Copper Mountain - near Frisco, Colorado
As someone who has lived in Colorado ski towns for 8 years, including Telluride, Copper Mountain, Avon, and Keystone, and has actually been to every ski resort in the state numerous times. I have decided to write this article, as most of what I read, I'm skeptical if the writer has even been there.
1) Steamboat Springs
Why it’s great for beginners
Steamboat is known among ski bums as “SlowBoat” because it lacks steeps. This is the flattest and easiest ski resort in all of Colorado. I know many resort employees whose first black diamond they rode was at the Slowboat. Advanced skiers/snowboarders enjoy it here because of the great tree runs and an average snowfall of 336-inches, 5th best in the state.
56% of the ski runs are either beginner or intermediate
Steamboat is the lowest elevation ski resort in Colorado, with the base at 6,900 feet, about 150 feet higher than the town. For those that are concerned about altitude, the top of this resort (10,568 ft) is actually lower than the parking lot of Loveland, and only a few hundred feet higher than Copper Mountain and Breckenridge’s base.
Non-Skiing Activities
After a day of skiing in the self-anointed “champagne” powder, there are several hot springs in or near Steamboat, including Strawberry Park Hot Springs, one of the best hot springs in the entire state of Colorado.
Strawberry Park Hot Springs
About 5-10 miles outside of Steamboat. A natural hot spring. (Image Source: Flickr)
Food & Microbreweries
Mahogany Ridge Brewery, Mountain Tap Brewery, Storm Peak Brewery, plus Steamboat Whiskey Company are 4 local establishments that are great places to have a drink or two after some fun in the snow.
Steamboat Springs is one of the larger ski towns in Colorado. There are over 130 restaurants, backcountry dining, hot springs, spas, and nightlife in the Boat.
Downtown Steamboat Springs - Colorado
Why I like Steamboat
A 3-hour and 15-minute drive from Denver assuming there is no traffic, rest breaks, or snow, makes this resort off the beaten path. Combine that with not being on Vail’s Epic Pass, which means this resort doesn’t have the crowds or lines that many of the I-70 corridor resorts experience.
Great snow, epic tree runs, and a stop at Radium Hot Springs along the way make this trip always a treat.
View of Steamboat Springs from the gondola. (Image Source: Flickr)
2) Copper Mountain
Why it’s great for beginners
I might be a bit biased as this is the first ski resort I worked at in Colorado and have so many amazing memories.
All the beginner and easier runs are located in the same area, which means that you won’t take a wrong turn or catwalk and find yourself on a black or double diamond. Also, you can access any of the villages as a beginner, since the mountain is easy to navigate, especially with family or with friends of different levels.
46% of the runs are either greens or blues
Non-Skiing Activities
Copper Mountain has its own walkable village with bars, shops, and restaurants. While it’s considered small by larger resort standards, Frisco, Colorado is a 5-minute drive, if you are looking for more nightlife, restaurants, and breweries.
Why I like Copper
Copper Mountain is not owned by Vail Resorts and is not part of the Epic Pass. Making this is the least crowded and most affordable resort in the area. Also, it’s the closest ski resort to Denver, at 1-hour and 20-minutes from downtown.
Copper is 5 minutes to Frisco/Silverthorne
28 minutes to Breckenridge and Keystone
23 minutes to Vail
32 minutes to Leadville
40 minutes to Idaho Springs
Making Copper conveniently located to experience many of Colorado’s winter highlights.
Frisco, Colorado
3) Loveland Ski Area
Why it’s good for beginners
An unrestricted 4-pass is $199, which is about the same price as a single-day lift ticket at the nearby Vail Resorts.
54% greens and blues
Non-Skiing Activities
This is a ski area and not a resort, so not much besides skiing or snowboarding. However, Loveland is under an hour from Denver and located before the Eisenhower Tunnel, which has many unforeseen closures. Frisco/Silverthorne is only 20 minutes away, and Breckenridge is 35 minutes.
Stuck on I-70. Very common. Most likely related to the tunnel or an accident. (Image Source: Flickr)
Why I like Loveland
Great prices, short lines, and the same big mountain experience as the nearby mega-resorts. Also, and very importantly, Loveland averages the most snow in the state, at over 420 inches.
4) Snowmass Ski Area (Aspen area)
Ajax, Aspen, and Stars.
The Aspen Ski Company has 4 ski areas/resorts. Most locals say Aspen Highlands is their favorite, but all the fun terrain is only accessible by hiking/skinning, which IMO defeats the purpose of getting a lift ticket and is not good for beginners.
Why it’s good for beginners
Only Vail has more skiable acres than Snowmass in Colorado and 53% is classified as beginner or intermediate. That is lots of options and room for beginners. Snowmass has fast chairlifts and short lines so you can maximize your time on the slopes.
Aspen is 200 miles from Denver or nearly 4 hours drive with no traffic or snow, which keeps the “Tunnel Trash” down to a minimum (Tunnel Trash is what the ski locals call those who live in the Denver metro area as they have to drive through the Eisenhower Tunnel to get to the mountains).
Ajax and downtown Aspen
Non-Skiing Activities
Snowmass village is rather small and has limited options, however, it’s only a 20 minute car drive to downtown Aspen, which is one of my favorite mountain towns in Colorado.
The John Denver Sanctuary is located right in town next to Rio Grande Park and is near the spot he wrote his famous song “Rocky Mountain HIgh” (image below).
The J-bar in the Hotel Jerome was Hunter S. Thompson’s favorite drinking spot.
Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge is about a 45 minute drive from downtown Aspen, where you can soak and relax
The Wheeler Opera House is the venue for concerts, festivals, movies, lectures, and more.
Aspen Brewery Company is the oldest brewery in town after Flying Dog relocated to Maryland.
Aspen at 15,000+ feet (Image Source: Flickr)
Why I like Aspen/Snowmass
Few ski experiences are more iconic than Aspen. Four ski areas all on the same pass, little crowds, fast chairs, historic town, tons of bars and restaurants, and amazing skiing. If I only could only do one Colorado ski trip it would be to Aspen, and it wouldn’t even be close (but not as a beginner per se).
5) Breckenridge
Why it’s good for beginners
Not as flat as Steamboat but the beginner and intermediate runs here are gentler than most. which is maybe why this is the 2nd most visited ski resort in the USA.
44% greens and blues
Non-Skiing Activities
The town of Breckenridge has over 100 restaurants, a half-dozen breweries (Broken Compass Brewing, my favorite) plus a distillery. Also, the Breckenridge Brewery is the 3rd oldest craft brewery in the state (now owned by AB InBev).
Breckenridge is both a historical town and a ski resort. There is no other ski town in Colorado that offers as much diversity of choices for eating, drinking, spas, shopping, live music, events, etc.
Located 1-hour and 45-minutes from downtown Denver. Breck is close to Keystone, Silverthorne, and Frisco, all about 20 minutes away. Even A-basin ski area is only 30-minutes, which makes Breck a great jumping-off point to much of Summit County.
Breckenridge at Dawn (Image Source: Flickr)
Why I like Breckenridge
Founded in 1859, Breckenridge is a classic choice, IMO, not so much for the terrain but for the town. Breck is perfect if you are looking for more partying than skiing. I lived at Copper Mountain for 3 years and made the 25-minute drive at least 100 times, for great food and fun times.
6) Beaver Creek
Why it’s good for beginners
This is one of my favorites. Only 12 miles past Vail but with no lines or crowds. Nearly 2/3 of the mountain is greens and blues and is hands down the best glade skiing in the state.
62% greens and blues
Beaver Creek is top 5 for most expensive resorts in the USA. This keeps the crowds away and provides a great on-mountain experience as your epic fails will be in silence.
Non-Skiing Activities
This was the last major ski resort built in Colorado, opening in 1980-81. There are plenty of restaurants in the 3 villages that comprise the resort. This is more posh than classic.
Beaver Creek in the summer (Image Source: Flicker)
Why I like Beaver Creek
As an advanced snowboarder, you can access backcountry-style terrain serviced by lifts, which means no hiking. This is very rare. Also, a fraction of the crowds of Breckenridge, Vail or Keystone. Even on holidays there are no lines.
7) Vail
Why it’s good for beginners
The largest ski resort in Colorado and the most visited in North America. Vail has something for everyone, including beginners.
47% beginner or indeterminate ski runs
Vail has over 5,000 skiable acres, meaning over 2,500 acres are either green or blue runs.
Non-Skiing Activities
There are over 100 restaurants in Vail and as the most visited ski resort in the USA, there is always something going on. Spas, mountain cabin restaurants, shops, and daily live music ensures you will always be entertained.
Why I like Vail
While locals in other ski towns will talk down upon Vail, I’ve never had a bad experience. High-speed lifts and 5,300+ acres make Vail seem less crowded than it really is. Lots of yummy dining and socializing options, all right next to the mountain make for great pictures and epic moments.
8) Monarch Ski Area
Monarch Pass (Image Source: Flickr)
Why it’s good for beginners
Loveland and Monarch are the two most affordable ski areas in the state. This is perfect for beginners who want to develop their technique and skills before spending more money at the iconic resorts, i.e, Vail, Breck, Telluride, and Aspen.
42% is green and blue ski runs
Since Monarch is only 800 acres and the longest ski run is only 1-mile, you are never that far from the bathrooms or parking lot. Shorter runs are great for beginners as you will be at the bottom before your legs fatigue out.
Non-Skiing Activities
Monarch is a ski area and not a resort, meaning it’s only offers skiing/snowboarding and essential amenities.
However, both historical Salida and Buena Vista are nearby:
Salida is a 30-minute drive
Buena Vista is 40 minute drive
This area is also loaded with hot springs, for example:
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort is 40 minutes away
Valley View Hot Springs is a 50-minute drive
Cottonwood Hot Springs is a 50-minute drive
There are several breweries in this area, Elevation Beer Company, Soulcraft Brewery, Tres Litros Beer, and Eddyline Brewery being the most popular.
Arkansas River in Salida, Colorado (Image Source: Flickr)
Why I like Monarch
Monarch averages 350-inches of snow, which is well above the Colorado average. Also, its close proximity to many amazing hot springs makes this a very pleasant trip.
9) Keystone
This list wouldn’t be complete without Keystone, the 3rd largest ski resort in Colorado with over 3,000 skiable acres and 51% green or blue runs.
As an advanced skier or snowboarder, Keystone is very underrated. However, Keystone is marketed as the family resort by Vail Resorts (because it’s boring). As such, it gets way too many beginners and families, which makes for long lines and crowded runs on the green and blue trails.
Also, Keystone doesn’t have many dining, shopping, or nightlife options. Many people do day trips to Breckenridge or Silverthorne, both about 25 minutes away with no traffic and clear weather.
Jesse is the Director of Pedal Chile and lives in Valdivia. Jesse has a Master of Science in Health and Human Performance and is an avid mountain biker, snowboarder. Hobbies: Reading & researching, tasting good beer, and hot springing.
