Small Ski Resorts in Colorado

Colorado is famous for great skiing, due to the state’s mountainous geography and lots of dry, powdery snowfall. The words “Colorado” and “ski resorts” usually conjure up visions of Aspen, Breckenridge or Vail, but the state also offers many smaller resorts. Savvy travelers can avoid the crowds and the hype but still get in a great day of skiing at one of Colorado’s lesser-known resorts.

  1. Arapahoe Basin

    • Arapahoe Basin, about 95 miles west of Denver, offers 105 trails and seven chairlifts. The mountain is usually open from October until June. Arapahoe receives more than 350 inches of annual snowfall. With two terrain parks featuring rails, picnic tables and boxes, Arapahoe Basin is perfect for freestyle snowboarding and skiing. Arapahoe Basin offers three restaurants, a bar, a coffee shop, ski equipment rentals and a ski school.

      Arapahoe Basin

      28194 U.S. 6

      Dillon, CO 80435

      970-513-5700

      arapahoebasin.com

    Echo Mountain

    • Located 35 miles from Denver in Idaho Springs, Echo Mountain offers a vertical drop of 660 feet. Echo Mountain is open from early December through May, with an average snowfall of 220 inches. Echo Park offers 15 trails, terrain parks for freestyle skiing and snowboarding, three lifts, including a triple-chair lift, a handle-tow surface lift and a magic carpet surface lift. Take ski or snowboarding lessons at the ski school, which offers beginning to freestyle lessons.

      Echo Mountain

      19285 Hwy. 103

      Idaho Springs, CO 80452

      303-325-7347

      echomt.com

    Eldora Mountain Resort

    • Eldora Mountain Resort is located in Nederland, about 18 miles from Boulder. Eldora operates 12 lifts and features a vertical drop of 1,600 feet. The resort offers three terrain parks for freestyle skiers and snowboarders. Eldora also features two main lodges, each offering a restaurant and bar. A café sits on the top of the mountain at 10,800 feet. Eldora offers lessons for youth and adults, a rental shop and a tuning center.

      Eldora Mountain Resort

      2861 Eldora Ski Road #140

      Nederland, CO 80466

      eldora.com

    Kendall Mountain Recreation Area

    • Kendall Mountain Recreation Area in Silverton offers a skiing experience geared toward families and beginning skiers. With a rope tow and one double-chair life, Kendall features four runs, tree runs and several small jumps. The hill features a 240-foot vertical drop and an average annual snowfall of 200 inches. Kendall offers private and small group ski and snowboard lessons. Rent skis, snowboards, boots, snowshoes, sleds, innertubes and skates at the recreation area's Gear Exchange shop. Nordic ski rentals also are available.

      Kendall Mountain

      1 Kendall Place

      Silverton, CO‎ 81433

      970-387-0182

      skikendall.com