One night you're twirling the last bite of cacio e pepe at a Michelin-recognized restaurant as a jazz band eases into their first set. The next morning, you're squinting at a bluebird sky with the whoosh of fresh powder under your skis.
This is the official case for making Denver your basecamp for skiing Colorado's mountains. If you're arriving from sea level, a couple of days at a mile high can make all the difference before you head up to higher elevation. It's also the perfect excuse to work through your Denver bucket list first: catch a Broadway show at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, wander museums full of masterpieces and pick up last-minute gear or rentals for less than you'd spend at the resort.
Once you're ready, here's the full list of ski resorts near Denver, listed from closest to farthest, so you can start dreaming up your next ski trip.
Drive Times
Please note: Drive times and distances are approximate and can be heavily impacted by weather, traffic and road closures. In the winter, four-wheel-drive vehicles or chains are needed to drive into the mountains.
Echo Mountain
Distance From Denver: 36 miles (58 km)
Nearest Town: Idaho Springs
Laid-back, no-frills and affordable, Echo Mountain is the closest ski area to Denver, so you’ll often find locals chasing light here after work for a quick half-day of carving powder. It’s one of the few places in Colorado that illuminates its runs for night skiing.
Best for: Quick or half-day trips, beginners, budget-conscious skiers, night skiing and families looking for the closest lift-served option
Eldora
Distance From Denver: 50 miles (80 km)
Nearest Town: Nederland
Known for its unpretentious, low-key atmosphere, this smaller resort is easy to access and Boulder’s backyard playground. Eldora’s mix of groomers, glades and terrain parks packs surprising variety into a compact footprint. And its world-class Nordic center has almost 20 miles of hushed, pine-lined trails for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing.
Best for: Avoiding the busy interstate highway I-70, Boulder-area access, intermediate skiers, terrain-park lovers, families and mixed groups that want downhill plus Nordic options
Loveland Ski Area
Distance From Denver: 56 miles (90 km)
Nearest Town: Georgetown
Perched right on the Continental Divide with a base elevation of 10,800 feet, Loveland Ski Area is typically one of the first resorts to open and last to close for the season. Skip the tunnel traffic for lighter crowds and a “purist,” indie culture. Advanced skiers can catch a ride on a “snowcat” — a large, tracked snow vehicle — that takes riders up the mountain to expert terrain.
Best for: No-frills facilities, early-season snow, snowcat skiing, budget-friendly day trips, beginners at Loveland Valley and advanced skiers seeking high-alpine terrain
Winter Park Resort and the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD)
Distance From Denver: 67 miles (108 km)
Nearest Town: Winter Park
Skip driving entirely and board the Winter Park Express ski train directly from Denver Union Station, watching snowy pine forests whoosh by before stepping right onto the mountain. As Colorado’s longest-running large ski resort, it is distinctly split into two parts: wide, welcoming, family-friendly groomers on the Winter Park side, and world-famous, massive mogul runs and tree skiing on the Mary Jane side. It's also home to the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD), a global leader in adaptive snow sports.
Best for: Families on the Winter Park side, rugged and exciting expert terrain on the Mary Jane side, skiers who want a full-service resort close to Denver and travelers interested in skipping the rental car
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Distance From Denver: 68 miles (109 km)
Nearest Town: Keystone
Affectionately dubbed “A-Basin” by locals, Arapahoe Basin has some of the highest skiable terrain in Colorado and prides itself on being the first to open and last to close for the season. Conquer the extreme, hike-to terrain of the East Wall, then unwind at “The Beach” — the resort’s festive and chill tailgating scene in the parking lot.
Best for: Advanced skiers, steep terrain, long seasons, spring skiing and a classic local-mountain atmosphere
Keystone Resort
Distance from downtown Denver: 75 miles (121 km)
Nearest Town: Keystone
Spanning three distinct peaks, Keystone welcomes families by being one of the most affordable resorts in the state and having a walkable village with lodging, dining and activities close together. Ideal for beginners, it even has a magical mountaintop “snow fort” — the world’s largest — that will put stars in the kiddos’ eyes as they crawl through ice tunnels and play in the powder. But a wide range of terrain will keep more advanced skiers challenged, too.
Best for: Families, beginner-to-intermediate groups, night skiing, terrain parks, convenient Summit County lodging, tree skiing and early-season skiing
Breckenridge Ski Resort
Distance from downtown Denver: 80 miles (129 km)
Nearest Town: Breckenridge
Arguably one of the most famous resorts in Colorado, Breckenridge’s massive, snowy footprint spreads across five distinct peaks and towers above a vibrant, Victorian-era mining town beloved for its nightlife. Ride the Imperial Express — the highest chairlift in North America at 12,840 feet — before descending into town for everything après-ski.
