Best places to snowboard colorado
Colorado is famous for its high-altitude ski resorts, but did you know that it’s also a great place to snowboard?
Colorado is home to some of the nation’s most popular snowboarding destinations. The state boasts five world-class resorts: Breckenridge Ski Resort, Eldora Mountain Resort, Keystone Ski Resort, Monarch Mountain Ski Area and Copper Mountain Ski Resort. These resorts offer terrain for all levels of riders and are known for their wide variety of trails and scenic views.
If you’re looking for a new adventure this winter season, consider heading to Colorado for your next snowboarding trip!
In this article you would get all the information you on need Best places to snowboard colorado , Best places to ski in colorado, Aspen colorado ski resorts, snowboarding in colorado prices, and Best places to snowboard in colorado for beginners. Do take your time to surf through!
Aspen colorado ski resorts
The name Aspen brings to mind images of the famous ski resort. Although part of the so-called Aspen Pledge is to “forego high fashion and dress for high elevations,” it’s likely you’ll find a majority of people making some type of major style statement. World renowned as a luxurious ski area, Aspen also is a destination with outdoor adventures from skiing to biking, with a passion for arts and culture. What began in the 1940s as a civic and cultural renaissance continues to this day and is called “The Aspen Idea” by locals.
Here are the Aspen colorado ski resorts:
1. The Little Nell
When you’re in Aspen, you want to be as close to the mountains as possible. And The Little Nell is the best place in town to make that happen.
It’s the only hotel offering ski-in/ski-out access—so you can hit the slopes first thing in the morning and spend all day on the mountain, then come back to your room and relax in comfort.
The Little Nell has a reputation for being one of the most luxurious hotels in Aspen. With impeccable service and unparalleled access to America’s most famous mountain town, it’s no wonder they’ve been voted one of the top hotels in Colorado by Travel + Leisure readers every year since 2008!
You’ll be treated like royalty here: guests enjoy a cosmopolitan yet intimate ambience, haute cuisine and exclusive adventures and amenities designed to rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit. Exclusive Nell adventures include Jeep tours, fly fishing, stargazing and first tracks in winter.
The wine program at Element 47 is another reason why people love this place so much—it has a reputation as rich as its cellar! With more 20,000 wines in their cellar (that’s just about as many as there are days in a year), Element 47’s approach.
2. The St. Regis Aspen Resort
Located just steps from Aspen’s slopes, the resort is a contemporary version of a Gilded Age mountainside manor which provides an uncompromising base for arbiters of fine food and wine, connoisseurs of culture and adventure seekers. From classic guest rooms to the Presidential Suite and Residence Club, rooms are outfitted with custom furnishings including a leather bed and desk and exquisite marble bathrooms that offer double vanities and plush bathrobes. Guests are treated to an epicurean adventure. Enjoy a cocktail on the Fountain Terrace as you gaze up at the majestic Aspen Mountain or experience an exquisite Afternoon Tea or the St. Regis Champagne Sabering, an event not to miss.
3. Aspen Meadows Resort
Nestled on 40 beautiful acres and surrounded by picturesque mountain views, Aspen Meadows Resort, a Dolce Hotel, boasts a versatile blend of award-winning cuisine, spacious guest suites and innovative Colorado event spaces. Home of the world-renowned Aspen Institute, Aspen Meadows Resort offers 22,000 square feet of ultra-modern event space, as well as 98 stylishly appointed guest suites. With three restaurants, a health center and two art galleries, guests can choose from a variety of activities without ever leaving the grounds. Dining is an experience to be savored as products and ingredients are sourced from local and regional farmers, and even from the resort’s very own backyard garden.
4. Viceroy Snowmass
A year-round ski resort near Aspen where mountain adventure meets modern sophistication, this luxurious resort sits in the heart of the Snowmass Base Village, near downtown. Viceroy Snowmass welcomes everyone with ski-in/ski-out luxury resort lodging in the winter and mountain adventures and culture in the warmer months. Add in imaginative dining and lounging, a Ute Indian-inspired wellness spa and a year-round pool terrace and café and it’s easy to see why guests return year after year. One to four-bedroom residential suites feature a balcony with scenic views and a spacious granite bathroom. A three-bedroom penthouse boasts 2,169 square feet.
5. The Gant
The Gant is one of Aspen’s premier condominium resorts, providing the comforts of home with the services of a fine hotel, all within a world-class destination. From its legendary ski lodging, “Gant Vans” and daily housekeeping services to attentive concierges and recreation facilities, The Gant offers guests everything they would expect from a world-class resort. The Gant is also the only full-service condominium resort in Aspen to offer on-property food and beverage service at Pepperjack’s Cafe. Of the one- to four-bedroom floor plans, choose between standard, deluxe or premier rated condominiums. Among the many amenities guests enjoy are valet parking, bell and concierge service along with free airport and in-town transportation.
