SKI GUIDE: PRICES, HOURS, TRAILS, TERRAIN AND MORE
Your guide to all Colorado ski areas: Lift prices, hours, trail difficulties, terrain and more
A chill is in the air. Snow putters to the ground. Powder begs to be shredded. It’s ski season in Colorado.
Colorado’s ski season officially started on Oct. 13 when Wolf Creek Ski Area in Pagosa Springs opened a few weekend lifts following a storm that dumped 30 inches of snow. In the Front Range, usual early birds Arapahoe Basin and Loveland started running lifts on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20, respectively. With lots of snow dumping in the mountain, more and more ski areas are announcing early opens.
But the season is still early and many resorts are still waiting for their November and December openings.
Looking to get the lowdown on the mountains this year? Here’s what you need to know, from opening and closing dates to the cost of lift tickets and their run times.
ARAPAHOE BASIN Season: Open-early June 2019 Information: 888-272-7246, arapahoebasin.com
Terrain: 1,428 acres. 145 trails. 7 percent beginner; 20 percent intermediate; 49 percent advanced; 24 percent expert. 3 terrain parks. Summit: 13,050 feet. Base: 10,520 feet. Vertical: 2,530 feet. Longest run: 1.5 miles.
Lifts: 1 high-speed quad; 2 quads; 1 triple; 2 doubles; 2 conveyors; 1 surface lift.
Lift tickets: Walk-up single-day lift tickets vary. Check out the cost at tickets.arapahoebasin.com. Also offering Kids Free 2 Ski Pass: 2 free days for kids ages 6-12. Must sign up by Dec. 17.
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Black Mountain Express, Pallavicini and Molly Hogan lifts opens 8:30 a.m. on weekends and select holidays.
Located: 68 miles from Denver, either via I-70 west to Silverthorne, then 12 miles east on U.S. 6, or I-70 west to Loveland Pass, then 8 miles west on U.S. 6. ASPEN HIGHLANDS Season: Dec. 8-April 14, 2019 Information: 800-525-6200, aspensnowmass.com
Terrain: 122 trails. 1,040 acres. 18 percent beginner; 30 percent intermediate; 16 percent advanced; 36 percent expert. Summit: 11,675 feet. Base: 8,040 feet. Vertical: 3,635 feet. Longest run: 3.5 miles.
Lifts: 3 high-speed quads, 2 triples. Lift tickets: Prices vary. Single-day, walk-up passes start at $139. Purchase advance tickets at aspensnowmass.com.
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Located: Aspen; 200 miles from Denver via I-70 and Colorado 82. ASPEN MOUNTAIN Season: Nov. 22-April 21, 2019 Information: 800-525-6200; aspensnowmass.com
Terrain: 675 acres. 76 trails total. 48 percent intermediate; 26 percent advanced; 26 percent expert. Summit: 11,212 feet. Base: 7,945 feet. Vertical: 3,267 feet. Longest run: 3 miles.
Lifts: 1 gondola; 1 high-speed quad; 1 high-speed double lift; 2 quads; 3 double lifts.
Lift tickets: Prices vary. Single-day, walk-up passes start at $139. Advance tickets at aspensnowmass.com.
Hours: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. daily Located: Aspen; 200 miles from Denver via I-70 and Colorado 82. BEAVER CREEK RESORT Season: Nov. 21-April 14, 2019 Information: 970-754-4636, beavercreek.com
Terrain: 1,832 acres. 150 conventional trails. 19 percent beginner; 42 percent intermediate; 39 percent expert/advanced. Summit: 11,440 feet. Base (Beaver Creek Village): 8,100 feet. Vertical: 3,340 feet. Longest run: Centennial, 2.75 miles.
Lifts: 24 total. 1 combined 10-person gondola and six-person chair; 2 gondolas; 11 high-speed quads; 1 triple chair; 1 double chair; 8 conveyors.
