Colorado’s Top Ski Resorts Featured In Conde Nast Traveler

Picture yourself gliding down powdery slopes with stunning mountain views all around you. Colorado has some of the best ski resorts in the entire country, and Conde Nast Traveler knows exactly which ones deserve your attention.

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert skier, these amazing destinations offer incredible experiences that will make your winter vacation unforgettable.

Vail

Ever dreamed of skiing in a place that feels like a European fairy tale? Vail delivers exactly that magic with its charming Bavarian-inspired village and massive mountain terrain. The resort stretches across seven legendary Back Bowls covering around 3,000 acres of thrilling skiing.

Advanced skiers absolutely love the ungroomed powder found throughout these bowls. It’s the kind of challenge that gets your heart racing and your adrenaline pumping.

After a long day on the mountain, you can explore countless shops and restaurants that make Vail feel like a winter wonderland.

Steamboat Springs

They call it “Ski Town, USA” for a good reason. Steamboat Springs brings together authentic Western charm with some of the fluffiest snow you’ll ever experience. Locals proudly describe their powder as “champagne” because it’s so light and perfect for skiing.

Spanning six peaks and nearly 3,000 acres, this resort recently added a brand-new gondola to make getting around even easier. You can also enjoy ice-skating when you need a break from the slopes.

The combination of cowboy culture and world-class skiing creates something truly special here.

Aspen Mountain

If you’re looking for serious skiing with a side of luxury, Aspen Mountain is your spot. This resort caters mainly to intermediate and advanced skiers who crave challenging runs and steep terrain. The vertical drop exceeds 4,000 feet, which means you get long, exciting descents every time.

Recently, Aspen expanded with Hero’s terrain, adding over 150 acres of tough new runs. When you’re done skiing, the town offers fancy hotels and amazing restaurants.

It’s where serious skiers go to test their skills while enjoying the finer things in life.

Telluride

Hidden away in a dramatic box canyon, Telluride feels like discovering a secret skiing paradise. The historic downtown has preserved its Old West character while offering modern skiing experiences. Over 2,000 skiable acres await you, with a vertical drop that reaches beyond 4,400 feet.

What makes Telluride extra special is the free gondola that connects the mountain to town. You can ride it anytime without spending a penny, which is pretty cool.

The mix of challenging slopes and charming Victorian buildings creates an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else in Colorado.

Breckenridge

Breckenridge welcomes everyone, from first-timers to expert skiers, with open arms. Spreading across five peaks and nearly 3,000 acres, this resort has terrain for every skill level imaginable. You’ll never get bored with so many different runs to explore and conquer.

The town itself is a treasure with its Victorian architecture and lively Main Street. Colorful buildings line the streets, filled with fun shops and cozy eateries.

It’s one of those places where the skiing is fantastic, but the town experience is equally memorable and worth your time.

Keystone Resort

How cool would it be to ski under the stars? Keystone makes that dream a reality with the largest night skiing operation in Colorado. Families especially love this resort because it offers gentle learning areas alongside more challenging terrain for everyone to enjoy together.

The resort features three distinct peaks, each with its own personality and difficulty level. Beginners can build confidence on groomed runs while experts tackle the steeper stuff.

Keystone’s commitment to making skiing accessible and fun for all ages sets it apart from other Colorado destinations.

Copper Mountain

Nature designed Copper Mountain perfectly for skiers. The mountain naturally divides itself by difficulty level, with beginner terrain on one side, intermediate in the middle, and expert runs on the other. This smart layout means you’ll always know where to find slopes that match your abilities.

Covering over 2,400 acres, Copper offers plenty of variety without feeling overwhelming. The village at the base provides everything you need within walking distance.

It’s a no-nonsense resort that focuses on great skiing rather than fancy frills, which many visitors truly appreciate.

Winter Park Resort

Just a short drive from Denver, Winter Park makes accessing incredible skiing super convenient. The resort has earned fame for Mary Jane mountain, where mogul enthusiasts find their happy place among endless bumpy runs. But don’t worry if moguls aren’t your thing, because there’s so much more here.

Winter Park spans seven territories with terrain for every preference and skill level. The resort prides itself on excellent ski schools that help newcomers learn quickly.

With its easy access and diverse offerings, it’s become a favorite weekend getaway for Colorado locals and visitors alike.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Are you brave enough for some of Colorado’s gnarliest terrain? Crested Butte has built a reputation as the birthplace of extreme skiing, with steep chutes and challenging runs that thrill adrenaline junkies. The colorful historic mining town at the base adds quirky character you’ll remember forever.

While known for expert terrain, the resort also offers plenty of intermediate and beginner areas. The remote location keeps crowds smaller than other Colorado resorts.

If you want authentic mountain culture combined with serious skiing challenges, Crested Butte delivers both beautifully.

Snowmass

Size matters when it comes to Snowmass, and this resort has tons of it. Spreading across four mountains with over 3,300 acres, it’s actually the largest in the Aspen area. You could ski here for weeks and still discover new runs and hidden spots to explore.

Families find Snowmass particularly appealing because it offers activities beyond just skiing. The ski-in, ski-out village makes logistics easy when you’re traveling with kids.

From gentle groomed runs to challenging terrain, Snowmass provides variety that keeps everyone in your group happy and entertained all day long.