6. The Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands
This spectacular resort sits at the base of a 12,500-ft. mountain with stunning views and 125 trails. This ski-in/ski-out village is surrounded by intermediate and advanced ski terrains and includes the legendary “Highland Bowl.” Grow accustomed to your ski valet greeting you each day, or pursue pure relaxation and renewal in the pool areas or at the well-appointed spa and fitness center. With a special mix of authentic Western ambience and renowned Ritz-Carlton service, Aspen Highlands is a place that visitors return to again and again. Guests enjoy privileges to the acclaimed Aspen Recreation Center.
7. The Westin Snowmass Resort
Snowmass Village is a four-season destination rich in culture and natural beauty. Explore this picturesque town from The Westin Snowmass Resort, which is centrally located to all mountain activities. Rooms range from ski-in, ski-out accommodations to a Presidential Suite. Each of the accommodations boasts sweeping views of Snowmass Village or the mountain peaks. Stay refreshed with a spa-inspired shower, soothing bath amenities and plush towels and robes. Serving a slope-side dining experience specializing in innovative American fare prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients, you can treat yourself to a hearty breakfast, nutritious salads, rustic pizzas and creative entrees.
Best places to snowboard colorado
Colorado has a lot to offer snowboard enthusiasts, including some of the best terrain in the world. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of our favorite places to snowboard in Colorado.
1. Keystone
Colorado is home to some of the best biking in the country, and Keystone is one of the best places to go.
If you’re looking for a great ride with plenty of options, Keystone is your spot. Whether you want to hit up one of their many trails or go for a run along their expansive sidewalk, there’s something for everyone here.
With 20 different lifts and over 3,000 rideable acres, this resort has plenty of varying terrains to satisfy snowboarders of all abilities.
Keystone is a family-friendly resort, but it is also home to some technical and challenging runs.
That’s enough to keep advanced riders occupied as well. It also offers night skiing and snowboarding, making it one of the only places in the state to do so.
Keystone makes it to the top of the list for its great snow and different types of terrain.
However, it also earns top honors because it sees fewer crowds than other popular resorts. Keystone isn’t really a town, which means there aren’t as many people staying or living in the area.
That then cuts down on visitors and means you’ll be able to catch more runs than you would at other resorts.
The mountain is also home to one of the best terrain parks in the state and hosts a variety of competitions over the course of the season.
The A51 terrain park is over 60-acres and has some of the best and most unique features you’ll find anywhere in the world.
The park even has its own chairlift, which makes it easy to spin laps and get big airs all day long.
2. Breckenridge
Breckenridge is the perfect mountain for you.
With a wide range of terrain, Breckenridge is home to some of the most diverse and fun skiing in Colorado. You can choose from hike-to powder, wide-open groomers, and tree runs.
Breckenridge is a great spot for families, as well as groups looking to get out of the city and into the wilderness. With an average snowfall of over 300 inches per year, you can be sure that there will be plenty of fresh powder on your skis!
This mountain is a favorite among locals. I won’t reveal any secrets here, but just know there are some runs that hold fresh snow on even the most crowded days.
Breck has almost 3,000 acres of rideable terrain and the highest elevation you can access is nearly 13,000 feet. That can make for some challenging weather conditions, but it almost always delivers quality snow and great conditions.
The hike-to terrain is best suited for advanced riders, but there are plenty of runs for those who are just learning as well.
The resort’s 34 lifts give you access to 187 different marked trails, but with all of the trees and steeps on top of that, you can ride all season long and never get bored.
Breck also has four different terrain parks and hosts a variety of competitions and events each season. The 18-foot halfpipe is a must for park rats while the chutes between Peak 7 and Peak 6 are a must on a powder day.
3. Aspen/Snowmass
Another one of the best places to snowboard in Colorado is Aspen/Snowmass.
The Aspen area is well-known for catering to the rich and famous, but there’s a reason the region is so popular with some of the world’s elite: the snow and mountains that surround the town.
Aspen/Snow mass is made up of four different mountains that you can snowboard at – Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk.
These mountains combine to offer over 5,500 rideable acres and 41 lifts. That’s enough terrain to keep you occupied for several seasons.
Snowmass and Aspen Mountain are probably the best places to snowboard.
Snowmass has the most beginner-friendly terrain, but it also offers advanced options that are great for the family.
Aspen Mountain is also called Ajax by the locals and it can be accessed right from downtown Aspen.
Aspen Highlands is my personal favorite mountain. It’s smaller and best left to advanced riders, but offers some of the most fun and technical terrain you will find in-bounds anywhere in the world.
