By Camerron Martin
The Colorado Rocky Mountains are home to several sights to see and places to visit and among them sits the most often visited destinations. The ski resorts of Colorado are held to a world-renowned standard as every season, local and visiting people flock to the various slopes that dot the state.
Colorado is home to just over two dozen ski resorts, with many lying around the city of Denver. Seven resorts alone sit alongside I-70: Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Vail and Winter Park. All seven resorts are among the best and most frequently visited during the ski season due to their locations. However, there are far more options to pick from throughout the state, and aside from that group, these are the top five places to ski in Colorado.
The most northern destination of the group is the Steamboat Ski Resort. Located in the northwestern skiing town of Steamboat Springs, the resort, which opened in 1962, offers many luxury privileges to its guests. Alongside its 2900 acres of skiable land, the Steamboat offers family-friendly options throughout its various communities, such as the hot springs, allowing frozen guests to warm themselves up and relax after a long day on the slopes. The scenery alone makes this a must-see destination for avid skiers.
Next on the list is the Telluride Ski Resort. A great place located towards the southwestern part of the state outside the town of Telluride, Colo., for people new to the sport to visit. Most of the resort’s slopes are perfect for beginners trying to sharpen their skills in skiing and snowboarding. Along with the easy-to-master slopes are guided tours of the area and plenty of scenic views and history to occupy your time while off the mountain.
For those who are a little more advanced when it comes to sliding down a mountain range in style, Crested Butte Mountain Resort is the perfect place to visit. Crested Butte’s terrain is often labeled as advanced or expert and can be a real challenge even to experienced skiers. Located to the west of Buena Vista in the mountains, Crested Butte is a peacefully secluded area that can offer its guests the best of both action and leisure.
The most favored by tourists in Colorado is Aspen Snowmass. This resort is really a combination of multiple smaller complexes that all offer a wide and diverse array of opportunities. Home of the Winter X Games, the highlands around Aspen, Colo., are a skier’s and snowboarder’s paradise. More than 3,000 acres of terrain to venture through, with some slopes bringing you right down into the middle of town, where you can finish out your days exploring the shopping and dining options Aspen offers.
Last but certainly not least, any of the many choices is Monarch Mountain. Take US Highway 50 west out of Poncha Springs, and a smaller yet impressive SOCO ski resort will meet you. Monarch may have a different land area than some of the larger parks in Colorado. However, it still offers various options for people of all experience levels and the same scenic mountain views you can find anywhere else in the state—a perfect destination for those looking to ski in south-central Colorado.
