Best Ski Resorts in Colorado

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Which state is the ski capital of the West? It’s a hotly debated topic here at SKI, with editors and contributors spread out from Sangre de Cristos up to the Cascades.

Watch: Take Our One-Minute Tour of Aspen Snowmass

Utah can certainly make a case, with its upwards of 15 alpine ski areas offering some of the most challenging terrain and best snow in the game. What about California, with its magnificent Lake Tahoe views and unique surf/ski vibes? And don’t sleep on Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, or Washington. What they lack in numbers they make up for in powder and sheer vertical.

But can any state really hold a candle to Colorado? 40-plus ski resorts. Almost 15 million skier visits during the 2023-’24 season. A record high $4.5 billion spent. Terrain for all abilities, resort villages for all budgets. And more bluebird days than anyone reasonably has the right to expect.

Regardless of where you land on this controversy, Colorado’s ski resorts deserve a spot in the conversation, especially the 11 of them that ranked in our Top 30 Resorts in the West. Here are Colorado’s top ski resorts, including their strengths, weaknesses, and the most insightful comments and advice from the people who skied there most—you, the readers.

The 11 Best Ski Resorts in Colorado (2025)

11. Keystone Resort, Colo.

This accessible, family-friendly ski area doubles as a vacation resort and a day-trip destination with more terrain and amenities than meet the eye.

Strengths

✅ Lodging

✅ Access

Weaknesses

❌ Terrain Variety

❌ Guest Service

What Readers Say

“I feel like Keystone is underrated. It really has great terrain and a wide variety of slopes to ski. Great for kids as well.”

Summary

Keystone has a lot to offer to both destination skiers and day-trippers alike, but that’s the rub: It gets dinged for being so appealing to so many people. The closest major Epic Pass ski area to Denver, Keystone can get crowded. Readers griped about that in the survey comments this year, saying that the front side gets congested quickly, but that you can pretty easily escape to North Peak and the Outback for more space—an option that’s gotten even better since the opening of Bergman Bowl last season.

“Keystone has improved significantly in the past five years,” remarked one survey participant. “I love the variety of terrain, the ski conditions, and the easy access.” That access is one thing that families love, as well as the relatively easy parking, free wagons to tote tots and the gear, fun ski school, and abundant kids programming, from character parades in the village to the mountaintop snow fort that opens every year atop Dercum Mountain. There’s also a wide variety of lodging at different price points.

The resort scored toward the bottom of the rankings for its terrain variety, but readers in the know were quick to point out that the ski area’s terrain is historically underrated, and if you know where to go, you can find steeps, bumps, and excellent glades. “Skied Keystone for a day while vacationing at Breckenridge,” shared one reader. “What a hidden gem!”

10. Breckenridge Resort, Colo.

Five peaks to explore, plus unique high-alpine terrain that gets you up and away from the crowds.

Strengths

✅ Family

✅ Après

Weaknesses

❌ Guest Service

❌ Parking

What Readers Say

“I love the terrain, especially the T-Bar, and the availability of mogul runs and glades that are not too tight.”

Summary

If more people knew about Breckenridge’s incredible high-alpine terrain, this Colorado crowd-pleaser would rank higher in the survey. The fantastic, wide-open bowls off Peaks 6, 7, 8, and 9 are well-loved by locals who don’t mind a little hiking to get to the goods. Breck advanced a few spots in the rankings, and managed Top 10s in six metrics, including surprisingly high scores in the family category, where it outperformed even kid-centric sister resort Keystone.

“Breck is perfect for families,” commented one reader. “There is literally terrain for every and I mean EVERY skier. From my BFF who wants varied runs that still feel as comfy as the bunny hill to people who huck cliffs and love challenges.” What’s not surprising is how much visitors love the town of Breckenridge, with its shops- and restaurant-filled main drag and vibrant atmosphere. “Love the super-walkable town with great restaurants,” shared one visitor.

Breck skiers should expect to deal with paid parking and lift lines, given the ski area’s proximity to Denver and the Front Range, but survey respondents were quick to remind that once you’ve navigated away from the main base areas, it’s easy to avoid long queues. Confirmed one: “The high-alpine terrain is magical!”

9. Steamboat Resort, Colo.

Anchored by an authentic Western town, Steamboat’s known for its top-notch tree-skiing, fluffy powder, and family-friendly offerings.

Strengths

✅ Family

✅ Snow

Weaknesses

❌ Challenge

❌ Access

What Readers Say

“The vibes are incredible and the tree skiing is just as good. There are so many areas to explore, and there’s something for everyone.”

