Colorado is one of the top places in the US for skiing due to its Rocky Mountains and lovely climate. Denver is a major airline hub and offers convenient access to a number of ski destinations. The best and most cheap ski resorts in the Denver area can be found in Winter Park, Eldora, Keystone, Breckenridge, Cooper, Loveland, etc. Some of the greatest skiing close to Denver is found in Vail and Beaver Creek, which are located beyond the Vail Pass. Resorts can be reached via self-driving, ride-sharing, trains, shuttles, and buses.
It is important to take into account your vehicle’s capabilities and driving conditions when selecting a ski resort. The ski resorts that are most convenient to Denver might be relatively big (Winter Park), have the most snow (Loveland), or be belittled and quirky (Echo Mountain). The diversity and resort experience at the top destinations makes the extra driving time worthwhile. Check out the best ski resorts in Denver listed below, along with what they each have to offer, to get an idea of your alternatives.
#1. Sunlight Mountain Resort
Sunlight Ski Resort, which is close to Aspen, has a ton of discounts. With 250 inches of snowfall every season, it offers 67 runs, several of which are lengthy cruisers. The Learn to Shine program is just one of the numerous options at this fantastic family ski resort. Glenwood Springs, which is nearby, has a broad selection of low-cost and moderately priced lodging alternatives. You won’t pay ski-town costs when dining in town, so it’s also reasonably priced. The town’s outstanding natural hot springs can relieve sore muscles and get you back on the slopes quickly.
Read Also: RESORTS NEAR DENVER: Top-Rated 15 Resorts in 2023
#2. Eldora Ski Resort
Colorado’s Eldora is one of the cheap and most convenient ski resorts, only 21 miles from Boulder and 47 miles from Denver. It includes eight terrain parks that are a part of the Woodward program and receives 25 feet of snow on average every season. Also, it boasts eleven lifts, one of which is a six-passenger high-speed chair, and 100 percent snowmaking coverage. 40 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski paths for people who enjoy this activity. Affordable lift tickets make it feasible to have a pleasant day on the slopes.
#3. Purgatory Resort
A well-liked ski resort for individuals on a tight budget is Purgatory Resort, which is located not far from Durango. Besides, it is one of the best resorts in the San Juan Mountain range and gives children under the age of 12 who are purchasing a season pass a pass for free. During a weeklong ski trip, a family of four can save close to $1,000 here. Snow tends to stay around at the resort due to its north-facing location. Eleven lifts service almost 100 routes and are positioned strategically across the mountain.
Also, accommodations are accessible in Durango, where there are several hotels, inns, and inexpensive restaurants. An excellent food store to frequent is the City Market in the town center.
#4. Loveland Ski Area
53 miles away from Denver and a terrific place to go skiing, Loveland provides discounted advance lift tickets and reciprocal privileges. Meanwhile, across 1,800 acres, there are 94 designated ski routes, and there are free snowcat lifts to access more difficult terrain. Loveland has a triple chair for the 2022–2023 season to replace the 40–year–old double that was beginning to show its age. Loveland Basin offers intermediate through expert terrain, but Loveland Valley only has its own lift for beginners.
In addition, Loveland is a fantastic family-friendly ski resort since it offers affordable lift tickets and a top-notch instruction facility.
#5. Cooper Mountain Ski Area
Cooper, which shares a mountain range with Vail, Breckenridge, and Beaver Creek, offers the same incredible snow conditions without charging as much. Lift tickets cost half as much as those at the big resorts, and there are 59 trails scattered across 470 acres served by five lifts. As a matter of fact, the smoothest snow surface in Colorado is provided by all-natural snow, and there is terrain for all skill levels.
A short distance away in the cool and quirky town of Leadville are accommodations and dining options with affordable prices. Leadville is 10,052 feet above sea level, so if you feel tired, it’s not due to being out of shape.