Lift tickets: Prices vary. Single-day, walk-up passes for November $153-$167. For best prices — up to 25 percent off — purchase seven or more days in advance online at snow.com/lifttickets.
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily Located: Avon; about 100 miles west of Denver off I-70. BRECKENRIDGE SKI RESORT Season: Nov. 7-April 21, 2019 Information: 800-789-SNOW (7668); breckenridge.com
Terrain: 2,908 acres. 187 trails. 11 percent beginner; 31 percent intermediate; 24 percent advanced; 34 percent expert. 4 terrain parks; 22foot superpipe. Summit: 12,998 feet. Base: 9,600 feet. Vertical: 3,398 feet.Longest run: Four O’Clock, 3.5 miles.
Lifts: 5 high-speed 6-passenger lifts; 5 high-speed quad lifts; 1 fixed quad; 1 triple lift; 6 double lifts; 1 8-passenger gondola; 4 surface lifts; 11 carpet lifts.
Lift tickets: Prices vary. Single-day, walk-up passes in November $124-$147. For best prices — up to 25 percent off — purchase seven or more days in advance at snow.com/ lifttickets.
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily Located: 68 miles west of Denver, via I-70 west to Colorado 9. BUTTERMILK MOUNTAIN Season: Dec. 8-April 14, 2019 Information: 800-525-6200; aspensnowmass.com
Terrain: 470 acres. 44 trails. 35 percent beginner; 39 percent intermediate; 26 percent advanced. 2 terrain parks. Summit: 9,900 feet. Base: 7,870 feet. Vertical: 2,030 feet. Longest run: 3 miles.
Lifts: 3 high-speed quads, 1 double, 2 handle tows, 2 ski/snowboard school lifts.
Lift tickets: Prices vary. Single-day, walk-up passes start at $139. Advance tickets at aspensnowmass.com.
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily Located: Aspen; 200 miles from Denver via I-70 and Colorado 82. SKI COOPER Season: Nov. 23-April 7, 2019 Information: 800-707-6114; skicooper.com
Terrain: 400 acres. 41 trails. 27 percent beginner; 39 percent intermediate; 34 percent advanced. Terrain park. Summit: 11,700 feet. Base: 10,500 feet. Vertical: 1,200 feet. Longest run: 1.4 miles. Chicago Ridge snowcat skiing covers 2,600 acres, reaches a high of 12,800 feet, runs vary from 3,000 to 10,000 feet, vertical drops up to 2,000 feet.
Lifts: 1 triple lift; 1 double lift; 1 platter; 1 magic carpet.
Lift tickets: Single-day, walk-up passes are $54/adult; $34/child 6-14; 5 and under free. Purchase at skicooper.com.
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Located: 110 miles from Denver via I-70 and U.S. 24. COPPER MOUNTAIN RESORT Season: Nov. 16-April 21, 2019 Information: 866-841-2481; Coppercolorado.com
Terrain: 2,490 acres. More than 140 trails. 21 percent beginner; 25 percent intermediate; 36 percent advanced; 18 percent expert. 6 terrain parks. Summit: 12,313 feet. Base: 9,703 feet. Vertical: 2,738 feet. Longest run: 1.7 miles.
Lifts: 24 total. 1 combination 6-passenger chair/8-passenger gondola, 2 6-passenger high-speed, 4 highspeed quads, 4 triple lifts, 4 double lifts, 9 surface/conveyors, 1 free snowcat.
Lift tickets: Single-day, walk-up pass is $158. Best prices available when purchased in advance online at coppercolorado.com.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. and holidays 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Located: 75 miles west of Denver via I-70 at exit 195. CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT Season: Nov. 22-April 7, 2019
Information: 855-509-5436; Skicb.com
Terrain: 1,547 acres. 162 runs. 26 percent beginner; 57 percent intermediate; 14 percent advanced; 3 percent expert. 121 trails. 4 terrain parks. Summit: 12,162 feet. Base: 9,375 feet. Vertical: 2,775 feet (liftserved), 3,062 feet (hike-to). Longest run: 2.6 miles.
