10 Best Colorado Ski Towns
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Kids skiing and snow boarding at Copper Mountain in Frisco, a popular Colorado ski Town
Ten Colorado Mountain Towns We Love for Hitting the Slopes in 2024
While we love winter hiking, our families also love to hit the slopes when fresh powder hits the Rocky Mountains.
We’ve put together our top ten list of the best Colorado ski resorts with suggestions for snowy hikes and other fun winter activities nearby.
For each of the featured Colorado ski towns 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!
Best Colorado Ski Towns
These are listed in no particular order:
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).
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
Durango
One of the best Colorado ski towns, 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 Colorado ski resorts across the Rocky Mountains
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
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.
Snow hits this small Colorado ski town 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. 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
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 best Colorado ski resorts, 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 best 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 best Colorado ski resorts offer fabulous discounts for military families.
Breckenridge
I skied Breckenridge a while back with extended family over Christmas break and it was lovely, no doubt. While pricier than other ski resorts, Breckenridge is a popular Colorado mountain town for good reason.
Beginners learning how to ski at Breckenridge
Long known as one of the best Colorado ski towns all over the world, 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!
Bridge to Sawmill Lakes Hike
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
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.
Riding the ski lift at Arapaho Basin
A Basin is found in the Arapaho National Forest of Colorado and is known statewide for its uber long ski season and a great Colorado ski resort 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
Frisco
Affectionately called by many the “Main Street of the Rockies”, Frisco is one of the best Colorado ski towns 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
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
Winter Park, Fraser, and Granby
One of the best Colorado ski resorts, 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 the best Colorado ski resorts
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 Hideaway Park Snowzone near downtown Winter Park offer snow tubing as well.
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
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.
Telluride’s Colorado Avenue
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 best Colorado ski towns.
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.
More of our Favorite Trails: 17 Unmissable Colorado Hikes
Sleep Here: Top Telluride Ski-In Ski-Out Vacation Rentals
More Ways to Experience Colorado in Winter
We can’t wait to get back up in the mountains to our favorite Colorado ski towns!
Here are more ways to learn about our favorite winter activities, along with some of our best tips: