The best mountains to ski in Colorado for adventure seekers. Colorado winter vacations are also some of the best because the state has some of America’s best ski resorts.
Best Mountains To Ski In Colorado
There is a slope in Colorado for everyone. I had a great time with my family during our ski trip. Colorado ski resorts offer lift tickets and lodging packages among other things.
This list will make planning for a ski trip easy. Also, check out this post on cool and beautiful places to visit in Colorado as well as the best places to visit in Colorado in the summer.
Silverton Mountain
Silverton Mountain is more than a resort. The Mountain has a chairlift that carries visitors into its terrain. The mountain also serves as a base area for helicopter-accessed skiing. The ski area is known for its adventure and steep terrain.
Skiers and snowboarders can access the best powder skiing. The mountain offers heli-skiing by the drop. Aaron and Jen Brill are the owners of Silverton Mountain.
We had to hike with skis and boards in tow for almost all the slopes here. There is a guide-only operation with a maximum of 80 people per day.
There is also an average of 400 inches of snow per year. The Mountain has been ranked the best for steeps and powder snow in the U.S.
You are obligated to have an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe pole. The snowiest week is usually the last week of February.
Aspen Mountain
Aspen is a world-class mountain destination for all levels of skiers. The mountain has four unique ski resorts that are the Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk.
Many people know Aspen Mountain as Ajax. Locals love this place a lot. Aspen Highlands have a wide-open bowl called Thunder that helps intermediate skiers. Aspen Mountain is considered moderate–strenuous and crummy for beginners.
Aspen Mountain also offers a variety of glades, steeps, and bumps. The Mountain powder tours will hook you up with fresh tracks on the backside.
Other than skiing and snowboarding, the mountain offers great views and there is a new gondola. The four mountains have approximately 5,527 acres of skiing slopes. Aspen Mountain offers black diamond skiing and every kind of terrain.
The gondola is one of two lifts with the Little Nell chairlift. The composition allows visitors to ascend the mountain from the town center and ski down the Little Nell Run.
The Mountain boasts 76 runs and sits at an angle of 42 degrees. The steepest slope is called Silver Queen. Beyond the skiing, there is endless dining, nightlife, and shopping.
Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain is located in Summit County and has a ski resort. The mountain once hosted the world cup with four alpine ski races. The mountain has almost 2500 acres of naturally divided terrain.
The mountain’s unique resort has three areas, beginner, intermediate and expert areas. The three separate picks are Copper Mountain, Union Peak, and Tucker Mountain. The copper mountain offers 360 degrees skiing.
The Tucker Mountain offers an unparalleled experience for expert skiers and free cat skiing. Enjoy the 126 km of slopes available and 19 lifts for guests available. There are youth and adult seasonal ski training.
Monarch Mountain
Monarch Mountain is abundant in natural snow. The base elevation is nearly 11,000 feet. The snow is fluffy and frequent. This area is family-friendly and unpretentious.
The mountain has plenty of terrain and lacks lift lines. Monarch has the easiest beginner runs available from the base lift. The terrains are available from Thumbelina and Garfield lifts.
The blue run divides and splits into two, the Ticaboo and the Snowburn. The advanced runs are accessible from Garfield, Panorama, and Breezeway.
Other than the abundant snowfall, high elevation, gorgeous scenery, and excellent terrain, there is a nice resort.
There is amazing tree skiing, wide-open alpine bowls, and an intermediate trail. There is a day lodge located at the base with ski and snowboard schools.
Vail Mountain
Vail is the second-largest ski mountain in Colorado. The mountain is one of the most diverse ski resorts. It is also a great ski destination for families.
Visitors from all over the world come to Vail for class slopes and back bowls. Beginners will find easy access to green and gentle blues at the front side of Vail. There are private and group instructions.
Intermediates ski Vail’s long and fast cruisers. From all Vail’s lifts, you can access blue or green runback. Vail grooms more terrain than any resort.
There are 2600 skiable acres of expert terrain. There are legendary back bowls that stretch endlessly in all directions. You will find Mongolia Bowls at Vail’s backside.
Vail also has restaurants/ Cafeterias and free grills. There is cross-country skiing at the local Vail Nordic Centre.
Dercum Mountain
Dercum Mountain is the best spot for skiing from Keystone ski resort. The resort is the largest ski area in Summit County and boasts more than 3000 acres of skiable terrain. Dercum Mountain offers skiing at all levels.
The mountain offers long groomers perfect for beginners. Schoolmarm is a family-friendly ski trail. You can get plenty of green runs, slopes, and programs.
