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9 Best Ski Resorts Near Colorado Springs, CO Sorted by Distance
Are you looking for help finding the best ski resorts near Colorado Springs? We don’t blame you! Colorado is known for having some of the best and most challenging skiing and snowboarding in the United States. Our slopes are so great that our state has been considered for the Winter Olympic Games on more than one occasion. Colorado ski resorts are known for their wide range of options, catering to beginners and thrillseekers alike.
So, just how far is Colorado Springs from skiing that will make a lifetime of memories? We’ve broken it down by distance to make it easier for you to plan your next trip.
Table of Contents
The Best Ski Areas North of Colorado Springs
There is a bounty of quality ski areas north of Colorado Springs and most of them are closer than you might think. When it comes to high-demand locations like Keystone or Breckenridge Ski Resort, Colorado Springs is mere hours away via less-crowded, easy-to-navigate highways that won’t leave you stuck for hours on the drive home. How close is the nearest ski resort to Colorado Springs? Well, that’s the aforementioned Breckenridge Resort and it’s a mere 106 miles away. However, that’s not your only close option. Let’s take a look at how the northern resorts stack up for price, amenities and, most importantly, distance from Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs to Breckenridge Ski Resort (106 miles)
Featuring premiere skiing and snowboarding, Breckenridge Ski Resort is a top destination for Colorado Springs snow enthusiasts seeking their fill of fresh pow. Breckenridge is probably one of the pricier resort options for lift tickets but there really is no way to describe just how many options there are for prime skiing and snowboarding. You’re getting a lot for your dollar and you’ll probably want to stay for more than a day if you can manage.
In addition to its wide range of runs for all skill levels, the town of Breckenridge boasts fine dining, lots of shopping and a fun, post-skiing nightlife. The town has excellent public transportation and you can even take a shuttle to other towns nearby. Get to Breckenridge from Colorado Springs by traveling via Highway 24 up to CO-9. The roads are quiet and the views are breathtaking.
- Cost: $189+
- Number of Acres: 2,908
- Number of Trails: 187
- Longest Run: Four o’clock, 3.5 miles
- Most Challenging Run: Nine Lives
- Lodging: Yes
- Dining: Yes
Colorado Springs to Keystone Ski Resort (119 miles)
Keystone is a popular destination for folks looking for family-friendly skiing that doesn’t skimp on challenging terrain for more advanced skiers and snowboarders. The Keystone website points out that almost 50 percent of its terrain is considered expert, touting hike-to-ski and Cat drop-offs from the 11,600-foot summit of Decrum Peak.
Keystone’s runs are nice and long, making the ride up in the lift worth your time once you’ve reached the top. It also has glades for days if you’re into tree skiing. Keystone’s greatest asset is its lack of crowding in comparison to neighboring resorts like Breckenridge. For those who want to make every penny count, your ratio of rides to dollars will be much better at Keystone. Take Highway 24 to CO-9 to CO-6 and you’ll soon be at one of the coolest small ski resorts near Colorado Springs.
- Cost: 1-day lift ticket, $159+
- Number of Acres: 3,149
- Number of Trails: 130
- Longest Run: Schoolmarm, 3.5 miles
- Most Challenging Run: North Peak runs
- Lodging: Yes
- Dining: Yes
Colorado Springs to Arapahoe Basin (124 miles)
Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin to its friends) has the distinction of boasting the longest ski season in the state of Colorado. It’s also the oldest ski resort in Summit County, launched by two WWII veterans in the late 1940s. Today, it is a popular destination known for challenging runs, hike-to-terrain skiing and snowboarding and a whopping 12,500 feet in elevation.
There are novice runs for those who are less experienced and a kids’ program. That means you can take all the advanced outdoor enthusiasts for a challenging day without being trapped in the lodge. Speaking of lodges, A-Basin has one for a quick bite between runs, but you may want to hit Dillon or Frisco for fancier fare. Get to A-Basin from Colorado Springs by taking Highway 24 to CO-9. Pick up US-6 in Summit County and you’ve got yourself a snow day!
- Cost: 1-day lift ticket, $99
- Number of Acres: 1,428
- Number of Trails: 145
- Longest Run: 1.5 miles
- Most Challenging Run: The East Wall runs
- Onsite Lodging: No
- Dining: Yes
Colorado Springs to Loveland (132 miles)
If A-Basin takes home bragging rights for the longest ski season, Loveland easily smacks down all competition for average snowfall. Loveland Ski Area averages 422 inches per year, giving skiers and snowboarders about 35 feet of pow for bombing the day away. It’s the most snow of any resort in the area, hands down.
