Cheap Ski Resorts in Colorado

Colorado is known for outstanding skiing. Resorts like Aspen, Vail and Breckenridge may get all the press, but the cost of skiing at one of these world-class destinations can make it hard on your budget. Luckily, Colorado features several inexpensive ski resorts where it is possible to enjoy Colorado’s legendary powder without taking a huge hit on your wallet.

  1. Echo Mountain

    • Echo Mountain, located in Idaho Springs, offers 240 acres of skiing and snowboarding terrain. About 25 miles from Denver, Echo Mountain reaches an elevation of 10,650 feet with a vertical drop of 660 feet. Echo Mountain’s annual snowfall averages 275 inches. The resort features 15 trails and three lifts, a triple chair life, a handle tow and a carpet tow. An unlimited season pass sells for only $149 and day lift tickets sell for $28 (as of 2010/2011).

      Echo Mountain

      19285 Highway 103

      Idaho Springs, CO 80452

      303-325-7347

      echomt.com

    Howelsen Hill

    • Howelsen Hill Ski Area in Steamboat Springs offers adult lift tickets for $17 and youth tickets ranging from $6 to $12 (as of 2010). Used as an Olympic training ground, Howelsen Hill features natural ski jumps, a terrain park and 15 trails. Howelsen Hill’s elevation reaches 7,136 feet with a vertical drop of 440 feet. Four lifts include a double chair lift, a poma lift, a pony tow and a magic carpet surface lift. Annual snowfall at Howelsen Hill averages 250 inches.

      Howelsen Hill Ski Area

      845 Howelsen Parkway

      Steamboat Springs, CO 80477

      970-879-8499

      steamboatsprings.net

    Wolf Creek

    • Wolf Creek Ski Area, located in Pagosa Springs, offers an elevation of 11,900 feet and a vertical drop of 1,604 feet. According to the Wolf Creek website, the ski area boasts the most snowfall in Colorado, with an annual natural snowfall of 465 inches. The area has seven lifts, including two triple chairs, two quads, a double chair, a poma lift and a surface carpet lift. In 2009-2010, all-day adult lift passes cost $52, youth and senior passes cost $28, and children under age five cost $5. Wolf Creek offers four restaurants and bars, a ski school and a rental shop.

      Wolf Creek Ski Area

      PO Box 2800

      Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

      970-264-5639

      wolfcreekski.com

    Powderhorn

    • Powderhorn in Mesa has an elevation of 9,850 feet with a vertical drop of 1,650 feet. Annual snowfall at Powderhorn averages 250 inches. With three terrain parks, 1,600 acres of trails and four lifts, Powderhorn offers a mix of beginning, intermediate and advanced runs. Lift ticket prices start at $56 for an adult full-day, $46 for seniors and youth ages 13 to 18, and $26 for preteens and those over 70 (as of 2010). Powderhorn features a ski rental shop, ski and snowboard lessons and three dining establishments on the mountain.

      Powderhorn

      48338 Powderhorn Rd

      Mesa, CO 81643

      970-268-5700

      powderhorn.com