ARAPAHOE BASIN
Peak: 12,475 feet (13,050 feet with hike) Base: 10,779 feet Vertical Rise: 2,270 feet Average Snowfall: 350 inches Skiable Acres: 960 Lifts: 8 Trails: 109 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 10/30/60 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: N Resort: N
Day Ticket Price: $69- $84 Adult/$57-$70 Youth/$34-$42 Child/$62-$75 Senior Opening Date: Oct. 17 A-Basin provides the charm of a family-owned ski area with the terrain of a worldclass resort. Locals and tourists alike love swift-moving lift lines, dog-friendly parking areas, the expansive terrain of the Montezuma Bowl and the refreshing spice of A-Bay’s acclaimed bloody mary’s. The front-side runs feature daring and steep bumps, tight trees and wide-open blues. A-Basin also boasts one of the longest seasons, and was once again the first to open this fall and will likely be the last to close in the spring. New this year is the recently-finished Kid’s Center, a 7,100-square-foot facility where kids can take lessons, rent gear, grab a meal or just warm up. A-Basin is more family-friendly than ever.
ASPEN HIGHLANDS
Peak: 11,675 feet Base: 8,040 feet Vertical Rise: 3,635 feet Average Snowfall: 300 inches Skiable Acres: 1,040 Lifts: 5 Trails: 122 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 18/30/52 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: Y Resort: Y
Day Ticket Price (Based on online pre-sale prices for peak season): $139 Adult/$89 Child/$89 Senior Opening Date: Dec. 12 Aspen Highlands boasts some of the most challenging, in-bounds, big-mountain skiing in the state, but don’t let that deter you if your skiing skills align more with groomed cruisers — this mountain’s got you covered. For thrill and steep-seekers, a hike to the 12,000-foot summit of Highland Bowl offers some serious steep skiing in a wide-open bowl. Stellar views from the summit peer into the Maroon Bells in the nearby Elk Range Mountains.
ASPEN MOUNTAIN
Peak: 11,212 feet Base: 7,945 feet Vertical Rise: 3,267 feet Average Snowfall: 300 inches Skiable Acres: 673 Lifts: 8 Trails: 76 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 0/48/52 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: Y Resort: Y
Day Ticket Price (Based on online pre-sale prices for peak season): $139 Adult/$89 Child/$89 Senior Opening Date: Nov. 26 The flagship of the Aspen/Snowmass ski family, Aspen Mountain is famous for its black diamond terrain, which has made it a beloved ski destination for locals and travelers alike since 1947. Glades, bumps and steeps dot the inbound ski areas, but Aspen Mountain Powder Tours will gladly hook you up to make some fresh tracks on the backside if you’re looking for an out-of-bounds experience.
BEAVER CREEK
Peak: 11,440 feet Base: 8,100 feet Vertical Rise: 3,340 feet Average Snowfall: 325 inches Skiable Acres: 1,832 Lifts: 25 Trails: 149 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 19/43/38 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: N Resort: Y
Day Ticket Price (Based on online pre-sales for peak season): $151 Adult/$104 Child/$141 Senior Opening Date: Nov. 25 Beaver Creek was designed as the hopeful host-site for a Winter Olympics that never arrived, but the Olympic Games’ loss is Colorado’s gain — this mountain boasts miles of cruisers and plenty of wellspaced aspen groves to play in. In early December, the Birds of Prey event will be the only U.S. stop of the men’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup, and this is evidence of the mountain’s varying terrain. From one of the most formidable downhill courses in the world to mellow groomers, Beaver Creek can meet the needs of any skier or boarder.
BRECKENRIDGE
Peak: 12,998 feet Base: 9,600 feet Vertical Rise: 3,398 feet Average Snowfall: 350 inches Skiable Acres: 2,908 Lifts: 34 Trails: 187 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 11/31/58 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: N Resort: Y
Day Ticket Price (Based on online presales for peak season): $141 Adult/$92 Child/$131 Senior Opening Date: Nov. 13 Breckenridge Ski Resort added more than 500 acres of skiable terrain when Peak 6 opened on Christmas Day 2013. The expansion added 10 new trails and three new bowls, two with an intermediate rating. The northern expansion of the resort is touted as the largest expansion to a North American ski resort in a decade and is Breckenridge’s first since the 2002 addition of Peak 7. Of the added acres, 400 are served by two new lifts, and 143 are hike-to terrain. Visitors can also play on the resort’s well-loved groomers and bump runs.
