In terms of skiing, Colorado is definitely one of the top states in America. Home to major skiing destinations like Aspen, Breckenridge, Vail, and more, Colorado provides a lot of great options for anyone interested in skiing, snowboarding, and dozens of other winter activities. The Centennial State also gets a lot of snow throughout the year, so skiing season almost never ends for Colorado residents and visitors.
Sitting among the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, the city of Boulder is a prime spot for skiing in Colorado. Lots of great ski resorts can be found within one or two hours of Boulder, with hundreds of different runs to try out for beginners, intermediate skiers, and experts. So if you’re planning a skiing trip around Boulder, here are some details on the top resorts and ski areas to consider.
1. Eldora Mountain Resort - 2861 Eldora Ski Rd, Nederland, CO 80466, Phone: 303-440-8700
Not far from Boulder, Eldora is a perfectly situated ski resort with a lot to offer for skiers of all ages and abilities. When compared to other locations around the state of Colorado, Eldora Mountain has some of the lowest admission and rental fees, so it’s a great spot to stop off if you’re traveling as a group and looking to keep your costs down. This ski resort features almost 700 acres of skiable land and offers no less than four terrain parks. Best-suited for day trips, Eldora doesn’t have any accommodation, but that shouldn’t be a problem for Boulder residents as the resort is only 40 minutes away. Browse our Weekend Getaways in Colorado guide for more ideas.
2. Vail Ski Resort - Vail, CO 81657, Phone: 970-754-8245
One of the most famous ski resorts on Earth, Vail Ski Resort is well-known for its remarkable views and the beauty of its nearby town, which has attracted plenty of A-list celebrities over the years. Located in Eagle County, about two hours outside of Boulder, Vail stretches out over more than 5,000 acres of skiable ground and features over 190 individual runs, making it one of the largest ski resorts in the state. Over half of the runs at Vail are classed as black, so this resort is well-suited to advanced skiers who are really looking to test themselves. (website link)
More ideas: Things to Do in Colorado
3. Breckenridge Ski Resort - 1599 Ski Hill Rd, Breckenridge, CO 80424, Phone: 970-453-5000
One of the most popular and beloved ski resorts in all of Colorado, Breckenridge attracts huge crowds each and every year due to its awesome service and enormous array of runs. Over 150 different ski trails can be found at Breckenridge, with plenty of easy greens all the way up to supremely challenging double black runs. Around 3,000 acres of skiable land are featured at this resort, with 32 different ski lifts and huge terrain parks too. The resort also offers lots of options for lodging and dining, and it’s only about 90 minutes away from Boulder.
More ideas: Places to Visit in Colorado
4. Loveland Ski Area - I-70, Dillon, CO 80435, Phone: 800-736-3754
Compared to a place like Breckenridge, Loveland is relatively quiet and uncrowded. It’s a popular ski area with a lot to offer, but many skiers in Colorado prefer to visit the other resorts over this one. So if you’re looking for a great quality skiing zone with minimal crowds, Loveland is a fine place to visit. Ski season at this area runs from October through to the middle of May due to the high elevation and huge amounts of snowfall. Almost 100 different runs can be found at Loveland and it’s only a little over an hour’s drive away from Boulder. (website link)
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5. Arapahoe Basin Ski Area - 28194 US-6, Keystone, CO 80435, Phone: 970-468-0718
Situated in the White River National Forest, Araphoe Basin, often simply known as ‘A-Basin’ or 'The Basin' is another top-quality ski location for Boulder, CO. This ski area contains over 1,300 acres of skiable land and over 130 individual runs of varying difficulty. Multiple chair lifts and magic carpets help peole get around this location and two huge terrain parks provide plenty of freedom and space for skiers to express themselves and test their skills. The Basin is about an hour and a half away from the city and is renowned for its extra-long skiing season that can run into June and even July in some cases. So if you want to do a little skiing and snowboarding in the spring and early summer, A-Basin is a great choice. Three separate lodges can also be found at The Basin with a variety of eateries and accommodation options.
More ideas: Colorado Glamping
6. Ski Resorts Near Boulder, Colorado: Winter Park Resort
Located less than 2 hours from Boulder, the Winter Park Resort has everything you need for the perfect winter holiday. The resort offers a wide range of accommodation options including hotels, lodges and condos. In addition, there are winter sports options to suit all ages and all levels of skiing ability. If skiing is not for you there are plenty of other fun activities available including snow-shoeing, uphill skiing, riding the Panoramic Express Lift to the top of the mountain or just relaxing over a cup of coffee at the Moon Frog Coffee Shop. You can also try ski-mobiling, test out a ski bike or take an Astronomy Tour. If you download the Winter Park App you will have everything at your fingertips.
Winter Park Resort, 85 Parsenn Road, Winter Park, CO 80482, 970-726-5514
More ideas: Things to Do in Denver
The 6 Best Ski Resorts Near Boulder, Colorado near me today according to local experts are:
- 1. Eldora Mountain Resort - 2861 Eldora Ski Rd, Nederland, CO 80466, Phone: 303-440-8700
- 2. Vail Ski Resort - Vail, CO 81657, Phone: 970-754-8245
- 3. Breckenridge Ski Resort - 1599 Ski Hill Rd, Breckenridge, CO 80424, Phone: 970-453-5000
- 4. Loveland Ski Area - I-70, Dillon, CO 80435, Phone: 800-736-3754
- 5. Arapahoe Basin Ski Area - 28194 US-6, Keystone, CO 80435, Phone: 970-468-0718
- 6. Ski Resorts Near Boulder, Colorado: Winter Park Resort
More Ideas: Country Boy Mine
In 1887, the most famous and one of the oldest mines, the Country Boy Mine, was founded in Summit County of Colorado. The mine was well known for its production of silver and gold early on in its more than one hundred years of history. It later gained national attention for its large production of zinc and lead, which was used during both World Wars.
