How to access Colorado’s best ski resorts without breaking the bank
One of the biggest benefits to living in the Rockies during the winter is the ready access to literally dozens of ski resorts. And those living in Colorado are luckier than most. From south to north, the state is a skiing and snowboarding paradise.
Colorado ski resorts are legendary. With diverse terrain and some of the best snow anywhere, skiers and shredders living in the Centennial State are blessed. Thanks to a pair of resort-pass programs, Coloradans can enjoy winter on the slopes without breaking the bank.
The pass programs
Two ski- and snowboard-pass programs offer ready access to some of the best resorts in Colorado. From Vail and Aspen to Crested Butte, snow lovers can access the slopes as often as they like for a very reasonable price.
The Ikon Pass offers Colorado skiers and boarders access to six resorts in the state. Those resorts include Aspen Snowmass, Winter Park and Copper Mountain. The Epic Pass offers access to several storied resorts. They include Breckenridge and Vail, as well as Keystone. All are classic Colorado resorts. All are among the best ski mountains on the planet. And, with either pass, skiers can get their money’s worth.
The Ikon Pass
For less than $1,200, Colorado skiers and boarders can enjoy unlimited access to four Colorado ski resorts. These include Eldora (a family-friendly resort just west of the Denver area), Copper Mountain, Winter Park and Steamboat (consistently voted as one of the best resorts in the U.S.). With the Ikon Pass, skiers will also get up to seven days at Aspen Snowmass and Arapahoe Basin. A-Basin is of the first resorts to open and among the last to close every season. Ikon Pass resorts offer an excellent mix of beginner, intermediate and expert terrain. And the communities at the base of each resort are great for apres ski activities, like shopping, dining and a little bar-hopping.
The Epic Pass
A similar option, but with access to different resorts in Colorado, the Epic Pass offers skiers some variety and some of the best lightly-skied terrain in the state. For just over $900, skiers and boarders get unlimited access to Crested Butte, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone, as well as Vail. Like Steamboat above, Vail is considered one of the best Colorado ski resorts, and one of the best winter resorts in North America. Epic Pass resorts offer access to fabled slopes and great resort communities that attract tourists from the world over.
Bottom line
Buying an annual ski and snowboard pass is just one way Colorado residents can take advantage of winter in the Rockies. This winter has been absolutely epic, with most of the state receiving well above-average snowfall. Either pass will pay for itself with just a handful of trips to the slopes. Buying a pass is an economical way to ski and snowboard. And, it’s great way to get outside and enjoy winter in the Colorado Rockies.
