28 Ski Resorts in Colorado

WE’VE GOT THE LOWDOWN ON ALL 28 OF COLORADO’S SKI RESORTS, FROM THE BIG AND THE FAMOUS TO THE SMALL BUT PERFECTLY FORMED

Vail Resorts / Jack Affleck

1 VAIL MOUNTAIN

5,289 ACRES | 31 LIFTS | 195 TRAILS

Founded back in 1962, Vail is one of the bestknown ski resorts in the world.

To pay homage to Vail’s founding, historical signs will be placed across the mountain to give visitors the opportunity to learn a little bit about Vail’s history as they sashay down the mountain. Placed in key areas, the signs will tell the story of Vail as well as how some of the trails got their names. There will also be free guided on-mountain historical tours on select days.

HIGHLIGHTS There are free tours of Vail’s legendary Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin every Tuesday and Friday. From Dec. 9 intermediate and advanced skiers/boarders (sorry newbies) should make their way to Henry’s Hut (at the top of chair lifts 4, 5 and 11) at 10:45 am.

History lovers should find some time to check out the newly-renovated Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum which features six exhibit bays, a theater and three stateof-the-art interactive touch screen exhibits that allow visitors to dig deeper into Colorado history from the perspective of snow sports. Free for all, the museum is located in the Vail Village parking structure.

Vail Resorts recently introduced Emma, the Epic Mountain Assistant, to help guide guests visiting participating Vail Resorts locations. Using artificial intelligence and natural language processing, Emma has the ability to answer a wide range of questions in real time about their vacation through text messages. Emma is available at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone.

EVENTS Vail Legacy Days | Feb. 15-18, 2019 Vail Legacy Days are a three-day celebration of the rich history of Vail and the legacy left by the founders, former members of the 10th Mountain Division and the community that made Vail what it is today.

Trent Bona / Crested Butte Mountain Resort

2 CRESTED BUTTE

1,547 ACRES | 15 LIFTS | 121 TRAILS

Once described as a “surf town in the mountains,” Crested Butte lays claim to having basically invented the sport of mountain biking. While fat tire bikes allow cycling purists to play in the snow, many will switch their bikes out for skis and snowboards.

The biggest change for Crested Butte this season is that it was purchased by Vail Resorts. Now part of Epic Pass, the resort gives pass holders another fantastic place to ski and snowboard.

Crested Butte also makes an extra effort to get kids involved with skiing and snowboarding. They even have programs aimed at those as young as three.

Until Dec. 13, 2018 and March 30 – April 7, 2019 children aged 12 and under ski or ride for free and kids six and under ski free all season.

HIGHLIGHTS This season guests can ski with skiing icon Wendy Fisher. Fisher raced for the US Ski Team, competed at the 1992 Winter Olympic Games in Albertville, France and holds two Extreme Freeskiing world titles. Clinics cater to intermediate and advanced skiers.

EVENTS Wednesdays with Wendy dates are Jan. 9 and 16, Feb. 13 and 20 and March 13 and 20 for the 2018-19 winter season.

Jack Affleck / Vail Resorts

3 KEYSTONE

3,148 ACRES | 20 LIFTS | 128 TRAILS

With thousands of acres of terrain, including three incredible peaks and five above-tree-line bowls, this Epic Pass resort is always popular.

If you’re staying at Keystone Resort this ski season you might be able to get a jump on everyone else when it comes to those first runs of the day as part of First Tracks Fridays. There are some caveats, obviously.

HIGHLIGHTS For those with young kids, Kidtopia offers free options outside of skiing and snowboarding including hands-on-learning programs, ice cream parties and the opportunity to meet Keystone’s Ski Patrol rescue dogs. There is also night skiing, read more on page 31.

EVENTS The Kidtopia Signature Event Series is perfect for families. The Kidtopia Spectacular, Nov. 24-Dec. 24, welcomes the holiday season with a mountaintop celebration and lighting ceremony of the world’s largest snow fort. The Kidtopia Culinary Festival, Feb. 8-19, will feature a lineup tailored to budding foodies. The Kidtopia Music Experience, March 1-10, begins the spring skiing and snowboarding season with music-themed fun.

Vail Resorts

4 BRECKENRIDGE

2,908 ACRES | 34 LIFTS | 187 TRAILS

Breckenridge, another Epic Pass resort, effortlessly brings picturesque mountain living together with incredible high-alpine terrain. With a base elevation of 9,600 feet, Breck usually has plenty of snow and traditionally one of the longest ski seasons in North America.

