Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

These Are Some of the Top Ski Resorts in Colorado

Colorado is a world-class skiing destination for good reason. Bluebird days, great snow, and acres of ski terrain make it a winter sports paradise. If you’ve never visited these Colorado ski resorts before and love to ski you’re in for a real treat. Because Colorado is such a winter destination, there are a ton of ski resorts in Colorado to choose from.

You may be wondering when ski resorts in Colorado open. Well, they’re open now, and not just a couple lifts. Many of them are completely open. Most Colorado ski resorts do not close until April. Read on to see which resort is best for you.

Snow-covered Colorado ski slope
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re taking a vacation with the family you might be interested in our 10 best ski resorts for families. Looking for something off the beaten path, check out these  8 secret ski resorts. Need some ski gear? Check out our list of the best ski brands in 2022.

Breckenridge

Breckenridge Ski Resort
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Breckenridge boasts the highest chair lift on the planet, multiple peaks to explore, lift line forecasts, and plenty of terrain for all levels of skier.

Learn More

Winter Park

Winter Park Ski Resort
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Winter Park calls itself the #1 ski resort in North America. With plenty of great ski terrain, activities to enjoy when your feet get sore from wearing ski boots, lessons, rentals, and more, it’s easy to see why many people think so.

Learn More

Beaver Creek

Skiiers shred slopes
Washington Post

Beaver Creek has ample terrain for skiers to explore, including McCoy Park which is 250 acres of ski terrain tailored for beginner and intermediate skiers.  Ice skating and chocolate chip cookies are just some of the perks at this world-class resort.

Learn More

Keystone

Keystone ski resort
Image used with permission by copyright holder

When traveling with the family Keystone can be a great option. If you book for more than two nights you’ll get a free day of skiing for your child 12 or under. For every additional day you stay, you’ll get another free day of skiing. Pretty sweet, right?

Learn More

Vail

Snowy forest beside Grant Hyatt Vail
Image used with permission by copyright holder

With 5,317 acres of skiable terrain, Vail offers plenty of great skiing for those at any level. If you’ve noticed any similarities between some resort websites, amenities, and even the resorts themselves, it’s because Vail is a big name in the resort world. They own many different resorts (around 40) and not without some controversy. Criticism includes expensive lift tickets and cost-of-living increases wherever they buy up property. That said, if you’re familiar with the Vail experience, and enjoy it, you know what you’ll be getting.

Learn More

Steamboat

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Famous for its “champagne powder,” Steamboat Ski Resort has plenty of skiing and other activities to enjoy. Get a free night of skiing the first day you arrive by showing your flight boarding pass. In the morning, check out the famous Closet and Shadows runs when the powder is flowing.

  • Stay: Antlers at Christie Base
  • Après: T-Bar

Learn More

Telluride

Telluride Ski Resort
Ski Mag

Telluride offers ski-in/ski-out access, short lift lines, and charming ski town, and stunning views. I mean, what more could you ask for?

  • Stay:
  • Après: Oak

Learn More

Aspen

view of Aspen Colorado mountain and lake.

Aspen is pretty much synonymous with skiing and Colorado. Aspen offers 5,500 acres of ski terrain, great restaurants, accommodations, and plenty to do when not skiing.

Learn More

Editors' Recommendations

Benjamin Buckingham
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ben lives in Portland, Oregon where he works as a freelance writer and outdoor guide.
The best ski and snowboard jackets for bombing the slopes in 2023
You want to stay warm, dry, and comfortable on the slopes this winter. The right ski jacket will help you do just that.
Smiling nan in a red ski jacket and helmet standing on a ski slope.

We’re in the thick of the 2023 ski and snowboard season right now. We’ll assume you’ve already upgraded your most essential gear — new skis, ski boots, and ski goggles. Maybe you even splurged on a new ski backpack. But what about your jacket? A good ski or snowboard jacket is just as important as the hardware you’re riding on. Because, if you’re not warm, dry, and comfortable on the slopes, how fun is that?

The bad news is that the very best ski and snowboard jackets don’t come cheap. Premium outerwear usually incorporates next-gen waterproofing, down or high-grade synthetic insulation, and other technology to ensure you’re ready for the worst mountain conditions. None of that comes cheap. The good news is that we’ve done most of the legwork for you. We’ve found quite a few ski jackets at prices that almost anyone can afford with a good mix of value, functionality, and quality. Here are our picks for the best ski and snowboard jackets for 2023.

Read more
Don’t let the season stop you: Our top picks for the best winter hiking gear
Keep hitting the trails this winter with the best winter hiking gear on offer
Hiker in the snow.

It can be tempting — when the snow is falling and outside temperatures drop sub-zero — to get yourself comfortable on the sofa with a good book or a new film. But the winter months provide some of the best outdoor experiences of the year. With spectacular sunrises and sunsets, snowy scenes and quieter trails, it's not just skiing and snowboarding that you can do in winter in the US.

But winter requires a whole different set of gear to stay safe and warm and to enjoy your days out on the trail. Along with knowing how to navigate on the trail in the winter, understanding the dangers of avalanches — if they apply to where you hike — or knowing what to do if you get caught out in a storm, having the right winter gear is a seasonal essential. This list of eleven items isn't a comprehensive winter packing list, but it does contain some winter essentials and a few items that will make your winter days that bit better.

Read more
Keep your fingers toasty warm this winter with the 7 best hand warmers
Serious cold demands serious heat. These next-gen hand warmers are designed to keep you toasty all winter.
Woman jogging in winter holding a chemical hand warmer.
Read more