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10 Ski Areas in Colorado We Love for Hitting the Slopes This Winter

While we love winter hiking, our families also love to hit the slopes when fresh powder graces the Rocky Mountains.

We’ve put together our top ten list of skiing areas in Colorado with suggestions for snowy hikes and other fun winter activities nearby.

For each of the top ski towns in Colorado listed below, we tell you where to ski and snowboard, eat and drink, take a stroll down main street, go snow shoeing or hiking, head for awesome downhill winter tubing, go cross country skiing, and more.

Grab your ski goggles, helmet, mittens and sunscreen and let’s go!

2024 - 2025 List of Top Ski Towns in Colorado

These are listed in no particular order:

Buena Vista
Durango
Leadville
Crested Butte
Breckenridge
Dillon
Frisco
Steamboat Springs
Winter Park
Telluride
More Colorado Winter Activiites

Buena Vista

Buena Vista has been our all time favorite Colorado mountain town since the 1980s. While it’s changed some over the past three decades, it’s kept it’s small town charm.

Sitting on the banks of the Arkansas River, this valley town gets plenty of sunshine and is only 39 miles from Monarch Mountain or 43 miles from Leadville’s Ski Cooper (see below).

buena vista colorado main street — The view from The Trailhead out to Buena Vista’s Main Street and Mount Princeton

Monarch Mountain is also just twenty miles west of Salida, Colorado, on U.S. Highway 50. While a bit further, we personally prefer the super cozy small town vibe of Buena Vista over Salida.

This ski mountain situated on Monarch Pass gives you the awesome opportunity to ski from the ridge of the Continental Divide!

With 54 trails, terrain parks, and a winter tubing hill, this independent ski resort offers a lot of bang for your buck.

Families love skiing at Monarch Mountain near Buena Vista and Salida

Monarch is our family’s go-to for affordable, fun skiing and snowboarding. It’s also one of the best places for newbie skiers to learn the sport.

BONUS: The new West Mountain expansion is scheduled to open over Winter 2024.

In summer, Buena Vista is an outdoor adventure hub for mountain biking, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fishing, hiking and more. Plus, the best hot springs in Colorado are right there at Mount Princeton Hot Springs.

Eat and Drink: Crave or Eddyline Brewery

Stroll Down Main Street: Historic East Main Street and newer South Main Street

Hiking / Snow Shoeing: Check out all our Favorite Trails in Buena Vista and Salida.

Snow Tubing Hill: Head to Monarch Mountain or Ski Cooper in Leadville

Cross Country Skiing: Mount Massive Golf Course, great spot for beginners

Sleep Here: Explore Top Buena Vista House Rentals

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Durango

One of the top ski towns in Colorado, Durango is just 20 minutes from Purgatory - but you’ll find no suffering here!.

Purgarotry is Durango's biggest ski resort and one of the more affordable ski destinations.

Hit the pow in the best ski areas in Colorado

Aside from less expensive lift ticket prices, you will discover 99 trails, including 5 terrain parks, 88 trails and 12 lifts, including one six-person and one high speed quad lift.

Purgatory also boasts a big variety of activities for families like:

Ride the Inferno Mountain Coaster
Go alpine sliding
Drive the Million Dollar Highway and take an unforgettable hike
Explore nearby Mesa Verde National Park

Durango is fabulous for summer vacation too. Ride the train and experience Weminuche Wilderness on the historic Denver & Rio Grande Railway. Bike the Animas River Trail and so much more.

This hidden Colorado gem has lots to offer year round and is one of our favorite Colorado mountain towns.

Eat and Drink: Anarchy Brewing Co. or Carver Brewing Co.

Stroll Down Main Street: Head to Historic Main Avenue

Hiking / Snow Shoeing: Best Places to Snowshoe around Durango

Snow Tubing Hill: Head to Chapman Hill or Purgatory

Cross Country Skiing: Durango Nordic Center

Sleep Here: Top Durango Ski-Out Ski-In Rentals

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Leadville

Ski Cooper is Leadville’s 70 year old ski area ideal for beginners and families with five lifts spanning easier terrain.

Ski Cooper is great for skiing on a budget, making it one of our top ski towns in Colorado, especially for groups.

Snow hits this small ski area in mid-November and stays through mid-March at the least.