Fifty new, high-efficiency snowguns were installed on Peak 9 for this season. The new guns can make more snow, more quickly using less energy, just in case Mother Nature doesn’t always play ball. Other new additions this season include the Waffle Shop at the base of Peak 9 and the Coop at Sevens which will have an outdoor express window for quick pit stops.

HIGHLIGHTS TenMile Twilight Tour and Dinners take place once a month between now and March (Dec. 22, Jan. 18, Feb. 20 and March 18). Guests will need to uphill ski or snowshoe from Peak 9 to TenMile Station. At the top you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful starry night sky and a delicious meal (read more in our dining feature on page 78).

EVENTS Ullr Fest | Jan. 9-13, 2019 During Breck’s tribute to Norse god Ullr you can expect to see thousands of Viking hat-clad revelers on Main Street for the parade as well as all over the slopes. The festival concludes with the town’s biggest bonfire.

Jon Resnick / Vail Resorts

5 BEAVER CREEK

1,832 ACRES | 23 LIFTS | 150 TRAILS

Known as the state’s luxury family ski resort, Beaver Creek has plenty of terrain for learners and some kidfriendly amenities like free cookies every afternoon.

Following the debut of Red Buffalo Park last ski season, this winter Beaver Creek Resort will debut Haymeadow Park, a second dedicated learning area giving it the most acres of dedicated learning terrain in the state.

HIGHLIGHTS Visitors to Beaver Creek, which is also on the Epic Pass, this winter should be on the look out for Willy, Beaver Creek’s first-ever mountain safety dog. He will be accompanying the Beaver

Creek Mountain Safety Team to spread the word about safety on the hill.

Beaver Creek is almost as good for foodies as it is for winter sports enthusiasts. Ski & Savor offers groups of up to six a full day of skiing with one of Beaver Creek’s seasoned pros and then a four-course lunch prepared by one of the resort’s chefs at Trappers Cabin, a private log cabin nestled at the top of Beaver Creek Resort.

EVENTS Winter Culinary Weekend | Jan. 24-27, 2019 Food fuses with outdoor pursuits in this four-day food festival which will feature celebrity guest chefs.

Matt Power / Aspen Snowmass

6 BUTTERMILK MOUNTAIN

470 ACRES | 7 LIFTS | 44 TRAILS

Buttermilk is known around the world for being home to the Winter X Games and the Red Bull Double Pipe event. This year it celebrates 60 years.

HIGHLIGHTS Buttermilk Park is where you go to see what you’re made of.

With the 22-foot Zaugg-cut beast superpipe and dozens of jumps, logs and rails along its two-mile, top-to-bottom length, Buttermilk Main Park will push your skills to the limit.

Buttermilk is also good for beginners and families thanks to the Hideout, an innovative learning center for young skiers, while S3 Park has 20 or so beginner- and intermediate-level features.

EVENTS Aspen X Games | Jan. 24 - 27, 2019 Some of the world’s best winter athletes will once again gather in Aspen for the Winter X Games.

In addition to the competitions, the X Games will also see musical performances by Lil Wayne, Louis The Child, The Chainsmokers and Kygo.

All sport competitions are free and open to the public, but tickets are required for concerts. The event will air live on ESPN and ABC.

Matt Power / Aspen Snowmass

7 SNOWMASS

3,339 ACRES | 20 LIFTS | 98 TRAILS

Offering the most skiable terrain of Aspen Skiing Company’s four resorts, Snowmass is perfect for all abilities.

For a thrill away from the slopes, there is the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster. Riders wind their way through over a mile of forest on an elevated track at speeds of up to 28 mph. Located adjacent to the Elk Camp Restaurant, riders will be able to experience the thrilling ride during the day, during special Ullr Nights and during select extended hours. Also new is the Limelight Snowmass hotel. The hotel will also have a five-story climbing wall that will be open to the public (the largest of its kind in the state).

HIGHLIGHTS Snowmass’ terrain parks are consistently near the top of any and all ranking systems.

The three parks have 100 features in total and will test the very best skiers and boarders.

EVENTS Base Village Grand Opening | Dec. 14, 2018 The completion of phase one of the $600 million development of Snowmass Base Village will be marked with a weekend of fun which will include free s’mores and hot cocoa, a display of ice sculptures as well as an ice sculpture demo, live music, a pop-up holiday market and fireworks.

