Here’s all the quick-and-dirty beta you need to make your day better at some of the West’s best resorts.
Winter is in the air, and you are primed for a season of powder—and, hey, blues and bumps are way better than work. To help you plan, we present some necessary insight and info on our favorite resorts in the Rockies.
Eldora
Iconic Run: La Belle, on the front side, is a classic screaming blue that also serves as the race-training trail for race teams including the national champion CU Buffs. You can lap over and over and it can hold snow on a powder day when the crowds rush to the backside.
Locals Run: Muleshoe (expert only) requires a little shuffle to reach, but it is the best way to get to the Corona Lift. It’s a perfectly pitched run that often holds good snow since it doesn’t get hit as much as easier-to-reach options.
Best Après: It’s hard to beat pizza and beer at the Lookout at the top of the Corona Lift, but a beer in the Timber Lodge bar is the perfect way to end the day when the lifts close and the lots are clearing out.
Passes: Ikon Full and Base and passholders enjoy unlimited skiing at Eldora (no blackouts!). A full Eldora season rings up at $799, and a weekday-only pass costs $499.
Deal: Eldora’s ski shop located in the Indian Peaks Lodge serves up quick, professional service (with a faster turnaround than you will find in town). You can also purchase season rentals here for $289.
What’s New: Alterra, Eldora’s owner, announced it will be selling the resort, but that will not affect any operations or products for the 2024–25 season.
Aspen Highlands
Iconic Run: Temerity (expert only) area serves up gladed double-black diamond runs that compare to the tree skiing in Niseko, Japan.
Locals Run: Highland Bowl (expert only) may be on a visitor’s bucket list, but it’s a locals’ favorite.
Best Après: Located at the top of the Exhibition Lift, Merry-Go-Round has a nice mix of a menu.
Passes: The full Ikon pass gives you seven days (with no blackouts) at Aspen Snowmass (including Highlands).
Deal: The SKI10 pass gets you unlimited skiing and riding for 10 consecutive days at a discounted price.
What’s New: Located at nearby Ajax, Hero’s terrain, new to Aspen Snowmass in 2023–24, opened up 153 acres of new terrain for skiing and riding.
Vail
Iconic Run: Born Free intermediate/easy) has diverse, smile-inducing terrain and is best enjoyed from the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola.
Locals Run: Morningside Ridge (advanced) in the Back Bowls delivers fun, steep pitches.
Best Après: The Red Lion’s World Famous Nachos make for a fantastic appetizer before a juicy Vail Burger.
Passes: Epic Pass. Lift tickets run from $249 to $329 and are cheaper when purchased online as opposed to the same day.
Deal: Epic Pass holders save up to 20% on food, lessons, rentals, and other rewards.
What’s New: Avanti Vail, a new food and beverage space, open in the Golden Peak base area in early 2025.
Keystone
Iconic Run: Cat Dancer (advanced) is a classic Colorado bump run located on North Peak.
Locals Run: Spring Dipper (intermediate) has long winding turns with a decent pitch that is great for intermediate to advanced skiers.
Best Après: 9280 Sake House has sake on tap and a mean spicy miso ramen. Finish up with a dirty milkshake by adding a shot of flavored liqueur.
Passes: Epic Pass. Adult day lift passes are $239.
Deal: An adult Keystone Plus Pass with limited access at Crested Butte and Breckenridge with restricted peak dates runs $408.
What’s New: There’s a new lift along with 16 new trails in the high-alpine terrain of Bergman Bowl and new terrain off-trail on North Peak.
Arapahoe Basin
Iconic Run: The North Glade (expert) is a tree-enthusiast’s dream run.
Locals Run: The Pallavicini Lift (expert) gives you chutes, steeps, and moguls.
Best Après: 6th Alley Bar & Grill is known for its award-winning Bloody Marys, but don’t pass on the Braised Pork Belly Bahn Mi.
Passes: Adult lift tickets are $63 to $140 depending on the date.
Deal: The 2024–25 Full-Season Pass is $679; with it skiers enjoy unlimited and unrestricted access.
What’s New: For the first time, A-Basin will be operating with a net-zero carbon footprint for its full season.
Copper Mountain
Iconic Run: Andy’s Encore (intermediate) offers 2-plus miles of steep pitches, big turns, and sections of perfectly groomed snow.
Locals Run: Union Park (easy) is a family favorite tucked between Copper Mountain proper and Union Peak.
Best Après: JJ’s Rocky Mountain Tavern has some prime burgers, among many other delicious menu items. Enjoy your meal with a Tangerine Blonde Ale.
Passes: The full and Base Ikon Pass gives unlimted days. Lift tickets range from $99 to $204 for an adult pass.
Deal: Every Thursday (with the exception of Dec. 26 and Jan. 2) throughout the 2024–25 season, lift tickets are $99. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
What’s New: Timberline Express Chairlift, a new high-speed 6-pack, will begin rolling at the start of the 2024–25 season.
Ski Cooper
Iconic Run: Trail’s End (intermediate) is a nice cruiser of a trail with tall thick pine trees on both sides of the trail.
Locals Run: Powder Keg (advanced), located in the Piney Basin area, is flanked by tall, shady trees.
Best Après: America’s highest-elevation Irish pub, Katie O’Rourke’s, has a great menu with a good selection of cold microbrews.
Passes: Pass prices for the 2024–25 season have not been announced yet, but last year an adult pass was $95.
Deal: $30 Thursdays on select Thursdays in January and February.
What’s New: Season passholders for the 2024–2025 season will be able to upload family pictures to their account.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Iconic Run: The legendary Corbet’s Couloir (expert) is the place to show off your big-air stuff—or look like a tool.
Locals Run: Rendezvous Bowl (advanced) is an ungroomed black diamond run best skied on a bluebird powder day. If you have proper skills and avalanche gear, you can head out the gates into the famed backcountry.
Best Après: The Mangy Moose is a can’t miss Jackson Hole classic.
Passes: A full Ikon Pass Gives you seven days; Ikon Base Plus gets five days. Lift tickets range from $206 to $256 depending on the date.
Deal: With the Golden Ticket, skiers and snowboarders holding a 2024–25 winter season pass to anywhere in the world will receive a 50% discount on lift tickets on specific dates.
What’s New: The new Sublette high-speed detachable quad chairlift replaces the old Sublette Lift.
Deer Valley, Utah
Iconic Run: Stein’s Way (advanced/intermediate) is a steep groomed run that tests the edges of your skis and eases into a blue at the bottom.
Locals Run: Nabob (intermediate) is a sweet groomed corduroy run that offers up an impressive variety of terrain that gives you a nice rush.
Best Après: Snow Park restaurant serves the famously hearty Deer Valley Turkey Chili.
Passes: A full Ikon Pass Gives you seven days; Ikon Base Plus gets five days. Adult day passes range from $189 to $299 depending on the date.
Deal: The Ski, Stay & Save Package saves you up to 30% off on lodging and lift tickets.
What’s New: Deer Valley has three new chairlifts and over 300 new skiable acres. The new Keetley Express lift will open in December 2024.
Cover photo: Plan to stay overnight because why deal with all that i-70 traffic when you can get into this stuff at Eldora? Courtesy Eldora Mountain Resort