Hiking up to the top of Highlands Bowl is a must if you love steep-and-deep conditions. If you catch Highlands on a powder day, you’ll never want to leave.
Aspen hosts the Winter X-Games nearly every season and this is a great time to visit if you want to see some of the best snowboarders in the world perform in competitions at the highest level.
It can definitely get crowded during the event, but if you love the night-life and want to have a great time, it’s worth checking out.
4. Vail
Vail is another resort at the top of the list of the best places to snowboard in Colorado.
This mountain is huge and offers something for everyone. There are over 5,000 rideable acres scattered across the main resort area and legendary back bowls. The longest run is 4 miles long and the mountain averages 354 inches of snow a year.
Vail is a world-class resort destination with a lot to offer.
Some people say that Vail isn’t a great mountain for boarders due to the many catwalks and traverses that you have to navigate to get around. Even though you’ll have to work for turns sometimes, it’s well worth it.
The front side of the mountain is great for beginners while the back offers diverse terrain options including open bowls, trees, and everything in between. The terrain park is also great and easy to access.
Vail is one of the most expensive resorts in the state and it can get crowded on weekends and holidays.
Even so, its popularity is well deserved due to the vast area you can play around in as well as its proximity to an international airport that sits only a few hours away.
In addition to all of the great options on-snow, Vail also has excellent dining, accommodations, and nightlife.
Best places to ski in colorado
Colorado offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the United States. Snowfall amounts during major storms can be spectacular, so skiing here can be an experience that doesn’t disappoint. Most ski resorts range from top-end, world-class resorts with seemingly endless terrain to single-lift, family-run operations that deliver skiers to groomed runs and some of the best hike-to possibilities in the country.
Colorado has many ski resorts, in the Denver area and beyond. Breckenridge is near Denver, as are Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, Vail and Beaver Creek. Aspen and Steamboat are slightly further afield but still within range of Denver. These two also have airports with direct flights to destinations in the US. In the more remote southwest region of Colorado are Purgatory, Telluride and Silverton along with a number of other smaller resorts.
Ski season in Colorado begins in early November and ends in mid-April.Opening and closing dates of the ski resorts are often dependent on conditions. Some resorts stay open as long as the season will permit and open as soon as conditions are good enough; others have planned closing dates regardless of conditions. Several of the major resorts have invested heavily in snowmaking equipment to extend the season, and now open much earlier than in previous years. Many of the dates you see listed below are estimated by the ski resorts, but some are hard facts because they’re based on snowfall data.
1. Vail Mountain Resort
Vail: This is one of the largest resorts in the world and home to some of the best terrain in Colorado. The seven back bowls are enough to occupy skiers for a whole season. This is if you manage to drag yourself off the long groomed runs, which stretch along the front side, overlooking the town of Vail. And certainly there are people who never do venture into the back bowls.
The extensive and varied terrain means the resort can easily accommodate all levels of skiers, from beginners to experts, and you can almost always find good conditions somewhere on the mountain regardless of the weather. Beginners and intermediates tend to enjoy the front groomed runs, more advanced skiers and experts will find excellent tree skiing, moguls, and steeps on the back side.
Vail is not as high as some of the other resorts in the area but still receives a heavy amount of snow, with more than 350 inches per season. The resort has also recently completed a huge snowmaking enhancement project, which has led to a longer season. Spread over 5,289 acres, the hill has 31 lifts, three terrain parks, and does an extensive amount of grooming. It is a great place for beginner and intermediate level skiers.
Opening and Closing: For the 2021/2022 ski season, Vail will have its earliest opening date ever. The season is expected to run from November 12, 2021 to April 19, 2022.
The Town: At the base of the mountain, just off Interstate 70, is the town of Vail. It caters largely to high-end travelers, with luxury accommodation, fine dining, and upscale shopping.
By ski village standards, Vail is big. Along the interstate, you’ll see exits for East Vail, Vail Town Center, and West Vail. Vail Town Center, including Lionhead Village immediately to the west of Town Center, is where all of the action is located. Town Center or Lionhead Village is also where you will likely want to park for a day of skiing, and where you will find dining and shopping. These two areas are essentially connected to each other.
East Vail is quite removed from the action and mostly occupied by homes and condos. Staying here will require figuring out transport to the ski hill. West Vail is a little more accessible and offers easy access to grocery stores, fast food restaurants, and more everyday shopping. You will still have to take a shuttle to the mountain.
Nearby Towns and Accommodation Options: Staying in Vail is pricey, but more affordable accommodation can be found in the surrounding towns, from Silverthorne and Frisco over to Avon and Eagle. Many visitors fly into Denver and drive or take a shuttle to Vail. The closest airport is actually the Eagle Vail Airport, about a 40-minute drive from Vail.