Jesse Hoffman / Aspen Snowmass

8 ASPEN MOUNTAIN

675 ACRES | 6 LIFTS | 76 TRAILS

One of the most famous ski resorts in the county, Aspen is known for its luxurious touches. Case in point, The Little Nell’s first tracks program which offers guests staying at the fivestar hotel the chance to get up the mountain before the gondola is open to the public.

New for this year, the Aspen Snowmass app now provides rewards that can be redeemed for food and beverages, discounts at Four Mountain Sports stores and used for ski and snowboard lessons. Onmountain tracking has also been improved.

HIGHLIGHTS A typical day on Aspen Mountain averages 10,000 vertical feet of ungroomed wilderness skiing and boarding in an expanse of 1,500 acres. Aspen Mountain Powder Tours offers to take you into the heart of it all courtesy of a snowcat and guides. Expect untracked glades and runs on the backside of Aspen Mountain. Lunch is included with the tour. You can also test yourself on the same runs that hosted last year’s World Cup finals or chase the snowcat-towed Oasis Champagne Bar instead.

EVENTS Aspen Gay Ski Week | Jan. 13-20, 2019 The week-long Aspen Gay Ski Week offers concerts, comedy shows, film screenings, symposiums and special dinners at a variety of restaurants and hotels throughout Aspen.

Tamara Susa / Aspen Snowmass

9 ASPEN HIGHLANDS

1,053 ACRES | 5 LIFTS | 122 TRAILS

Aspen Highlands might be best defined by what it isn’t, rather than what it is. It doesn’t get nearly the amount of traffic as Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk or Snowmass which is thanks, at least in part, to the mountain having no beginner terrain. In fact, 65 percent of the trails are double black diamond.

The Company recently completed a three-year glading project at Aspen Highlands which included clearing out new lines in the steep and wooded Lucky Find area of Temerity.

HIGHLIGHTS Highlands also has an Aspen institution in its midsts: Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro.

EVENTS Snowcat Dinners at Cloud Nine | Wednesday and Thursday evenings until April 4, 2019 Hop on a snowcat for a ride to and from the restaurant where you’ll indulge in a four-course meal (not recommended for children).

Purgatory

10 PURGATORY

1,605 ACRES | 12 LIFTS | 101 TRAILS

Averaging 260 inches of snow a year, Purgatory is pretty consistent when it comes to snow. And just in case there is a problem, 250 acres are covered with snow-making equipment. A dozen lifts serve 101 trails that have a nice mix of difficulty levels.

Purgatory has two new gladed tree skiing trails on the front side of the mountain. Mark’s Park is an intermediate trail with natural terrain park features. The other trail is a beginner gladed tree skiing trail near lift two.

Also new for this ski season is the Inferno Mountain Coaster. The Inferno is 4,000 feet long with a 300 foot vertical drop, nine switchbacks and one 360 degree loop.

HIGHLIGHTS Parents will be pleased to hear about Power Kids Passes. All kids aged 10 and younger receive a free season pass.

EVENTS Free Yoga | Sat and Sun YogaDurango will be offering free yoga to everyone this season. Classes will be held at the Durango Mountain Institute next to lift one in the base area.

Carl Frey / Winter Park Resort

11 WINTER PARK

3,081 ACRES | 21 LIFTS | 145 TRAILS

Close enough to Denver for a day trip, but tucked away in the Rockies, Winter Park is a fantastic place that is practically on Denver’s doorstep.

A new 10-person gondola, scheduled to open mid- December, will cut the amount of time spent waiting to ski or board; the Village Plaza has a new stage and a fire pit, both of which will come in handy after the mountain closes for the night; and just in case there is a snow problem, 40,000 feet of new pipe and new snowmaking guns have increased snow making capacity by 300 percent.

HIGHLIGHTS With resorts all over the state competing for your ski season dollars, Winter Park has something no other resort has: a train. Not strictly the resort’s train (not at all in fact), Amtrak’s Winter Park Express makes its way from Denver’s amazing Union Station to Winter Park every Saturday and Sunday (as well as the first two Fridays of each month) between Jan. 4 and March 31, 2019. As scenic as it is convenient, spots tend to get booked up, so plan ahead.

EVENTS Winter Park Resort’s Mountaintop Music Series | Jan. 3 - March 30, 2019 The music series will see performances by local and regional musical acts throughout the season as the sun sets over Byer’s Peak.

