Bring on the white stuff. It’s a brand new winter in the Rockies and all the signs are adding up for it to be epic. So where will you get out and play in it? To help you make that choice, we present Snowbound, a rundown of the best that Colorado has to offer. So dig in and prepare yourself.
Ski Cooper: Leadville, CO • 800.707.6114 • skicooper.com
Even with a rich history, Ski Cooper has remained a small and intimate alternative to the big resort experience found at many other Colorado resorts. The area was given to the county after the military was done using it as a training facility for the famous 10th Mountain Division during World War II. Military veterans and families from all eras and branches of service will appreciate seeing how Ski Cooper continues to honor those who trained here and served.
Just 10 miles out of Leadville, Ski Cooper is nestled by Tennessee Pass at the headwaters of the Arkansas River. Short lift lines, magic carpet surface lifts for beginners, a seven-feature terrain park, wide-open runs on the front side and challenging bumps and trees on the backside make Cooper Mountain ideal for families looking for diverse terrain for all levels. In addition to the lift-served area, the Chicago Ridge Snow Cat offers access to an additional 2,400 acres of steep slopes, open bowls and fun trees.
DON’T MISS
Ski Cooper hosts a number of events throughout the winter, including the Special Olympics, the Telefest, Santa with live reindeer, telemark clinics, Senior Days, a Nastar race course, Youth Ski League Championships, Masters, High School races, Speed camps and the 10th Mountain Division reunion and memorial service.
Besides cross-country skiing, tele and snowshoeing at the Tennessee Pass Nordic Center, visitors can experience a four-course gourmet dinner at the Tennessee Pass Cookhouse featuring the finest in high mountain fare, and one-mile hike (or ski or snowshoe) to get there. And every weekend in March and April there will be live music on The Basin Patio to celebrate.
BY THE NUMBERS
Vertical drop: 1,200 feet
Acres: 400
Summit Elevation: 11,700 feet
Annual Snowfall: 250 inches
Lifts: 5 (1 double, 1 triple, 3 surface)
Terrain: 30% beginner, 40% intermediate, 30% advanced
Lift Tickets: Adult $46, Child $26
Pass: Adult $309, Child $150
Ski & Snowboard School: First-time skier/rider package: $55. Skier Technique Improvement Program: lesson only $50, package $80.
Durango Mountain Resort: Durango, CO • 970.247.9000 • durangomountainresort.com
More than just a ski resort, Durango, in beautiful southwest Colorado, is a unique mountain town that offers just as much excitement off the slopes as on. Weather forecasters have predicted an el Nino year which typically brings heavy snowfall to southwestern Colorado. While Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort offers incredible skiing and riding in the beautiful and rugged San Juan Mountains, four local craft breweries, each of which have received numerous awards from the likes of the Great American Beer Festival, the World Beer Cup and others await thirsty guests from the mountain. And there is plenty of opportunity to work up a serious thirst.
The 1,360 skiable acres available at Purgatory at Durango Mountain is covered with 88 trails and five terrain parks. And since the ten chairlifts to serve all the spectacular terrain rarely have any lines, odds are you’ll work up more than just a thirst but a solid appetite will stem from all that vertical as well. Again, Durango has you covered with more restaurants per capita than San Francisco. Quality independent eateries have access to fresh and local ingredients and provide a wide selection of menu options to challenge worldwide sophisticated culinary offerings.
If carving up the in-bounds steep and deep, or bombing down cruisy groomers is not your style, then there are plenty of other fun winter activities to enjoy like tubing, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowbiking, snowmobiling and more. For the more extreme members of your party consider some backcountry skiing with Colorado’s largest snowcat operator, the San Juan Ski Company.
Beginning in December 2008 with the unveiling of Purgatory Lodge, Durango Mountain Resort began a 4-year span of growth unprecedented in the resort’s previous 43-year history. The lodge was part of a $50 million base area investment as the new anchor of the base village, offering luxurious ski-in/ski-out accommodations with amenities that rival any resort in the Rockies.
