As the cooler weather starts to arrive and the winter months draw ever nearer, many people start to think about all the fun winter activities they’ll soon be able to enjoy. Lazy beach vacations can be fun in the summer, but when winter comes around, there’s no better getaway than a ski trip. Skiing is one of the most popular activities in the United States, with countless mountains and resorts located all around the nation.

More ideas: Best Weekend Getaways, Best Day Trips

Colorado is one of the best spots for skiing in all of North America. World class ski resorts can be found in the Centennial State, including the likes of Aspen and Vail, and there are a lot of options available to Colorado residents and tourists. If you happen to be looking for a skiing trip in the Colorado Springs area, there are several great resorts relatively short drives away. Here’s some key information about the best ski resorts near the city of Colorado Springs.

Loveland Ski Area - I-70, Dillon, CO 80435, Phone: 800-736-3754

When you visit Loveland Ski Area, you’ll be blown away by just how much fun it is, but surprised by the relatively low numbers of visitors. This is still a popular ski resort, but compared to other rival names, Loveland doesn’t attract the same big crowds. The reasons for that are unclear, but it means that if you do want to visit a great Colorado Springs skiing location and not have to worry about it being too busy, Loveland is the place to be.

Skiing season runs for an extra long time at this location as well, beginning in October and continuing through to the middle of May. Loveland Ski Area is about a two-hour drive from Colorado Springs via the I-25 and I-70, so it’s one of the nearest destinations. You won’t find much in the way of eateries or lodging at Loveland, so it’s better-suited for day trips than full weekends, but it has more than 90 trails to enjoy and a huge amount of skiable land.

Breckenridge Ski Resort - 1599 Ski Hill Rd, Breckenridge, CO 80424, Phone: 970-453-5000

Ask any ski lover about their favorite spot to ski in Colorado and there's a good chance they'll mention Breckenridge. This is one of the most famous and popular ski resorts in the state, and it's pretty conveniently situated for Colorado Springs too, being about a 2-hour drive out of the city. Breckenridge sees some of the highest visitor numbers of any ski resort in North America, but it has more than enough runs and terrain to handle the crowds.

There are over 150 different runs at Breckenridge, ranging from easy greens to a large amount of double black expert trails. Almost 3,000 acres of skiable land can be found at this resort, with over 30 lifts and 25 acres of terrain parks. Full lodging can be found on-site, along with many other amenities including almost a dozen different dining options.

Monarch Mountain - 23715 US-50, Salida, CO 81201, Phone: 719-530-5000

Located in the city Salida, Monarch Mountain is a little over two hours away from Colorado Springs. Offering an authentic, exhilarating skiing experience with a lot of advanced and expert trails to try out, Monarch Mountain has a lot of appeal for experienced skiers, but can be a great spot for families too. Skiing season at this resort runs from November through to April.

The area doesn't require any snowmaking equipment as it sees around 400 inches of snowfall annually, and the surrounding scenery offers a beautiful backdrop for long days of skiing. Over 60 runs can be found at Monarch, with the longest running for a full mile, and the area also features five chair lifts.

Copper Mountain - 209 Ten Mile Cir, Frisco, CO 80443, Phone: 866-841-2481

Another great ski area in Colorado, Copper Mountain is less than two and a half hours away from the city of Colorado Springs. This ski resort location is situated 75 miles away from Denver and is one of the largest in the state, with almost 2,500 acres of skiable land. 23 ski lifts serve Copper Mountain and more than 140 runs can be enjoyed, providing a lot of variety and reasons to come back for repeat visits.

There are some advanced and expert trails at Copper Mountain, as well as a large number of easy and intermediate runs for inexperienced skiers to try out too. Three villages serve the resort, each with their own accommodation options and eateries.