The Best Skiing in Colorado – Top 29 Colorado Ski Resorts
Last Updated on June 4, 2023 by Molly Egan
The following resorts are the best skiing in Colorado and are recognized for their world-class skiing and snowboarding terrain, stunning mountain views, excellent amenities, and convenient location. Colorado is home to the best skiing and snowboarding terrain in the world, with a wide variety of resorts that cater to different skill levels, interests, and preferences.
Many of the resorts in Colorado are part of a larger conglomerate network – Epic Pass and Ikon Pass. These two options provide passes to several of the Colorado ski resorts as well as the North West and East of North America.
Best Skiing in Accessories for Colorado
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List of 29 ski resorts below. Skip to the rundown of each of these 29 ski resorts!
Top Ranking of Ski Resorts in Colorado by Category
Best beginner ski resort is the Purgatory.
Best splurge for a boogie ski experience is any Aspen Snowmass Mountain.
Best family friendly ski resort is Keystone & Beaver Creek.
Best backcountry ski area is the Bluebird Backcountry Skiing & Silverton Mountain.
Best expert terrain ski resort is Crested Butte & Telluride ski resorts.
Best small and divey ski resort is Cooper Mountain & Arapahoe Basin ski areas.
Quickest ski resort from Denver airport is Eldora Mountain & Echo Mountain.
Easiest commute from Denver ski resort is Winter Park.
Never a lift line ski resort is Cooper Mountain & Aspen Mountain.
Largest ski terrain area is Vail resort.
Most snow fall at a Colorado resort is the Wolf Creek Ski area.
Best chance at spotting a celebrity is Aspen Mountain.
Best chance at spotting a ski racer, snowboard racer or Olympian is Copper Mountain.
Best Steep terrain is Crested Butte.
Best terrain park in Colorado is Copper Mountain.
Best Colorado resorts Adaptive ski program is at Winter Park.
Best Colorado Ski Resorts for Skiing in Colorado
Vail Ski Resort
Beaver Creek Resort
Breckenridge Ski Resort
Keystone Resort
Copper Mountain
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Aspen Snowmass
Aspen Buttermilk Mountain
Aspen Highlands Ski Resort
Aspen Mountain
Winter Park Resort
Loveland Ski Area
Granby Ranch
Eldora Mountain Resort
Steamboat Ski Resort
Howelsen Hill
Purgatory Resort
Hesperus Ski Area
Kendall Mountain
Silverton Mountain
Sunlight Mountain Resort
Telluride Ski Resort
Powderhorn Mountain Resort
Monarch Mountain
Wolf Creek Ski Area
Ski Cooper
Echo Mountain
Bluebird Backcountry
1. Vail Ski Resort
Vail Resort is the largest ski resort in Colorado, with diverse terrain and luxurious amenities. Best Skiing in Colorado destination for a Colorado ski trip.
Pros:
5,317 acres of skiable terrain
195 trails, 3,450′ vertical
Excellent snow quality and grooming
Epic ski pass program
Cons:
Cost of lift tickets and lodging
2. Beaver Creek Resort
Beaver Creek Resort is known for its luxurious amenities and excellent customer service—the best skiing in Colorado for families and low crowds.
Beaver creek village has world-class entertainment and a fantastic food scene.
Pros:
Low Crowds
Beginner to expert ski runs
167 trails, 24 lifts, & 3,340′ vertical rise
2,082 acres of skiable terrain
Epic ski pass program
Cons:
Pricey
3. Breckenridge Ski Resort
The best part of Breckenridge is its historic charm, adjacent to a world-class ski resort and lively downtown. The stunning views of the Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge ski school and programs for kids and beginners, and après-ski and nightlife are great reasons to viist!
