Skiing + Snowboarding

Right outside of Denver on I-70, Loveland Ski Area (considered Denver’s local mountain) offers a classic ski and snowboard experience you won’t find at any mega-resort. 

Some interesting Loveland Ski Area facts include:

• Summit Elevation: 13,010′
• Vertical Drop: 2,210′
• Skiable Acres: 1,800
• Annual Average Snowfall: 422″
• Trails: 93
• Lifts: 10
• Beginner: 13%
• Intermediate: 41%
• Expert: 46%

Please visit SkiLoveland.com for more information. 

Getting here: From Georgetown, the Loveland Ski Area is located 12 miles west, at Exit 216, off Interstate 70. 

Echo Mountain has a long and rich history, growing from a 1960s public ski area, to a terrain park, to a private ski training center, to its current iteration: Denver’s closest, most affordable ski area. 

Some interesting Echo Mountain facts include:

• Summit Elevation: 10,650’
• Vertical Drop: 600’
• Skiable Acres: 60
• Annual Average Snowfall: 275”
• Trails: 13
• Lifts: 2
• Beginner: 24%
• Intermediate: 46%
• Expert: 30%

Please visit EchoMntn.com for more information.

Getting here:  From Denver, Echo Mountain is a short drive up I-70 west, past Evergreen, before Idaho Springs.

Berthoud Pass traverses the Continental Divide in upper Clear Creek Canyon, making it the perfect high-elevation spot for unparalleled backcountry skiing and snowboarding. Although the beloved Berthoud Pass Ski Area officially closed back in 2002,  experts only still come here to take on a range of challenging and mellow routes with varying conditions. Remember, experts only! 

Some interesting Berthoud Pass facts include:

• Elevation Range: 11,306’-12,242’
• Vertical Drop: 600’-1,200’
• Skiable Acres: 1,200
• Annual Average Snowfall: 500”
• Trails: 35+
• Lifts: N/A
• Beginner: N/A
• Intermediate: N/A
• Expert: N/A

You’ve no doubt driven by Loveland Pass, a pristine winter playground, on your way to one of Colorado’s many ski areas west of the Divide. Those “in the know” have been enjoying the steep and deep for years – for FREE. On any given day, you might run into 20 other snowboarders and backcountry skiers in this huge bowl the size of most major ski areas.

Hiking is reduced to a minimum due to road access all the way to the top via Loveland Pass (US 6). If you want the extreme terrain though, hike about an hour around the cirque. From here, you can also drop into some steep and technical terrain.

The pass is usually ridable from November into July. Avalanches are possible at any time in the backcountry, so always use proper backcountry travel techniques and have the proper equipment (beacon, shovel & probe) and know how to use them. 

• Elevation Range: 11,991’
• Vertical Drop: 2,210’
• Skiable Acres: 1,800
• Annual Average Snowfall: 400”
• Trails: N/A
• Lifts: N/A
• Beginner: N/A
• Intermediate: N/A
• Expert: N/A

For a more enjoyable day on the mountain, take our advice on: 

• Clothing – Wear water-resistant, layered clothing that can be easily removed or added as weather changes or your warm up (this includes long underwear, turtleneck sweaters, waterproof pants and gloves, shell jackets, nylon socks, a winter hat, sunglasses, goggles).
• Sunburn – Ultraviolet rays are more powerful at higher elevations. Please wear goggles and sunglasses that have UV protection. Also, regardless of your skin color or complexion, everyone should wear sunscreen while skiing or snowboarding.
• Altitude – Drinking extra water and avoiding alcohol during your visit, as well as salty foods the week before you arrive, is one way to avoid dehydration and altitude sickness.