Winter has arrived in Colorado, and with it some of the state’s most-popular activities: skiing and snowboarding.

Several resorts in the state are already open for the season and most of the others are scheduled to open by early December.

Planning ahead can save Colorado skiers and snowboarders a lot of money this year, with just about every resort offering significant discounts on daily and multi-day tickets purchased in advance online. Early online bookings will also save skiers money on rental equipment and lessons at most Colorado ski areas.

With COVID-19 restrictions that altered operations the past three ski seasons gone, the state’s resorts are generally back to normal pre-pandemic operations.

Skiers and snowboarders can buy tickets at walk-up windows, rent equipment on-site, join group lessons on the same day and enjoy the amenities of on-mountain and base-area lodges, restaurants and bars.

If you’re planning to ski or snowboard at a Colorado resort this season, here’s what you need to know:

Arapahoe Basin

• Status: Open

• Location: 64 miles west of Denver, 11 miles east of Dillon

• Website: https://arapahoebasin.com/

• Operating hours: Lifts open at 8:30 a.m. weekends and holidays, 9 a.m. weekdays. Lifts close between 3:15-4 p.m.

• Lift tickets: Online purchase only; ticket window open only for verification and validation of certain discounted tickets purchased online

• Pass holders: No reservations required

• Rentals: Advance online booking required

• Lessons: Online booking recommended but not required

Aspen (Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Snowmass)

• Status: Aspen Mountain and Snowmass open; Aspen Highlands scheduled to open Dec. 10; Buttermilk scheduled to open Dec. 17.

• Location: 198 miles west of Denver; 41 miles southeast of Glenwood Springs

• Website: https://aspensnowmass.com/

• Operating hours: Most lifts open daily at 9 a.m. and close between 3:30 and 4 p.m.

• Lift tickets: Adults $159-$229 (prices vary by date), seniors ages 65 and over and and children ages 7-17 $117-$169, children 6 and under free; advance purchase online recommended since daily capacity limited

• Pass holders: No reservations required for AspenSnowmass ticket holders; reservations required for Ikon and Mountain Collective pass holders through the websites for those passes

• Rentals: Available in person; online reservations made at least 48 hours in advance receive 20% discount

• Lessons: Advance reservations recommended but not required

Beaver Creek

• Status: Open

• Location: 109 miles west of Denver; 13 miles west of Vail

• Operating hours: Lifts open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Website: https://beavercreek.com/

• Lift tickets: Adults $215-$279 (prices vary by date), seniors ages 65 and over $205-$265, children ages 5-12 $148-$190, children 4 and under free; advance purchase online recommended since daily capacity will be limited

• Pass holders: No reservations required for Epic pass holders

• Rentals: Online booking in advance recommended but not required; local delivery and early pickup available

• Lessons: Online booking in advance recommended but not required

Breckenridge

• Status: Open

• Location: 81 miles west of Denver; 10 miles south of Frisco

• Operating hours: Lifts open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 or 4 p.m.

• Website: https://www.breckenridge.com/

• Lift tickets: Adults $179-$255 (prices vary by date), seniors ages 65 and over $159-$245, children ages 5-12 $116-$156, children 4 and under free; advance purchase recommended since daily capacity will be limited

• Pass holders: No reservations required for Epic pass holders

• Rentals: Online booking in advance recommended but not required; local delivery and early pickup available

• Lessons: Online booking in advance recommended but not required

Copper Mountain

• Status: Open

• Location: 78 miles west of Denver; 12 miles west of Dillon

• Operating hours: Lifts open daily from 9 a.m. until 3-4 p.m.

• Website: https://www.coppercolorado.com/

• Lift tickets: Adults $169-$229 (prices vary by date), children ages 5-12 $119-$149, children 4 and under free

• Pass holders: No reservations required for Copper Mountain or Ikon pass holders

• Rentals: Online booking in advance recommended but not required

• Lessons: Online booking in advance recommended but not required

Crested Butte

• Status: Open

• Location: 228 miles southwest of Denver; 28 miles north of Gunnison

• Hours of operation: Lifts open daily 9 a.m. to 3:30-4 p.m.

• Website: https://www.skicb.com/

• Lift tickets: Adults $119-$179 (prices varies by date), seniors ages 65 and over $100-$150, children ages 5-12 $69-$104, children 4 and under free

• Pass holders: No reservations required for Epic pass holders

• Rentals: Online booking in advance recommended but not required; local delivery and early pickup available

• Lessons: Online booking in advance recommended but not required

Echo Mountain

• Status: Opening TBA

• Location: 36 miles west of Denver; 11 miles south of Idaho Springs

• Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

• Website: https://echomntn.com/

• Lift tickets: Adults $79 or more (prices vary by date), children ages 6-16 $50 or more

• Pass holders: No reservations required

• Rentals: Online advance booking required; rental equipment not available for night skiing

• Lessons: Not available

Eldora

• Status: Open

• Location: 50 miles west of Denver; 21 miles west of Boulder (parking reservations required on Saturdays and Sundays; must be booked in advance online)

• Operating hours: Lifts open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Website: https://eldora.com

• Lift tickets: Adults $99-$189 (prices vary by date), seniors ages 70 and over and children ages 6-15 $79-$139, children 4 and under $29

• Pass holders: No reservations required for Eldora or Ikon pass holders

• Rentals: Online booking in advance recommended but not required

• Lessons: Online booking in advance recommended but not required

Granby Ranch

• Status: Scheduled to open Dec. 10

• Location: 86 miles west of Denver; 5 miles south of Granby

• Operating hours: Lifts open daily from 9 a.m. to 3-4 p.m.

