Ski Resorts

Colorado is home to some of the best skiing in the world. From world-class resorts such as Aspen and Vail, to locals favorites such as Mary Jane, you will find whatever you are looking for. The ski season usually starts in late October and lasts until mid-May, depending on snowfall.

If you are interested in sharing the slopes with the rich and famous, head to Aspen, Beaver Creek, or Vail. Several celebrities own second homes there and spend part of the winter either on the slopes or in the expensive boutiques. However, Crested Butte and Telluride are quickly becoming the new hot spots, so if you want to catch them while they still possess a little of that small ski town charm you better hurry!

The Summit Valley resorts, such as Copper Mountain, Keystone, Breckenridge, and Arapahoe Basin, offer a wide variety of terrain all within a 30 minute drive of each other. They can also be reached in about an hour and a half from Denver. For a fun-packed week of skiing in this area, it is a good idea to set up camp in the town of Dillon and then visit a different resort every day.

One of my favorite resorts is Winter Park/Mary Jane. Winter Park is a great place for kids to learn how to ski because it is very family-oriented. It also is home to an extensive program that helps people with disabilites to hit the slopes too. For those with a little more experience, Mary Jane offers wonderful tree and mogul runs with heavenly powder and short lift lines. What more could you ask for?

The closest resort to Denver is Loveland. For a quick drive (a little over 1 hour) and a relatively cheap lift ticket, this is the place for you. However, it might be worth the extra 30 minutes to an hour in the car to explore the resorts in Summit Valley or Winter Park.

For those with plenty of time and a desire to find a ski town that is still somewhat untouched by the crowd, head to Steamboat Springs. Steamboat is an authentic cowboy town that still holds weekly rodeos in the summer. It is a 4 hour drive from Denver, but worth every minute. The slopes are uncrowded and are usually covered with incredible powder. The town is charming and will make you feel right at home. It is an ideal setting for a romantic getaway.