Summary

Steamboat has undergone a major transformation over the last several years, and now that the new gondola and the Pioneer Ridge terrain expansion is open, skiers will really be able to see the full vision for this northern Colorado destination resort. Readers are already noticing the upgrades and the positive changes they noticed last winter. “The new Wild Blue Gondola is a great addition and the new terrain expansion was a blast to ski,” said one.

With strong scores for snow, survey respondents had plenty of compliments for Steamboat’s light, dry, fluffy white stuff, especially when they found freshies hidden in the trees days after a storm. “The vibes are incredible and the tree skiing is just as good,” boasted one Steamboat aficionado. “There are so many areas to explore, and there’s something for everyone.“

8. Vail Mountain, Colo.

From wide-open bowls to technical glades and long, cruisey blues, this massive resort will keep you busy during the day and pamper you after the lifts stop turning.

Strengths

✅ Terrain Variety

✅ Dining

Weaknesses

❌ Parking

❌ Value

What Readers Say

“Been skiing here for years. Never really crowded if you’re familiar with the mountain. Tons of terrain to choose from. Snow conditions and grooming are far above average. The lift system is probably the best in North America. Best resort if you’ve only going to ski one per year and a must if you purchase an Epic Pass.”

Summary

Say what you want about Vail Resorts’ flagship mountain, but there are few experiences in Colorado that compare to spending a day deep in Vail Mountain’s Back Bowls. “I love the vast terrain,” said one Vail skier. “The Back Bowls are unique and expansive.” And that just scratches the surface of the types of terrain on tap across Vail 5,280 skiable acres.

Located a little further up I-70 than sister resorts Keystone and Breckenridge, Vail feels more like a proper destination resort with its faux-Bavarian pedestrian village, plenty of lodging, and some of the best dining and après in the industry. “A classic. Closest experience to great European resorts,” opined one survey respondent. Recent lift updates have skier traffic flowing more efficiently, and while weekends and holidays will still bring the masses, readers were pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable and uncrowded weekday skiing was last season. Common complaints centered around parking and food and beverage prices. “Parking is expensive and a good walk to any of the lifts,” shared one reader. “Dining is good but expensive, and can be hard to get in when it’s busy.”

7. Winter Park, Colo.

A Front Range favorite located off of the I-70 traffic magnet, Winter Park offers high-alpine adventure to legendary bumps, and everything in between.

Strengths

✅ Access

✅ Grooming

Weaknesses

❌ Lifts

❌ Nightlife

What Readers Say

“I loved that the two resorts together create so much terrain and options for skiing and boarding. The Mary Jane side is just unbelievably fantastic and it is so fun. I love that we could park so close to the slopes on that side of the resort, it was fun for us to rediscover the whole Winter Park side as well since we hadn’t been there for at least 10 years.”

Summary

Straddling the hump of destination resort and day-tripper favorite, Winter Park has a couple of characteristics that set it apart from the other Denver-area options. One of those distinctions is the Winter Park Ski Train, that lets people forgo the frustrating I-70 traffic and take a comfortable Amtrak train from Denver’s Union Station right to the resort base. Second, if you are driving, Winter Park skiers can hop off of I-70 about 17 miles before the Eisenhower Tunnel, a common chokepoint en route to the rest of the Front Range ski areas.

While these things help, Winter Park still deals with big crowds most of the season, though its passionate fan base commented that if you know a few shortcuts, you can get up and out into the high alpine pretty quickly. “It’s easy to get away from the crowds by hiking the Cirque or going over to Eagle Wind,” advised one longtime Winter Park skier.

On the Mary Jane side, visitors love the mogul skiing, the long season, and the general nostalgic feel. “Best bump skiing. Major props for keeping the Jane open through Memorial Day!” Common gripes included complaints about aging lifts and sub-par trail signage. But most folks give the whole package two thumbs up. “I loved that the two resorts together create so much terrain and options for skiing and boarding,” confessed one skier. “The Mary Jane side is just unbelievably fantastic and the Winter Park offers so much adventure.”

6. Copper Mountain, Colo.

A Front Range favorite with a winning mountain layout boasting a natural separation of terrain, free parking, and reasonable prices.

Strengths

✅ Access

✅ Value

Weaknesses

❌ Local Flavor

❌ Challenge

What Readers Say

“The variety of terrain was amazing! I have always heard people talk about how great Copper is, and I finally went this year and was blown away. Exceeded expectations. Lots of fun and will definitely go back.”