Loveland also has the distinction of offering Loveland Valley, an area that is perfect for beginner skiers and riders with its own lift and its own runs. If you’re still learning or just like to be more cautious, Loveland Valley is completely separate from intermediate and advanced runs. That means you won’t be getting mowed down by more experienced skiers as you pizza and french fry at your own pace. Getting there: Loveland is the only resort where traveling via I-70 is a palatable option. That is mostly because you can get to Loveland before going through the notorious traffic of the Eisenhower Tunnel. However, you can also reduce your homebound traffic risk by taking Highway 24 to CO-9, the CO-6.
- Cost: 1-day lift ticket, $96+
- Number of Acres: 1,800
- Number of Trails: 94
- Longest Run: 2 miles
- Most Challenging Run: Wild Child
- Lodging: Yes
- Dining: Yes
Colorado Springs to Ski Cooper (137 miles)
Ski Cooper is another small skiing resort near Colorado Springs that doesn’t get nearly enough credit. Cooper has lengthy runs with lots of options for beginner and intermediate skiers on one side of the mountain. The opposite side of the peak features lots of feistier runs for black diamond and double diamond experts. While it may not have the massive snowfall of Loveland, what Cooper does get is light, dry, fluffy and never, ever overgroomed.
During your downtime, Ski Cooper has four different places to refuel for your next ride, including a mountaintop yurt where you can down a quick hot cocoa or bowl of chili straight off the lift and then ski off on your next adventure. As a bonus, the nearby town of Leadville has lodging, breweries and lots of Colorado mining history to explore. Get there via Highway 24.
- Cost: 1-day pass, $90; check website for non-stop specials
- Number of Acres: 480
- Number of Trails: 64
- Longest Run: 1.4 miles
- Most Challenging Run: Take your pick from the back peak.
- Onsite Lodging: No
- Dining: Yes
Colorado Springs to Copper Mountain (137 miles)
Copper Mountain has some of the coolest expert skiing around, with three bowls that are packed with black diamond and double diamond runs that are challenging and fun. Of course, there are lots of options for beginner and advanced skiers, too. Copper also offers cross country skiing, with about 15 miles of trails that wind through White River National Forest. If that’s just not enough, snowshoeing and tubing are also available, making it a premiere destination for the Colorado Springs skiing season.
Copper Mountain runs a bit like Disneyland in that it offers you an app that will tell you everything you want to know about the resort. Want to know the wait times for the lifts? Want to check out live video footage of the runs? How about finding your friends anywhere on the mountain? The app tells all and it makes your day on the slopes way more fun.
On top of that, Copper has cultivated a nice little community feel. The Village has food, lodging and apres ski entertainment that makes it pretty hard to leave – not that you’ll want to. Get to Copper by taking Highway 24 to Highway 285 North and then pick up CO-9 in Fairplay to I-70 in Frisco.
- Cost: 1-day pass, $99
- Number of Acres: 2,507
- Number of Trails: 140
- Longest Run: 1.7 miles
- Most Challenging Run: Double Zero to Highline
- Lodging: Yes
- Dining: Yes
Colorado Springs to Beaver Creek (166 miles)
Beaver Creek is not quite the furthest ski resort from Colorado Springs, but it is definitely the priciest option. However, it must be worth the money because many skiers and snowboarders flock there every season. Beaver Creek has incredible options for intermediate and beginner skiers. Their advanced runs are equally excellent, with the renowned Birds of Prey earning clout as some of the most challenging skiing in the world. In short, there’s something for everyone and it’s all exceptional.
Staying onsite at Beaver Creek can be pricey too, but the nightlife in the villages is a lot of fun, even for families. If you want the immersive ski life experience, staying there might be worth the extra expense. Offsite, there is plenty of lodging, as well as grocery stores, dining and shopping. Take Highway 24 to CO-9 and then follow I-70 the rest of the way there.
