When you think of Colorado you probably think of skiing.  Well, that makes perfect sense.  Colorado is the top skiing destination in North America. There are 28 ski resorts and hundreds of miles of terrain for all different skill levels. 

Also, make sure to check out the Colorado Trail Explorer which can help you navigate your route!

Still not sure that there is not enough terrain here for you to explore?  Did you know that Colorado has  42 Colorado state parks, 13 national forests, 13 national parks and monuments, and 58 14ers!  WHAT??????

🎿Let’s take a look at the top 10 epic ski towns in Colorado🎿

Breckenridge

Ski Breckenridge on 2,908 acres of skiable terrain, 187 trails, 34 lifts, and 3,398 feet of vertical drop. The skiing is amazing, but there is so much more to Breckenridge.  After spending the day on snow-covered trails head downtown for some great, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, live music, and nightlife shopping. 

Aspen

Aspen is truly a magical winter wonderland. Four skiable locations, Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk surround Aspen. Tucked in the southeastern end of the Roaring Fork Valley, a lush wintry sanctuary awaits on 5,285 combined acres, offering eight terrain parks, four half-pipes, 336 trails, and 46 lifts. Enjoy breathtaking mountain vistas from the small town filled with an abundance of high-end restaurants and boutiques.

Crested Butte

Charming is the perfect word to describe Crested Butte.  The streets are lined with brightly-colored homes  The slopes of Crested Butte Mountain Resort offer 1,547 acres of skiable terrain serviced by 15 lifts. Sitting high up in the mountains, the resort offers 121 trails and 3,062 feet of vertical drop. Crested Butte is one spot also known for their winter festivals.

Vail

Coveted as one of the largest ski resorts in the world, The Vail Ski Resort features 5,317 acres of skiable terrain, 195 trails, 31 lifts, and 53% expert terrain. The resort is known by many as the “king of ski resorts” in Colorado. There are a ton of hotels in this area and a variety of downtown attractions.

Telluride

Telluride is full of old mountain-town charm and the views are incredible.   Located in Southwest Colorado, this historic mining town is not to be missed.  Upon your arrival, you’ll be greeted with incredible views of the San Juan Mountains. There are more than 2,000 acres of skiable terrain with 17 lifts and 148 trails.  There is so much to do here if you love the outdoors in the winter months,  including ice climbing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snow biking, heli-skiing, and so much more.

Silverton

Located in the mountains is a small and secluded town called Silverton.  Silverton Mountain Ski Area is home to some of the most extreme backcountry terrain in the state. There are  1,819 acres of steep terrain.  Please note this is for advanced and expert riders ONLY. But wait. You can explore 22,000 additional acres of terrain that is accessed by foot or helicopter.  Crazy right?

Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs is nestled in the northwest corner of the state, in fact, Steamboat is the northwesternmost resort town in Colorado!  This area is known for its trademark ski powder.  Officially named “champagne powder,” the snow is a light, fluffy powder that skiers dream of. This resort offers 50 skiable acres of terrain and is the oldest continuously operated ski area in the state.  Many ski locations in Colorado sit at 9,000 ft above sea level.  Steamboat Springs sits at  6,700 feet above sea level. The transition is much easier for those not used to high altitudes– which means you can hit the slopes as soon as you arrive.

Winter Park

Winter Park is 67 miles from the Denver Metro Area making it a perfect quick getaway for many.  It is Colorado’s longest continually operated ski resort and features over 3000 acres of award-winning terrain. Winterpark has a wonderful downtown area that many like to visit after spending a day on the slopes. This area was Originally built by the city of Denver as a “winter park” for its residents.  The ski area is known for being a very family-friendly resort and has terrain for all ability types. Winter Park contains over 3,000 skiable acres and is the perfect getaway for many!

Salida

 Salida offers 800 skiable acres and it is more of a hidden gem.  It’s located 20 minutes from the town of Salida and if you want to miss the crowds, come visit Monarch Mountain.  There are a great variety of activities here in Salida.  Originally formed in the 1880s, there are plenty of things to do off the mountain when you visit the downtown area. There are art galleries, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, coffee shops, and places for dessert.  This is one town worth a visit!

Durango

Located in the San Juan Mountains, skiers love the light powder caused by a combination of the elevation and weather patterns from the warmer, desert areas of eastern Utah.  Durango is every ski lover’s dream.  There are 3 ski resorts lying within a 30-minute drive of Downtown Durango that has 150 groomed trails and 3,000 acres of terrain.  Durango offers incredible locations for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Durango has a fabulous restaurant and bar scene offering great nightlife.