Official site: www.vail.com
Accommodation: Where to Stay near Vail Mountain
2. Aspen Snowmass
Aspen Snowmass is a combination of four ski areas around Aspen and Snowmass Village. Together, the four mountains—Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk—cover a massive amount of terrain and rival Vail in sheer size.
New improvements for the 2021/22 ski season include the opening of the brand new $10.7-million-dollar high-speed quad chairlift, which has replaced the old Big Burn lift. At the base area, you’ll notice several new restaurants, infrastructure upgrades, and new shops. A snowmaking capacity increase, and additional high alpine lift improvements have also been undertaken.
The Mountains: Snowmass, with more than 3,000 acres of terrain, dominates in terms of size. It is largely a family oriented hill with great intermediate skiing.
The base elevation is just over 8,100 feet, and the top elevation is just over 12,500 feet.
At the base of the mountain, Snowmass Village has a very traditional ski village atmosphere, with pedestrian-only streets lined with shops and restaurants. This is a good place to base yourself if you plan on skiing at Snowmass.
Snowmass started a tradition of offering free s’mores between 3:30 and 4:30 daily at the Base Village fire pits and at the Snowmass Mall.
Buttermilk, although it has a relatively small amount of terrain, has gained notoriety by frequently hosting the Winter X-games. It has a large number of beginner and intermediate runs. By contracts, Aspen Mountain has no beginner runs.
Aspen Highlands is known for its advanced and expert runs, although it does have beginner and intermediate skiing.
The Town: The town of Aspen, at the base of Aspen Mountain, has long been known for its high wattage celebrity status. Many famous people, ranging from Hollywood superstars to famous athletes, own property in the area. It’s a popular place for a weekend getaway from Denver, even if you are not a skier.
This is not just a resort that has been developed around a ski hill. It began as a mining camp, and as a result, has an authentic mountain town feel. You can find a full range of accommodation at the base of the slopes or a little farther back.
Official site: www.aspensnowmass.com
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Aspen
3. Telluride Ski Resort
In a remote setting in the San Juan Mountains, Telluride is one of the most scenic ski towns in the United States. Add to that a top-end ski resort with incredible terrain, consistently good snowfall amounts, and it’s no wonder Telluride has become such a popular resort destination.
The Mountain: If you are looking to log a serious amount of vertical, this is one of the best places to ski in Colorado. The resort has more than 2,000 acres of terrain, a base elevation of 8,725 feet, and a maximum elevation of 13,150 feet (4,425 feet vertical drop). The mountain offers a good mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced level runs, and experts will find a substantial amount of hike-to terrain for more extreme skiing. The annual snowfall amount is about 300 inches.
A free gondola moves people between the town of Telluride and Mountain Village, meaning skiers staying at the village can come into town whenever they like, and it’s easy for skiers staying in town to access the ski hill. You don’t have to be on skis to hop a ride on the gondola; anyone can go up and have a look around.
Skiers staying in Telluride, rather than Mountain Village, can ski all the way down to the town when they are done skiing, or download using the gondola. The runs from the top of the gondola down to the town are not green runs and are steeper than some skiers want to attempt, particularly at the end of the ski day.
Opening and Closing: Telluride opens on November 25, 2021 and closes April 3, 2022.
The Town: Telluride is a true ski town, not a company-owned resort town. The scenic main street is lined with interesting stores, restaurants, and coffee shops. You don’t have to be a skier to enjoy a stay here, and the town is as enjoyable from spring until fall as it is in winter. The town hosts events throughout the year, making it a great getaway anytime.
Nearby Towns and Accommodation Options: Telluride is one of the best ski towns in Colorado and the best option is to stay in Telluride. You can find accommodation in town or on the mountain. Due to the demand in high season, prices can be high. Also, if you are traveling with a furry companion, finding a hotel that accepts pets can be very difficult.
For better prices, pet-friendly accommodation, and a lively ski culture, you may want to consider staying in Durango, about two hours away, and commuting. Even locals in Durango who have the option of skiing at Durango’s Purgatory Resort make day trips to ski Telluride. Another option is to stay in Montrose, about a 90-minute drive away, although it does not have the same ski town atmosphere.
Official site: www.tellurideskiresort.com
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Telluride
4. Beaver Creek Resort
The Mountain: Owned by Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort lies just a short distance down the highway from Vail, and only two hours from Denver. This resort is known for its high level of customer service, groomed runs, and friendly atmosphere.
With over 1,800 acres of skiable terrain, this hill offers a full range of runs for all abilities but it is one of the best ski resorts in Colorado for beginners. The resort does an exceptional amount of grooming, creating perfect conditions for new skiers.
2022 brings exciting changes to Beaver Creek. The resort is installing two new quad chairs to service the McCoy area of the mountain. This will provide quicker access to high altitude terrain that intermediate and beginner skiers will love.
