Skiing was never a huge part of my childhood growing up; I didn't start learning until I was late into high school, and I started as a snowboarder before switching. I first got my love for skiing from the video game SSX 3, my sister and I played this so much growing up, and naturally skiing became one of my favorite sports. When I moved to Colorado during the pandemic, I knew it was time to get serious about this hobby, especially because I finally had the financial means to invest in it. I knew some people who were getting the IKON pass, so that was a large influence in my decision to choose that over the EPIC at the time. At this point, I've skied all of the IKON and EPIC mountains in Colorado except for Crested Butte and Telluride (but those are on EPIC).
Below I've ranked them in order of my favorite to least favorite, but I still love all the ski mountains near denver regardless of the order.
Before you go, don't forget to bring sunscreen! These are my favorite (mostly Korean) brands that are a must!
1. Aspen Snowmass
From the map above, you can see Aspen mountain is narrow and brings you directly to the town of Aspen. Snowmass covers a larger terrain, and buttermilk is really small for beginners or the super pipe.
This was by far my favorite mountain I skied at this past winter. We got dumped on with tons of powder and blessed with bluebird days as well. Aspen was very steep and narrow, so we only did on day there, but Snowmass is where you should spend the majority of your time.The blues are long and so much fun, they even have a tree run called "Long Shot" that is over 5 miles long. The trees are pretty spread out if you're still getting used to them and the mountain is just so wide and diverse to explore. It's well known for a reason, and the views are unbeatable at the top! If you're feeling extra adventurous, try the T bar at the top of the mountain and it feels like you're being dragged into heaven. It's gorgeous!
Where to Stay: if you don't mind spending, then you should opt for a place with positive reviews and a free cancellation policy and just book it way ahead of time. For a group of 4-6, I'd recommend this condo and if you book early enough the Mountain Chalet Snowmass is an affordable pet-friendly option! Despite the negative reviews, I once stayed at this dog-friendly, affordable, ski-in/ski-out and had a really positive experience.
I have a full blog post and winter guide to visiting Aspen Snowmass here. In that blog post you can find my tips for skiing with your dog in Snowmass and also cross-country skiing with your dog at the Aspen Nordic center.
2. Steamboat Springs
Steamboat has it all and is such a fun resort to visit with a group of friends. It's only 2.5 hours from Denver, and it has some of the best hot springs, an adorable ski town/village to shop and walk around in, waterfall hikes, and a very diverse mountain that even offers night skiing! Steamboat is best visited in mid-February and after a large snowstorm because the trees get covered in snow and frozen with hoarfrost. It's a truly beautiful thing to see, and the runs are equally enjoyable. Since they get this beautiful frost, the temperatures get very cold here. When I was there, it was about 2 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack warmer than usual for skiing here. You drive through Rabbit Ears Pass from Denver, and that's also a really popular mountain pass for snowmobiling (check avalanche conditions always!).
Where to Stay: This area is huge, so there are a ton of options and it's surprisingly more affordable than some of the other ski towns, so I stay in the ski-in and ski out vrbos near the gondola because it saves time. I'd recommend this one for a large group without dogs, this large pet-friendly one, or this hotel for a smaller group. There's also a Marriott, which is always a good option if you have points.
5. Winter Park Resort
This is a Denver local favorite, which means there'll be a lot of traffic on the weekends. I love Winter Park because there is so much diversity in terrain and it's only about an hour and 10 minutes away from Denver. It's the perfect day trip and weekend skiing. The only downside is that Berthoud Pass is a pretty dangerous road, especially when it's snowing and it has had avalanches on the pass. Don't attempt to go here with 2WD on a powder day because that mountain pass gets very icy and is prone to whiteouts. They have it all here, and it's definitely my favorite local ski resort. The Panoramic lift area on the far left of the resort has some amazing views and great tree runs for an intermediate-level skier. The whole mountain has so much to offer. I recommend parking by the Mary Jane Base Area as it gets you the best access for trails, and parking is usually available. Lots of denver locals love spring ski here too! It's seriously one of the best resorts if you live in Colorado or are visiting!