#6. Wolf Creek Ski Resort
Wolf Creek is one of the cheap and snowiest ski resorts in Denver Colorado, boasting 430 inches of snow and 1,600 skiable acres. It is all out across the mountainside and offers a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs. On-hill food is inexpensive, full, and good, and lift tickets are comparatively inexpensive. Good accommodation can be found in nearby Pagosa Springs or South Fork, and Pagosa Springs offers the bonus of being able to soak in the hot springs.
#7. Keystone Ski Resort
The greatest night skiing in Colorado can be found at Keystone, a family-friendly ski resort 90 minutes west of Denver. It features more than 3,100 acres of skiable land spread across six peaks, receives about 20 feet of snow each year, and has an excellent network of 20 lifts, including a gondola. Dercum Mountain is ideal for beginners, intermediates, and experienced skiers, while Outback and North Peak offer spectacular chutes, bowls, and tree runs. Activities include horse-drawn sleigh rides, tubing, snow biking, as well as ice skating.
#8. Winter Park Ski Resort
Winter Park is a popular ski resort for novice skiers, ranked the best in North America by USA Today readers in 2019. It’s one of the cheap ski resorts near Denver. It debuted in 1940 and has since grown tremendously. However, this resort is situated approximately a 75-minute drive from Denver. There are more than 3,000 skiable acres and more than 160 marked routes, offering ample terrain for skiers of all skill levels. Also, long groomers, several beginning slopes, and tree runs are all present. Tubing, ski riding, snowcat trips, and sunset snowshoeing are all options to have fun.
#9. Vail Mountain Resort
Vail Mountain Resort offers 5,300 acres of skiable land, making it a great destination for skiers of all skill levels. You should plan to arrive early because there is a lot to do here and it might get hectic. There are also many other activities available here, such as snowshoe wilderness excursions and chances to advance your cross-country abilities through the Nordic School. Vail Village offers a variety of stores, eateries, and lodging. Bart and Yeti’s as well as Garfinkels are popular Vail pubs with live music and sports bars.
#10. Breckenridge Ski Resort
It takes roughly an hour and forty minutes to drive 80 miles from Denver to one of the most well-known ski resorts in the western hemisphere. As a matter of fact, Breckenridge is home to the tallest chairlift in North America, offering breathtaking views of neighboring peaks. You have a choice of 187 ski tracks as well as 2,900 skiable acres, about half of which is high alpine terrain.
For beginners and intermediate skiers, lower elevation locations are a skier’s paradise; they are especially suitable for families and those just starting out. You can also choose from a variety of lodging, eating, and shopping alternatives.
#11. Jade Mountain Resort
Jade Mountain Resort, one of the top luxury resorts in the Caribbean, offers breathtaking views of the sea and the Piton Mountains. Suites feature 15-foot-high ceilings, infinity pools, Jacuzzi spas, and personal butlers to take advantage of the region’s natural beauty. In contrast to many all-inclusive resorts, this one offers award-winning cuisine made with locally sourced organic products from a nearby plantation, as well as a luxurious spa for rest and renewal. Finally, go to the sky deck after dark for cool drinks, stargazing, and live music.
#12. Ladera Resort
Ladera Resort, one of St. Lucia’s premier resorts, enjoys a stunning setting perched onto a cliffside overlooking the Caribbean from a thousand feet above sea level and the famous Pitons. Meanwhile, Treehouse villas provide a romantic getaway with private plunge pools. Some also include waterfalls that cascade and swings. The hotel also boasts a spectacular spa with black water soaking tubs, an open-air fitness facility, and a lagoon-style infinity pool.
There is a free beach shuttle available, and it is near Jalousie Beach’s immaculate white beaches. Moreover, the on-site restaurant is consistently on rate as the best on the island and offers views that complement the food.
Where Do Locals From Denver Ski?
Where do residents in Denver ski? Residents from Denver prefer to ski in Breckenridge, Eldora, or Keystone. Yet, the majority of Denver residents purchase a ski pass, which limits the mountains they can climb. The mountains they decide to ski on depend greatly on their ski pass.