Each afternoon at 3pm the smell of fresh-baked treats wafts through the air as chocolate chip cookies, served by staff in chef’s hats, are handed out to skiers coming off the hill or lingering around the base. Escalators take guests up several flights of stairs from the town to the chairlift, and attendants are always around to help tired and struggling skiers carry their skis down the escalators and to the bus stop at the end of the day. The town sidewalks are heated, so there is never a buildup of ice.
The mountain has the lowest elevation of the big resorts in the area, with a base elevation of 8,100 feet and a summit elevation of 11,400 feet. This makes it a good option for people flying in from lower elevations and worried about altitude sickness. If you are planning a multi-day trip and visiting several ski hills, starting at Beaver Creek will help lessen the effects of the altitude.
Opening and Closing: Beaver Creek opens on November 24, 2021 and closes on April 13, 2022.
The Town: At the base of the ski resort is the quaint Beaver Creek Village. After a day of skiing or snowboarding, this is a nice place to relax at an outdoor table and watch the last remaining skiers come down the slopes. Behind the restaurants and establishments lining the mountain is a pedestrian-only area with a lovely outdoor space. Here, you’ll find seats, fire pits, and a large outdoor skating rink in the center. Surrounding the open space are shops and restaurants.
Nearby Towns and Accommodation Options: About 10 minutes down the hill from Beaver Creek Village is the town of Avon, which can also serve as an excellent base. You can often find more affordable accommodation options and a full selection of restaurants and retail shops, like sports stores, grocery stores, and a pharmacy. Free shuttle buses run regularly, taking guests from their hotels in Avon up to Beaver Creek.
For upscale dining with a semi-casual atmosphere and great food, check out Vin 48 or Blue Plate in Avon. A local favorite for breakfast is the Northside Kitchen, where you can sit down and enjoy a tasty meal or grab some takeaway pastries from the front counter.
Official site: www.beavercreek.com
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Beaver Creek
5. Breckenridge Ski Resort
The Mountain: Breckenridge is the complete package, from groomed runs through the trees to extraordinary high alpine bowls that you can access with a lift. And with even a minimal amount of hiking off the Imperial Chairlift, you can find some outstanding terrain. The exposed bowls may look intimidating from a distance, but they offer unparalleled skiing opportunities for advanced skiers. This is the place to come for anyone looking to push their skill level beyond intermediate.
Breckenridge has terrain for everyone, with green, blue, and black diamond runs lower down on the mountain, moguls here and there, and beginner-friendly areas. This mountain is fairly easy to navigate, largely due to the fact that it is spread out along the front side of a series of peaks. Also of note, the on-mountain dining is always quite good at Breck.
The skiing here is high, with a base elevation that begins at 9,600 feet. The Imperial Chairlift on Peak 8 is the highest lift in North America, and the hill’s summit elevation is 12,998 feet. On spring days, when the bottom of the hill is soft, the top of the hill often has full-on winter conditions with excellent snow.
For late season skiing, Breckenridge can be a good option. Keep in mind, if you are flying to Colorado from a much lower elevation, the altitude can sometimes be challenging, especially on day one.
Breckenridge has undergone several recent upgrades, including a new guest-service facility, with a new children’s ski and snowboarding school, childcare facilities, and new equipment rental facilities. The Peak 7 area is getting a brand new chair for the 2021/22 ski season. The new lift is called the Freedom SuperChair, and its installation should relieve the lines typically experienced at the Independence SuperChair
Opening and Closing: Breckenridge opens November 12, 2021 and closes May 3, 2022.
The Town: Breckenridge is a fun, small town with a cute main street offering great après ski opportunities. On a spring day, you can grab a snack and sit on an outdoor patio in town watching the late afternoon sun hit the mountain you just skied. The gondola accessing the mountain leaves from town, and you can park right here. This makes the whole process of getting on the mountain extremely simple and convenient. Parking is relatively inexpensive compared to other resorts in the area.
Nearby Towns and Accommodation Options: Breckenridge is an enjoyable place to stay, and you should make this your first choice if you are skiing Breck. If you can’t find accommodation here, nearby Silverthorne often has some moderately priced hotels. Frisco is another good option in the vicinity. This is a cute town with plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, and hotels.
Official site: www.breckenridge.com
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Breckenridge
6. Keystone Resort
The Mountain: Keystone is spread over three mountains, each taking you back farther into the wilderness, away from the resort. As a result, the deeper you go, often the less crowded the skiing becomes. This is a large resort with 20 lifts and terrain to suit every ability, making it perfect for families.
The runs on the first mountain, Decorum Mountain, are primarily groomed cruisers and beginner runs. Beyond this is North Peak with slightly more advanced terrain, including moguls and steep runs. At the back is The Outback, with the resort’s highest peak at just under 12,000 feet. This area is also designed for intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders.
