No wonder she’s smiling. These were the conditions at Copper Mountain on January 11, 2018. More storms rolling across Colorado this weekend. Photo: Tripp Fay, Copper Mountain Resort
Ski seasons can be memorable for many things.
They can be memorable for a lot of snow or a lack of snow.
They can be memorable for frigid temperatures or balmy spring days.
They can be memorable for the progress you or a loved one made, for the hard terrain you skied (when you never thought you would) or for logging more days on snow than in any prior season.
There are many factors that make a ski season memorable.
And while snow, and lots of it, is usually front and center, sometimes (as in this year), Mother Nature is less generous.
That doesn’t mean ski season has to be any less fun, or memorable.
Yes, There Is Skiing. Yes, It Is Fun!
Let’s clear the air on one thing right away. The skiing on most green and blue terrain in Colorado right now is excellent. There are even resorts with quite a bit of black and double black terrain open.
Between snowmaking, excellent grooming and snow management and snowfall every few days thus far in January, the skiing is fine and the coverage is generally good. And, as you can tell from these recent photos, there have even been some powder days (with more to come!).
Conditions vary, of course, by location and altitude.
As we move closer to February and March, traditionally wetter months in Colorado, we’re feeling optimistic about the improving Colorado ski season.
Make This Ski Season Memorable for the Right Reasons
Whether you live in Colorado or are coming for a ski vacation, here is a sampling of ideas for making the most of what we’ve got right now.
Eldora Mountain Resort
Eldora has a lot to offer with a 32” base and approximately 80% of trails open. All lifts, including the new Alpenglow High Speed 6-pack from the base to the top of Challenge Mountain, are running.
Santa brought snow and a new lift to Eldora this year. This was Christmas Day. There’s been plenty more snowfall since then. Photo: Eldora Mountain Resort.
Eldora also has 40 km of nordic trails, most of which are open right now.
Make it Memorable: Make Boulder your base camp. An easy 21 mile drive to Eldora, Boulder has lots of lodging (some with Stay and Ski packages including transportation). After a day of skiing, enjoy Boulder’s eclectic dining and drinking scene, or check out a CU Buffs Division 1 basketball game.
Steamboat Resort
So far this season, Steamboat has had 110 inches of snow. Currently 97% of the resort’s terrain is open. If you’re looking for “normal” winter conditions, Steamboat might be your best bet.
White room conditions. January 11, 2018 at Steamboat. More snow expected this weekend! Photo: Larry Pierce/Steamboat Ski Resort
Make it Memorable: Day skiing. Night skiing. Alpine coaster. Hot Springs. Sleigh Rides. Ski with an Olympian.
Think of a winter activity and you’ll find it at Steamboat. Here, you’ll also find the Bridgestone Winter Driving School. While you have to give up a day of skiing, the First Gear intro class is a blast.
Ski with Olympian Billy Kidd at Steamboat. Photo: Larry Pierce/Steamboat Ski Resort.
Winter Park Resort
The big news last season is still the big news this season: take the Amtrak Winter Park Express from Denver’s Union Station and experience a full day of skiing Winter Park’s seven territories, bookended with a unique journey through the Colorado mountains.
The Winter Park Express, running between Denver’s Union Station and Winter Park Resort. Photo: Winter Park Resort
Make it Memorable: The train leaves early, so before and after your journey, you’ll want to stay near the station. After your return to the city, you’ve got tons of options. Party in Lo Do. Catch a Nuggets or Avalanche game. Enjoy a concert or stage performance. Or crash and relax at a unique Denver hotel.
Winter Park on January 12, 2018. Photo: Carl Frey, Winter Park Resort.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
With 89 of 121 trails open, including all of the intermediate and advanced terrain off of the East River lift, Crested Butte has a lot on offer right now, in addition to arguably the state’s most charming ski town.
Photographer: Trent Bona. Photo: Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
Make It Memorable: In my opinion, Crested Butte is always memorable. And while the resort’s famous extreme terrain is currently closed, special events like the drop-in, y’all come Women’s Tips on Tuesday and the free uphill/downhill Go SkiMo face series on Wednesdays. If you’re ready to try ski mountaineering, bring your climbing skins and headlamp. Crested Butte will provide the free beer (and food!).
Mid-January conditions, 2018. Photo: Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
Sunlight Mountain Resort
Currently Sunlight has most of it’s green blue terrain open. It also has something no other resort has: both the Glenwood Springs Hot Springs and Iron Mountain Hot Springs nearby.
Glenwood Hot Springs. Photo: Sunlight Mountain Resort.
Make It Memorable: Sunlight offers the best weekend escape deal around. The 2018 Ski. Swim. Stay. package includes 2 adult lift tickets, 2 swim passes to the Glenwood Hot Springs and one night’s lodging at the Hotel Colorado.
One kid skis free with each paying adult. Packages start at $249.
A recent sunny day at Sunlight! Photo: Sunlight Mountain Resort
Loveland Ski Area
With a base elevation of nearly 11,000 feet, Loveland sits high in the Rockies, yet is close to Denver. Except for the highest peaks and bowls, most of the ski area is open, with lots of options for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
Here is some video shot on January 13, 2018. One word: POWDER!
Make It Memorable: While Loveland offers plenty of challenges, it’s also a terrific place to learn to ski or snowboard. If you (or your children) have never tried skiing or snowboarding, purchase a 3-Class Pass and upon completion, you’ll receive a season pass, so you can continue practicing and improving. Loveland even offers a telemark 3-Class Pass.
Photo: Loveland Ski Area
Copper Mountain Resort
With a 43” base depth, Copper has opened nearly 1500 acres of skiing so far, with more openings planned with coming storms. Black and double black terrain in Resolution Bowl is open, as is most of the difficult terrain served by the Sierra Lift.
January 11, 2018 at Copper Mountain Resort. Photo: Tripp Fay, Copper Mountain Resort
Make It Memorable: Ski on a Feel Good Friday and $5 of each $85 adult lift ticket will benefit the High Fives Foundation and Adaptive Action Sports. Do good and feel good!
Don’t Forget the Other Colorado Resorts
This is just a partial list of conditions and events in Colorado right now.
If you’re looking for more information, please visit each resort’s website. And don’t forget the fantastic resorts we didn’t mention, like Aspen, Snowmass, Powderhorn Mountain Resort, Arapahoe Basin and so many others!
And remember, no matter where you go, it will all be memorable (and good!) because skiing and snowboarding are always memorable (and good!).
Enjoy!
Another memorable ski adventure — an early morning skin up the mountain. Uphill policies vary at each resort, so always check in before climbing. Photo: Chris Segal/Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
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