Where to Stay: I usually would go here for day trips from Denver, but I have stayed around Fraser area here for a pet-friendly stay or this larger pet-friendly stay so we could have a few days of skiing without all the traffic. There's a brewery in town and it's a quick drive or shuttle to the resort from town. The area is affordable and it's really nice to be able to go on weekdays when there are less people to truly enjoy the park!
6. Copper Mountain
Copper is the same level as Winter Park. Most people I know from Denver really love Copper. It's got a great vibe and there are so many options for terrain and it's really popular on powder days. When I was first starting out in the ski season, I actually found that their greens and blues were very steep comparatively, which is why I didn't like it at first, but the tree runs are fun here, and it slowly became a place I really loved. The runs are long and they're more enjoyable once you've warmed up for the season, in my opinion. There isn't much of a ski village at all though, so this is just for skiing really. I dont have too many photos from here because i'm usually too busy skiing.
Where to Stay: Most people day-trip from Denver, but you can choose to stay in Leadville at either pet-friendly places: the Timberline or pet-friendly hostel to save money. I recommend if you're there on a weekend so you can avoid the Denver traffic; it's about a 30-minute drive or you can take the bus (37 minutes). If you want to stay directly at Copper, you can also stay here. There's not much of a town though, and I find Leadville or Twin Lakes area better if you also want more out of your trip and to explore the area with your dog or do backcountry during your trip too.
7. A-basin
This ski resort is tucked right within Loveland pass, which is one of the most breathtaking scenic areas near Denver. This resort is pretty small lift-wise, but it's open very late into the season due to its location, and it has such a cool, old-school, local vibe going on. Lots of people enjoy a few runs and then hanging out on "the beach" aka the parking lot. People love the backcountry here, but I'm not really comfortable with all of that, so if you're more advanced and like less people, then you'll probably like this spot. There's hardly any village, mostly just a parking lot.
Where to Stay: Somewhere near Breckenridge or Frisco is probably ideal (20-30 min drive) if you're not day-tripping from Denver. These are some places for 2 people or for a larger group.
8. Taos Ski Valley New Mexico
A lot of people are hit or miss on Taos. Everything was fine, but it wasn't anything special to me. I've noticed the people who like Taos the most are the ones who like steep terrain and go up to the Kachina run, which is advanced (you can see Kachina in the top left part of the map above). The town of Taos itself makes for a cute little weekend getaway. New Mexico has its own culture that can be fun to explore, but I wouldn't say the mountain is comparable to many of the Colorado mountains. It's pretty steep, so for those who enjoy blue runs, there isn't as much to offer. The resort is also pretty old school and outdated; it feels like you've taken a time machine and are back in the 80s or something. The lifts can be pretty slow! However, there is a super stunning hike, Williams Lake, very close to the resort (actually, you access it from the side of the resort); that is very worthwhile!
Places to Stay: We stayed at the Taos Valley Lodge and it was so cute! It was pet-friendly and affordable, and it was a small drive to the ski resort. If you don't mind spending slightly more, then you should stay in the ski village (ski-in ski ski-out) at Alpine Village Suites or The Blake. If you need an accommodation for a large group and are willing to spend a little more, then this ski in ski out vrbo would be ideal.
Check out my full blog post on the Skiing at Taos New Mexico Ski Valley here with all the hikes and things to do with your dog there too!
9. Eldora
We jokingly refer to Eldora as "El-Snore-A" because it's underwhelming compared to the other mountains around Colorado, but it still has a lot to offer to someone! This could be worth it for a place that is more accessible. It's small and close to Denver; it's about a 45-minute drive. The drive through Boulder Canyon is actually very pretty, so that was a highlight of visiting here. I would only recommend going here when you're learning to ski or snowboard because it's less popular and more forgiving than other Colorado mountains. This mountain honestly reminds me a lot of the ones back home on the East Coast, it's very small and doesn't have much to offer in terms of views.
