Colorado is one of the best US states to ski in, thanks to the Rocky Mountains and gorgeous weather. Whether you’re flying into Denver International Airport or live in Denver, you’ll have access to some incredible spots.
Ski resorts near Denver range from affordable and simple to lavish and luxurious. We’ll show you 14 of the most popular resorts, why we love each one, and what to do when you get there.
14 Best Ski Resorts in Denver in 2024
To give you an idea of the options, check out the top ski resorts in Denver below and what they each offer. Not every resort will be ideal for your dream ski trip, so keep preferences in mind while perusing this list.
1. Vail Mountain Resort
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Vail is known as one of the most beautiful places in Colorado, an excellent place to hit the slopes. The fall foliage is stunning at the start of ski season, and the snow is often soft and fluffy.
The Vail Mountain Resort covers more than 5,000 acres and has plenty of amenities. It’s the third-largest ski resort in America, so it’s excellent for big groups of people that don’t want to ski on a super crowded mountain.
The area features seven bowls and a large intermediate gladed terrain in Blue Sky Basin, so beginners and experienced skiers can enjoy this resort.
2. Beaver Creek Resort
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Beaver Creek Resort is one of the busiest and most popular ski resorts near Denver. It comprises three villages, main Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead.
People love this resort because it goes above and beyond with customer service and comfort. The resort offers beautiful views, excellent winter trails, and a top-notch ski experience.
With 25 lifts and almost 70 unique trails, there is a lot to love about Beaver Creek that keeps people coming back year after year.
3. Breckenridge Ski Resort
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Breckenridge Ski Resort is a well-known resort in Breckenridge that offers affordable tickets and lovely lodging. It is one of the most visited resorts in North America, thanks to its convenience and spacious mountain.
There are almost 200 winter trails that offer various difficulty levels. So everyone can ski the mountain. It’s one of the most kid-friendly ski resorts near Denver, with plenty of easy bunny slopes and family-friendly activities.
4. Keystone Resort
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Keystone Resort is a bit farther outside of Denver than other resorts, but worth the drive for many. It features three mountains: Dercum Mountain, North Peak, and the Outback.
Plus it has five Bowls offering skiing at all levels across the 3,000+ miles of terrain. People rave about Keystone Resort’s promptness in grooming trails and maintaining the mountains, so every skier has the best ride down possible.
In addition to the wonderful skiing opportunities, they offer luxury lodging. So you can relax properly after a strenuous day on your skis.
5. Winter Park Resort
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Winter Park Resort is another super popular and well-known ski resort near Denver, so don’t expect to be alone if you book your ski trip here.
It can become crowded and busy, but there is still plenty of room to enjoy the slopes and get some good rides in. The top of the ski lift boasts stunning panoramic views that make every second of the ride worth it.
Despite how popular the resort is, the reservations and lift tickets are reasonably priced and fall much lower if you book ahead of time.
6. Copper Mountain
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Copper Mountain is just 75 miles outside of Denver and has almost 2,500 acres of skiable terrain. There are plenty of trails to ski, but the area also offers dining, shopping, and other excursions to keep you busy when you’re done with the slopes.
Copper Mountain is one of the best resorts to visit if you want to do some skiing, but also enjoy what the area offers guests. People recommend their ski and snowboarding lessons, and kids will love tubing down the mountain if they aren’t ready to ski.
7. Granby Ranch
Granby Ranch is one of the smaller ski resorts near Denver, but people that go there yearly love it. There are only 14 trails and five lifts to choose from, but each ski trail is maintained perfectly.
The trails are on two mountains, side by side, that lead toward one central area near the resort itself.
Although it’s small, Granby Ranch is one of the most beautiful ski resorts, and many people hold weddings there. There are fancy restaurants, casual eateries, lovely lodging, and more to keep you entertained during your visit.
8. Arapahoe Basin
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Located in the Arapaho National Forest of Colorado, Arapahoe Basin is best known for its extended season that can go well into June. It’s the best place for spring skiing near Denver and has spacious and exhilarating trails.
The area boasts some of the highest points in North America, so you know it’s a wild ride on the way down.
They offer delicious dining and easy rentals, allowing you to enjoy your ski day to the fullest. But they have limited parking, especially in the spring, so try to carpool if you can.
9. Eldora Mountain
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Eldora Mountain is very close to Denver on the edge of Boulder County. While it’s a beautiful mountain with fun trails and plenty of other things to do, some people avoid it because it can be quite crowded. There are less than 500 acres of skiable terrain.
So the mountain can become cramped quickly, especially on the weekends or at the start of ski season. There are only 16 trails to choose from, but they offer a range of difficulties. Less-experienced skiers can have just as much fun as skilled skiers.
10. Echo Mountain
Echo Mountain Resort offers varieties of winter fun, from ice skating to skiing to tubing and other activities. Echo is the closest resort to the city of Denver, and also one of the more affordable spots.