Sitting at 10,152 feet above sea level, Leadville is the highest town in North America.

In summer, climb two of Colorado’s fourteeners if you dare: Mt. Elbert (14,433’) and Mt. Massive (14,421’).

Year-round, visit the famous Melanzana store on historic Harrison Avenue for a colorful microgrid hoodie, sewn and sold only in this one local shop. Right now, you can only buy it in person with an appointment.

Hop on Leadville's famous Mineral Belt Trail, where you catch stunning views of the Sawatch mountains and remnants of 1880s silver mines. This paved 11.6 mile loop around town is the perfect trail for a family biking trip.

Folks love this historic mining town as a base for all kinds of outdoor fun like hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping and more.

Cross country skiing at Mount Massive Golf Course in Leadville

Eat and Drink: Try Two Mile Brewing, High Mountain Pies, and Otto’s Food Cart

Stroll Down Main Street: Head to Harrison Avenue in this historic mining town

Hiking / Snow Shoeing: The Best Winter Hikes and Snow Shoeing in Leadville

Snow Tubing Hill: Head to Dutch Henry Sledding Hill

Cross Country Skiing: Tennessee Pass Nordic Center or Mount Massive Golf Course

Sleep Here: Best Places to Stay to Ski Cooper

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Crested Butte

According to Elite Jetsetter, the ski town of Crested Butte offers some of America’s best extreme skiing:

“Crested Butte Ski Resort is a hidden gem in the Colorado's Elk Mountain Range in the Rocky Mountains. It's famous for one of America's highest and hardest ski resorts, so if you're looking for extreme skiing, it absolutely HAS to go on your USA skiing bucketlist!”

Elk Avenue in Crested Butte is full of colorful stores and restaurants.

Many of our military friends own the EPIC ski pass and tout Crested Butte Mountain Resort as their favorite place to take their friends and family for some of the best skiing and snowboarding.

Not only is it one of the most fun ski areas in Colorado, Crested Butte is in the top tier of most challenging ski resorts in North America. You’ll find plenty of easy slopes here too.

This mountain town offers unforgettable fun in summer too, with the most gorgeous wildflower hikes in the Rocky Mountains, 4X4 off road passes, fabulous camping, mountain biking, and more.

It’s easy to see why Crested Butte is one of the top ski towns in Colorado.

Eat and Drink: Irwin Brewing Co. or Secret Stash Pizza

Stroll Down Main Street: The heart of downtown is up and down colorful Elk Avenue.

Hiking / Snow Shoeing: Stunning Hikes with Views and Wildflowers / Crested Butte Nordic

Snow Tubing Hill: Head to one of these four Crested Butte sledding hills: Pyramid Sled Hill, Big Mine Hill, Crested Butte Community School, or Snodgrass Trailhead Hill.

Cross Country Skiing: Crested Butte Nordic

Sleep Here: Crested Butte Ski-In Ski-Out Rentals

Many of the ski areas in Colorado offer fabulous discounts for military families.

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Breckenridge

I skied Breckenridge a while back with extended family over Christmas break and it was lovely, no doubt. While pricier than other ski areas in Colorado, Breckenridge is a popular ski town for good reason.

Long known all over the world as one of the top ski towns in Colorado, Breck offers so many outdoorsy winter activities against a breath-taking Rocky mountain backdrop, even for the non-skier.

Walking around this charming town is a treat in and of itself and it’s easy to lose track of time. When you need a day off from skiing, just amble in and out of shops and people watch.

Touting 5 peaks, Breck suits all levels of riders and skiers, Breckenridge Ski Resort offers so many options for our mixed crew of skiers and snowboarders.

Year round, people from all over the world travel to Breck for hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, mountain biking, and more.

A classic favorite at Breck in summer, alpine sliding is an adrenaline inducing 2,600-foot-long track filled with twists and turns and straightaways. You must go!

Eat and Drink: Broken Compass Brewing Co. or Downstairs at Eric’s

Stroll Down Main Street: Head to, you guessed it, Main Street in Breckenridge

Hiking / Snow Shoeing: Mayflower Lake in Breckenridge and other hikes

Snow Tubing Hill: We loved Carter Park for super-fun, free, family-friendly sledding. The new Runway Sledding Hill on Fraction Drive is also free and located near the free parking lot on Airport Road.