Telluride Ski Resort

12 TELLURIDE

2,000 ACRES | 19 LIFTS | 148 TRAILS

Telluride is one of the gems of the San Juan Mountains. The historic mountain town is complemented by a worldclass ski resort perched on the mountain above Telluride. This year, the resort has joined Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass. Pass holders will get seven days access to the resort with no blackout dates after which lift tickets are half price. In return, Telluride Pass holders receive 50 percent off lift tickets at all Vail Resorts properties.

HIGHLIGHTS The resort’s newly-released app is a wealth of useful knowledge including info on snow and weather conditions, the status of lifts and groomed and closed runs. It will also record your runs so you can check off trails. The free gondola connecting the historic town with Mountain Village is nice for non-skiers and those who want a day off skiing and explore Mountain Village where some great dining options await: See our “24 Hours in Telluride” article from issue number one here.

EVENTS Warren Miller’s “Face of Winter” | Dec. 23 A Christmas tradition, the latest Warren Miller film will debut at the historic Sheridan Opera House.

Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade | Dec. 24 Watch as Telluride Ski Resort employees ski down the mountain with torches to light up the mountainside.

David Camara / Arapahoe Basin

13 ARAPAHOE BASIN

1,428 ACRES | 9 LIFTS | 145 TRAILS

A-Basin, as it is commonly referred to, is just over 60 miles from Denver making it a popular spot for city dwellers.

A-Basin is set to complete the two-year process of opening the expanded Beavers and Steep Gullies areas for the 2018-19 season, adding 468 acres of new intermediate and expert terrain to the 371 acres of terrain that opened last season. A new lift will serve the Beavers area, while Steep Gullies will remain hike back and expert terrain.

HIGHLIGHTS Tailgating in the slope-side parking area “The Beach.” A-Basin is also good for those looking to squeeze every day out of ski season as it is typically the last to close.

EVENTS Rise and Shine Rando Series | Dec 4. - Jan. 8, 22, 2019 The five-part series of uphill challenges on select Tuesday mornings start in the Mountain Goat Plaza at 10,870 feet and finish near the summit at 12,474 feet.

Tripp Fay / Copper Mountain Resort

14 COPPER MOUNTAIN

2,490 ACRES | 24 LIFTS | 142 TRAILS

Copper Mountain, part of the Ikon Pass, has introduced a number of upgrades including the new American Eagle (increasing uphill capacity by an impressive 40 percent) and American Flyer chairlifts; a dog-friendly patio bar and restaurant; and better parking and bus transportation. There is also a tubing hill, coaster and the free ski-with-a-ranger program.

HIGHLIGHTS Mix up your time at Copper with a short mixology course. Toast & Co. is offering the course on select weekends throughout the season. Create seasonal concoctions using your favorite ingredients under the tutelage of a mixologist.

EVENTS Toyota U.S. Grand Prix | Dec. 2-8 The world’s best snowboarders and freeskiers will hit the 22-foot superpipe to try and qualify for the Olympics and win $400,000 in prize money.

Colorado Special Olympics Winter Games | March 2-3, 2019 Come and support amazing athletes as they compete in events including alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowboarding.

Copper Uncorked | March 16, 2019 Copper chefs compete for the best wing recipe and wine pairing

Larry Pierce / Steamboat Springs

15 STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

2,965 ACRES | 18 LIFTS | 165 TRAILS

Steamboat calls itself Ski Town, U.S.A., and with an Olympic pedigree that saw 15 residents go to the 2018 Games, it would seem justified.

In addition to the mammoth task of replacing and relocating all on-mountain signage to make it easier to navigate the mountain, Steamboat has added to its already impressive list of nonstop flight markets with three new destinations for this winter: Boston, Ft. Lauderdale and Long Beach. It is also on the Ikon Pass.

HIGHLIGHTS This winter Steamboat has taken slope-side dining to a new level with Taco Beast, an on-mountain snowcat

that brings the tacos to you. Serving “trail tacos” and Mexican-style beer, Taco Beast will roam the mountain dishing out tacos all season.

Steamboat offers night skiing and boarding from mid-December through late March, Thursday through Monday from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm with hours changing to 6 pm and 9 pm in spring.

EVENTS Friday Nights at Steamboat | Select Friday nights from Dec. 21 are celebrated at Steamboat Mountain with a host of events including night skiing, rides on the Outlaw Mountain Coaster, a ski parade, fireworks and live music in Gondola Square.

