12 Best Colorado Ski Resorts—From Luxe Destinations to Affordable Hidden Gems

• “Kids ski free” deals, beginner-friendly slopes, and a range of other activities make resorts like Steamboat and Keystone great choices for families.
• Advanced skiers will find acres of challenging backcountry terrain at Crested Butte and Silverton.
• With fantastic food and drink options, Aspen, Vail, Telluride, and Breckenridge are bound to satisfy après-ski enthusiasts.

Skiing and snowboarding in Colorado is a truly unique experience. The unmistakable peaks of the majestic Rocky Mountains, the sheer variety of the resorts, and the plentiful annual snowfall make this state one of the most coveted winter playgrounds. The best Colorado ski resorts each offer something unique, like world-class art exhibits in Aspen, backcountry cat skiing in Crested Butte, or whiskey tastings in Breckenridge, to name a few.

One way to make the most of a ski trip to Colorado is with a multi-mountain pass. The majority of the resorts on this list are included in either the Epic Pass or the Ikon Pass, two single-season passports that collectively offer users access to more than 100 ski mountains around the world. No matter how you choose to access them, these Colorado ski resorts can help you push your skills, master the terrain, and even enjoy some charming non-skiing activities in some of America’s most idyllic mountain towns.

Vail Ski Resort

Jack Affleck/Courtesy of Vail Resorts

Roughly two hours from Denver, Vail Ski Resort has been a winter haven since it opened in 1962 and has always promised just as much excitement for non-skiers as for the people on the slopes. Up on the mountain, more than 5,300 skiable acres welcome adrenaline junkies, with the longest run clocking in at a whopping four miles. At the base, enjoy a picturesque stroll through the town of Vail, where you’ll find heated cobblestone streets and chalets that wouldn’t look out of place at a European resort. Don’t miss skiing the “Legendary Back Bowls” and enjoying the plentiful après-ski and dining options on hand.

Steamboat Ski Resort

Larry Pierce/Courtesy of Steamboat Ski Resort

When you ski at this northwest Colorado resort, you’re actually traversing a completely independent mountain range with more than 3,700 skiable acres across six peaks. Steamboat prides itself on being a family-friendly resort, offering special Kids Ski Free weeks for children ages 12 and under. Along with skiing, there’s a scenic gondola, ice skating, snowshoeing, and fat tire biking.

After spending time on the slopes, warm up those muscles at the hot springs that make Steamboat Springs one of Colorado’s most charming small towns. A 15-minute drive (or shuttle ride) from town is Strawberry Park Hot Springs, where you’ll find thermal pools of varying temperatures as well as massage facilities.

Keystone Resort

Courtesy of Vail Resorts

For skiers and snowboarders looking to extend their riding experience, this resort is the place to be—Keystone is typically among the first in the country to open for the season, often in October. When you’re not pounding the more than 3,000 acres of powder, hop on a scenic sleigh ride for some festive vibes, or hit the snowy trails on snowshoes. Kids and kids at heart will want to spend all day exploring the massive snow fort, with slides, ice sculptures, and nearby snow tubing. Oh, and did we mention that kids under 12 get a free ski day (with no blackout dates) when families book two or more consecutive nights at Keystone Resort?

Telluride Ski Resort

Jake Stangel

With varied mountain terrain (and nearly 60 percent dedicated to beginners and intermediates), this resort has something for everyone. When you’re not hurtling down the mountain on skis or a snowboard, you can still enjoy the mountain views at Telluride with a guided snowmobile or snowshoeing tour. Looking to combine your adrenaline fix with some history? Head to the Telluride Historical Museum, which offers both indoor exhibits and a twice-weekly walking tour through town.

Foodies won’t want to miss two of the best on-mountain restaurants in the state. Accessible only via the town gondola, Allred’s offers impressive views of the surrounding peaks. But it’s not quite as lofty as ski-in, ski-out Alpino Vino, which perches at a vertiginous 11,966 feet and features an incredible selection of European wines, meats, and cheeses.

Breckenridge

Andrew Maguire/Courtesy of Vail Resorts

“Breck” is one of the highest-altitude resorts in Colorado. Boasting 2,908 skiable acres spread over five peaks with 187 different trails, the mountain offers something for every skill level. The town of Breckenridge, meanwhile, is a charming village that started as a base camp for gold-rush prospectors in the 1850s. Today, it welcomes visitors with architecture that harkens back to the Old West and historical tours that explore the region’s gold-mining past.

Check out Breckenridge Distillery, where you can sample award-winning bourbons, whiskeys, rums, and vodkas. Once you’ve worn yourself out on the slopes, hang your hat at Gravity Haus. This 60-room hotel at the base of the mountain has a Japanese-style bathhouse with hot tubs and a sauna—the perfect spot to relax.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Morgan Rachel Levy

Crested Butte Mountain Resort is one of the best ski resorts in Colorado for experienced skiers and snowboarders; more than half of its 165 runs are considered advanced or expert-level. Take a guided lesson to explore the mountain’s extreme terrain, or sign up to ski with an Olympian to really test your skills. For the truly adventurous, Irwin Guides can arrange a private, luxury cat skiing experience so you can tackle some of Colorado’s greatest backcountry terrain (averaging 500 inches of snow per year).