Summary

Copper’s loyal fan base showed out for their local slopes in our reader comments this year. “Copper has a great vibe,” shared one, “I really like that they are leaning into the hardcore skier and rider.” Said another: “The layout of the ski area is fantastic. Great lifts, views, and amenities on the hill and in the village.”

Copper skiers love the mountain’s natural separation of terrain, with the slopes getting gradually steeper and more advanced as you go west to east, ensuring a safer experience for beginners and those getting their ski legs under them. “The layout makes it easy to put skiers of various abilities in the right spot.” They also lauded the addition of the new Solitude Station mid-mountain lodge on the front side, agreeing that it’s a great amenity with good lunch options.

Crowds are an issue here, given the easy access from Denver, but parking that remains free of charge and served by continually looping shuttles eases the burden. As for the base village, survey respondents would like to see more character and quality in the dining and après options. And any nightlife at all would be welcomed. “Copper is pretty much a ghost town after the lifts close.” That said, the cute town of Frisco is just down the road for those so inclined.

5. Beaver Creek, Colo.

Placing an emphasis on the guest experience, Beaver Creek woos skiers with its luxury offerings, from warm cookies to perfectly groomed slopes.

Strengths

✅ Grooming

✅ Lodging

Weaknesses

❌ Terrain Variety

❌ Value

What Readers Say

“I can confidently say that Beaver Creek is my favorite of the big Vail-owned resorts in Colorado. There is something for everyone here. The McCoy park expansion is just wonderful for beginners and kids and gives them an off-piste bowl type ski experience, complete with great views, but in a wonderful self-contained pod. The Stone Creek Chutes are fabulous when they get decent snow and you can always do the various Birds of Prey runs to get your heart pumping.”

Summary

With a skiing experience as cushy and customer-oriented as what’s on tap at Beaver Creek, it’s no surprise that this Colorado destination resort has such a loyal following. Warm cookies passed out at the base every afternoon, escalators up to the main base area, ski-in candy and cookie cabins scattered around the slopes—what’s not to love?

Accordingly, high scores in the amenity categories of the survey, including guest service, grooming, lodging, and dining, all make perfect sense. “Beaver Creek is a first-class resort,” confirmed one reader. “Every employee on the ski hill or in the village was polite, kind, and helpful.” Beaver Creek also came out on top in the family metric this year, with top-notch ski school instructors and facilities, innovative learning zones—readers loved the new McCoy Park mountaintop slopes—and the convenient slopeside lodging options.

It doesn’t come cheap, though. “Charging for parking at the resort entry in Avon is an insult,” one skier sounded off. “With lift tickets selling at the window for nearly $300, and on-mountain burritos for $25, charging another $15 to leave your car at the bus stop is not nice.” Some consider it the price they pay for keeping the place significantly less crowded than its brethren down the road. “Always uncrowded,” boasted one Beaver Creek skier. “Doesn’t get skied out quickly on powder days. Most underrated mountain in North America.”

4. Arapahoe Basin, Colo.

A local favorite with destination-resort-worthy terrain, Arapahoe Basin’s mindful management has allowed it to grow in the best ways possible.

Strengths

✅ Value

✅ Challenge

Weaknesses

❌ Grooming

❌ Lodging

What Readers Say

“I LOVE the advanced and expert terrain! This isn’t the biggest mountain but it has so much to offer. It also stays open the latest!”

Summary

Arapahoe Basin has that little something special that makes skiers fall in love with the place. For many readers, it’s a tantalizing mix of legit expert and extreme terrain, great management that has the ski area’s best interests at heart, and a tight knit local community vibe. “It’s a real ski area. Not an amusement park pandering to the rich,” shared one survey respondent.

With high scores in the challenge category, A-Basin’s extreme terrain draws high-level skiers from around the world who hike the East Wall terrain Instagram-famous every winter. But A-Basin visitors also really appreciate the terrain expansions the ski area has rolled out over the years, adding crucial intermediate terrain in The Beavers a few seasons ago, and Montezuma before that.

While there’s no lodging at the base or fancy facilities, the ski area’s throwback A-frame base lodge is home to its 6th Alley Bar & Grill, known for its Bacon Bloody Mary and old-school après-ski. A-Basin also boasts one of the longest seasons in Colorado, always among the first to open and the last to close. “It’s always where I go at the end of the season because I know it will be operating at full capacity until late in the year.”

3. Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Colo.

Located just far enough off the I-70 people-mover, Crested Butte is an underrated gem with hardcore skiing anchored by an eclectic ski town.

Strengths

✅ Challenge

✅ Value

Weaknesses

❌ Family

❌ Lifts

What Readers Say

“One of my favorite resorts. The town is very authentic and the free shuttles make it very accessible.”

