What to know about Colorado skiing during the 2022-23 season
Winter has arrived in Colorado, and with it some of the state’s most-popular activities: skiing and snowboarding.
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: Open
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: Open
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: Open
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: Open
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: Adults $48, $36 night-skiing only; seniors ages 60-74 $41, $30 night-skiing only; teens ages 20 and under $40, $30 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: Open
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
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: Open
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