Cross Country Skiing: Breckenridge Nordic Center

Sleep Here: Best Ski-In Ski-Out Rentals in Breckenridge

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Dillon

I first visited Dillon as a teenager and have loved this Colorado ski town ever since.

Arapahoe Basin (aka A-Basin) in Dillon is an excellent ski resort that provides 145 runs for skiing and snowboarding. We spent New Year’s Eve here recently with my sister’s family and had a blast!

A-Basin is a good place for beginner skiers and snow boarders to begin. Note: from here, you’re not far from Copper Mountain, so if you have great options for a multi-day ski trip.

A Basin is found in the Arapaho National Forest of Colorado and is known statewide for its uber long ski season making one of the more desirable ski ares in Colorado for families.

This ski resort in Dillon often stays open until early June, and sometimes into early July, whereas most other ski areas close by early April.

Dillon is picturesque in every season. One of Melody’s favorite Colorado campgrounds is found here, overlooking Dillon Reservoir, one of Colorado’s largest manmade lakes. Plus, Frisco is just 15 minutes away by car.

There are so many Unique and Fun Things to Do in Dillon, Colorado. Top of the list include Sapphire Point Overlook, renting a boat, kayaks or stand up paddle board for Lake Dillon, or visit the Dillon Schoolhouse Museum. We’d love to try the Via Ferrata!

Eat and Drink: Try Pug Ryan’s Brewery, Arapahoe Cafe & Pub or Tiki Bar at Lake Dillon Marina

Hiking / Snow Shoeing: Best Places to Snowshoe around Durango

Snow Tubing Hill: Head to Frisco Adventure Park, Dillon Town Park hill, or drive to nearby Silverthorne’s Rainbow Park

Cross Country Skiing: Frisco Nordic Center

Sleep Here: Best Places to Stay in Dillon

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Frisco

Affectionately called by many the “Main Street of the Rockies”, Frisco is one of the top ski towns in Colorado along I-70.

This ski town is also an ideal place for beginner skiing in Colorado. Our family has loved skiing and snowboarding at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Frisco, and so has Melody’s.

Skiing at Copper Mountain in Frisco, one of our favorite Colorado ski towns

With 140 marked trails, some beginning as high as 12,300 feet, you can ski and ride here for days. For a bit more mellow winter activity, go winter tubing at the Frisco Adventure Park.

In summer, the Frisco Adventure Park also offers biking trails, a great disc golf course, skatepark, and bike park.

Frisco is right by Dillon Reservoir and enveloped by public lands, you can head out on kayaks or paddleboards, go hiking, fishing, golfing, play a round of disc golf, and more.

Eat and Drink: Highside Brewing (live music and incredible BBQ!) or Outer Range Brewing Co.

Stroll Down Main Street: The heart of the town of Frisco is East Main Street

Hiking / Snow Shoeing: Head to these public trails: Rainbow Lake, Lily Pad Lake, Peaks Trail, Miners Creek Road and more.

Snow Tubing Hill: Frisco Adventure Park

Cross Country Skiing: Frisco Nordic Center

Sleep Here: Close to Frisco, this exceptional condo overlooks Lake Dillon

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Covered gondola at Copper Mountain Ski Resort

Steamboat Springs

Internationally known Steamboat Springs pumps out Olympic skiers and helps put it on the map as an unforgettable Colorado ski town three hours northwest of Denver.

Steamboat Springs also is one of my all time favorite mountain towns because there are so many things to do here year round.

Hit the slopes at Steamboat Ski Resort, then head to Strawberry Hot Springs or Old Town Hot Springs for a relaxing soak in a natural geothermal pool.

Cap off the day with a local beer near the Yampa River.

In summer, embark on one of many favorite Colorado trails for a wildflower paradise in the Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests. Go tubing down the Yampa River or head out fishing.

Pearl Lake State Park and Steamboat Springs State Park are great for camping and getting on the water too.

PRO TIP: Be sure to drive Rabbits Ears Pass on the way to or from Steamboat Springs, a scenic byway in the Rocky Mountains that can’t be missed.

