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The 6 Best Closest Ski Resorts Near Denver, 2023/24

The 6 Best Closest Ski Resorts Near Denver, 2023/24
Kylie Dingman
Written by Kylie Dingman / Photos by Greg Burke
Last updated May 20, 2022

Denver is the gateway to some of the best skiing in the US but many of the popular resorts are actually a few hours away. Thankfully, there are a handful of ski areas that are roughly an hour’s drive from downtown which will satisfy your powder cravings. Here's a quick list on the closest resorts to Denver based on drive time.

Vasquez Cirque Territory at Winter Park ski resort
Vasquez Cirque

Why Ski Winter Park

Winter Park is one of the most affordable ski destinations in Colorado, making it a popular option for family ski trips. The resort has two main interconnected mountains with 1,247 ha of skiable terrain that have separate base areas; Winter Park and Mary Jane. Winter Park is catered towards beginners, intermediates, and park shredders. Mary Jane’s terrain is more difficult and is characterised by its black diamond mogul runs. You will be able to find lodging in the Village at the base of the resort which are most suited for families that value proximity to the slopes. If you’re willing to lodge a few miles away, in the town of Winter Park, you will find very affordable options that will give you access to more restaurants, bars and shops.

Known for

Winter Park is the closest large ski resort to Denver and is ideal for families

Highlights

  • Easily accessible from Denver including the weekend train between Denver Union Station and the resort
  • Excellent range of terrain for different abilities including mogul runs
  • Family-friendly resort with great ski school programs and tubing activities
  • Smaller base area compared to larger Colorado resorts

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Oct 31 2022
  • Closing Date: May 29 2023

Closest airports

Denver Intl. Airport - 145 km (2 hour drive)
Vasquez Cirque Territory at Winter Park ski resort
Vasquez Cirque

Why Ski Winter Park

Winter Park is one of the most affordable ski destinations in Colorado, making it a popular option for family ski trips. The resort has two main interconnected mountains with 1,247 ha of skiable terrain that have separate base areas; Winter Park and Mary Jane. Winter Park is catered towards beginners, intermediates, and park shredders. Mary Jane’s terrain is more difficult and is characterised by its black diamond mogul runs. You will be able to find lodging in the Village at the base of the resort which are most suited for families that value proximity to the slopes. If you’re willing to lodge a few miles away, in the town of Winter Park, you will find very affordable options that will give you access to more restaurants, bars and shops.

north peak at Keystone
North Peak at Keystone

Why Ski Keystone

Keystone treads the middle ground between luxury ski resorts like Vail and bustling ski towns like Breckenridge, offering an affordable experience while remaining competitive in other aspects. This place is a family favourite because it’s easy for groups with different skiing abilities to stay together on the mountain. Having a huge ski area means the terrain will keep you skiing or boarding new trails for days on end. Though there's not much extreme terrain here, Keystone has one of the country’s best terrain parks. All sorts of different accommodation options are available here, and there’s usually something to suit most budgets, with prices a notch lower than at Aspen and Vail.

Known for

Keystone is one of the best family-friendly resorts in Colorado and has the largest night skiing operation in the state

Highlights

  • Keystone is popular for its Kidtopia play area and endless family-friendly programs
  • Great for beginner skiing as the learning area is located at the bottom and top of the mountain
  • Boasting one of the best terrain parks in Colorado with its own lift
  • Crowds can be a problem if you're skiing on a weekend

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Oct 28 2022
  • Closing Date: Apr 17 2023

Closest airports

Denver Intl. Airport - 145 km (2 hour drive)
north peak at Keystone
North Peak at Keystone

Why Ski Keystone

Keystone treads the middle ground between luxury ski resorts like Vail and bustling ski towns like Breckenridge, offering an affordable experience while remaining competitive in other aspects. This place is a family favourite because it’s easy for groups with different skiing abilities to stay together on the mountain. Having a huge ski area means the terrain will keep you skiing or boarding new trails for days on end. Though there's not much extreme terrain here, Keystone has one of the country’s best terrain parks. All sorts of different accommodation options are available here, and there’s usually something to suit most budgets, with prices a notch lower than at Aspen and Vail.

view looking from arapahoe basin summit
Looking down from A-Basin Summit

Why Ski Arapahoe Basin

Arapahoe or A-Basin is one of the best places in Colorado for spring skiing. With a summit elevation reaching 3,978 m, it allows the resort to stay open into June and sometimes even later. Arapahoe is easy to reach from Denver making it a no-brainer for skiers that want to take a quick weekend ski trip. However, Arapahoe doesn’t have a town at its base and you’ll have to find accommodation in surrounding areas such as Keystone which is only a 10 minute drive away or Silverthorne and Frisco which are more affordable options.

