Here is a quick look at the Summit County Ski Resorts (and a few more that hold a special place in my heart). I have provided lift prices, a few links for you to explore and my personal opinion of the resorts. I will try to keep it objective, just remember, each resort is as unique as the skier or snowboarder that visits.
Arapahoe Basin
Regular season Passes; available until April 18, 2010 (then Late Season prices begin)
| Adult Full Day: $65 | Child: $52 | Semi Senior: $52 |
| Adult Half Day: $53 | Child Full Day: $28 | Senior Full Day: $1 |
How to Get There Official Page
Nick-named A-Basin, this is the best resort for skiing or riding before or after the official start and end dates of the season. I have enjoyed a few lazy day Bar-B-Ques in the parking lot that’s easy to get to from your car. The mountain isn’t that big and sometimes, because of its intent to stay open year round, it’s more rocky than not.
Keystone
Regular season Passes; available until April 3, 2010 (then Late Season prices begin)
| Adult Full Day: $98 | Child: $50 | Senior: $83 |
| You can combine Keystone and Breckenridge lift tickets to get better prices. Also, buy multiple lift tickets along with lodging to take a long weekend. | ||
How to Get There Official Page
Keystone will always hold a place in my heart. Though the mountain can be icy in the back bowls, crowed on the front side and has gone “corporate” in the last few years, I know it well and have shared some great times on its slopes. The Terrain Park is the best of all the surrounding resorts and it’s the only Resort around that offers Night-Riding.
A group of friends and I at Keystone in 2007
Breckenridge
Regular season Passes; available until April 4, 2010 (then Late Season prices begin)
| Adult Full Day: $93 | Child: $50 | Senior: $83 |
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You can combine Keystone and Breckenridge lift tickets to get better prices. Also, buy multiple lift tickets along with lodging to take a long weekend. |
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How to Get There Official Site
Breckenridge is great for its wide variety of runs. You can find easy, medium or hard runs, tree-runs or groomers across 4 Peaks (though they are named Peak 7, 8, 9 and 10). The Imperial Lift takes you to the highest point at the resort, 12, 998ft above sea-level. Parking can be a bit of a bummer, and this Resort is usually packed on the weekends.
A hiking trail at the top of Imperial Lift at Breckenridge
Vail
Regular season Passes; available until April 4, 2010 (then Late Season prices begin)
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Adult Full Day: $98 |
Child: $62 | Senior: $88 |
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You can combine Vail and Beaver Creek lift tickets to get better prices. Also, buy multiple lift tickets along with lodging to take a long weekend. |
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How to Get There Official Site
Oh, Vail. This Mountain, with its expansive and never ending back bowls, provides a long ski day. There is so much terrain, you might ski from sun-up till sun-down and never ride the same tracks twice. The front side of the mountain is great for beginners, there’s even a whole peak dedicated to education, and the backside provides an everlasting challenge.
Beaver Creek
Regular season Passes; available until April 4, 2010 (then Late Season prices begin)
| Adult Full Day: $98 | Child: $62 | Senior: $88 |
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You can combine Vail and Beaver Creek lift tickets to get better prices. Also, buy multiple lift tickets along with lodging to take a long weekend. |
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How to Get There Official Site
Beaver Creek is a quiet Resort. It’s never too busy, and it has a good amount for terrain. The Beav isn’t my favorite place, it just doesn’t stick out to me, but the free cookies served in front of the ski school at 3pm are well worth it.
Telluride
Regular season Passes; available until April 4, 2010 (then Late Season prices begin)
| Adult Full Day: $92 | Child: $56 | Senior: $82 |
| You can combine Vail and Beaver Creek lift tickets to get better prices. Also, buy multiple lift tickets along with lodging to take a long weekend. | ||
How to Get There Official Page
Telluride is my home Mountain. Known for its beautiful scenery and elite village, Telluride makes for a great escape. Though the mountain isn’t as big as Vail, (2,000 skiable acres versus Vail’s 5,289 acres) the Mountain boasts Heli-skiing that adds another 810 acres of terrain. The mountain is barely ever crowded and the scenery can’t be found anywhere else in Colorado.
View from one of the highest runs at Telluride, See Forever
Slope Savvy 