16 WOLF CREEK

1,600 ACRES | 9 LIFTS | 120 TRAILS

This season will see a new high-speed detachable quad installed. The resort is also celebrating its first anniversary of using 100 percent solar energy (courtesy of the Penitente Solar Project in the San Luis Valley).

HIGHLIGHTS On top of skiing, Wolf Creek offers a complimentary Nordic track in the

enchanting Alberta Lake area. There is mixed openmeadow and tree skiing with a few different loops on just over six miles of groomed track.

EVENTS Scattered throughout ski season, Wolf Creek will be holding a number of customer appreciation days where visitors will be able to purchase lift tickets for $50.

Powderhorn Ski Resort

17 POWDERHORN

1,600 ACRES | 5 LIFTS | 42 TRAILS

Located in the heart of Grand Mesa, Powderhorn has prided itself on offering affordable skiing for over 50 years.

HIGHLIGHTS For the 2018/19 season, Powderhorn’s “Mission: Affordable” initiative will offer free ski and ride lessons to beginners and first-time skiers and snowboarders.

See the resort’s website for details.

EVENTS Opening Weekend Party | Dec. 13 Peach Street Distillers will be offering drink specials at the Sunset Bar and the Powderhorn Pub. Gilson snowboards will be at the base of the resort demoing their new boards, too.

18 SKI COOPER

400 ACRES | 4 LIFTS | 41 TRAILS

Originally the location of Camp Hale, Ski Cooper is the spiritual home of the 10th Mountain Division. While small, it offers terrain suitable for all abilities including what they call “the finest learning and beginner terrain in the country.”

HIGHLIGHTS The 260 inches of natural snow Ski Cooper gets each season stays fluffier and

drier than a lot of other resorts thanks to a base elevation of 10,500 feet. The resort also rotates their grooming terrain so as to not over-groom trails which can result in hardpack.

EVENTS Cooper Cup | Various dates A series of downhill races that take place throughout the season. Race number one is on Dec. 17, 2018.

Ski Loveland

19 LOVELAND

1,800 ACRES | 11 LIFTS | 94 TRAILS

Loveland’s new lift, Chet’s Dream, is the resort’s first high-speed lift and will cut ride time down from eight minutes to under three minutes.

HIGHLIGHTS Loveland has a free snowcat skiing operation along the Continental Divide. See the resort’s website for details.

EVENTS Ski Hooky Days | Jan. 10, Feb. 14, March 14, 2019 Ski Hooky Days with 95.7 FM The Party and Oskar Blues Brewing are returning to Loveland. Sign up as a Party VIP and get a $25 lift ticket, beer specials and a chance to win swag from Icelantic Skis. Don’t want to drive? Hop on the Oskar Blues Brewski Bus.

20 MONARCH

800 ACRES | 6 LIFTS | 64 TRAILS

Independently owned, Monarch Mountain sits at the top of the Continental Divide. Rarely crowded, powder can last days instead of hours like at more popular resorts.

HIGHLIGHTS If backcountry is more your speed, the guided snowcat operation will wear out any expert skier with an additional 1,635 acres of steep, technical terrain.

EVENTS Every Friday in December, January and February visitors can ski with a naturalist who will talk about the ecology of the area.

21 ECHO MOUNTAIN

60 ACRES | 1 LIFT | 3-4 TRAILS

Echo Mountain has changed hands several times since it opened in 1960, including periods when it wasn’t even open to the public.

In October 2016 it returned back to its original purpose as an affordable (season passes are $249) public ski area less than an hour from downtown Denver.

22 ELDORA

680 ACRES | 10 LIFTS | 64 TRAILS

Conceived in the 1960’s, Eldora has been serving skiers in and around Boulder for decades; it is now part of the Ikon Pass.

HIGHLIGHTS Eldora is the only ski area served by the RTD public transportation system. You can get from downtown Boulder to Eldora in about 40 minutes. Parking is free at several RTD stops in the area, too.

EVENTS Denver’s 10 Barrel Brewing is holding a series of events at Eldora including several Pray for Snow parties that include DJs, games, giveaways and 10 Barrel beer specials.

23 HESPERUS HILL

60 ACRES | 1 LIFT | 26 TRAILS

Minutes from downtown Durango, Hesperus is a relative minnow at 60 acres, but good things often come in small packages, particularly if you want to avoid the crowds at larger resorts.