Some great tree skiing is offered. Hike or catch the snowcats running to the top. There are 3 peaks, night skiing, and cat skiing.
The restaurants are not very crowded and the staff is friendly and helpful. There is also a 5-acre skating lake and lift access for mountain hiking and biking.
Black Mountain
The black mountain has 40 ski runs served by two chairlifts. Beginners have their area at the base of the lifts.
The mountain has a variety of terrain to choose from depending on the skier’s interests. The terrains are suitable for intermediate and advanced levels. The Arapahoe Basin Ski resort is on this mountain.
For skiing, there are 105 km of slopes available and 7 lifts to transport guests. The Montezuma Bowl is attractive to skiers because it has pretty deep snow slopes.
There is a superb ski/ board school to help tame it. Arapahoe Basin is the highest peak at 13, 050 feet.
The snowiest time on these slopes is the 3rd week of April. To access the mountain for skiing you require a lift ticket.
Loveland Mountain
Loveland Mountain has a Ski area with over 400 inches of snowfall a year. Loveland boasts 1,800 acres of remarkable terrain. This big mountain is the closest skiing spot to Denver.
The lift lines are relatively short; however, the powder lasts a little longer. There are varieties of terrain available to suit everyone. You can ski on easy groomers or into big bowls.
The ski resort is home to Loveland valley as well as Loveland Basin. The valley is for beginners with milder slopes and has a ski school. Locals love the place since it has steeps, bumps, and glades team-up.
The 9th lift will whisk skiers and riders to the chutes and ridges of 12, 700 feet. A great way to know the mountain is by free mountain tours which are available. Primer Bowl, Castle Rock, and Jelly Roll have challenging runs.
Loveland snow lasts from mid-October to mid-May due to its high elevation. There is always untracked powder around. A 3-day-on-the-mountain clinic emphasizes techniques in women’s skiing.
Elbert Mountain
Elbert Mountain Colorado is a good skiing spot. The mountain was named in honor of Samuel Hitt Elbert. Skiers make turns to South Elbert TH and gear up skinning the 2.5 miles to the summer TH.
Elbert tends to drag on in any season. Skiing at this mountain is not easy. The snow is usually soft and has a great descent.
From the double blacks to bunny slopes there are iconic inbounds ski runs. Choose your favorite powder stash.
Mount Elbert has proved to be an accessible peak. Other than skiing they also offer a series of accessible hikes to its summit.
Elk Mountain
Elk Mountain has 547 kilometers of slopes and is served by 41 ski lifts. At Elk Mountain, you will find the Snowmass Resort which offers 237 kilometers of slopes. It has varied terrain offerings and gentle green and blue runs.
Snowmass is family-friendly and flies under the radar as an expert’s mountain. Beginners looking to comfortably advance can have fun exploring the mountain. They have a school that offers top-notch instruction for beginners.
There are terrain parks, extensive extreme skiing, mogul runs, and gladded terrain. There is a new restaurant near Elk Camp.
Mount Evans
Mount Evans is one of the happy-medium of spring ski mountaineering. The peak itself is one of the twenty highest in Colorado. There is a concrete road that leads to the summit. There are numerous climbs and ski descents.
You will find a wide span of Mount Evans North face and Summit Lake Bowl in half a mile. You must ascend a bench that rises in the east end of the Summit Lake Bowl.
Ascend the slope up to the small bowl below the north face and you will be at 470 of elevation, a third mile up at 13300 slopes.
The road helps the ski mountaineers to enjoy quick access to the high terrain. Ski mountaineering is a very dangerous activity that needs precaution.
Echo Mountain
The Echo Mountain is known for having the best slopes for beginners. The mountain is close to Denver. From the magic carpet, the green trail will offer a great view and connect with other runs.
There are intermediate trails like Hollywood and full–send. It is a gateway run and perfect compromise for groups with different levels of expertise.
Echo offers night skiing. The mountain is perfect for freestylers and those looking to be perfect in their race craft.
There are rails, jumps, and black diamond tree runs. The mountain adds new features to improve your adventure and skiing experience.
Final Thoughts
If you love skiing or are just a beginner, be sure to check out the mountains in Colorado. The region has skiing options for everyone.
There are also so many schools for beginners and children and you will find something that suits your needs.
I hope this post on the best mountains to ski in Colorado gave you some ideas on some places to visit. Enjoy your trip and also follow me on Visiting Travelers Pinterest for more.