BUTTERMILK
Peak: 9,900 feet Base: 7,870 feet Vertical Rise: 2,030 feet Average Snowfall: 200 inches Skiable Acres: 470 Lifts: 8 Trails: 44 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 35/39/26 Bowl Skiing: N Powdercat Skiing: N Resort: Y
Day Ticket Price (Based on online pre-sale prices for peak season): $139 Adult/$89 Child/$89 Senior Opening Date: Dec. 12 Buttermilk may have been built to cater to beginners and families, with wide-open and gently rolling trails, but this mountain is most famous today for hosting the X Games, which will once again grace the hills of Buttermilk Mountain for the 15th time from Jan. 28-31. Buttermilk boasts two terrain parks, including a 22-foot super-pipe for the extreme skier or rider, as well as Panda Pipe and Snowboard Schools Park for beginners.
COPPER MOUNTAIN
Peak: 12,313 feet Base: 9,712 feet Vertical Rise: 2,601 feet Average Snowfall: 306 inches Skiable Acres: 2,465 Lifts: 23 Trails: 140 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 21/25/54 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: Y Resort: Y
Day Ticket Price (Based on online pre-sale prices for peak season, walk up/window rated TBD): $98 Adult/$64 Child/$64 Senior Opening Date: Nov. 6 Located just 75 miles west of Denver, Copper Mountain is an ideal destination for locals and travelers.
Copper is one of Summit County’s largest ski areas, with more than 2,400 skiable acres including gently sloping runs on the west that become progressively steeper as you head east. Over the past few years, Copper has been enhancing its high alpine skiing and riding experiences, including expanded terrain, improved lift access and additional cat skiing operations. The resort is also home to Woodward at Copper, featuring trampolines and a wooden ramp into a foam pit to get tricks ready to take on snow, as well as skateboarding bowls and ramps, for those more inclined to the extreme.
CRESTED BUTTE
Peak: 12,162 feet Base: 9,375 feet Vertical Rise: 3,062 feet Average Snowfall: 300 inches Skiable Acres: 1,547 Lifts: 15 Trails: 121 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 27/57/16 Bowl Skiing: Y
Powdercat Skiing: N Resort: Y
Day Ticket Price: $69-$111 Adult/$62-$100 Teen/$38-$61 Child/$55-$89 Senior Opening Date: Nov. 25 (Free) Hit up the opening day at Crested Butte and ski free all day long — that’s right. No money. Known as the last great Colorado ski town, the town of Crested Butte near Gunnison is quaint and charming. It’s also the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, so the summers are just as beautiful as the winters. During the ski season, Crested Butte is known for its varying terrain. The upper part of the mountain has some of the most extreme inbounds skiing in the U.S. with steep and rocky chutes, glades and bowls. There is still ample terrain for beginners and intermediates to ski lower down the mountain. Powder is not in short supply, helped by the lack of crowds.
ELDORA
Peak: 10,800 feet Base: 9,200 feet Vertical Rise: 1,600 feet Average Snowfall: 300 inches Skiable Acres: 680 Lifts: 11 Trails: 53 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 20/50/30 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: N Resort: Y
Day Ticket Price: TBD (2014-2015 rates were $79 Adult/$46 Junior/$46 Senior) Opening Date: Nov. 20 Eldora puts skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing right in Boulder’s backyard. But proximity is only part of the appeal of this local playground — Eldora offers a great teaching program for children; a women’s program for ladies looking to ski, ride or tele; and tight, steep trees that put a high demand on technical skill and attention to detail. Lo cals also enjoy the miles of cross-country ski terrain available at the resort. Eldora will soon begin work on an expansion that will include a new 850-seat Challenge Mountain guest facility and renovation of the existing Lookout guest facility.
GRANBY RANCH
Peak: 9,202 feet Base: 8,202 feet Vertical Rise: 1,000 feet Average Snowfall: 220 inches Skiable Acres: 406 Lifts: 6 Trails: 41 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 30/50/20 Bowl Skiing: N Powdercat Skiing: N Resort: N
Day Ticket Price: $64-$69 Adult/$39-$44 Junior/$44-$49 Senior Opening Date: Dec. 17 Granby Ranch was built with the family in mind. Granby Ranch features night skiing and short runs, with all trails beginning at one point and ending at the base to keep families together. While Granby Ranch recently expanded its intermediate terrain at the expense of some beginner runs, families will still appreciate the lack of maniacs screaming down the slopes. As with many other smaller ski areas, Granby Ranch is a great way to spend a day as part of a weekend in the towns north of Winter Park.
