Colorado’s ski history is deep and rich. It includes the oldest ski area in the United States, predating anything on the East Coast or West, and includes the story of the 10th Mountain Division. The state’s first ski area came about in 1915, but it wouldn’t be until 1937 that another ski area, which would remain operating until today, would open. These are the 8 oldest ski areas still in operation in Colorado.
1. Howelsen Hill Ski Area – Opened in 1915
- 1 triple chairlift, 3 surface lifts
- 17 alpine trails, 9 nordic trails
- Training grounds for more than 100 Olympians
2. Loveland Ski Area – Opened in 1937
- 9 chairlifts, 2 surface lifts
- 94 trails
- More than 380 inches of snowfall annually on average
3. Monarch Mountain – Opened in 1939
- 9 lifts, including surface lifts
- 80 total trails
- Average annual snowfall of 350 inches
4. Wolf Creek – Opened in 1939
- 11 lifts, including 3 surface lifts
- 133 named trails
- 430 inches of average annual snowfall
5. Winter Park Resort – Opened in 1940
- 23 lifts
- 171 trails
- 344.6 inches of average annual snowfall
6. Ski Cooper – Opened in 1942
- 5 lifts
- 64 trails
- 250 inches of average annual snowfall
7. Arapahoe Basin – Opened in 1946
- 9 lifts
- 147 trails
- 1,428 acres of terrain
8. Aspen Mountain – Opened in 1947
- 8 lifts
- 104 trails
- 828 acres of terrain
