Skiing is an iconic part of the winter season, and it’s only getting more popular thanks to a growing number of ski resorts near Denver. If you’re ready to hit the slopes, we’ve got your ultimate guide on where to find the best ski resorts near Denver. Whether you are looking for something a little closer to home or want to venture out of state, check out these recommendations. They range in distance from about an hour drive up to five hours away. Regardless of your preferences, you’ll find the perfect ski resort for your next winter vacation. Keep reading for more details on each one so you can plan the best trip ever.
Arapahoe Ski Area
Arapahoe Ski Area is one of the most convenient ski resorts near Denver. It’s located just 10 miles from Boulder and only a 30-minute drive from Denver. This ski resort is ideal for beginners and families. Arapahoe is a great place to learn how to ski. It’s also a popular spot for families with younger children. The ski runs at Arapahoe are relatively short, with a few gentle bumps. Because the runs are short, you won’t need to take any lessons to access them. That makes this a great place for beginners, as well as kids who don’t want to take lessons. There are a couple of great options for food and hot drinks. Arapahoe is a great option for families who want to learn how to ski. It’s a less crowded spot with short runs where you can easily wend your way around.
Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain is the most popular ski resort near Denver, so it tends to be a bit more crowded than other spots. However, it’s also one of the best places to learn how to ski, especially if you’re a beginner. There are plenty of snowboard and ski schools that offer group and private lessons. The ski runs are short and wide, which makes them great for beginners. Plus, you can take advantage of the free snow tubing at the base of the mountain. Once you’ve mastered the basics and want to move up to more challenging runs, Copper Mountain has plenty to offer. There are a variety of black runs, as well as steeps and chutes. Keep in mind that this is a larger resort and thus can get crowded, especially on weekends and holidays. You may want to consider going on a weekday or avoiding peak times.
Eldora Ski Resort
Eldora Ski Resort boasts some of the best skiing and riding conditions in the entire country thanks to its high elevation. This ski resort is only a 20-minute drive from Boulder and just over an hour drive from Denver. The high elevation means you can enjoy skiing and riding year-round, which is a huge bonus. Eldora also offers night skiing and special events throughout the season. Plus, it has a great range of runs for both beginners and more experienced skiers and snowboarders. Beginners will love the fact that some of the most popular runs are blue runs. While those are generally described as intermediate runs, they’re perfect for new skiers and snowboarders, especially kids. More experienced skiers and snowboarders will enjoy the wide variety of runs. Eldora is one of the best spots for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
Breckenridge Ski Resort
Breckenridge Ski Resort is one of the biggest ski resorts near Denver, so it can get a bit crowded, especially during weekends and holidays. However, it’s worth a visit, especially if you want to experience some of the most difficult runs in the country. Breckenridge is considered an expert ski resort with a wide variety of black runs. It’s also the site of the annual U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team’s Rocky Mountain Training Camp. If that doesn’t impress you, maybe the steeps and chutes will. Breckenridge is a great place to see some of the most difficult skiing and snowboarding in the country. It’s definitely worth a visit, especially if you’re an expert skier or snowboarder. Just keep in mind that it gets crowded, especially on weekends and holidays. If you prefer a less crowded ski resort, we recommend considering another suggestion.
Winter Park Resort
Winter Park Resort is another popular Colorado ski resort well-suited for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. It’s about an hour and 45 minutes from Denver. This is a great place to learn how to ski or snowboard. There are plenty of low-intermediate runs, which are wide and short enough to allow beginners to easily navigate them. Beginners will also appreciate the lack of crowds at Winter Park Resort. This is a smaller resort in terms of skier numbers, which means it’s not as crowded as some other major resorts. Experienced skiers and snowboarders will also enjoy the variety of black runs at Winter Park Resort. There are plenty of steeps and chutes where you can test your skills and see just how challenging skiing and snowboarding can be.
Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek is one of the most expensive ski resorts near Denver. However, it’s also one of the most impressive with five world-class mountains. Beaver Creek is located about an hour and 45 minutes from Denver. This is a great place for intermediate skiers and snowboarders. It’s also one of the most popular places for advanced skiers and snowboarders to train. If you’re an experienced skier or snowboarder, Beaver Creek is definitely worth a visit. This is a smaller resort that is not as crowded as some of the other major ski resorts near Denver. If you prefer a quieter environment, Beaver Creek is worth a visit. It’s also worth noting that Beaver Creek is home to the annual Ski Season Opening Celebration. This is one of the most popular events of the season.
Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain is one of the best resorts near Denver if you’re looking for a more affordable trip. This ski resort is located in Ontario, Canada, just over an hour from Denver and Boulder. It’s a smaller resort, which means there are less crowds and lower prices. Blue Mountain is a great place for beginners to learn how to ski or snowboard. There are plenty of blue runs, as well as some green runs for more experienced skiers and snowboarders. This is also a good place for families with kids as there are plenty of child-friendly runs. One downside is that the runs are shorter at Blue Mountain. You may want to bring a couple of pairs of skis or snowboards, especially if you want to navigate the terrain park. There are a variety of special features at Blue Mountain, including a terrain park, half-pipe, and rail garden.
Conclusion
Skiing is an iconic part of the winter season, and it’s only getting more popular thanks to a growing number of ski resorts near Denver. If you’re ready to hit the slopes, we’ve got your ultimate guide on where to find the best ski resorts near Denver. Whether you are looking for something a little closer to home or want to venture out of state, check out these recommendations. They range in distance from about an hour drive up to five hours away. Regardless of your preferences, you’ll find the perfect ski resort for your next winter vacation.