HOWELSEN HILL
Peak: 7,136 feet Base: 6,696 feet Vertical Rise: 440 feet Average Snowfall: 150 inches Skiable Acres: 50 Lifts: 4 Trails: 17 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 25/20/55
Bowl Skiing: N Powdercat Skiing: N Resort: N
Day Ticket Price: $25 Adult/$8 Child/$15 Youth/$15 Senior Opening Date: Nov. 28 Howelsen is the oldest continually operating ski area in Colorado with a history of providing an Olympic training ground that dates to 1915 — that’s a hundred years! 79 athletes who trained here have been to the games. The speciality mountain located in downtown Steamboat Springs trains Olympic hopefuls in alpine, nordic, freestyle and snowboarding. In addition to the alpine runs, the hill has 13 miles of cross-country skiing trails.
KEYSTONE
Peak: 12,408 feet Base: 9,280 feet Vertical Rise: 3,128 feet Average Snowfall: 235 inches Skiable Acres: 3,148 Lifts: 20 Trails: 131 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 14/29/57 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: Y Resort: Y
Day Ticket Price: (Based on online pre-sales for peak season) $94 Adult/$55 Child/$84 Senior Opening Date: Nov. 6 The largest mountain in Summit County, Keystone offers more than 3,000 acres of skiing over three mountain peaks, all nestled at the foot of two charming villages. The resort offers long green and blue groomers to cruise as well as a world-renowned terrain park and legendary tree skiing. Take the mountain top snowcat tours to touch on even more terrain, or get your legs burning on long bump runs at North Peak. With night skiing available, the resort holds claim to the longest ski day in Colorado, so dress in warm layers, watch the sun set over the Rocky Mountains and ski under the stars.
LOVELAND
Peak: 13,010 feet Base: 10,800 feet Vertical Rise: 2,210 feet Average Snowfall: 422 inches Skiable Acres: 1,800 Lifts: 10 Trails: 93 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 13/41/46 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: Y Resort: N
Day Ticket Price: $65 Adult/$28 Child/$50 Senior Opening Date: Oct. 29 Loveland Valley offers beginners a chance to enjoy wide open, uncrowded terrain, while Loveland Basin, which climbs all the way up to the Continental Divide, boasts steeps, bowls, trees, bumps and everything in between. The Ridge has recently opened cat skiing, conditions permitting, and has hike-to terrain that wraps around the entire top of the open basin — beautiful, steep, wide open and often deep powder skiing. Spend Valentine’s Day there and you’ll be knee deep in lovebirds, too.
MONARCH
Peak: 11,952 feet Base: 10,790 feet Vertical Rise: 1,162 feet Average Snowfall: 350 inches Skiable Acres: 800 Lifts: 8 Trails: 53 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 27/30/43 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: Y Resort: N
Day Ticket Price: (walk-in, online): $74, $64 Adult/ $45, $42 Teen/ $30, $24 Junior/ $45, $42 Senior/FREE for seniors 69 and children under 6 Opening Date: Nov. 28 (Tentative) In a world of man-made snow, Monarch eschews the snow guns in favor of waiting on the hundreds of inches of snow that regularly fall across this resort. Monarch has steadily been improving the skiing and riding experience by adding backcountry terrain in Mirkwood Basin for advanced skiers and adding two conveyor lifts for the newbies. Skiers can tap into cat skiing tours to access a ranging area of trees and steep bowls or hike to an additional 130 acres of extreme terrain. But the lift-accessed trees are also touted as some of the most enjoyable in the state — and often untouched.
POWDERHORN
Peak: 9,850 feet Base: 8,200 feet Vertical Rise: 1,650 feet Average Snowfall: 250 inches Skiable Acres: 1,600 Lifts: 5 Trails: 63 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 20/50/30 Bowl Skiing: N Powdercat Skiing: N Resort: N
Day Ticket Price: $69 Adult/$58 Youth/$34 Junior/$17 Child/$58 Senior/$36 75 /$59 Military Opening Date: Dec. 21 Perched on the side of the 10,000-foot-high Grand Mesa in Western Colorado, Powderhorn Mountain Resort is a sleeper and a treat. The resort has snagged some of the best snow in the state in recent years and the place rarely has lift lines, allowing you to make the most of your day. And you’ll want to spend at least part of it in the glades — wideopen aspen groves that often go untracked at Powderhorn. You’ll never be far from a powder stash.