Visitors to the Country Boy Mine can journey more than one thousand feet into the mountain during one of the site’s exciting and fascinating mine tours, exploring the mine’s original workings and experiencing what it must have been like for miners so many years ago. During the forty-five minute tour, guests will learn from a knowledgeable guide how the mine’s tunnels were made and what tools were needed to do so. Guides also share about the perseverance of these dedicated miners, as well as the dangers these brave men faced every day while working in the mine. Visitors can put on a hard hat, listen to tales about the blasting monkey, watch a demonstration of using a jack leg drill, and learn more about the history of mining in Colorado.
During their visit to the Country Boy Mine, guests can take a closer look at some original equipment for mining, view old photographs, and explore several different exhibits that provide them with a glimpse of the mine’s past. Visitors can wander throughout restored historic buildings, including the Blacksmith Shop and the Compressor House. The site of the mine also features spectacular view of the Ten Mile Mountain range, making it a great area to enjoy a picnic or simply sit back and relax in the sun. While walking through the park, guests will find information they can read about the historic French Gulch, the valley in which the mine is situated.
Gold panning is just one of the several other activities that visitors can enjoy in addition to a tour at the Country Boy Mine. Guests may overhear some shouting “gold” while walking through by Eureka Creek of the Blacksmith Shop as people pan for real gold. The gold panning experience at the mine includes easy lessons, a pan to use, some dirt, and plenty of patience on the part of guests. A knowledgeable guide assists visitors with their gold panning experience, and sometimes even share some special techniques, hints, or secrets to panning gold. These guides will also help visitors determine if they have fools gold or real gold. Visitors are welcome to try their luck at gold panning for just an hour or for an entire afternoon.
Visitors should keep something in mind while they are gold panning at the Country Boy Mine, that they are prospecting for gold in the famous French Gulch, which is named after the man who first found gold in the area, French Pete. The French Gulch is the same exact gulch where the largest mass of gold was ever discovered in the state of Colorado. This enormous gold mass that was found was named “Tom’s Baby.”
The interactive gold town experience lets visitors learn about the history of Breckenridge, get involved in a bank robbery and visit a the town Marshall.
0542 French Gulch Road, Breckenridge, Colorado, Phone: 970-453-4405
More Ideas: Mountain Top Children’s Museum
The Mountain Top Children’s Museum in Breckenridge aims to promote informal and fun learning through a variety of interactive exhibits and educational programs, as well as engagement and play that inspires children aged ten and under to use their imagination. Founded by Laura Horvath and Betty Quigley, the children’s museum was established in the year 2001. The museum started provided Day Camp programs the kids ages five to ten years old during the summer of 2002 at te Peak 8 Kids Kastle. The museum exhibit was opened to visitors shorty after at Main Street Station in a space used for exhibits, various programs, and workshops. The Mountain Top Children’s Museum also participates in the events of the local community.
At the Mountain Top Children’s Museum, children can explore the many interactive exhibits and think outside of the box as they use their imagination to learn, without even realizing that’s what they’re doing. On such exhibit is the Wonder Lab, which kids can mix colors on the light table or with test tubes. After passing through a dark curtain, visitors will find themselves in the exhibit’s light lab, where they can write with the help of a black light and watch the mixing of colored lights.
The Rocky Mountain Wildlife exhibit at the museum lets children explore the animals that are often found in the local mountainous area. Kids have the chance to create animal tracks, go trout fishing, learn how to identify scat, put on a puppet show, explore a bear cave, and more. The Creation Station provides an array of recycling, crafts, and art materials for kids to use to create their own masterpiece. These masterpieces can either be hung up for everyone to see or taken home to display. The see-thru board also sparks the creative minds of visitors.
The Mountain Top Children’s Museum’s Kidstruction Zone allows kids to put on a hard hat as they construct their own buildings. One of the most popular attractions in the museum with children is the Rokenbok Display in which kids can use remotes to move around construction vehicles. Children can dig in a mulch pit or construct a tower of magnetic blocks as well.
The museum’s Mountain Top Medical Center teaches children about the human body, both inside and out. Kids can put on scrubs and then examine bones, x-rays, and more. The Flight for Life helicopter will send the imaginations of children to the nearest rescue and then bring them back to the museum. There’s even a space for the youngest guests of the Mountain Top Children’s Museum. Tot Spot is designed for children ages two and under, with several different interactive experiences to keep their little hands busy.
The Children’s Museum also provides a summer camp each year that lasts for at least eleven weeks. This summer programs is packed with a variety of crazy experiments, art antics, and projects. Children can come to the summer camp to explore nature, use their brain and imagination to figure many things out, and create things out of loose parts.
555 South Park Avenue, Breckenridge, CO 80424, Phone: 970-453-7878