Lifts: 4 high-speed quads; 2 quads; 2 triple lifts; 2 double lifts; 2 T-bars; 3 conveyors.
Lift tickets: Single-day, walk-up, non-holiday passes cost $125/adult. Children 6 and under ski free all season. Advance tickets at skicb.com. Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Located: 228 miles southwest of Denver, via U.S. 285, U.S. 50 and Colorado 135. ECHO MOUNTAIN Season: Nov. 23-April 14, 2019
Information: 970-531-5038; Echomountainresort.com
Terrain: 60 skiable acres. 8 runs. 8 percent green; 72 percent blue; 20 percent black. Tubing hill will open Dec. 14. Summit: 10,650 feet. Base: 10,050 feet. Vertical: 600 feet. Longest run: 0.7 miles.
Lifts: 1 triple chair; 1 conveyor
Lift tickets: Single-day, walk-up passes are $49-$55/adult, $32-$36/ youth, kids 5 and under ski free. Additional discounts are available for seniors, teachers, students and active military with valid ID.
Hours: Sat. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tues.-Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; closed Mondays with the exceptions of Dec. 12, 24, 31, Jan. 21, Feb. 18, March 11, 18 and 25.
Located: 35 miles west of Denver, via Evergreen Parkway and Squaw Pass Road. ELDORA MOUNTAIN Season: Nov. 7-April 14, 2019 Information: 303-440-8700; Eldora.com
Terrain: 680 acres. 65 runs. 17 percent easy; 45 percent intermediate; 18 percent advanced, 20 percent expert. 5 terrain parks. Summit: 10,600 feet. Base: 9,200 feet. Vertical: 1,400 feet. Longest run: 3 miles.
Lifts: 10 total: 1 high-speed 6-pack; 2 quads; 1 triple lift; 3 double lifts; 1 poma; 2 conveyor lifts.
Lift tickets: At Eldora.com.
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Located: 50 miles northwest of Denver, via U.S. 36 and Colorado 119 (through Boulder). KEYSTONE RESORT Season: Nov. 7-April 7, 2019 Information: 970-496-4000; KeystoneResort.com
Terrain: 3,149 acres.129 trails. 12 percent beginner; 39 percent intermediate; 49 percent advanced. Summit: 12,408. Base: 9,280. Vertical: 3,128. Longest run: 3.5 miles.
Lifts: 21 total. 2 high-speed gondolas; 2 high-speed 6-passengers; 4 high-speed quads; 1 quad; 1 triple lift; 2 double lifts; 9 carpets.
Lift tickets: Prices vary. Single-day, walk-up passes in November range $103-133. Specific costs can be found online at keystoneresort.com/planyour-trip. Kids 12 and under ski free at Keystone with any two-night stay or longer. Best prices (up to 25 percent off ) at least seven or more days in advance at Snow.com/lifttickets.
Hours: Lifts open 9 a.m. Nov. 9-Dec. 20; at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 21-April 7; night skiing until 8 p.m. on Nov. 21-25; Nov. 30-Dec.1, Dec. 7-8, 14-15, Dec. 19-Jan. 6, Jan. 9-13, Jan. 16-20, Jan. 23-27, Jan. 30-Feb. 3, Feb. 6-10, Feb. 13-17, Feb. 20-24, Feb. 28-March 3, March 6-24. Otherwise, lifts close at 4 p.m.
Located: 75 miles west of Denver, via I-70 west to Silverthorne and U.S. 6. LOVELAND SKI AREA Season: Opening-May 5, 2019 Information: 303-571-5580; Skiloveland.com
Terrain: 1,800 acres. 94 trails. 13 percent beginner; 41 percent intermediate; 22 percent advanced; 24 percent expert. 2 terrain parks. Summit: 13,010 feet. Base: 10,800 feet. Vertical: 2,210 feet. Longest run: 2 miles.
