Search for the Perfect Ski Resort

Colorado has so much to offer when it comes to winter sports. What makes Colorado ski resorts so great? We’re here to find out!

Search+for+the+Perfect+Ski+Resort

Mohss Elaine, staff writer

As many of you may know, much of Colorado’s tourism is based around the wonderful land we get to call home, with serene basins and lakes, and our outstanding mountains. These features make us a standout destination when it comes to winter sports, where more than a dozen resorts have sprung up through the snow. Whether you are an avid skier/snowboarder or just planning a fun day out in the mountains, it’s good to know how you can spend your money and your time right!

 

Each resort will be rated on a scale of 1-5, where 1 is the easiest, most accessible or safest.

 

Scale:

?- difficulty 1-5

❄️- accessibility 1-5

?- safety 1-5

 

Arapahoe Basin

 

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With one of the longest seasons in the US, Arapahoe continues to be a landmark for Colorado’s winter sports! If you’re experienced, this may be the perfect place for you!

 

Business Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM – 4PM, Saturday-Sunday 8:30AM – 4PM

Season End: Undetermined

 

Aspen Buttermilk

 

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Aspen Buttermilk is one the safest places I’ve ever seen when it comes to any winter sport, and this resort is known for supporting #giveaflake, which is in support of the LGBTQ community. The Aspen Snowmass is known for supporting the LGBTQ community, and buttermilk hosts Gay Ski Week annually.

 

Business Hours: Monday-Sunday 9AM – 4PM

Season End: 4/7

 

Aspen Highlands

 

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Aspen is generally known for its gentle slopes and its beginner inclusivity. However, Aspen Highlands breaks the mold, offering a challenging and gratuitous workout even for the most skilled athlete.

 

Business Hours: Monday-Sunday 9AM – 4PM

Season End: 4/14

 

Aspen Mountain

 

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Aspen Mountains has hosted many World Cup races over the years, and has many steep slopes to show for it! Versatile in its range of difficulty, Aspen offers four different trails.

 

Business Hours: Monday-Sunday 9AM – 4PM

Season End: 4/21

 

Cooper

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Accessible through a short hike, Cooper offers 41 different slopes with ranging difficulties, and has a beautiful terrain that’s more than worth going through the lift line.

 

Business Hours: Monday-Sunday 9AM – 4PM

Season End: 4/7

 

Copper Mountain

 

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Copper Mountain offers a large amount of varying slopes, and is open to anyone, regardless of level of ability. Copper Mountain is currently going through capital improvements, with many projects being renovated.

 

Business Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM – 4PM Saturday-Sunday 8:30AM – 4PM

Season End: 4/21

 

Echo Mountain

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Being just outside of Denver, Echo Mountain is a sight for sore eyes! The resort is open for those of all skill levels, and is a beautiful place to start skiing!

 

Business Hours: Tuesday-Friday 11AM – 9PM Saturday-Sunday 9AM – 9PM

Season End: 4/14

 

Eldora

 

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Known for its SnowSports school, Eldora is open to multiple skill levels, and offers a fun experience on every slope, as well as a new ski lift!

 

Business Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM – 4PM Saturday 8:30AM – 4PM

Season End: 4/14

 

Granby Ranch

 

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Granby Ranch is operated with families and tourism at the center, offering a welcoming beginner’s winter sports resort!

 

Business Hours: Monday-Sunday 9AM – 4PM

Season End: 3/31

 

Hesperus Ski Area

 

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Hesperus, known for its formidable night ski, offers an exhilarating 700 foot vertical drop! Though a considerably difficult ski area, Hesperus Ski Area is patrolled by both the National Ski Patrol and emergency specialists. We recommend this area only if you’re very skilled.

 

Business Hours: Monday 2PM – 9PM Thursday-Friday 4PM – 9PM Saturday 10Am – 9PM Sunday 10AM – 5PM

Season End: 3/17

 

Howelsen Hill

 

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A kind and welcoming space for everyone of all ages! This resort is the oldest operating ski resort in North America, and has been open since 1915!

 

Business Hours: Closed Mondays Tuesday-Thursday 11AM – 8PM Friday 11AM – 6PM Saturday-Sunday 10AM – 4PM

Season End: 3/10

 

Kendall Mountain

 

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Kendall Mountain offers affordable family fun with 240 feet of vertical drop, 4 groomed trails, multiple tree runs, a small terrain park, and 1 double chair lift!

 

Business Hours: Friday-Sunday 11AM – 4PM

Season End: 3/31

 

Loveland Ski Area:

 

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Near to the hearts and homes of generations of Colorado skiers and riders, Loveland is Colorado’s true winter wonderland. Just 53 miles west of Denver, Loveland boasts 1,800 acres of remarkable terrain.

 

Business Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM – 4PM Saturday-Sunday 8:30AM – 4PM

Season End: 5/5

 

Monarch Mountain

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As one of the smaller resorts, Monarch is considered the beginner’s resort, perfect for anyone who’s wanting to take up winter sports!

 

Business Hours: Monday-Sunday from 9AM – 4PM

Season End: 4/7

 

Powderhorn

 

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Though a rather difficult resort to navigate, Powderhorn is still a good place to ski, if you know what you’re doing!

 

Business Hours: Monday-Sunday 9AM – 4PM

Season End: 3/31

 

Purgatory Resort

 

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Despite its rather ominous name, Purgatory Resort is a beautiful spot with seven terrain parks, and a wonderful view of the mountains.

 

Business Hours: Monday-Sunday 9AM – 4PM

Season End: 4/21

 

Silverton

 

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Extreme drops met with high speeds and obstacles? No problem! Silverton offers challenges on every slope! With a logo of somebody literally falling off of a mountain, what do you expect?

 

Business Hours: Thursday-Sunday 9AM – 4PM

Season End: 4/14

 

Snowmass

 

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Offering over 90 trails, Aspen Snowmass offers wide open terrain that’s open to all ages and multiple skill levels!

 

Business Hours: Monday-Sunday 9AM – 4PM

Season End: 4/21

 

Steamboat

 

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Looking like it came straight out of a John Wayne western, Steamboat’s rustic atmosphere offers fun for the whole family!

 

Business Hours: Monday-Sunday 8:30AM – 4PM

Season End: 4/14

 

Sunlight Mountain Resort

 

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Sunlight Mountain is a resort centered on making you feel welcome, offering no-line lifts, under $100 a room, and free parking (score!)

 

Business Hours: Monday-Sunday 9AM – 4PM

Season End: 4/7

 

Telluride

 

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Built to offer its customers space and freedom, Telluride is a good space for families looking for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of regular Colorado life.

 

Business Hours: Monday-Sunday 9AM – 4PM

Season End: 4/7

 

Winter Park

 

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Winter park not only offers yearly holding for Coronado’s choir kids, but is also a great ski resort as well! It’s at the bucket list of many Colorado natives, considering it was named North America’s #1 ski resort!

 

Business Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM – 4PM, Saturday-Sunday 8:30AM – 4PM

Season End: 5/3

 

Wolf Creek

 

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Since its opening in 1939, Wolf Creek has continued to show its uniqueness throughout the decades, with affordable pricing, friendly atmosphere, and other great accommodations!

 

Business Hours: Monday-Sunday 9AM – 4PM

Season End: 4/7

If you were born and raised on the slopes, or you’re just starting to trek Colorado’s mountains, we hope that this rating of each resort can help you decide where to go next!