With more skier visits per annum than any other state, Colorado can rightly call itself home to America’s favorite slopes. There truly is something for everyone here—especially holders of both the Ikon and Epic passes, which are more or less equally represented below.
Breckenridge
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This high-elevation resort checks every box. Not only do its 2,900 skiable acres encompass a huge variety of terrain, but it has managed to retain its local flavor. Meanwhile, the conveniences keep coming. Breck celebrates its 60th anniversary this season with the opening of a new high-speed quad chairlift on Peak 7, and United’s new direct daily luxury bus service from Denver International Airport means no rental car line.
Vail
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Built as a resort in the ’60s, Vail may lack the historic charm of some of its rivals, but its Alpine architecture has aged gracefully, and the quantity of non-skiing options has exploded. With 5,300 skiable acres, Vail is Colorado’s largest mountain resort, and the snow conditions and terrain are exceptional. The vibe is clean-cut, international, and reliably family-friendly.
Steamboat
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Known for its cowboy culture, homegrown Olympians, and Champagne powder, this 18-lift resort sits at a comfortable remove from the busy I-70 corridor. The town (population: 12,000) doesn’t feel as if it was built entirely for vacationers, yet it lures visitors with its abundance of natural hot springs and attractions such as the 116-year-old ranchwear purveyors F.M. Light & Sons. Steamboat’s base area is in the midst of a multiyear redevelopment plan; a new gondola terminal is slated to open for the 2021-22 season.
Aspen Snowmass
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Aspen’s reputation for Hollywood glamour precedes it, but this four-mountain area is a superb place for travelers of all skill levels to get some serious skiing done, from beginner-friendly Buttermilk to the jaw-dropping steeps of Highland Bowl. Thanks to the town’s bohemian roots and big-money philanthropy, there’s also an impressive cultural scene here. Book a stay at the luxurious Viceroy Snowmass, which offers ski-in, ski-out lodging and a 7,000-square-foot spa.
Wolf Creek
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Located closer to Albuquerque than to Denver, this resort has one huge thing going for it: more snowfall than any other in Colorado—an average of 430 inches (!) a year. Family-owned Wolf Creek evokes simpler times, with its laid-back vibe, no-frills base area, and short lift lines. There are no on-mountain accommodations, so look to stay in nearby Pagosa Springs (renowned for its natural hot springs) or up-and-coming Del Norte.
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