Lifts: 1 high-speed quad; 3 quads; 4 triple lifts; 2 double lifts; 2 conveyors. Free snowcat skiing.
Lift tickets: Single-day, walk-up passes $65/adult and $31/kid (6-14) early season, through Dec. 14. Then $79/adult and $34/kid. Advance tickets at skiloveland.com.
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Lifts open 8:30 a.m. weekends and holidays.
Located: 53 miles west of Denver via I-70 west to Loveland Pass (Exit 216). HESPERUS SKI AREA Season:
Dec. 21-mid-March 2019 (weather-dependent)
Information: 970-259-9711; Ski-Hesperus.com
Terrain: 160 acres. 26 trails. 19 percent beginner; 31 percent intermediate; 50 percent advanced. 1 terrain park. Summit: 8,888 feet. Base: 8,188 feet. Vertical: 700 feet.
Lifts: 1 double
Lift tickets: Single-day, walk-up passes are $39/adult (21-59) full day; $29/adult night skiing; $33/teen (13-20) full day, $25/teen night skiing, $28/child (11-12) full day, $21/child night skiing, $33/senior full-day, $25/senior night skiing, free for kids 10 and under. (Sign up online for free Power Kids Season Pass, and pick up the pass at the ticket office.) Advance tickets available at ski-hesperus.com.
Hours: Wed.-Fri. 4-9 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Located: 11 miles west of Durango via U.S. 160; 360 miles southwest of Denver.
HOWELSEN HILL SKI AREA
Season: Nov. 24-March 10 (conditions permitting)
Information: 970-879-8499; Steamboatsprings.net/ski
Terrain: 50 acres. 17 alpine trails. 9 Nordic trails. 1 terrain park. Summit: 7,136 feet. Base: 6,696 feet. Vertical: 440 feet.
Lifts: 1 double lift; 2 conveyors; one surface Poma.
Lift tickets: Single-day, walk-up passes are $25/adult at the concession stand in Howelsen Hill lodge.
Hours: Tues. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Wed. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Thurs. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Mondays. Double chairlift and small magic carpet only operate Sat.-Sun.
Located: Steamboat Springs; 154 miles from Denver via I-70 to Colorado 9 to U.S. 40. MONARCH MOUNTAIN Season: Nov. 21-April 7, 2019 (weather dependent)
Information: 888-996-7669 Terrain: 800 acres. 64 trails. 22 percent beginner; 27 percent intermediate; 37 percent advanced; 11 percent expert. 2 terrain parks. Summit: 11,952 feet. Base: 10,790 feet. Vertical: 1,162 feet. Longest run: 1 mile.
Lifts: 1 fixed quad; 4 fixed double lifts; 1 conveyor.
Lift tickets: Single-day, walk-up passes are $89/adult, $59/teen (13-17), $43/junior (7-12), $59/senior (62-68). Advanced tickets available at Skimonarch.com.
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Located: 18 miles west of Salida; 155 miles southwest of Denver via U.S. 285 and U.S. 50. POWDERHORN MOUNTAIN RESORT Season: Dec. 13-March 31, 2019
Information: 970-268-5700; Powderhorn.com
Terrain: 1,600 acres (600 groomed). 42 trails. 20 percent beginner; 50 percent intermediate; 30 percent expert. 2 terrain parks. Summit: 9,850 feet. Base: 8,200 feet. Vertical: 1,650 feet. Longest run: Tenderfoot/ Lower Dude, 1.8 miles.
Lift: 1 high-speed quad; 2 double lifts; 1 magic carpet; 1 tubing hill lift.
Lift tickets: Single-day, walk-up lift passes are $71/adult. Advanced tickets available at Powderhorn.com/lifttickets. Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily Location: 40 miles east of Grand Junction via 1-70 and Colorado 65; 230 miles west of Denver via I-70 and Colorado 65. PURGATORY RESORT Season: Nov. 17- April 14, 2019 Information: 800-525-0892; PurgatoryResort.com
Terrain: 1,605 acres. 99 trails. 20 percent beginner, 45 percent intermediate; 35 percent expert/advanced. 6 terrain parks. Summit: 10,822 feet. Base: 8,793 feet. Vertical: 2,029 feet. Longest run: 1.33 miles.
