick a time frame first, as resort suitability varies by season.
- Ski pass options: Epic Pass (Beaver Creek, Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Telluride) for beginners/intermediates. Ikon Pass (Aspens, Copper, Winter Park, Steamboat, Arapahoe Basin, Eldora) for advanced skiers.
- Beginner-friendly resorts: Beaver Creek, Crested Butte, Loveland offer the best beginner terrain.
- Intermediate terrain: Snowmass, Breckenridge, Purgatory are top choices for intermediate skiers.
- Advanced/expert terrain: Vail, Steamboat, Winter Park for advanced; Arapahoe Basin, Crested Butte, Telluride for experts.
- Specialized terrain: Snowmass/Breckenridge/Beaver Creek for groomers, Winter Park for moguls, Vail for bowls, Silverton/Crested Butte/Telluride for chutes, Steamboat/Wolf Creek for trees.
- Crowd management: Beaver Creek, Telluride, Snowmass for fewer lines at large resorts; Monarch, Sunlight, Powderhorn for minimal crowds.
- I-70 traffic avoidance: Eldora for accessibility, southern resorts (Crested Butte, Monarch, Telluride, Wolf Creek, Purgatory) avoid I-70 but require longer travel.
- Multi-resort trips: Epic Pass resorts (Beaver Creek, Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone) are geographically close; Ikon Pass resorts are more spread out.
Finding Lodging
- Lodging complexity: Planning is complex, especially along the I-70 corridor, but multiple options exist.
- Lodging types: Hotels (free breakfast, restaurant, cleaning), condos (self-catering, cost-saving), hostels (cheaper, communal).
- Booking strategy: Use official hotel sites or Vrbo/Airbnb for condos to save money.
- Stay options: Stay at/near the resort for convenience or in a larger town for cost savings via day-tripping.
- Hostels for solo travelers: Often overlooked, hostels are a budget-friendly option in Colorado.
- Intermediate towns: Glenwood Springs (for Aspen), Georgetown, Idaho Springs, Evergreen (for Summit County) offer balanced cost/convenience.
- Denver budget option: Stay in Golden or Lakewood suburbs for the cheapest lodging if day-tripping.
- Advance booking: Intermediate towns offer decent prices if booked early, but costs rise closer to the trip.