Best for: Wide variety of terrain, lively après-ski scene, historic-town atmosphere, group trips and destination weekends close to Denver
Copper Mountain
Distance from downtown Denver: 80 miles (129 km)
Nearest Town: Frisco
Copper Mountain is laid out with beginner runs to the west, intermediate in the middle and expert runs to the east, meaning skiers of different levels rarely cross paths (and you won’t go accidentally charging down a black diamond!). Meanwhile, terrain-park enthusiasts can test new tricks at the famous Woodward Copper indoor action sports facility.
Best for: Mixed-ability groups, naturally separated terrain, terrain parks and Summit County ski weekends
Granby Ranch
Distance from downtown Denver: 86 miles (136 km)
Nearest Town: Granby
Designed specifically for beginners and young families, it’s easy-skiing at Granby, an intimate, community resort. All trails funnel down to a single base area, making it impossible to get lost. Enjoy quiet, uncrowded slopes where you can hear the crunch of corduroy under your skis.
Best for: Beginner and family-friendly skiing, shorter lines, low-key mountain days, first-timers and travelers staying near Grand County
Vail Ski Resort
Distance from downtown Denver: 97 miles (156 km)
Nearest Town: Vail
At 5,317 acres, Vail is one of the largest single-mountain ski resorts in the country, known for its seemingly endless “Legendary Back Bowls” — seven colossal, treeless expanses of pure powder. When you’re done floating through the bowls, wander through the cobblestone streets of this Bavarian-style village for après-ski.
Best for: Destination ski trips, vast terrain, back bowls, upscale lodging and dining, and skiers who want a polished resort experience
Ski Cooper
Distance From Denver: 100 miles (161 km)
Nearest Town: Leadville
Not to be confused with Copper Mountain (above), Ski Cooper is where to go if you want a chill, uncrowded mountain day. This affordable gem relies entirely on 100% natural snow (no snowmaking) and has mellow terrain, cheap lift tickets and minimal lines. It’s just outside of Leadville, the highest incorporated city in the U.S. and one that retains its Victorian-era, mining-town charm.
Best for: Affordable skiing, families, relaxed crowds, beginner-to-intermediate terrain, old-school Colorado ski-area character and a unique, historic small town to explore nearby
Beaver Creek Resort
Distance From Denver: 109 miles (175 km)
Nearest Town: Beaver Creek
Living up to its “Not exactly roughing it” tagline, Beaver Creek is arguably one of the top high-end resorts for beginners, intermediates and families in Colorado. It’s famous for meticulous grooming and attention to detail, like staff handing out free, freshly baked, ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookies at the base of the mountain every afternoon.
Best for: Luxury ski weekends, families, groomers, ski school, refined villages and travelers looking for a quieter alternative to Vail
Monarch Mountain
Distance From Denver: 150 miles (241 km)
Nearest Town: Salida
Slower-paced and local, Monarch sits right on the Continental Divide, receiving massive dumps of light, fresh snow. Runs might be shorter than the other big resorts, but the relaxed, local atmosphere is hard to beat. All runs lead back to the lodge, making it a comfortable place for beginners who don’t want to get lost on the mountain.
Best for: Natural snow, laid-back skiing, affordability, families and travelers heading toward Salida or central Colorado
Howelsen Hill Ski Area
Distance From Denver: 157 miles (253 km)
Nearest Town: Steamboat Springs
Crackling with community spirit and history, Colorado’s oldest continuously operating ski area sits right in downtown Steamboat Springs. Howelsen serves as an Olympic training ground, famous home to the largest natural ski-jumping complex in North America. Catch athletes flying through the air, bop around just 50 skiable acres of alpine terrain and take advantage of the free skiing on Sundays.
Best for: Historic ski-area charm, ski jumping heritage, affordable community skiing and families visiting Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Ski Resort
Distance From Denver: 157 miles (253 km)
Nearest Town: Steamboat Springs
Rooted deeply in Western cowboy heritage, Steamboat Ski Resort is known for its exceptionally dry, light snow, which has even been trademarked, Champagne Powder®. Lose yourself in powdery, perfectly spaced tree skiing (glade skiing), followed by a walk on the Wild West side in town afterward.
Best for: Destination weekends, tree skiing, families, Western-town atmosphere, skiers chasing Steamboat’s Champagne Powder® reputation and night skiing
Sunlight Mountain Resort
Distance From Denver: 160 miles (257 km)
Nearest Town: Glenwood Springs
As Glenwood Springs' local hill, a day at Sunlight Mountain Resort isn’t complete without a trip to the hot springs to soak your tired bones. Sunlight gives a wallet-friendly escape with a variety of terrain difficulties, plus a well-known, curiously steep pitch called “The Heathen.”
