Home to 26 ski areas, from world-class resorts to family-run gems
Powder at Crested Butte
C
olorado’s mountains receive an half of the state’s ski areas are located silver-mining camp turned ultra-chic ski
average of 300 inches (762cm) within 35 miles (56km) of an airport. Fly resort. T_h e views from ‘Ajax’ are fabulous,
of snow a year. And that’s not into Denver International Airport, with as are the double-blacks and steep tree
just any old precipitation. It’s light and non-stop fl ights from several international runs. Aspen Highlands is known as a
fl uff y powder – some of the fi nest snow on cities, and you can be at the ski slopes in locals’ favourite, with its mix of extreme
the planet. Add crisp, blue-sky days and less than an hour! trails and wide-open runs. Highlands
incredibly varied terrain at the 26 resorts, Remember, too, that every mountain Bowl is a ‘must do’ for adrenaline junkies;
and it’s easy to understand why Colorado resort town off ers more to do than just hike 45 minutes to the summit (board
attracts more skier and snowboarder visits ski and snowboard. If you have members a free snowcat to cut the hike time in
than any other state in the US. of your travelling party who don’t want to half ), then drop in to the chutes and
Truly, Colorado ski country off ers hit the slopes – or if you simply want to gladed terrain. Buttermilk hosts the
something for everyone – whether you’ve take a break from the on-mountain action annual ESPN Winter X Games, with
never strapped on skis or you’re a master of – choose from upmarket restaurants and its legendary terrain park open to the
double-black diamonds. Bring your kids to cosy cafés, hot-springs pools and skating public; it’s also regarded as the place for
family-friendly mountains that specialise rinks, tubing hills and dogsled rides. In beginners and families to cruise rolling,
in teaching even the youngest visitors how fact, you might just want to schedule a groomed trails. Your ski trip to the area is
to ski, or visit the chic mountain towns day simply to enjoy your high-country not complete without sampling massive
that attract A-list celebrities. From small, accommodation and all sorts of fun off Snowmass, larger than the other three
basic ski areas to sprawling, multi-peak the slopes. mountains combined. Its vertical of
resorts, Colorado’s ski and snowboard 4,400ft (1,341m) is the longest in the US.
trails beckon with bumps and groomers, Aspen/Snowmass What’s New: Technologically advanced lift
steeps and deeps, bowls and basins. Buy one lift ticket in Aspen and you can tickets: A tiny chip inside each plastic card
Colorado’s ski areas are easy to access ski four diff erent spectacular mountains, detects guests moving through lift lines –
as well. Eight regional airports that service each with its own personality. Flagship no more stopping for a human lift-ticket
mountain towns off er nearly nine million Aspen Mountain rises imposingly out scanner.
passenger seats annually and more than of the heart of downtown, a former What Else: Take a snowshoe tour with
www.colorado.com » 19
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