Your 2014-15 guide to Colorado's ski resorts
Whether it's a close getaway like Eldora or Wyoming's Snowy Range, a Western Slope weekend trek to Crested Butte or the classic solidarity (and "champagne powder") of Steamboat Springs, here's what you need to know about some of Colorado's ski resorts.
CLOSE TO HOME
Eldora Mountain Resort
The skinny: Closest skiing to Fort Collins, and you avoid the Interstate 70 nightmare.
Season: Nov. 22 through mid-April
Terrain: 680 acres. 30 percent expert/advanced; 50 percent intermediate; 20 percent beginner. 11 lifts, 53 trails, bowl skiing. Summit: 10,800 feet. Base: 9,200 feet. Vertical: 1,600 feet. 300 inches annual snowfall.
Season pass: Adult super value pass (includes blackout dates) $289; adult off peak pass (includes holiday blackout dates) $339; adult alpine $399; senior alpine (65 and older) $269; junior alpine $269; child alpine $219; student $179; military $269; family pass $1,099.
Lift tickets (last year's pricing): Adult full day (16-64) $79; junior full day (6-15) $45; senior full day (65-74) $42; Senior Silver (75 and older) $10; child full day (5 and younger) $10; lower mountain only (6 and up) $54; military full day $44; half-day adult $64.
Miles from Fort Collins: 75
Information:www.eldora.com or (303) 440-8700
Snowy Range (Wyoming)
The skinny: Nestled in the Medicine Bow National Forest, Snowy Range is a favorite for University of Wyoming students.
Season: Nov. 28-through April
Terrain: 250 acres. 40 percent moderate/difficult; 30 percent difficult/advanced; 30 percent easy. Four lifts, 27 trails, two terrain parks. Summit: 10,000 feet. Base: 9,000 feet. Vertical: 1,000 feet. 245 inches annual snowfall.
Season pass: Adult (18-69) $279; teen (13-17) $239; youth (5-12) $169; student $269; military $269; senior (70 and older) free; children (younger than 5) free.
Lift tickets: Adult full day $45; teen full day $39; senior full day $42; youth full day $28; student $39; military $39; senior free; children free.
Miles from Fort Collins: 100
Information:www.snowyrangeski.com or (307) 745-5750
Loveland Ski Area
The skinny: Unseasonably warm weather delayed the opening until Saturday, but don't fret, you'll find plenty of snow this season.
Season: Open early November through early May
Terrain: 1,800 acres. 46 percent expert/advanced; 41 percent intermediate; 13 percent beginner. 10 lifts, 93 trails, one terrain park, bowl skiing. Summit: 13,010 feet. Base: 10,800 feet. Vertical: 2,210 feet. 422 inches annual snowfall.
Season pass (second price listed is for returning pass holders): Adult (23 and older) $379/$359; young adult (15 to 22) $269/$249; child (6 to 14) $169/$159; children ages 5 and under are free; midweek $259/$249; senior (ages 70 and older) $89
Lift tickets: Early season adult (15 and older) $51; child (6-14) $25; 5 and younger free; adult Chair 7 only ticket $25; child Chair 7 only $20. Regular season adult $63; child $28; half day ticket $51; seniors (60 and older) $50. Season pass for seniors 70 and older $89.
Miles from Fort Collins: 116
Information:www.skiloveland.com or (303) 571-5580, (800) 736-3754
EPIC PASS RESORTS
Arapahoe Basin
The skinny: First resort in the country to open; get your early-season turns now.
Season: Open now through early June
Terrain: 960 acres. 23 percent expert; 37 percent advanced; 30 percent intermediate; 10 percent beginner. 109 trails, three terrain parks. Summit: 13,050 feet. Base: 10,780 feet. Vertical: 2,270 feet. 350 inches annual snowfall.
Season pass: Adult (19 and older) $299; youth (15-18) $209; child (6-14) $149. Arapahoe Basin is also included in Vail Resorts' Epic Pass.
Lift tickets: Early season pricing: Adult (19-59) full day $69; adult half day $57; adult 2-day $120. Nov. 30-Dec. 19 kids ski free.