Pros:
Highest chairlift in North America
Spectacular views of the surrounding mountains
Great Terrain parks
187 ski slopes, 2,908 acres of skiable terrain, 3,398′ vertical
Epic ski pass program
Cons:
Slopes can be icy
High Crowds
Windier and colder than other ski resorts
4. Keystone Resort
Keystone Resort has a wide variety of family-friendly activities and a “Kidtopia” program, and convenient for families with young children. The Keystone Resort is a part of the Epic ski pass program and the Vail Resorts family.
Pros:
Ski slopes for advanced skiers and snowboarders
Easy commute from Denver
Family-friendly
128 ski runs, 3,128′ vertical, 3,148 skiable acres
Cons:
Longer wait times on weekends and busy holiday times
Spread out resort
5. Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain has a great mix of terrain, including plenty of wide-open groomers and challenging tree runs. It is also less crowded than some of the larger resorts in the area.
Pros:
Cost
142 ski runs & 2,601′ vertical
2,490 acres of Skiable terrain
Woodward
Cons:
Older lifts
6. Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Arapahoe Basin is known for its long season, often staying open well into June. It also has a friendly, laid-back atmosphere and some of the best expert terrain in the area.
Pros:
Over 145 ski trails, & 1,428 acres Skiable terrain
2,530′ vertical
High elevation
Divey vibe
Cons:
High winds and cold temperatures due to elevation
7. Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Crested Butte Mountain Resort offers some of the best skiing in Colorado for steep and deep skiing and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It is also known for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
Pros:
3,026 vertical feet, 1,547 skiable acres, 121 runs
Steep terrain
Terrain for more advanced skiers
Cons:
Remote resort and ski town
Crested Butte can be expensive
8. Aspen Snowmass
Aspen Snowmass is one of the largest ski resorts in North America, with over 3,300 acres of skiable terrain, making it ideal for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.
Aspen Snowmass mountain has diverse terrain, including gentle beginner runs, challenging expert terrain, and everything in between, providing something for everyone.
Pros:
336 ski trails, 40 ski lifts
3,342 acres of skiable terrain
Terrain
Cons:
Quite expensive, lift tickets and lodging, and not be affordable for all
9. Aspen Buttermilk Mountain
Aspen Buttermilk Mountain is great for beginners and families, with plenty of gentle terrain and excellent ski school programs. It is also home to the X Games.
Pros:
Excellent beginner mountain
435 acres
2,030′ vertical
Cons:
Advanced skiers and snowboarders may find the terrain limited
10. Aspen Highlands Ski Resort
This Aspen Highland Mountain of the Aspen mountain Colorado ski resorts are best known for the Highlands bowl. The best skiing in Colorado that mimics European apres culture is lunch or apres at Cloud Nine – the best in North America.
In addition to being known for challenging slopes, it also has a great mix of groomed runs and tree skiing.
Pros:
Highland bowl
No lines or crowds
Challenging ski terrain
1,010 acres, 3,638′ vertical, 144 trails
Cons:
One of the most challenging ski areas
11. Aspen Mountain
Aspen Mountain offers challenging terrain and stunning views of the town of Aspen. The best ski resort splurge in Colorado – luxurious, world-class skiing, vibrant nightlife, and endless entertainment options.
Pros:
Pricey
Advance terrain
675 acres, 76 trails
Amazing views
Easy access from downtown
Cons:
Can be crowded during peak times
12. Winter Park Resort
Winter Park has a great mix of terrain, including mogul runs and terrain parks. Its easy access by the Winter Park Express train is unique and rare for most colorado resorts.
Pros:
Only 67 miles from Denver
Winter Park Express train
Adaptive ski school program
Beginner-friendly terrain
166 designated trails, 3,081 total skiable acreage
Cons:
Base area can be confusing to navigate
13. Loveland Ski Area
Loveland Ski Area is known for its snow and lack of crowds. This ski area has easy access from the Denver international airport.
Pros:
Ski resort close to Denver
Affordable lift tickets
Excellent snow quality
Lack of crowds
1800 acres of ski terrain
Cons:
Can be quite windy and cold