Lifts: 1 high-speed six-person; 2 high-speed quads; 3 triples; 3 doubles; 2 conveyor; 1 surface.
Lift tickets: Single-day, walk-up passes cost $89/adult, $70/teen, $60/child (11-12), $75/senior (65-79), free for seniors 80 years or older and for kids 10 years or under. (Sign up for free Power Kids Season Pass and pick it up at the ticket office). Advance tickets at purgatoryresort.com/the-mountain.
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Located: 25 miles north of Durango on U.S. 550; 360 miles southwest of Denver.
SILVERTON MOUNTAIN Season: Nov. 24-March 21, 2019 Information: 970-387-5706; Silvertonmountain.com
Terrain: 1,819 skiable acres. 22,000plus additional acres of heli and hike-to access. 100 percent advanced/expert (no beginner or intermediate terrain). Summit: 13,487 feet. Base: 10,400 feet. Vertical (for lift serviced): 1,900 feet. Easiest run is 35 degrees. (Steep runs at average ski areas are typically 30 degrees.)
Lifts: 1 chairlift that unloads along
a ridge of 1,819 acres of snowfields. Hike-to and helicopter access available.
Lift tickets: Single-day, walk-up unguided $79; guided $179. Prices vary depending on number of skiers, guided and/or unguided tours and heli-skiing. Check prices at Silvertonmountain.com.
Hours: Lifts open at 9 a.m. Thurs.-Sun. and on Presidents’ Day, Feb. 18, 2019.
Located: Silverton; 365 miles southwest of Denver via I-70 and U.S. 550. SNOWMASS SKI AREA Season: Nov. 22-April 21, 2019 Information: 800-525-6200; Aspensnowmass.com
Terrain: 3,323 acres. 96 trails. 6 percent beginner; 47 percent intermediate;17 percent advanced; 30 percent expert. 3 terrain parks. Summit: 12,510 feet. Base: 8,606 feet. Vertical: 4,406 feet. Longest run: 5.3 miles.
Lifts: 1, 8-passenger gondola, 1 pulse gondola, 1 high-speed 6 passenger lift, 8 high-speed quad lifts, 2 quad lifts, 1 double chair, 2 platter pulls, 4 ski and snowboard lifts.
Lift tickets: Prices vary. Walk-up single-day lift tickets start at $139. Advance tickets at aspensnowmass.com.
Hours: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. daily. Village Express and Sam’s Knob lifts open at 8:30 a.m.
Located: Aspen; 200 miles from Denver via I-70 and Colorado 82. STEAMBOAT RESORT
Season: Nov. 24-April 14, 2019 Information: 877-783-2628; Steamboat.com
Terrain: 2,965 acres. 165 trails. 14 percent beginner; 42 percent intermediate; 44 percent advanced. 4 terrain parks. Summit: 10,568 feet. Base: 6,900 feet. Vertical: 3,668 feet. Longest run: 3 miles.
Lifts: 1 gondola; 1 high-speed six; 6 high-speed quads; 6 triples; 2 doubles; 5 SnowSports School surface lifts.
Lift tickets: Prices vary. Single-day, walk-up passes in November $90-$145. Advance tickets at Steamboat.com/tickets. Tickets purchased seven or more days in advance can save up to 10 percent. Kids Ski Free applies to purchase of 5-plus-day adult ticket.
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily Located: Steamboat Springs; 154 miles from Denver via I-70 to Colorado 9 to U.S. 40.
SUNLIGHT MOUNTAIN RESORT Season: Dec. 14-April 7, 2019 Information: 970-945-7491; SunlightMTN.com
Terrain: 680 acres. 67 trails. 20 percent beginner; 55 percent intermediate; 20 percent advanced; 5 percent expert. 1 terrain park. Summit: 9,860 feet. Base: 7,850 feet. Vertical: 2,010 feet. Longest run: 2.5 miles. Lifts: 1 triple lift; 2 double lifts.