Miles from Fort Collins: 124
Information: (888) 272-7246; www.arapahoebasin.com
Beaver Creek
The skinny: With plenty of beginner and intermediate terrain, families will find Beaver Creek a fun destination resort where you can spend a weekend skiing and eating those free chocolate chip cookies.
Season: Nov. 26 to April 12
Terrain: 1,832 acres. 38 percent expert; 43 percent intermediate; 19 percent beginner. 150 trails, three terrain parks. Summit: 11,440 feet. Base: 8,100 feet. Vertical: 3,340 feet. 325 inches annual snowfall.
Season pass: Epic Pass is a season pass to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin. Adult $769; child $399.
Lift tickets: Online single and multiday ticket prices vary and are available on the website.
Miles from Fort Collins: 166
Information: (877) 204-7883; www.beavercreek.com
Breckenridge
The skinny: Sure, you'll run into long lift lines at one of America's most-visited resorts, but Breckenridge is so big — and the skiing so varied — you'll be able to escape the throngs.
Season: Nov. 7 to mid-April
Terrain: 2,358 acres. 36 percent expert; 19 percent advanced; 31 percent intermediate; 14 percent beginner. 155 trails, four terrain parks (25 acres), one pipe. Summit: 12,998 feet. Base: 9,600 feet. Vertical: 3,398 feet. 370 inches annual snowfall.
Season pass: Epic Pass is a season pass to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin. Adult $769; child $399.
Lift tickets: Single-day window prices vary. Online multi-day ticket prices vary and are available on the website. Lowest price guarantee with seven-day advance purchase.
Miles from Fort Collins: 141
Information: (970) 453-5000, (800) 789-7669 or www.breckenridge.com
Keystone
The skinny: Beginners, check out Schoolmarm on Dercum Mountain. The 3.5-mile trail is the resort's longest, with gentle pitches and enough space to practice those turns.
Season: Early November to April 12
Terrain: 3,148 acres. 47 percent intermediate/advanced; 29 percent intermediate; 14 percent beginner. 20 lifts, 131 trails, two terrain parks. Summit: 12,408 feet. Base: 6,900 feet. Vertical: 3,128 feet. 230 inches annual snowfall.
Season pass: Epic Pass is a season pass to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin. Adult $769; child $399.
Lift tickets: Online single and multi-day ticket prices vary and are available on the website.
Miles from Fort Collins: 129
Information: (970) 496-4386; www.keystoneresort.com
Vail
The skinny: From its swanky resorts, exquisite restaurants and off-mountain activities, Vail is the standard for a luxury ski vacation. The actual skiing itself doesn't disappoint, either.
Season: Nov. 21 to mid-April
Terrain: 5,289 acres. 53 percent expert/advanced; 29 percent intermediate; 18 percent beginner. 193 trails, three terrain parks. Summit: 11,570 feet. Base: 8,120 feet. Vertical: 3,450 feet. 370 inches annual snowfall.
Season pass: Epic Pass is a season pass to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin. Adult $769; child $399.
Lift tickets: Single-day window prices vary. Online multi-day ticket prices vary and are available for a discounted price with advance purchase on the website.
Miles from Fort Collins: 157
Information: (970) SKI-VAIL (754-8245); www.vail.com
FORT COLLINS FAVORITES
Steamboat
The skinny: Find excellent tree skiing and world-famous powder at this out-of-the-way, but oh-so-worth-the-drive resort known as "Ski Town USA."
Season: Nov. 27 through mid-April
Terrain: 2,965 acres. 44 percent expert/advanced; 42 percent intermediate; 14 percent beginner. 165 trails, four terrain parks. Summit: 10,568 feet. Base: 6,900 feet. Vertical: 3,668 feet. 347 inches annual snowfall.
Season Pass: Adult (18-69) $1,303; college (full-time student) $749; teen (13-17) $769; child (6-12) $539; senior (70 and older) $679; Winter Park unlimited upgrade additional $125
Lift tickets: Online multi-day ticket prices vary and are available on the website.
Miles from Fort Collins: 156
Information: (970) 879-6111; www.steamboat.com
Copper Mountain
The skinny: Find great value with the Rocky Mountain Super Pass and great terrain parks at Copper.
Season: Nov. 7 through late-April
Terrain: 2,465 acres. 18 percent expert; 36 percent advanced; 25 percent intermediate; 21 percent beginner. 126 trails. Summit: 12,313 feet. Base: 9,712 feet. Vertical: 2,601 feet. 282 inches annual snowfall.