PURGATORY RESORT
Peak: 10,822 feet Base: 8,793 feet Vertical Rise: 2,029 feet Average Snowfall: 260 inches Skiable Acres: 1,360 Lifts: 10 Trails: 85 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 20/45/35 Bowl Skiing: N Powdercat Skiing: Y Resort: Y
Day Ticket Price: $85 Adult/$68 Teen/$53 Child/$73 Senior/$30 80 Opening Date: Nov. 21 Purgatory Mountain claims its fame stems from consistent, dry powder that arrives in frequent storms followed by sunny, bluebird days. Don’t let the name deceive you, though — Purgatory is a great place for families. Located close to the historic town of Durango, the mountain rarely has large crowds. A great place for beginners and intermediate skiers and riders, Purgatory is full of trails containing rolling hills. For a walk on the wilder side, the San Juan Untracked, formerly The San Juan Ski Company, runs cat skiing and snowboarding operations out of the resort that access 35,000 acres of bowls, cliffs and chutes.
SILVERTON
Peak: 13,487 feet Base: 10,400 feet Vertical Rise: 3,287 feet Average Snowfall: 400 inches Skiable Acres: 1,819 Lifts: 1 Trails: 69 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 0/0/100 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: Heliskiing Resort: N
Day Ticket Price: $49 Unguided/$139 Guided Opening Date: Dec. 21 While the ski industry continues to push for more and more skiers, features, amenities and most of all, land, Silverton continues stubbornly doing its thing. It’s unique, small, challenging, old-school — it’s basically the independent craft brewery or the farm-to-table restaurant of skiing. It’s a single lift or a helicopter ride, then a steep drop down the backcountry, full of chutes and drops. Silverton only allows 475 skiers or less per day to encourage ecological balance. To ride here, you have to have a beacon, shovel and probe, which you can rent at the mountain.
SKI COOPER
Peak: 11,700 feet Base: 10,500 feet Vertical Rise: 1,200 feet Average Snowfall: 275 inches Skiable Acres: 400 Lifts: 5 Trails: 39 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 28/36/36 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: Y Resort: N
Day Ticket Price: $50 Adult/$30 Child/$40 Senior/$30 70-79/FREE for 80 and children under 5 Opening Date: Dec. 12 The low-key charm of the Collegiate Peaks area is the setting for Ski Cooper, a blend of beginning, intermediate and advanced slopes. And Ski Cooper makes it easy for even large families to enjoy a day on the slopes by offering low prices. Snowcats expand the skiable area from 400 to 2,400 acres and grant skiers and snowboarders even more views of the highest mountains in the state.
SNOWMASS
Peak: 12,510 feet Base: 8,104 feet Vertical Rise: 4,406 feet Average Snowfall: 300 inches Skiable Acres: 3,332 Lifts: 21 Trails: 94 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 6/47/47 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: N Resort: Y
Day Ticket Price (Based on online pre-sale prices for peak season): $139 Adult/$89 Child/$89 Teen/$89 Senior Opening Date: Nov. 26 Not far from Aspen Mountain is Snowmass, which boasts the most vertical rise of any ski resort in the country. Yet somehow, Snowmass stays uncrowded, despite its steep runs, cruisers, gorgeous views and all-around excellent skiing. Surrounded by the charming Snowmass Village, it’s a great place for families.
STEAMBOAT
Peak: 10,568 feet Base: 6,900 feet Vertical Rise: 3,668 feet Average Snowfall: 352 inches Skiable Acres: 2,965 Lifts: 18 Trails: 165 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 14/42/44 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: Y Resort: Y
Day Ticket Price: (Based on online pre-sale prices for peak season) $126 Adult/$110 Junior/$77 Child/$94 Senior/$10 for 0-5 Opening Date: Nov. 26 Steamboat’s great claims to fame are light, fluffy, trademark-able powder and a wealth of graded runs.
Take advantage of Steamboat’s night skin hours to get the most out of your day on the slopes. In daylight, both the front and back bowls make for great skiing.
