Colorful Colorado, land of the Rockies. Where else could be better to look for your next skiing adventure? Especially one that won’t break the bank!
When planning your trip to Colorado, keep in mind that if you are coming from areas of lower elevation, you may need a day or two to acclimate. Avoid altitude sickness on the slopes, and remember to drink plenty of water!
Colorado is full of ski resorts that offer a variety of packages depending on you and your family’s specific needs. Check out the options below, and plan your next winter vacation right.
Bring your skis and take a ride up to Monarch Mountain
Located just west of Salida, Colorado, Monarch Mountain is home to Monarch Ski and Snowboard Resort, a hidden gem in the Colorado ski resort circuit.
The resort offers a number of affordable packages that include hotel stay in beautiful, historic Salida, lift tickets, equipment rentals, and lessons for those new to the powder range.
Monarch Ski and Snowboard Resort are off the beaten path (meaning not in the Front Range), but it is worth the drive and the stay. Colorado has a lot to offer in terms of sights and skiing, and most of that is away from the busy streets of Denver.
How about a drive through the mountains west of Denver to Winter Park Ski Resort?
A little over 60 miles west of central Denver lies Winter Park Ski Resort on the far side of this northern section of the Ricky Mountains. You can choose to stay at the resort itself, or stay in Denver and take the drive out when you are ready to hit the slopes.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the resort offers a variety of shops and restaurants, dog sled tours, sleigh rides, Snowcat tours, and a fully equipped spa.
Lodging options range from the pricier five-star lodges to more affordable personal cabins, local inns, and smaller ski lodges. This way, everyone can find the option that best fits their budget and their tastes.
Experience skiing with desert views at Powderhorn Mountain Resort
In the western part of the state, Powderhorn Mountain Resort lays nestled next to the Grand Mesa, about 50 miles outside of Grand Junction. The area sports the usual Colorado scenery mixed with the rockier, desert-like scenery of nearby Utah.
Powderhorn Mountain Resort offers a variety of its own lodging options right on the mountain with affordable rates and the option of “pre-booking” which will drop your cost even further.
The resort also partners with local communities to offer deals on hotels and inns that will allow you and your family to experience the wider beauty of the region as you prepare for your skiing adventure.
To make your stay even better and more affordable, Powderhorn Mountain Resort offers a number of rentals, lodging, lessons, food, and more every season. The goal is to get out and enjoy the slopes without worrying over your wallet, and Powderhorn is here to make that happen.
Cooper Ski Resort: Small, which means cozy and affordable
Avoid the long lines at the big name, high dollar ski resorts and check out Ski Cooper near Leadville, Colorado.
With a Ski Cooper season pass, you can enjoy all the benefits of the resort (food, gifts, rentals, lessons, and so on) AND receive three FREE days of skiing at one of Cooper’s partner resorts, which are located throughout the Four Corners region and in several locations across the nation (including Alaska)!
The beautiful part of skiing at Cooper is the skiing itself: as a higher elevation area, Leadville and its surrounding region receive a higher degree of snowfall that stays longer, dryer, and lighter than snow elsewhere (especially compared to the Front Range).
Ready for a trip over the passes to visit Arapahoe Basin?
Considered one of the best slopes to challenge the powerhouse resorts like Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin requires a bit of a drive to reach, but the drive and the destination are more than worth the effort.
Affectionately known as A-Basin by locals, this resort offers a number of different ski pass deals that will fit the budget of nearly any avid slope chaser. Only staying for a few days? They have you covered. Want to stay a little longer? No problem.
Lodging options range from hotels at the base of the mountain to higher quality lodges that offer even more activities for you and your family off the slopes. Whatever you are looking for, A-Basin can provide without burning a hole in your wallet.
Looking for something more family-friendly? Why not try Granby Ranch?
Northwest of central Denver sits Granby Ranch Resort where family-friendly and excellent powder goes hand-in-hand.
Granby Ranch offers ski passes and tickets at ridiculously low prices with the guarantee of an adventure that the whole family is not likely to forget. More skilled skiers can bring their kids to learn in this safe and exciting environment.
The resort itself offers cabins, condos, townhomes, or luxury homes to meet everyone’s aesthetic and budget goals. Since each lodging option is privately owned, you will never have the same experience twice staying at Granby Ranch.
Sunlight Mountain Resort is waiting for you in beautiful Glenwood Springs
Along west I-70 sits Glenwood Springs, known for its natural beauty and, of course, its local hot springs. But the area is also known for its affordable, and gorgeous skiing options at Sunlight Mountain Resort.
Families will enjoy the resort’s “Ski, Swim, Stay!” package, which involves an all-inclusive three day stay with access to the slopes, the hot springs, and the resort’s luxury lodging. Plus, kids 12 and under ski free!
Sunlight Mountain Resort also offers a season pass that includes unlimited skiing and hot springs access if you plan on staying for the winter. No matter what you are looking for, Glenwood Springs has the affordable and fun answer.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to skiing in Colorado, the affordable options are just as enthralling and worthwhile as the big-name resorts.
Don’t let yourself get suckered into the limelight of overpriced resorts; do your research and find the skiing option that works best for you and your family, doesn’t break the bank and gives you a fuller, more appreciative understanding of this beautiful, colorful state.