Summary

“Crested Butte feels like the (hidden) crown jewel of Vail Resorts’ Colorado portfolio,” wrote one adept reader. “This place has something special, with everything from lap-able family terrain to the hardest skiing in the Colorado Rockies.” That comment sums up the place pretty nicely, and hits on Crested Butte’s assets perfectly: super challenging runs up high—we’re talking some knee-knocking chutes and couloirs—mellow groomers down below, all complemented by a funky, fun ski town oozing with personality. Bonus: It’s far enough off of the I-70 super-highway to deter daytrippers and keep crowds in check.

Readers sounded off about the aging mountain infrastructure, nudging management to replace some of the slower, rickety lifts. They also would like to see more, and better, dining options on the mountain. But you know when “move the mountain closer” is a common request, they must be doing something right.

2. Telluride Ski Resort, Colo.

Arguably the most beautiful ski resort in North America, Telluride’s biggest weakness might well be its greatest asset.

Strengths

✅ Terrain Variety

✅ Après

Weaknesses

❌ Access

❌ Value

What Readers Say

“Telluride offers some of the best skiing terrain in the country. Its laidback unpretentious vibe makes it truly unique. And the lift lines are great, really no waiting.”

Summary

Is Telluride the ultimate destination resort? Its biggest fans certainly think so, and offer some pretty convincing commentary. “Telluride is never crowded, has insane terrain for all types of skiers and easily the best views in the Lower 48,” said one. “Everything from steep, bumps, trees, chutes, hike to, and mellow groomers,” shared another. “ I love how you can spend all day on some rugged mountain terrain and ski right into town. You can even belly up to the bar in your gear for the rest of the night and not feel out of place.”

Telluride’s high scores in terrain variety, challenge, and overall satisfaction bolster its argument, while a poor showing in the access category highlights the remote San Juan resort’s biggest weakness: It’s a very long trip from pretty much everywhere. Telluride has a small airport with limited service; the next-closest airport is Montrose, 65 miles away. (Denver is a six- to seven-hour drive in the winter.)

But once you’re there, Telluride is one of the easiest resorts to get around. The town gondola ferries skiers back and forth between downtown and the mountain village, and the walkable, bustling town of Telluride is packed with excellent dining, shops, nightlife, and all sorts of lodging options. “Telluride never disappoints. The views from the town and the mountain are just breathtaking! At times I would look around and couldn’t believe I was in a place this beautiful.”

1. Aspen Snowmass, Colo.

With four mountains to choose from and one of the continent’s most iconic ski towns, Aspen Snowmass just might be the most well-rounded ski resort on this list.

Strengths

✅ Terrain Variety

✅ Nightlife

Weaknesses

❌ Value

❌ Parking

What Readers Say

“Can usually count on reasonably good weather and snow conditions. Great terrain variety with long runs and good lift service. Good ski-in, ski-out lodging options at Snowmass, and easy access via Aspen Pitkin County airport. Many good dining options. Overall, something to satisfy everyone.”

Summary

It’s fair to say that Aspen Snowmass’s glitzy reputation precedes it. But it would be unfair to buy into the idea that this place is one-dimensional or only for the wealthy. The truth is that the town of Aspen and its four disparate mountains offer one of the most well-rounded ski vacations out there, with terrain for all skill levels and amenities for all budgets—despite what you might have heard. “The on-mountain dining was not shockingly expensive relative to other ski resorts, but was way better quality,” opined one reader.

One of its biggest strengths is in the diversity of the ski experience, thanks to four different mountains combined under one lift ticket. Between the sustained steeps at Aspen Mountain, the family-friendly groomers at Snowmass, the hike-to bowl skiing at Highlands, and Buttermilk’s beginner terrain, it’s no surprise that the resort ranked No. 2 in Terrain Variety. After several seasons’ worth of upgrades to Snowmass, both on the mountain and in the fast-growing village, last season saw the addition of the Hero’s terrain at Aspen Mountain, which added 153 acres of expert chutes and glades. The Aspen faithful will always come for Aspen Highlands, though, known for its marquee hike-to Highland Bowl, a bucket-list experience for experts. “The terrain at Aspen Highlands, including the bowl, is enough for the most extreme skier,” said one skier in the know.

The resort’s lowest score was for access; there’s a small airport that can be very pricey to fly to, and the resort is a four-hour drive from Denver in the winter. On the plus side, it keeps the crowds in check. “I’ve been going to Aspen for 60 years,” shared one Aspen fan. “It’s the standard by which any other ski vacation is judged.”