For those looking for even more adventure, the resort offers CAT skiing, providing access to a number of bowls. Keystone Resort also lays claim to “Colorado’s longest ski day” due to its night skiing schedule.
Opening and Closing: Keystone is targeting an unbelievable mid-October, 2021 open date and has a tentative close date of April 11, 2022.
The Town: Keystone has two villages: River Run and Lakeside. River Run Village is the main village at the base of the mountain. For skiers, this is the heart of the action. It offers a variety of relaxed dining options, just perfect following a day on the hill. The parking here is convenient and free, making the whole process of spending a day skiing at this resort easy and more affordable than some of the surrounding resorts, like Vail, where parking is at a premium, and rates are correspondingly high.
Lakeside Village is, as the name suggests, set around a small lake. In winter, it’s frozen over and becomes a huge skating rink. Shops, restaurants, and condos surround the lake.
Keystone Resort does a great job of entertaining guests who choose to stay in the area. Activities beyond skiing, snowboarding, or skating include horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowmobiling, yoga, an art studio, and more.
Official site: www.keystoneresort.com
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Keystone
7. Purgatory Resort
The Mountain: Purgatory Mountain Resort, formerly known as Durango Mountain Resort, is primarily a family-oriented ski hill just outside of Durango, in the San Juan Mountains. This is a local’s mountain with a friendly atmosphere and old-school attitude, although facilities are being upgraded on an ongoing basis. It is also known for offering decent value, with reasonably priced lift tickets and amenities.
The terrain at Purgatory has traditionally been heavily skewed towards beginner and intermediate level skiers and boarders. But, those with advanced skill levels have always been able to find places to challenge themselves here.
Ongoing expansions and improvements since 2015 are changing the dynamics. In recent years the resort opened up new intermediate- and advanced-level terrain and new areas for tree skiing. For the 2021/22 season, skiers may not notice much change at the resort; however, that’s a good thing. Most of the offseason work has been focused on overhauling and updating the machinery powering lifts 1, 3, & 6 to ensure continued reliability. One great money-saving program for parents: all kids under 12 years of age ski for free with no blackout dates. Those children that qualify are issued a free season pass.
The Town: Purgatory has a range of accommodation options in the area surrounding the resort, but there is no town at the base of the mountain. Many people stay in Durango, about a 20-minute drive away, and commute.
A former mining town, Durango is a lively tourist town with restored historic buildings lining the downtown. It also has wonderful old hotels, trendy restaurants, and numerous ski shops.
Puragatory is about a 2.5-hour drive from Telluride. If you want to base yourself here for your trip, you can day trip up to Telluride to check out some new terrain.
Opening and Closing: Purgatory opens November 20, 2021 and closes April 3, 2022.
Official site: www.purgatoryresort.com
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Durango
8. Steamboat Ski Resort
The Mountain: Steamboat Ski Resort is centered around Mount Werner, just outside Steamboat Springs. The mountain receives ample snow each year, averaging 334 inches annually. The resort has trademarked the term “Champagne Powder Snow” which refers to the dry fluffy powder Steamboat is known for.
The elevation ranges from 6,900 feet at the base to 10,568 feet at the summit. By Colorado standards, this is not particularly high and it can be a good option for people concerned about the effects of high altitude.
With 2,965 acres, Steamboat is a big resort with plenty of terrain and is particularly well-known for its fabulous tree skiing.
It’s hard to believe that the resort could get bigger, but that’s the case for 2021/22. An incredible 355 acres of new terrain has been added in the Pioneer Ridge area, opening up some steep and deep powder stashes that were, up until now, locals-only secrets. If you feel like a bite to eat and want a bit of history on the side, check out the newly renovated Hazie’s restaurant, one of Steamboat’s most famous eateries.
Opening and Closing: Steamboat opens November 24, 2021 and closes April 13, 2022.
The Town: Steamboat Springs is set off on its own, well off the I-70 corridor and a fair distance from the other major ski resorts in Colorado. The town has a strong Western heritage and cowboy culture, which gives the area a casual and Wild West feel. Festivals and events are often based around this theme.
Steamboat Springs is a three-hour drive from Denver, but it has an airport with direct flights from several of the major airports around the USA.
Official site: www.steamboat.com
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Steamboat Springs
9. Copper Mountain
The Mountain: Copper Mountain is a popular family-focused resort a little more than an hours’ drive from Denver. As you are driving along Interstate 70 towards Vail, you can see the runs trailing down the mountainside. With 23 lifts spread across 2,465 acres, there is plenty of terrain for skiers and boarders to explore, and good carrying capacity. It has a decent mix of runs for all levels, including advanced skiers.