Lift tickets: Single-day, walk-up passes $65/adult, $45/child. Kids 5 and under and seniors over 80 years old ski free. Buy tickets at sunlightmtn.com.
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Located: 12 miles south of Glenwood Springs via 4 Mile Road; 173 miles west of Denver via I-70 and 4 Mile Road. TELLURIDE SKI RESORT Season: Nov. 22-April 7, 2019 Information: 970-728-6900; Tellurideskiresort.com
Terrain: More than 2,000 acres. 148 trails. 23 percent beginner; 36 percent intermediate; 41 percent expert/ advanced. 3 terrain parks. Summit: 13,150 feet. Base: 8,725 feet. Vertical: 4,425 feet. Longest run: Galloping Goose, 4.6 miles.
Lifts: 2 high-speed gondolas; 7 high-speed quads; 1 fixed quad; 2 triple; 2 doubles; 2 surface lifts; 3 magic carpets.
Lift tickets: Single-day, walk-up passes $139 during the season. Advanced tickets at tellurideskiresort.com.
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Located: Telluride; 360 miles southwest of Denver. VAIL MOUNTAIN Season: Nov. 16-April 16, 2019 Information: 970-SKI-INFO, vail.com
Terrain: 5,289 acres. 195 conventional trails. 18 percent beginner; 29 percent intermediate; 53 percent expert/advanced. 2 terrain parks. Summit: 11,570 feet. Base: 8,120 feet. Vertical: 3,450 feet. Longest run: 4 miles, Riva Ridge.
Lifts: 32 total. 2 gondolas; 3 highspeed 6-passenger chairlifts; 14 highspeed quads; 1 fixed-grip quad; 2 fixed-grip triple lifts; 3 surface lifts; 7 conveyors.
Lift tickets: Prices vary. Single-day, walk-up passes in November range $149-167. For best prices — up to 25 percent off — purchase seven or more days in advance online at snow.com/lifttickets.
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily Located: Vail; 100 miles west of Denver on I-70. WINTER PARK RESORT Season: Opening Nov. 14-April 28, 2019
Information: 970-726-1564; Winterparkresort.com or email wpinfo@winterparkresort.com.
Terrain: 3,081 acres. 143 trails. 8 percent beginner; 18 percent intermediate; 19 percent advanced; 55 percent expert. 6 terrain parks, 1 halfpipe. Summit: 12,060 feet. Base: 9,000 feet. Vertical: 3,060 feet. Longest run: 4.9 miles.
Lifts: 26 total; 1 10-person gondola; 2 high-speed six-packs, 6 high-speed quads, 4 triples, 6 doubles, 4 conveyors, 1 platter, 1 rope-tow, 1 Village Cabriolet.
Lift tickets: Single-day, walk-up passes $89-$159. Advance tickets at winterparkresort.com.
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekdays; 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends.
Located: Winter Park; 67 miles west of Denver via I-70 to U.S. 40. Or via seasonal Winter Park Express train service from Denver Union Station. WOLF CREEK SKI AREA Season: Oct. 13-April 7, 2019
Information: 800-SKI-WOLF; wolfcreekski.com
Terrain: 1,600 acres. 120 trails. 20 percent beginner; 35 percent intermediate; 25 percent advanced; 20 percent expert. Summit: 11,904 feet. Base: 10,300 feet. Vertical: 1,604 feet. Longest run: Navajo Trail, 2 miles
Lifts: 3 high-speed detachable quads; 1 quad; 2 triple lifts; 1 double life; 2 rolling conveyors; 1 poma.
Lift tickets: Single-day, walk-up passes $72/adult, $43/seniors and $37/child.
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily Located: 23 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs on U.S. 160; 250 miles southwest of Denver via U.S. 285 to U.S. 160.