My Ski Gear List
I bought most of my gear when I first moved to Colorado at Christy's Ski Shop. It is expensive this way, but I already knew I liked skiing and that it was a worthwhile investment to get fitted shoes and skis for my needs.
Essential Ski Equipment
You should go in person to buy all these, so I don't really have recommendations, butI can share what I have and what I bought in the store, though it's been a few years. I have Rossignol Skis, Rossignol Alltrack Ski Boots, Rossignol Ski Poles (adjusted to your height) Ski Bindings (properly adjusted by a professional). Be honest about your ski level so the shop can adjust the bindings accordingly, you want these to eject if you're a beginner so you don't hurt yourself.
Helmet Do not be dumb... always wear a helmet, every season one of my friends gets injured from skiing, this is basic safety, and the helmet keeps you super warm on those cold ski days! Remember, you must change out a helmet after any major fall/collision for it to maintain effectiveness. I originally had the pret helmet and it kept me very warm and safe!
Goggles (with lenses for varying light conditions). I have these Smith goggles, which is a super popular brand; it comes with two lens that you can easily pop on and off magnetically. I wear the black lens for sunny days and the chroma lens for white out/powder days.
Another thing that can happen during ski days is your goggles get fogged, i recommend buying cat crap lens cleaner anti fog to help reduce the steam inside your goggles and improve visiblity. I wish I had this in advance because I was desperate when I was skiing during a snowstorm and I couldn't see due to my goggles getting fogged; it was so bad I would take my goggles off even when it was snowing because I couldn't see anything. This was a lifesaver once I discovered it.
Essential Warm Clothing
Base Layers:
I use this merino wool icebreaker shirt and wear these merino wool pants every time under my waterproof ski pants. They don't sweat or smell since they're wool, so you can wear them everyday. I own one pair of each and have used them for the last 5 years. I use the shirts for hiking and running, too in cold weather too as a base layer.
Outerwear:
Waterproof and insulated ski jacket. This is dependent on what you're comfortable with. I've skied in Roxy and Billabong and Burton jackets and they've all been great. I currently have this jacket.
Waterproof and insulated ski pants. These are up to preference, but since I'm short, I actually took my burton ski bib to be tailored. I have some from Burton and I actually really like this cheaper brand from amazon for pants! They work well if you're petite and short like me.
Socks: Merino wool or synthetic ski socks (no cotton). Here's some affordable ones.
Gloves or Mittens: Waterproof and insulated. I have these Gor-tex Mittens from Dakine.
Neck Gaiter or Balaclava: For wind protection and warmth you can buy a hood balaclava that goes under your ski helmet; this is the one i have. I run hot, so I only wear this on snow/powder days or when temperatures are below 20 degrees.
Accessories
Ski Backpack (optional for snacks, water, extra layers, etc.). I have camelback that I use for short hikes and/or skiing for the day since you only need water.
Hand and Toe Warmers (disposable or rechargeable). I use rechargeable handwarmers since they're better for the environment!
Sunglasses (for sunny days off the slopes). I bring these for when we're eating lunch at the top of a mountain; the sun is no joke at higher elevations!
Gels and Liquid IV. Staying hydrated is super important to avoid altitude sickness! Take an energy gel if you plan to ski all day. I consistently burn thousands of calories when im skiing all day, so take these to refuel more easily. Drink liquid IV at the end of your ski day or the night before; I like these sugar-free ones from amazon.
Sunscreen! The most important item on the list. I am confident that living in Colorado for a few years ruined my skin and produced fine line wrinkles because even though I wore sunscreen, I didn't always reapply, and the high altitude and reflections from the white snow on sunny days is really damaging to your skin. I recommend bringing a suncreen stick for easy and quick application! I love the round lab sun stick and the beauty of joseon matte sun stick! If you're looking for on on amazon, I also use Biore UV but it's cheaper in Asia.
Lip Mask: Your lips get really dehydrated and burnt with all the sun and wind exposure. I use the Laneige lip sleeping mask to hydrate them and keep them protected during the day.
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