Ski conditions are generally on par with the rest of the ski resorts in this area. Copper is high, with a base elevation of 9,712 feet and a summit elevation of 12,313 feet. You can sometimes see feet of fresh powder after a storm, but the mountain has plenty of grooming capacity to ensure everyone gets their fair share of morning corduroy.
Opening and Closing: Copper Mountain opens November 30, 2021 and closes mid April, 2022.
The Town: The mountain empties onto an adorable little village, with shops and restaurants. Places like the City Pop, serving gourmet popcorn and candy, are fun stops for families, but you’ll find plenty of adult restaurants and entertainment options as well.
The village is divided into East Village, Center Village, and West Village, each of which has chairlifts, but these areas are all very close together. Center Village, where all the action is, centers around the main plaza at the base of the lift, and West Lake is tucked in behind.
Official site: www.coppercolorado.com
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Copper Mountain
10. Arapahoe Basin
The Mountain: Known more commonly as “A-Basin,” Arapahoe has the distinct advantage of being high. Located on Loveland Pass, the summit elevation reaches 13,050 feet and the base elevation is 10,780 feet. This allows the resort to stay open into June and sometimes even later, well beyond the April closing dates of the surrounding mountains. Arapahoe is one of the best places in Colorado for spring skiing.
At Arapahoe, you can expect to find beautiful open runs, some steep, and others designed for beginners. Runs flow down two sides of a ridge, meaning you can usually find good conditions regardless of the day. This can be a windy mountain, but usually one side or the other is sheltered on any given day.
The resort has traditionally not been known for having an excessive amount of terrain, especially compared to the surrounding Vail Resorts, but that’s all changing. The resort is in the process of a multi-year expansion, which includes the Beavers and Steep Gullies expansion for “hike-to” skiing. This new area has proved to be very popular with advanced skiers.
The relaxed, fun, and old-school atmosphere at Arapahoe is also one of the mountain’s big attractions. On warm spring days, people set up their barbecues on picnic tables at the edge of the parking lot at the base of the mountain and watch the skiers make their way down the runs. Kids, dogs, and the whole family come out to enjoy the day, whether they are skiing or not.
Arapahoe Basin is easy to reach from Denver, good value, and included on several of the multi-resort and multi-day passes. They also offer many of their own specials, which can be excellent deals if they correspond with your ski plans. Even if you don’t plan a full vacation to A-Basin, it’s definitely worth checking out if you are skiing some of the surrounding resorts.
Opening and Closing: Arapahoe’s opening and closing is based on snow conditions. They usually open in October and close in June.
Nearby Towns and Accommodation Options: Since Arapahoe Basin does not have a town at the base, you’ll need to find accommodation in the surrounding area. From Arapahoe, it is a 10-minute drive to Keystone and a 30-minute drive to Breckenridge.
If you are looking for reasonably priced hotels, it’s best to look in Silverthorne, about a 20-minute drive from the mountain. Just slightly farther away, but with a more lively atmosphere and good selection of hotels, is the town of Frisco.
Official site: www.arapahoebasin.com
Accommodation: Where to stay in Frisco
11. Silverton Mountain
No article on skiing or snowboarding in Colorado is complete without a mention of Silverton Ski Resort. This mountain is not for everyone but it does offer a completely unique experience that many people dream about. This resort was featured in the recent Warren Miller ski movie, Timeless.
The Mountain: A lone, old, double chairlift takes skiers and boarders up the mountain to hike-to terrain. It’s essentially backcountry skiing with a lift. This resort is only for advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders, and people come here specifically for the powder. The area gets an exceptionally high level of snowfall, with annual totals of about 400 inches, and there are no groomed runs.
Everyone is outfitted with avalanche gear before they head up the mountain. Old school buses pick up guests where they come off the runs, a kilometer or so down the road from the lodge, and shuttle them back to the base.
The base “lodge” is little more than a home-built, tent-covered yurt. This is not a resort that screams posh. What it does have is great skiing, a strong following of skiers that live for this type of terrain and experience, and an atmosphere like no other ski hill in Colorado. Everyone here is pumped up for a great day of skiing, and the rustic ambience is embraced.
If it all seems a bit overwhelming, don’t be dismayed. Silverton has a program that will pair you up with a local (for a fee) who will ski with you all day and show you the best snow on the mountain.
Silverton Mountain also offers heli-skiing and heli-boarding. This includes six runs in areas reserved for heli-tours.
Opening and Closing: Silverton Mountain opens November 25, 2020 and closes mid April, 2022.
The Town: Silverton Mountain is just outside of the tiny town of Silverton. This former mining town is today a largely summer-focused tourist town and many of the establishments here close in winter. It sits at over 9,300 feet and in winter is piled deep with snow. In winter, much of the accommodation here is motels, but a couple of small historic inns offer a bit of boutique luxury.