- Cost: $209
- Number of Acres: 2,082
- Number of Trails: 167
- Longest Run: 2.75 miles
- Most Challenging Run: Birds of Prey
- Lodging: Yes
- Dining: Yes
The Best Ski Areas in Colorado South of Colorado Springs
The road even less traveled than those to the north offers hopeful skiers budget-friendly options that don’t skimp on quality skiing or snowboarding. Many Colorado Springs skiing packages are proud to feature these next two hidden gems as awesome destinations for those who want to escape the hubbub and get down to what’s important – skiing, of course.
Colorado Springs to Monarch Mountain (127 miles)
The small-but-mighty Monarch Mountain Ski Resort may not be the closest resort but it is absolutely the best place for affordable skiing near Colorado Springs. All the locals will agree that it’s also the easiest when it comes to travel. Not only that, it’s affordable and low-key with access to two amazing terrain parks and snowcat skiing. The terrain parks offer some of the best snowboarding near Colorado Springs and snowcat skiing allows experienced snow enthusiasts to take the routes less traveled. Monarch is probably the smallest option, so if you’re used to the massive web of lifts and runs in locations like Breckenridge, you may feel a bit constrained.
However, once you factor in the almost nonexistent wait times and huge amount of time you will get to spend actually skiing, you’ll realize why Monarch is a true gem of a ski resort for people who want to maximize their mountain time. While it doesn’t have lodging onsite (it does have hot food and a fair-sized cafeteria), the lovely town of Salida is a quick drive down the mountain and it has local dining, lodging and access to shopping and amazing art galleries. Take Highway 115 south of Colorado Springs and pick up US-50 just outside of Canon City to get there.
- Cost: $99
- Number of Acres: 800
- Number of Trails: 67
- Longest Run: 1 mile
- Most Challenging Run: Mirkwood
- Onsite Lodging: No
- Dining: Yes
Colorado Springs to Crested Butte Ski Resort (171 miles)
Crested Butte is the real darling of ski resorts in Colorado. Every travel report has nothing but good things to say about the resort’s world-class skiing. Crested Butte has some of the most challenging runs in the United States, making it a premiere destination for those seeking high-intensity skiing on the Colorado Springs ski resort map. Extreme is the right adjective here (hello avalanche warnings) and even the hardest runs are shockingly easy to get to.
The apres ski options are plentiful in Crested Butte with lots of local flair infused into the shopping, dining and entertainment. It’s easy to navigate with lots of public transportation or walker-friendly routes for those who want to check in to their room and then check out from boring responsibilities like driving. Take CO-115 to US-50 West in Penrose, then take CO-135 North all the way to Crested Butte.
- Cost: $139
- Number of Acres: 1,547
- Number of Trails: 121
- Longest Run: 2.6 miles
- Most Challenging Run: Rambo
- Lodging: Yes
- Dining: Yes
Why Travel to Ski Resorts from Colorado Springs?
A common misperception is that traveling to Colorado’s top ski resorts from Colorado Springs takes longer than travel from Denver. While that may be true from a pure mileage perspective, it fails to take into account just how difficult it is to navigate I-70 in the winter. It also fails to take into account the difficulty of driving I-25 to get to Denver in the first place.
The reported travel time of 1.5-2 hours from Breckenridge or Aspen to Denver is merely aspirational when driving home on Sunday evening in a blizzard. Anyone who has gotten stuck in the Eisenhower Tunnel for hours or found themselves trying frantically to find a hotel vacancy in Idaho Springs after an accident closes the interstate will surely empathize. Interestingly enough, the mileage difference is also pretty negligible. 
By contrast, routes to ski resorts from Colorado Springs are far less crowded with more opportunities to select alternative routes if there is an accident or sudden closure. Less crowded means less opportunity to slide into your fellow drivers, less opportunity for accidents to derail your journey and a more peaceful drive overall. We even have our own airport – the Colorado Springs Airport – which is easy to navigate with short security lines and plenty of flight options for those coming in from out of state.
In short, when it comes to the closest skiing, Colorado Springs is an easier, safer and more affordable option.
Prepare Your Car for Your Next Ski Trip
Has all of this talk about fresh powder and challenging runs got you ready to strap on your skis and go? Before you hit the road to one of these popular ski destinations near Colorado Springs, schedule an appointment to get your car in for a full inspection. We can check your tires, brakes, fluids, lights and a whole lot more to get your car ready for the journey. The Honest Accurate Auto Service team will help you ensure you get to your destination safely and come back home just as safe. Give us a call!