• Website: https://granbyranch.com

• Lift tickets: Adults $99-$124 (prices vary by date), seniors ages 80 and over $20-$30, children ages 6-12 $69-$89, children ages 4 and under free

• Pass holders: No reservations required

• Rentals: Advance booking online recommended but not required

• Lessons: Advance booking online recommended but not required

Hesperus

• Status: Opening TBA

• Location: 361 miles southwest of Denver; 25 miles west of Durango

• Operating hours: Lifts open from 4-9 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

• Website: https://www.ski-hesperus.com/

• Lift tickets: 2022-23 rates not available. 2021-22 rates were adults $46, $34 night-skiing only; seniors ages 60-74 $39, $29 night-skiing only; teens ages 20 and under $38, $29 night-skiing only; seniors 75 and over and children 12 and under free.

Howelsen Hill

• Status: Open

• Location: 166 miles northwest of Denver; in Steamboat Springs

• Operating hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

• Website: https://steamboatsprings.net/131/Howelsen-Hill-Ski-Area

• Lift tickets: Adults $43, seniors ages 65 and over and youths ages 6-18 $31, children 4 and under free; Sundays free for all

• Pass holders: No reservations required

• Rentals: Not available

• Lessons: Not available

Kendall Mountain

• Status: Scheduled to open Dec. 16

• Location: 325 miles southwest of Denver; in Silverton

• Operating hours: Lifts open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday-Sunday and holiday periods (Dec. 23-Jan. 2, Jan. 16, Feb. 20, March 17, March 24-April 3)

• Website: https://www.skikendall.com/

• Lift tickets: Advance purchase online required; adults $26, seniors ages 65 and over and children ages 6-18 $18, children 5 and under free

• Pass holders: No reservations required

• Rentals: Online booking in advance required

• Lessons: Not available

Keystone

• Status: Open

• Location: 77 miles west of Denver

• Operating hours: Lifts open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., night skiing available 3-8 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, select Sundays and holiday periods

• Website: https://www.keystoneresort.com/

• Lift tickets: Adults $155-$225 (prices vary by date), seniors ages 65 and over $145-$215, children ages 5-12 $90-$131, children ages 4 and under free; advance purchase recommended since daily capacity will be limited

• Pass holders: No reservations required for Keystone, Summit and Epic pass holders

• Rentals: Advance booking online recommended but not required; local delivery and early pickup available

• Lessons: Advance booking online recommended but not required

Loveland

• Status: Open

• Location: 57 miles west of Denver; 13 miles west of Georgetown

• Operating hours: Lifts open at 8:30 a.m. weekends and holidays, 9 a.m. weekdays and close from 3:30-4 p.m.

• Website: https://skiloveland.com/

• Lift tickets: Adults $99-$119 (prices vary by date), seniors ages 60 and over $89, children ages 6-14 $37-$40, children 5 and under free; Loveland Valley only, adults $50, children ages 6-14 $30

• Pass holders: No reservations required

• Rentals: Advance booking online recommended but not required

• Lessons: Advance booking online or by phone, 303-571-5580, recommended but not required

Monarch

• Status: Open

• Location: 157 miles southwest of Denver; 21 miles west of Salida

• Operating hours: Lifts open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Website: https://www.skimonarch.com/

• Lift tickets: Adults $104-$139 (prices vary by date), seniors ages 62-68 $74-$109, teens ages 13-17 $74-$109, children ages 7-12 $64-$99, seniors 69 and over and children 6 and under free

• Pass holders: No reservations required

• Rentals: Advance booking online recommended but not required

• Lessons: Advance booking online recommended but not required

Powderhorn

• Status: Open

• Location: 233 miles west of Denver; 39 miles east of Grand Junction

• Operating hours: Lifts open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Website: https://www.powderhorn.com/

• Lift tickets: Adults $79 weekdays, $89 weekends; children ages 6-12 $49-$59, seniors 75 and over and children 5 and under free

• Pass holders: No reservations required

• Rentals: Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., no reservations required

• Lessons: Not available early season, additional information TBA

Purgatory

• Status: Open

• Location: 363 miles southwest of Denver; 27 miles north of Durango

• Operating hours: Lifts open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Website: https://www.purgatoryresort.com/