If you prefer more low-key activities, stroll down historic Elk Avenue, where Old West Victorian buildings house small shops and some of the best dining in the state. Be sure to swing by local favorite Secret Stash for unforgettable pizza, Montanya Distillers for cocktails with locally distilled rums, Soupçon for rustic French bistro fare, and The Slogar for skillet-fried chicken.

Beaver Creek Resort

Jack Affleck/Courtesy of Vail Resorts

With over 2,000 skiable acres, Beaver Creek Resort features plenty of trails dedicated to experts as well as three signature parks designed to help beginners and intermediates improve their skills. The 250-acre McCoy Park offers gentle slopes in gladed, groomed terrain alongside fan-favorite snowshoe and cross-country areas.

Intrepid early risers will want to sign up for the resort’s First Tracks program to access untouched, exquisitely groomed corduroy runs starting at 7:15 a.m. When you’ve worked up an appetite, head to a cozy mountain cabin where a gourmet breakfast awaits. Later in the day, lace up your skates and hit the rink in the middle of the village, or take a shuttle to the famous Beano’s Cabin for one of the best on-mountain, off-the-grid alpine dining experiences.

Aspen Snowmass

Jeremy Swanson/Courtesy of Aspen Snowmass

The chic, celebrity-favorite Aspen ski area is actually four different resorts that together offer one of the most varied ski and snowboard experiences in Colorado. Check out Buttermilk, where you’ll find the home of the Winter X Games as well as a learning area for younger skiers and riders, or head to Snowmass for more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain and runs as long as 5.3 miles. Aspen Highlands is perfect for more advanced skiers and revelers (be sure to snag a hard-to-get reservation at Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro). Last but certainly not least, Aspen Mountain (known as Ajax to locals) is right in the middle of town.

After a long day on the slopes, hit some of the area’s high-end après-ski options or indulge in a little luxury shopping on the quaint village streets. Dining scene favorites include White House Tavern and Catch Steak. If culture is your thing, check out the rotating exhibitions at the Aspen Art Museum.

Monarch Mountain

Skiers on Monarch Mountain.

Stonehouse Pictures

Powder fans flock to Monarch Mountain for its laid-back vibe and higher-than-average snowfall, measuring around 350 inches annually. The resort has over 1,100 skiable acres with nine lifts, but expert skiers can try cat skiing on the property’s 1,635 backcountry acres with lunch and an après-ski beverage included.

On-mountain eats include Sidewinder Saloon, where Angus beef burgers and bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers are menu favorites, and the Fly-By Burritos food truck, parked right off the main lodge’s deck. When you’re ready to head back into town, Elevation Beer Co. in Poncha Springs is the spot for brewpub fare like giant soft pretzels and bratwurst served with sauerkraut.

Purgatory Resort

Courtesy Purgatory Resort

With lift tickets starting at just $11, Purgatory Resort in Durango is a favorite for families looking for a mountain day that won’t break the bank. Kids under 12 can get a free Power Kids Season Pass that not only gives them free lift tickets at Purgatory Resort, but also at 11 partner resorts—plus bike park access in the off-season.

Condos and home rentals are available for groups of all sizes, with the five-bedroom, five-bathroom 23 Powder Ridge topping the list with breathtaking views, a fully equipped kitchen, and a private hot tub for unwinding after a day on the slopes.

Winter Park Resort

Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Getting to the slopes should be part of the fun, and it certainly is when you visit Winter Park Resort. Head to Denver’s Union Station, where you can hop aboard the Winter Park Express, a seasonal Amtrak train that brings skiers and snowboarders to the slopes without the hassle of jockeying for a parking space.

Once there, you’ll find Winter Park is full of snow-based fun, from snowcat and Sno-Go ski bike tours to glow tubing under the neon lights. With over 3,000 skiable acres, there’s plenty of terrain for all skiers, though the resort does have predominantly advanced and expert-level runs. Intermediate and advanced skiers can book an hour-long session with a pro to work on specific techniques before hitting the slopes in the morning.

Silverton Mountain

Courtesy of Silverton Mountain

Those looking to skip the lift lines and crowded lodges in favor of ungroomed backcountry skiing should head to Silverton Mountain. Here, you’ll access the black diamond terrain via a single lift, followed by hiking along the ridgeline. Guided and unguided skiing is available. Craving even more adventure? Book a single-run or full-day heli-skiing experience, accessing 29,000 acres of terrain. Everyone who skis here must carry avalanche gear (available for rent), which gives you some idea of what you’re in for.

Fuel up for a full day with a stop at the Coffee Bear for espresso and breakfast burritos, followed by a post-slope brew and wood-fired pizza at Golden Bock Brewery & Restaurant.