By Joe Fletcher
Colorado is perhaps the most recognized skiing and snowboarding state in the country. With the Rocky Mountains running right through the heart of the state, it's not a surprise that there are so many ski
resorts in close proximity. With limited time and money for ski
vacations, every skier and rider wants a simple take on which
resort is best. Terms like "magnificent" and "best" are subjective, however, and everyone has a different idea of what makes a ski resort great. Instead of a straight list of resorts, find the quality that you deem most important and choose from a subset of Colorado resorts that do it the best.
Snow
No one likes to spend hundreds or thousands on a ski vacation only to ride hard ice or heavy slush. Colorado is known for having reliable, quality snow at most of its resorts, but a few are better bets than others. There are never any guarantees when it comes to snow or weather conditions, but you're likely to find a quality base and powder morning or two at these locations.
Steamboat--Having coined the term "Champagne Powder," Steamboat is known for its deep, dry powder. It averages about 330 inches a year.
Wolf Creek--Humble Wolf Creek, tucked away in the southwestern part of the state, receives more snowfall than any other Colorado resort, averaging more than 450 inches per year.
Arapahoe Basin and Loveland--These resorts, within a short drive of Denver, both tower above 13,000 feet, meaning that snowfall is more abundant than in lower mountains. These are two of the best options in Colorado, if not the entire United States, for early- and late-season skiing. They average 350 and 400 inches of snow, respectively.
Silverton--Take an impressive annual snowfall average of 400 inches per year, add in a lack of designated ski runs and factor in limits on the number of visitors allowed per day, and you have the perfect recipe for untracked lines.
Expert Terrain
Any resort can provide a ski school or nice groomers, but only a select few have terrain challenging enough to sink the stomachs of even the most dedicated riders. The best options for challenging double black diamond terrain are Crested Butte, Silverton, Telluride, Arapahoe Basin and Aspen Highlands.
Life After Skiing
All Colorado ski resorts will provide memorable skiing and breathtaking mountain scenery, but not all offer the full resort experience. If you're traveling with non-skiers or would simply like to have a more comprehensive vacation than skiing, eating, sleeping, repeat, then consider any of these resorts. They offer a good village or town complete with many dining options, shopping and other activities. The skiing is pretty good, too. They are Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, Steamboat, Crested Butte and Telluride.
Family
If you've left the days of road-tripping with buddies and camping in ski parking lots in the past, and instead want to find a place the whole family can enjoy, consider the following resorts. These resorts offer excellent learning facilities, varied terrain and activities for children: Snowmass, Beaver Creek, Steamboat, Copper Mountain and Winter Park.
About the Author:
Joe Fletcher has been a writer since 2002, starting his career in politics and legislation. He has written travel and outdoor recreation articles for a variety of print and online publications, including "Rocky Mountain Magazine" and "Bomb Snow." He received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Rutgers College.
