My Favorite Ski Resorts in Colorado

There are nearly 500 different ski locations in the United States (source: Statista). You can climb the immense Rocky Mountains or bring the family to smaller ranges in New England.

There are ski lifts on active volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest and world-class skiing within a few hours of major metropolitan centers of San Francisco and California.

The sheer number of resorts where you can ski might seem staggering, but here I am going to share two of my favorite ski resorts in Colorado to help you narrow it down if it's the first time for you to visit the town.

I would always suggest visiting multiple resorts so you can see which one is your favorite, but the two listed below provide some of the best skiing you will find anywhere in the country and even the world.

Vail Ski Resort

Vail is perhaps the best skiing destination in Colorado that makes this list for a good reason. It's rated as the King of American Ski Resorts by Forbes. This resort has over 5,000 acres of skiable terrain that is varied and expansive, making it a great destination for any family or serious skiers.

Vail sits right off of a major interstate under two hours from Denver International Airport which makes it another easy to access, high-end skiing location. At the base of the ski slopes, you will find Vail Village for many of your lodging and dining needs.

With its cobblestone streets and quaint yet classy vibe, the village is a great spot to enjoy an Après ski snack or catch some nightly entertainment.

A favorite spot to ski is in Blue Sky Basin and also be sure to catch a chair to the top of one of the resort’s legendary back bowls. Vail provides great skiing to skiers of any ability at an easy to access location in the Rocky Mountains.

Aspen Snowmass and Highlands Ski Resorts

Aspen is a famous ski town that attracts fame and fortune from around the globe. Don’t let the glitz and glamour of the area distract you from the fact that there are some seriously phenomenal skiing a few steps away from downtown.

Aspen is a mining town turned ski town turned world-class destination resort and the biggest allure (aside from gold in the hills and celebrities on the streets) is the snow. The town of Aspen sits at the head of the Roaring Fork Valley and there are actually four different resorts to ski within a few miles of one another that make this a favorite skiing destination.

From the lively streets of the town, you can catch the gondola and head up to the top of Aspen Mountain. This in-town resort is known as Ajax by the locals and has some great skiing overlooking the valley below.

For beginner skiers and family-friendly options, you will want to take the short trip to Snowmass where there are runs for skiers of every ability. Make sure you get the right gear protection for yourself and your family to avoid any injuries, as skiing can be a bit dangerous if you are new to this snow sport.

Advanced skiers will love Aspen Highlands which sits across the river from town and provides technical and challenging ski runs with hike-to access to the famous Highlands Bowl. Buttermilk Mountain has a fantastic terrain park that hosts the X-games every winter.

That's all what I wanted to share about ski resorts in Colorado. I'm sure there are also other places worth visiting if you love to ski. Every resort is a little different and will have elements that appeal to skiers of all levels. The best way is to visit these resorts by yourself but more importantly, get out there, go ski, and have fun.