It fosters a convivial atmosphere where people can make friends and enjoy the mountain together. The resort has a popular bar and restaurant on-site, so you can enjoy your vacation to the maximum.
They also offer loads of rentals for ski and snowboarding gear, so you don’t need to have your own equipment to enjoy the mountain.
11. Steamboat Ski Resort
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Steamboat Springs is a charming town in Colorado, and the Steamboat Ski Resort is one of the best places to stay and ski in Colorado.
And in the winter, they offer more than skiing, with guided horseback rides, scenic gondola trips, and steamy hot springs to soak your muscles after a long day on the mountain.
One of the best aspects of the Steamboat Ski Resort is the option to go night skiing, showing you the terrain in a whole new light. You can leave the sunglasses at home and enjoy the twinkling town lights from the top of the mountain.
12. Telluride Ski Resort
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Telluride Ski Resort is ideal for winter skiing and then transforms into an extensive golf course when the snow melts. So whether you want to hit the slopes or try for a hole-in-one, Telluride is one of the best spots.
The resort is gorgeous, making it a popular venue for weddings and fancy vacations. The resort is family-friendly but is a hot spot for couples and honeymooners that want to enjoy the isolation of the mountain.
13. Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Crested Butte Mountain Resort is one of the most lovely and affordable resorts near Denver. Crested Butte is in Vail, and the resort has more than 120 marvelous winter trails.
There are more than 1,500 acres of skiable land, so it’s smaller than some of the other Ski resorts near Denver, but still an excellent option.
It’s a bit off the beaten path, so it typically isn’t too crowded, and it’s super family-friendly. And the quaint ski-town nearby is an adorable place to grab food and do some casual shopping.
14. Aspen Snowmass
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The Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort is an exquisite place to stay and ski near Denver. Snowmass is the largest of the Aspen mountains, with big slopes and lots of terrains, so you don’t have to be on top of your fellow skiers.
The resort also offers more than just a great place to ski, with gondola rides, yoga, hiking, live music, nature excursions, and plenty of kid-friendly activities. You can always find something to do at Snowmass.
Things to Consider
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Before you book your trip to a Ski resort near Denver, make sure you consider the factors below, which may impact your trip. Otherwise, you may find yourself at a less-than-ideal resort for your ski and vacation needs.
- Ski experience. The level of experience you have skiing or snowboarding is an important factor in choosing a resort. Some places only have beginner trails and mountains, while others have none. Choose a resort that offers adequate skiing in line with your skills.
- Means of transportation. If you travel to the resort from Denver, consider how you plan to get there. If you rent or own a car, it’s easy to reach any resort. But some resorts have shuttles or buses from Denver to help you get back and forth.
- Group. Some resorts are better suited for adults, while others have plenty of bunny hills for children. Take into account who is coming on this ski trip with you and what resort will work best for them, as well as you.
- Budget. Resorts like Aspen and Vail will be more expensive than Breckenridge or Eldora. Consider your budget and what you’re willing to spend when you stay at the resort, including food, ski tickets, and room rates.
- Time of year. Some of the resorts on this list are only open during the winter months or Colorado ski season. Others are open all year round because they’re high enough in the mountain. Make sure you choose a ski resort that aligns with the time of year you choose to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
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For more information on Colorado skiing and resorts near Denver, refer to the commonly asked questions and answers below:
What’s the best time of year to ski in Colorado?
The best time of the year for Colorado skiing is in February. This month is when all the mountains are fully open, and the weather is the best. But the Colorado ski season can run anywhere between mid-October and mid-May. It depends on the resort and the amount of snowfall that year.
Is Colorado skiing expensive?
Skiing anywhere is expensive, and Colorado is no exception. A single day of skiing can cost anywhere between $50 and $250, depending on the time of year and which resort you visit. Season passes can help you save money. And renting the gear is often costly, so using your own equipment can help you save money.
Can you ski in Colorado in the summer?
Most of the snow melts by the time summer rolls around. But if the snow remains, some resorts will stay open into the summer. Arapahoe Basin is the resort most people visit in the summer, as it sometimes stays open through July fourth.
Do you need a pass to ski Colorado resorts?
You don’t need a pass, as you can buy single-day lift tickets. But if you plan to go multiple days or multiple times a year, it may be cost-effective to buy a pass. It’s easy to calculate the best option by dividing a pass price by the number of days you plan to ski and comparing it to the cost of a one-day pass.
Where do Denver locals ski?
Most Denver locals ski at Breckenridge, Eldora, or Keystone because they’re relatively close to the Denver area. However, most Denver locals buy a ski pass which restricts the mountains they can visit. Their ski pass plays a large role in the mountains they choose to ski on.
So, What’s the Best Ski Resort Near Denver?
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Every ski resort near Denver is a little different, but many people consider Vail Mountain Resort and Beaver Creek to be the best spots to ski and stay. They offer impeccable customer service and well-groomed trails that range from beginner-friendly to black diamonds.