Season pass: Copper Mountain Season Pass $419; Four Pack $159. Four Pack Pass is good for four days of skiing. Rocky Mountain Super Pass $469, good for unlimited skiing at Copper Mountain and Winter Park/Mary Jane. Rocky Mountain Super Pass Plus $569, good for unlimited skiing at Copper Mountain and Winter Park/Mary Jane, plus six days at Steamboat and three at Crested Butte.
Lift tickets: Online ticket prices vary and are available on the website.
Miles from Fort Collins: 138
Information: (866) 841-2481; www.coppercolorado.com
Winter Park/Mary Jane
The skinny: You come to Winter Park/Mary Jane to ski, not for the apres scene in the sleepy town of Winter Park. Bring the kids and enroll them in the well-regarded ski school.
Season: Nov. 12 through late April
Terrain: 3,081 acres. 55 percent expert; 19 percent advanced; 18 percent intermediate; 8 percent beginner. 26 lifts, 143 trails, six terrain parks, bowl skiing. Summit: 12,060 feet. Base: 9,000 feet. Vertical: 3,060 feet. 327 inches annual snowfall.
Season pass: Rocky Mountain Super Pass $469, good for unlimited skiing at Copper Mountain, Winter Park/Mary Jane and Eldora.
Lift tickets: Online multiday ticket prices available on website.
Miles from Fort Collins: 126
Information: (970) 726-1564; www.winterparkresort.com
BEST OF THE WESTERN SLOPE
Aspen/Snowmass
The skinny: To say you're skiing Aspen is leaving out some context. There are actually four resorts surrounding the classic ski town: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk, each offering unlimited terrain for every type of skier.
Season: Nov. 27 through mid-April
Terrain: 3,362 acres. 32 percent expert; 12 percent advanced; 50 percent intermediate; 6 percent beginner. 94 trails, three terrain parks. Summit: 12,510 feet. Base: 8,104 feet. Vertical: 4,406 feet. 230 inches annual snowfall.
Season pass: Adult Premier pass $2,000; premier senior (ages 65 to 69) $1,670
Lift tickets: Single-day window prices vary; visit website
Miles from Fort Collins: 218
Information: (800) 525-6200; www.aspensnowmass.com
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
The skinny: Billed as "America's last great ski town," Crested Butte has great lift-accessed extreme skiing and snowboarding terrain.
Season: Nov. 27 to mid-April
Terrain: 1,547 acres. 16 percent advanced; 58 percent intermediate; 26 percent beginner. 121 trails, three terrain parks plus a snowboard/skier cross course. Summit: 12,162 feet. Base: 9,375 feet. Vertical: overall 3,062 feet (includes hike to The Peak); lift served 2,775 feet. 289 inches annual snowfall.
Lift tickets: Nov. 26 to Dec. 11: Adult (18-64) $69; kids(7-12) $38; teen (13-17) $62; senior (65 and older) $55. Dec. 12 to Dec. 19/Jan. 5 to March 6/March 20 to April 5: Adult $103; kids $58; teen $93; senior $82. Holiday: (Dec. 20 to Jan 4/March 7-12) Adult $106; kids $58; teen $95; senior $85.
Miles from Fort Collins: 290
Information: (800) 600-2803; www.skicb.com
Telluride Ski Resort
The skinny: Spend the weekend in the stunning and rugged San Juans hitting arguably the best moguls runs in the country. Intermediates will love the varied blue and double blue terrain.
Season: Nov. 27 to mid-April
Terrain: More than 2,000 acres. 41 percent expert/advanced; 36 percent intermediate; 23 percent beginner. 127 trails, three terrain parks. Summit: 13,150 feet. Base: 8,725 feet. Vertical: 4,425 feet. 309 inches annual snowfall.
Lift tickets: Single-day prices currently unavailable. Last year's adult prices $106.
Miles from Fort Collins: 424
Information: (800) 778-8581; www.tellurideskiresort.com
Xplore reporter Stephen Meyers covers the outdoors and recreation for the Coloradoan. Follow him on Twitter @stemeyer or Facebook.com/meyersreports.