• Lift tickets: Same-day prices not available, advance purchase online $42-$94 (prices vary by date)

• Pass holders: No reservations required

• Rentals: Advance booking online recommended but not required

• Lessons: Advance booking online required

Ski Cooper

• Status: Open

• Location: 109 miles southwest of Denver; 10 miles north of Leadville

• Operating hours: Lifts open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Website: https://www.skicooper.com/

• Lift tickets: Adults $95, children ages 6-14 $70; season passes for seniors 75 and over and children 5 and under $10

• Pass holders: No reservations required

• Rentals: Online and onsite purchase available

• Lessons: Advance registration required by calling 800-707-6114

Silverton Mountain

• Status: Open for helicopter skiing only; guided skiing from lift scheduled to open Dec. 29

• Location:  330 miles southwest of Denver; 6 miles north of Silverton

• Operating hours: Thursday-Sunday, lift opens at 9 a.m. Open Wednesdays, too, from March 15-April 16

• Website: https://silvertonmountain.com/

• Lift tickets: $219-$1,999 (prices vary by date, level of service and number of people in your party), advance purchase online highly recommended but not required

• Rentals: Skis, snowboards and required avalanche equipment available; bring your own boots and snowboard bindings

• Lessons: Not available

Steamboat

• Status: Open

• Location: 164 miles west of Denver; 4 miles south of Steamboat Springs

• Operating hours: Lifts open daily from 9 a.m. to 3:30-4 p.m.; night-skiing lifts open at 5:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday and holiday periods, beginning Dec. 15

• Website: https://www.steamboat.com/

• Lift tickets: Adults $135-$269 (prices vary by date), seniors ages 70 and over $105-$233, children ages 5-12 $98-$182, children 4 and under $10

• Pass holders: No reservations required for Steamboat or Ikon pass holders

• Rentals: Advance purchase online recommended but not required; early pick-up and delivery available

• Lessons: Advance purchase online recommended but not required

Sunlight

• Status: Scheduled to re-open Dec. 9

• Location: 170 miles west of Denver; 13 miles south of Glenwood Springs

• Operating hours: Lifts open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Website: https://sunlightmtn.com/

• Lift tickets: Adults $59-$82 (prices vary by date), seniors ages 70-79 $49-$62, children ages 6-12 $29-$45, seniors ages 80 and over and children 5 and under free

• Pass holders: No reservations required

• Rentals: Advance booking online recommended but not required

• Lessons: Advance booking online recommended but not required

Telluride

• Status: Open

• Location: 331 miles southwest of Denver; in Telluride

• Operating hours: Lifts open daily from 9 a.m. to 3:15-4 p.m.

• Website: https://tellurideskiresort.com/

• Lift tickets: Adults $162-$209 (prices vary by date), seniors ages 65-79 $115-$160, children ages 6-12 $80-$106, seniors ages 80 and over and children 5 and under free

• Pass holders: No reservations required for Telluride or Epic pass holders

• Rentals: Advance booking online recommended but not required

• Lessons: Advance booking online recommended but not required

Vail

• Status: Open

• Location: 97 miles west of Denver; in Vail

• Operating hours: Lifts open daily from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Website: https://www.vail.com

• Lift tickets: Adults $214-$275 (prices vary by date), seniors ages 65 and over $205-$265, children ages 5-12 $148-$190, children 4 and under free; advance purchase recommended since daily capacity will be limited

• Pass holders: No reservations required for Epic pass holders

• Rentals: Advance booking online recommended but not required; local delivery and early pickup available

• Lessons: Advance booking online recommended but not required

Winter Park

• Status: Open

• Location: 66 miles west of Denver; 34 miles northwest of Idaho Springs

• Operating hours: Lifts open at 8:30 a.m. weekends, 9 a.m. weekdays and close 3:30-4 p.m.

• Website: https://winterparkresort.com

• Lift tickets: Adults $119-$249 (prices vary by date), children ages 5-12 $63-$127, children 4 and under $20

• Pass holders: No reservations required for Winter Park or Ikon pass holders

• Rentals: Advance booking online recommended but not required

• Lessons: Advance booking online recommended but not required

Wolf Creek

• Status: Open

• Location: 253 miles southwest of Denver; 24 miles northeast of Pagosa Springs

• Operating hours: Lifts open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Website: https://wolfcreekski.com

• Lift tickets: Adults $85-$95, seniors ages 65-79 $54-$64, seniors 80 and over free, children ages 6-12 $42-$52, children ages 5 and under $6

• Pass holders: No reservations required

• Rentals: Online booking available but walk-ups welcome

• Lessons: Online booking available but walk-ups welcome

Contact Coloradoan reporter Kelly Lyell at kellylyell@coloradoan.com, follow him on Twitter @KellyLyell and find him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KellyLyell.news

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: What to know about Colorado skiing in during the 2022-23 season