HIGHLIGHTS This resort may be small, but it’s quite popular and well known for its night skiing. Hesperus Hill also allows ski bikes at the resort, (guests must have a retention device for the lift). Tubing is another activity on offer (no personal tubes are allowed so the resort offers rentals) as is the growing sport of uphill skiing (read more on page 17).

24 SUNLIGHT MOUNTAIN

680 ACRES | 3 LIFTS | 67 TRAILS

Sunlight Mountain has 67 trails (which all lead back to the lodge), free parking and, according to the resort at least, you’ll never have to stand in line. And the lack of crowds means the powder lasts for days. About 50 percent of Sunlight’s terrain is rated as beginner or intermediate, perfect for those just starting out.

HIGHLIGHTS Sunlight’s East Ridge has a particularly steep run for those looking for something more challenging.

EVENTS SnowShoe Shuffle | Feb. 17, 2019 The five-mile snowshoe race benefits Colorado Animal Rescue.

25 SILVERTON

1,819 ACRES | 1 LIFT

Silverton Mountain’s one chairlift grants access to a high alpine environment of 1,819 acres of amazing descents in every direction including bowls, chutes and cliffs. Silverton Mountain is also the highest and steepest ski area in North America with a peak elevation of 13,487’ and no easy way down.

HIGHLIGHTS Heli skiing is available seven days a week at Silverton Mountain and it is the only ski area in the US that offers single heli drops.

EVENTS Silverton Whiteout | Feb. 9, 2019 The 10-hour fat tire bike race has a variety of associated events

26 SKI GRANBY RANCH

406 ACRES | 5 LIFTS | 40 TRAILS

Located 90 minutes west of Denver, Granby Ranch is family-owned and is great for all abilities and ages. All trails start and end at the base.

HIGHLIGHTS The resort also offers very affordable night skiing every month and there are Nordic skiing and snowshoeing trails at the ranch, too.

EVENTS Food Drive | Dec. 15 Donate a bag of food or toiletries and receive a free lift ticket for that day

Ski with Santa | Dec. 22 - 23 Spot Santa on the slopes as he skis around Granby Ranch.

Christmas Eve | Dec. 24 Festive fun including Santa arriving on a snowmobile.

27 HOWELSEN HILL

50 ACRES | 4 LIFTS | 17 TRAILS

North America’s oldest operating ski area, Howelsen Hill is owned and operated by the City of Steamboat Springs.

HIGHLIGHTS Howelsen Hill hosts free skiing every Sunday throughout the winter season as a way to celebrate the community’s Olympic history; since 1915, Howelsen Hill has produced nearly 100 winter Olympians. Stop in at the lodge to pick up your free ticket.

EVENTS Ski with a naturalist at the top of Why Not trail every Tuesday and Thursday until March 14. Alternatively, visit Howelsen Hill to watch the FIS Continental Cup on Dec. 14 and 15.

28 KENDALL MOUNTAIN

16 ACRES | 1 LIFT | 4 TRAILS

Silverton’s Kendall Mountain offers family fun with four groomed trails, multiple tree runs, a small terrain park and a double chair lift.

Skating, sledding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are allowed any time.

HIGHLIGHTS The Town Loop offers approximately 2.5 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails right in town.

EVENTS Snowscape | Feb. 8 - 10, 2019 Silverton’s annual winter carnival

Jack Affleck / Vail Resorts

NIGHT SKIING

HESPERUS HILL This small ski area is known for its night skiing. Unfortunately last year its sister resort, Purgatory, had to offer night skiing as there wasn’t enough snow at the resort. Fingers crossed for plenty of snow this season!

GRANBY RANCH Catch the sunset and ski into the night with Ski Granby Ranch’s monthly night skiing sessions from 4 pm - 8 pm. This season’s dates are: Dec. 29, Jan. 19, Feb. 16, March 16

KEYSTONE With the longest ski day in Colorado, this family-friendly resort offers night skiing nearly every night of the season. Visit their website for a night skiing trail map.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS Night skiing is available on select dates throughout the season. Accessed via the Christie Peak express chairlift, there are five trails: two beginner, two intermediate and one advanced. Rates are lower if purchased at least a week in advance.

HOWELSEN HILL Colorado’s oldest ski resort offers night skiing throughout the season from Tuesday to Friday until 6 pm or 8 pm depending on the day.

ECHO MOUNTAIN Night skiing is included in all day passes, or you can purchase a night pass. Skiing is from 4:30 pm 9 pm from Tuesday to Saturday.