SUNLIGHT
Peak: 9,895 feet Base: 7,885 feet Vertical Rise: 2,010 feet Average Snowfall: 250 inches Skiable Acres: 680 Lifts: 3 Trails: 67 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 20/55/25 Bowl Skiing: N Powdercat Skiing: N Resort: N
Day Ticket Price: $60 Adult/$45 Child/$45 Senior/ Free for 80 , 5 and under Opening Date: Dec. 11 Why would Front Rangers drive past Breckenridge, past Loveland, past Vail and all the way out to Glenwood Springs for little Sunlight Mountain Resort? Economics. Sunlight offers tickets at half the price of some larger ski areas, provides free parking and emphasizes no waiting at its lifts — which adds up to a lot more skin per dollar than a lot of other ski areas.
TELLURIDE
Peak: 13,150 feet Base: 8,725 feet Vertical Rise: 4,425 feet Average Snowfall: 309 inches Skiable Acres: 2,000 Lifts: 18 Trails: 127 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 16/30/54 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: Heliskiing Resort: Y
Day Ticket Price: (Based on online pre-sales for peak season) $122 Adult/$72 Child/$107 Senior Opening Date: Nov. 28 Telluride offers a mountain experience for skiers of all levels, where beginners and intermediates can ride to the highest peaks and enjoy views typically reserved for the advanced skier. There’s steep terrain, including the Gold Hill Chutes accessed by the Gold Hill Stairs, Palmyra Peak and Revelation Bowl and the recently-updated terrain park. And the total vertical drop of an astonishing 4,425 feet is pretty eye-catching. There’s Nordic skiing, too, and some of the fanciest après opportunities around.
VAIL
Peak: 11,570 feet Base: 8,120 feet Vertical Rise: 3,450 feet Average Snowfall: 350 inches Skiable Acres: 5,289 Lifts: 31 Trails: 193 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 18/29/53 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: Y Resort: Y
Day Ticket Price: (Based on online pre-sales for peak season) $151 Adult/$104 Child/$141 Senior Opening Date: Nov. 21 One of the largest ski resorts in the world, with more than 5,200 acres of terrain and back bowls that cover seven miles, Vail is legendary. There are great terrain options for the whole family, ranging from graceful groomers and moguls to cliff drops and open glades. Not to mention Blue Sky Basin, which contains some of the best hidden gems in Colorado if you catch it on a powder day. The four distinct base areas are linked by free buses and heated walkways and lined with a variety of shops and charming dining options. Kids are sure to enjoy the ice skating rink and awesome lesson programs, too.
WINTER PARK/MARY JANE
Peak: 12,060 feet Base: 9,000 feet Vertical Rise: 3,060 feet Average Snowfall: 348 inches Snowmaking Acres: 313 Skiable Acres: 3,081 Lifts: 25 Trails: 153 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 24/38/39 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: N Resort: Y
Day Ticket Price: (Based on online pre-sales for peak season) $112 Adult/$64 Child/$10 5 and under/$91 Senior Opening Date: Nov. 18 With a history spanning more than 75 years, Winter Park is Colorado’s longest continually running ski resort. Known for its world-renowned bumps on the Mary Jane territory, the resort is only 67 miles northwest of Denver. And it does not disappoint. The mountain is split into the Seven Territories that range from “chill” to “challenging,” with the mellow Winter Park at one end and the double-black Vasquez Cirque at the other, making it accessible for skiers and riders of all levels.
WOLF CREEK
Peak: 11,904 feet Base: 10,300 feet Vertical Rise: 1,604 feet Average Snowfall: 430 inches Skiable Acres: 1,600 Lifts: 8 Trails: 77 % of Beginner/Intermediate/Expert Terrain: 20/35/45 Bowl Skiing: Y Powdercat Skiing: N Resort: N
Day Ticket Price: $65 Adult/$34 Child/$36 Senior/ Free for 80 Opening Date: Nov. 6 Last season was number 75 for Wolf Creek and the powder is as good as ever. Known for having the most snow in Colorado, the mountain is tucked away west of Alamosa in an area not often graced by Front Rangers. Spanning a high alpine ridge, Wolf Creek is notable for its incredible powder and hike-to terrain, ranging from moderately steep to expert-only chutes and bowls. Tree skiing here will never disappoint and with mellow lift lines, you’ll be getting pow shots all day.