Eat and Drink: Our go-to is Storm Peak Brewing Co. paired with How Ya Doin Pizza next door

Stroll Down Main Street: Head to historic Lincoln Avenue for local shops and excellent restaurants

Hiking / Snow Shoeing: Check out Uranium Mine, Fish Creek Falls and consider our favorite Steamboat Springs Hikes with Hot Springs Nearby.

Add the iconic Zirkel Circle just outside Steamboat to your hiking bucket list — you’ll love this loop trail!

Snow Tubing Hill: Head to Saddleback Ranch's Yee-Haw Tubing Hill

Cross Country Skiing: Haymaker Nordic Center or Steamboat Ski Touring Center

Sleep Here: Best Ski-In Ski-Out Vacation Rentals in Steamboat

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Winter Park, Fraser, and Granby

One of the ski areas in Colorado, Winter Park opened in 1940 and holds a special place in my heart since I learned to ski here with my father in the late 1980s.

Winter Park and Mary Jane is a two-for-one and one of our favorite ski areas in Colorado

I chose to lump Winter Park, Fraser, and Granby together here because they are strung along just minutes apart from each other along US 40 Hwy. All of these Colorado mountain towns put you in the center of great skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and more.

If you want more ski runs to choose from, stay in Winter Park. If you want closer access to Rocky Mountain National Park, stay in Granby.

Ski Winter Park / Mary Jane, two interconnected resorts. Winter Park offers 167 runs, many of them intermediate and advanced, while Mary Jane is known for spectacular tree skiing and riding.

For family friendly, affordable, beginner-friendly skiing, head to Granby Ranch. From Granby you are only 20 minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park.

In the summer, explore more adventures, like alpine sliding in Winter Park or take a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. This is also a mecca for mountain biking, fishing and more.

Eat and Drink: Never Summer Brewing, Pearl Dragon Restaurant, and Brickhouse 40

Stroll Down Main Street: Head to Cooper Creek Square — Winter Park's only outdoor dining and shopping area. US Hwy 40 runs through all 3 towns of Winter Park, Fraser, and Granby.

You will find lots of restaurants along US 40 in Winter Park

Hiking / Snow Shoeing: Try Monarch Lake Trail (we loved it in summer!) or head to Granby Ranch or Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center

Snow Tubing Hill: Head to Fraser Colorado Adventure Park or the Fraser Tubing Hill. Granby Ranch, Snow Mountain Ranch/YMCA of the Rockies and the Coco Cola Tubing Hill are great too!

Cross Country Skiing: Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center or Devil's Thumb Ranch Adventure Center

Sleep Here: Top Ski-In Ski-Out Places in Winter Park

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Telluride

Internationally known for some of the best skiing in Colorado, Telluride reminds me of skiing the Alps with its jagged mountains and extreme slopes.

With jaw-dropping views of the San Juan Mountains, Telluride is more ideal for experienced skiers and snowboard riders due it’s challenging terrain and steep runs.

Telluride is close to Ridgway, Ouray, and Silverton on the famous Million Dollar Highway.

We love riding the free gondola down into Telluride, one of the prettiest and coolest skiing areas in Colorado.

PRO TIP: Telluride is a long drive from Denver, but Montrose and Telluride offer connections via their regional airports. In summer, we loved this Southwest Colorado Road Trip, connecting Telluride with Ouray and Silverton on the Million Dollar Highway.

Summer things to do near Telluride include the Kroger Via Ferrata, hiking to waterfalls, ride the free gondola for stunning, sweeping views, explore old mining towns, or take a day trip to Mesa Verde.

Eat and Drink: Delicious burgers and brews at Smuggler’s Union Restaurant and Brewery. Or try Brown Dog Pizza or High Pie Pizzeria & Tap Room.

Stroll Downtown: Colorado Avenue is the ultimate postcard setting in downtown Telluride.

Hiking / Snow Shoeing: Snow shoeing, snow biking and winter hiking on designated multi-use trails on the valley floor of Telluride — visit Telluride Nordic Association website. In summer, here’s our favorite Hiking Near the Million Dollar Highway.

Snow Tubing Hill: Head to the south side of Town Park for sledding down Firecracker Hill.

Cross Country Skiing: The Telluride Nordic Association maintains and grooms trails at Priest Lake, Trout Lake and the River Trail between Silver Pick Road and Deep Creek.

Sleep Here: Top Telluride Ski-In Ski-Out Vacation Rentals