Known for

Arapahoe Basin has gained a reputation of having a “local's mountain” vibe in Colorado and offering extreme terrain

Highlights

  • Arapahoe Basin boasts one of the longest ski seasons (October - June)
  • Incredible advanced terrain
  • Budget friendly compared to other Colorado ski resorts
  • Very limited amenities and no lodging at the base

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Oct 23 2022
  • Closing Date: Jun 04 2023

Closest airports

Denver Intl. Airport - 142 km (2 hour drive)
view looking from arapahoe basin summit
Looking down from A-Basin Summit

Why Ski Arapahoe Basin

Arapahoe or A-Basin is one of the best places in Colorado for spring skiing. With a summit elevation reaching 3,978 m, it allows the resort to stay open into June and sometimes even later. Arapahoe is easy to reach from Denver making it a no-brainer for skiers that want to take a quick weekend ski trip. However, Arapahoe doesn’t have a town at its base and you’ll have to find accommodation in surrounding areas such as Keystone which is only a 10 minute drive away or Silverthorne and Frisco which are more affordable options.

view from indian peaks eldora mountain
View from Indian Peaks, Eldora

Why Ski Eldora

Eldora Mountain is the second closest ski resort to Denver, about an hour’s drive away. For a small resort by Colorado standards, Eldora has a decent variety of terrain. There are 11 lifts which serve everything – easy greens, cruisey blues, challenging blacks and double blacks. In addition to alpine skiing, the resort has roughly 40 km of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. The only thing we don’t like here are the wind holds which sometimes close off most of the terrain. All in all, it’s got a really good balance between what the mountain offers for its price and convenience.

Known for

Variety of terrain given its size

Highlights

  • Variety of terrain for a small ski area including glades
  • Snowmaking possible on all groomed runs
  • Great ski resort for a day trip from Denver
  • Small ski area

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Nov 11 2022
  • Closing Date: Apr 16 2023(Estimated close date based on historical data)

Closest airports

Denver Intl. Airport - 106 km (1.5 hour drive)
view from indian peaks eldora mountain
View from Indian Peaks, Eldora

Why Ski Eldora

Eldora Mountain is the second closest ski resort to Denver, about an hour’s drive away. For a small resort by Colorado standards, Eldora has a decent variety of terrain. There are 11 lifts which serve everything – easy greens, cruisey blues, challenging blacks and double blacks. In addition to alpine skiing, the resort has roughly 40 km of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. The only thing we don’t like here are the wind holds which sometimes close off most of the terrain. All in all, it’s got a really good balance between what the mountain offers for its price and convenience.

the continental divide loveland
The Continental Divide

Why Ski Loveland

Here at Loveland, you’ll find that classic mid-West ski experience – a small base lodge serving up inexpensive hot cocoa and comfort food, filled with locals who are all about skiing. While Loveland’s mountain stats are roughly on par with Breckenridge and Copper Mountain, it has a higher elevation which means it enjoys a longer season than most resorts and even has free cat skiing. It is often overlooked by destination skiers because it lacks the amenities of its rival resorts to the west. For restaurants beyond those offered at the base area, you either need to drive to Silverthorne or Georgetown. For lodging, you’ll find plenty in Silverthorne.

Known for

Local's mountain with free cat skiing along the Continental Divide

Highlights

  • Free cat skiing
  • Enjoys a long season (often mid-October to mid-May)
  • Few crowds
  • Minimal amentities and no lodging at base

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Nov 03 2022
  • Closing Date: May 07 2023

Closest airports

Denver Intl. Airport - 129 km (1.5 hour drive)
the continental divide loveland
The Continental Divide

Why Ski Loveland

Here at Loveland, you’ll find that classic mid-West ski experience – a small base lodge serving up inexpensive hot cocoa and comfort food, filled with locals who are all about skiing. While Loveland’s mountain stats are roughly on par with Breckenridge and Copper Mountain, it has a higher elevation which means it enjoys a longer season than most resorts and even has free cat skiing. It is often overlooked by destination skiers because it lacks the amenities of its rival resorts to the west. For restaurants beyond those offered at the base area, you either need to drive to Silverthorne or Georgetown. For lodging, you’ll find plenty in Silverthorne.

breckenridge ski resort colorado
Colorado has a lot of offer… if you’re willing to drive

Why Ski Echo Mountain

Echo is the closest resort to Denver but if you are driving, make sure your car has all-wheel drive, as the winding roads can get ‘interesting’ during the winter. Coming in at only 183 m of vertical drop, all runs are a top-to-bottom affair, and all serviced by a single triple chair. If you’re a beginner skier, travelling on a budget, or value proximity to Denver, then Echo Mountain would no doubt be the best place to try out the sport in a low-commitment setting. But if you’re a powderhound at heart, Echo Mountain will disappoint.

Known for

Closest resort to Denver, although small in size

Highlights

  • Under an hour's drive away from Denver!
  • Your cheapest ski option near Denver
  • Night-skiing available on the whole mountain
  • Tiny ski area served by 1 chairlift

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Dec 15 2022
  • Closing Date: Apr 16 2023

Closest airports

Denver Intl. Airport - 97 km (1.5 hour drive)
breckenridge ski resort colorado
Colorado has a lot of offer… if you’re willing to drive

Why Ski Echo Mountain

Echo is the closest resort to Denver but if you are driving, make sure your car has all-wheel drive, as the winding roads can get ‘interesting’ during the winter. Coming in at only 183 m of vertical drop, all runs are a top-to-bottom affair, and all serviced by a single triple chair. If you’re a beginner skier, travelling on a budget, or value proximity to Denver, then Echo Mountain would no doubt be the best place to try out the sport in a low-commitment setting. But if you’re a powderhound at heart, Echo Mountain will disappoint.