Nearby Towns and Accommodation: In good driving conditions, Durango is a little over an hour’s drive from Silverton. In snowy conditions, plan on much longer. If you are looking for a little more action than Silverton, Durango is the place to base yourself. There is also much more accommodation here.
Official site: http://silvertonmountain.com
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Silverton
12. Wolf Creek Ski Area
The Mountain: This is one of the best places to ski in Colorado if you’re looking for epic powder skiing!
Outside of Pagosa Springs in the southwest corner of Colorado, Wolf Creek Ski Area is set in San Juan Mountains and known for huge amounts of snow. It receives a mind-boggling 430 inches (over 35 feet) of snow annually and proudly claims to have “the most snow in Colorado.” Much of it comes down in major storm events. When snow storms roll through this area, you can expect to be floating down feet of snow at Wolf Creek.
The ski area has a base elevation of 10,300 feet and a summit elevation of over 11,900 feet. The mountain offers a mix of beginner and intermediate runs, but advanced and expert terrain makes up almost half of the runs. The mountain offers 1,600 acres of skiable terrain and 1,604 feet of vertical.
Opening and Closing: Wolf Creek opens November 4, 2021 and closes mid April, 2022.
The Town: There isn’t one. Wolf Creek Ski Area is set on a high mountain pass. A day lodge at the base of the mountain serves good food, but you will have to look elsewhere for accommodation.
On the west side of the pass, the nearest place to stay is at Pagosa Springs, about 35 minutes away. On the east side of Wolf Creek is South Fork, about 25 minutes away, where you will also find a decent assortment of hotels.
Official site: https://wolfcreekski.com
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Pagosa Springs
Best places to snowboard in colorado for beginners
If you’re a beginner snowboarder and are looking for the best places to snowboard in Colorado, then look no further. Here are some of our favorite spots that have great beginner-friendly terrain:
- Snowmass Mountain – Snowmass is one of the biggest resorts in Colorado and offers something for everyone. It’s a great place for beginners because there are plenty of wide-open spaces, but also some more challenging runs if you’re up for it.
- Copper Mountain – Copper Mountain is another great resort with easy trails and a lot of options for those who want to explore further into the backcountry. It’s also got a killer tubing park!
- Winter Park Resort – Winter Park is another big mountain with lots of beginner-friendly terrain as well as some advanced runs for those who want to try their hand at something new. There are also plenty of things to do besides snowboarding here, including great restaurants and shopping!
- Breckenridge: If you’re looking for something more challenging than Winter Park, but still want a great place for beginners, Breckenridge might be your best bet. The town has won awards for its friendly atmosphere and helpful staff members, who will be there every step of the way if you need help getting started or picking up some tips along the way.
- Keystone resort: Keystone is another great place for beginners who are ready to take on something more challenging than other spots on this list—but remember: if at first you don’t succeed… keep trying!
- Berthoud Pass. It’s close to Denver, so it’s easy to get there, but it’s also far enough away from civilization that it offers a lot of privacy and great views. The trails are mostly wide open with some bumps here and there, so you’ll be able to practice your turns without worrying too much about hitting trees or other obstacles.
Snowboarding in colorado prices
How much does it cost to snowboard in Colorado?
The answer depends on a number of factors, including what kind of equipment you need, how many people are in your group, and whether or not you want to stay overnight. But here’s an overview of what you might expect:
For a day trip where you rent gear from the slopes (or bring your own), expect to pay around $40-60 per person, depending on the time of year. This is for one day only; if you’re planning on staying overnight and/or bringing children with you, this cost will increase.
If you plan to stay overnight in a hotel or condo near the mountain (which we highly recommend), expect to pay between $100-$300 per night for two people. This number can go up significantly if there are more people in the group or if there’s more than one night involved.
Snowboarding in Colorado is an experience you won’t forget. We offer a wide range of snowboarding activities, from beginner to advanced.
Our prices are as follows:
Helmet rental: $10
Snowboard rental: $20
Goggles rental: $15
Helmet, goggles, and snowboard rental: $35
If you’re paying day by day, smaller resorts fall in the $100 to $125 range, while you’ll have to shovel out at least $150 to $190 for the larger destinations.
Most resorts offer two- and three-day passes at the window, which offer great value.
The best places to snowboard in Colorado are the resorts that offer the best combination of fun and safety. The first thing you should look for is a resort that offers lessons, if you’re new to snowboarding, so you can learn how to do it safely. Next, look for a resort with lots of beginner runs so that you can practice without getting lost or running into other people who might be better than you. Finally, pick a resort where there’s plenty of variety—lots of different types of terrain and features will keep things interesting for beginners and experts alike.