Best for: Affordable family trips, Glenwood Springs getaways, hot-springs pairings and beginner-to-intermediate skiing
Aspen Mountain
Distance From Denver: 198 miles (319 km)
Nearest Town: Aspen
Rising sharply out of downtown Aspen, Aspen Mountain (or Ajax, as the locals call it) pulls no punches. Beginners beware: No green runs can be found here. Instead, you can carve down steep groomers and legendary mogul runs before returning to luxurious lodging, shopping and après-ski back in town.
Best for: Advanced skiers, iconic scenery, steep groomers, luxury lodging, dining and car-free town access
Buttermilk Ski Area
Distance From Denver: 200 miles (322 km)
Nearest Town: Aspen
Despite its fame as the home of the X Games since 2002, Buttermilk is actually Aspen’s most beginner- and family-friendly mountain, with gentle, rolling terrain that rarely gets crowded.
Best for: Beginners, families, ski school, terrain parks, X Games and travelers who want Aspen access with gentler slopes
Aspen Highlands
Distance From Denver: 200 miles (322 km)
Nearest Town: Aspen
Out of the Aspen mountain resorts, Highlands is known for being one of the steepest, with 40-plus-degree stretches on intense pitches. Strap your skis to your back and make the grueling, 45-minute boot-pack trek up the Highland Bowl to be rewarded with some of the most dramatic in-bounds big-mountain skiing in North America.
Best for: Expert terrain, Highlands Bowl, advanced skiers, Aspen destination trips and dramatic mountain views
Snowmass
Distance From Denver: 201 miles (323 km)
Nearest Town: Aspen
Larger than the other three Aspen mountains combined, Snowmass is a sprawling, family-friendly giant. Outside of Aspen’s downtown bustle, Snowmass tends to be a bit quieter and more resort-focused with seemingly endless intermediate cruisers.
Best for: Families, long cruising runs, ski-in/ski-out lodging, varied terrain and full-service Aspen Snowmass vacations
Powderhorn Mountain Resort
Distance From Denver: 230 miles (370 km)
Nearest Town: Mesa
Blissfully uncrowded, Powderhorn perches on the edge of the Grand Mesa (the largest flat-topped mountain in the world) in Western Colorado. This smaller resort has just two lifts, hardly any lines and raved-about powder glade skiing opportunities. It pairs perfectly with a visit to the nearby wine countryside of Palisade.
Best for: Western Slope trips, uncrowded trails, families, tree skiing and travelers pairing skiing with Grand Junction or Palisade
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Distance From Denver: 230 miles (370 km)
Nearest Town: Crested Butte
Crested Butte is a magnetic mix of beautiful in-bounds terrain with a quirky, unpretentious community. Here, you’ll find some of the most technical skiing in the country. The Rambo run holds the title of the steepest lift-serviced, tree-cut in-bounds run in North America. But there’s plenty of terrain for everyone here, too.
Best for: Expert terrain, adventurous skiers, charming mountain-town atmosphere and destination trips away from the I-70 corridor
Wolf Creek Ski Area
Distance From Denver: 250 miles (402 km)
Nearest Town: Pagosa Springs
Wolf Creek holds one of the most coveted titles in the state: “The most snow in Colorado.” This isolated, budget-friendly, independently owned resort is a mandatory destination for powder hounds chasing deep, natural snowstorms.
Best for: Deep natural snow, powder days, affordability, families, and travelers visiting Pagosa Springs or South Fork
Telluride Ski Resort
Distance From Denver: 330 miles (531 km)
Nearest Town: Telluride
The breathtaking, Alps-like scenery in Telluride’s remote box canyon cannot be matched anywhere else in the state. Advanced skiers will revel in the severe, plunging terrain. A free gondola connects the slopes of Mountain Village to the historic Victorian mining town at the base of the resort.
Best for: Destination ski vacations, dramatic scenery, advanced terrain, luxury lodging and travelers seeking one of Colorado’s most scenic mountain towns
Purgatory Resort
Distance From Denver: 350 miles (563 km)
Nearest Town: Durango
Tucked into the toothy San Juan Mountains, Purgatory is famous for natural benches, rollers and dips that give your legs a brief rest between runs. Well-maintained, wide cruiser trails are ideal for beginners and intermediates, and steeper hidden glades and technical tree runs will entice advanced skiers.
Best for: Durango-area ski trips, families, scenic Southwest Colorado vacations and intermediate skiers
Silverton Mountain
Distance From Denver: 370 miles (595 km)
Nearest Town: Silverton
One chairlift. Zero groomed runs. This rugged, expert-only, big-mountain mecca requires all skiers to carry avalanche gear (beacon, shovel and probe). For most of the season, you can only ski Silverton with a guide. This is pure big-mountain extreme skiing.
Best for: Expert-only terrain, guided big-mountain skiing, avalanche-aware skiers and serious powder hunters