Then, during the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 winter seasons, Durango Mountain Resort launched a major expansion of expert gladed terrain on the backside and frontside of the mountain, increasing the overall expert terrain at DMR by more than 35% and creating a perfect powder playground for freeriders. Purgatory also increased its snowmaking abilities and ramped up its terrain park offerings by constructing the park features out of dirt which allows the parks to be opened earlier and maintained consistently throughout the season.
Most recently, In 2011/2012, Purgatory improved its advanced ski offerings and brought corduroy slopes to some of the resorts most classic steep trails such as Catharsis and Styx. DMR also added two new terrain parks to the mountain including a starter park and a progression park, which allow skiers and snowboarders to gain confidence on small scale features before venturing into the larger parks that includes a halfpipe. Since 2008, these on-mountain improvements have elevated the ski and ride experience at Durango Mountain Resort.
DON’T MISS
For this winter season, DMR has partnered with iconic ski manufacturer, Rossignol, to open a new rental and demo center called the Rossignol Experience Center. The Experience Center provides all levels of skiers, from beginner to advanced, with skis from the Rossignol Experience program which uses the latest rocker technology to help skiers advance more quickly than previously possible. The Purgatory Ski School has been trained by Rossignol to incorporate the new Experience technology into their lesson programs, thereby minimizing the learning curve and getting these skiers out enjoying the entire mountain quicker than ever.
BY THE NUMBERS
Vertical drop: 2,029 feet
Acres: 1,360
Summit Elevation: 10,822 feet
Annual Snowfall: 260 inches
Lifts: 10 (2 high speed, six-person chairlifts; 1 high speed quad; 4 triples; 3 doubles; 1 magic carpet)
Terrain: 20% beginner, 45% intermediate, 35% advanced
Lift Tickets:(adult full day) Value Season $69, Regular Season $75
Pass: $919 (adult)
Crested Butte Mountain Resort: Crested Butte, CO • 800.810.7669 • skicb.com
Anyone will tell you that Crested Butte, Colorado is one resort not to miss. Its small town charm and renowned terrain from beginners to experts have deemed it, “Colorado’s Last Great Ski Town” and for good reason. Crested Butte is a place off the beaten path that offers visitors a true escape. When you arrive at the end of the road you are greeted with the majestic views of the Paradise Divide and Raggeds Wilderness, colorful Victorian storefronts and genuinely welcoming people; people who celebrate life and the mountain lifestyle with enthusiasm and a true sense of adventure.
Those with an adventurous spirit will want to get to Teocalli Bowl which opened in 2008. This extreme limits area is located off the High Lift and goes on the backside of the mountain. As an insider’s tip, it tends to be where the wind places some nice snow deposits after a good storm. Don’t tell anyone we told you. Another great stash is Guides’ Ridge where Crested Butte Mountain Guides, Crested Butte Mountain Resort and the Crested Butte Ski Patrol are working together to bring you a ski mountaineering adventure like no other in North America. The backcountry guiding company is leading trips up the Guides Ridge on Crested Butte Mountain, taking guests to the Peak of the iconic mountain. With 360-degree views at the top, there isn’t a more picturesque site in the valley. While getting there may get your heart pumping, the climb is completely safe with harnesses and a guided climbing technique called short roping.
Families have endless opportunities in Crested Butte with activities like the Trailhead Children’s Museum, offering hands-on exhibits and programs in the arts, sciences and creative play for children of all ages. Since it’s located in the base area, next to the Adventure Park Mom can get a few runs in while Dad hangs with the kids (and vice versa, of course). Also popular with the kids are Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s famed bear mascots, Bubba and Betty. They make daily appearances throughout the base area and Camp CB, the resort’s Kids’ Ski & Ride School. These bears tend to be the highlight of most kids’ vacations and they give great big bear hugs. On the mountain, check out Kids’ Specific Trails. Life is your playground and better yet, so is the ski mountain. With Bambino Bumps and Hippo Humps, there is fun terrain throughout the mountain to keep the excitement high. After a day on the mountain, kids can enjoy pizza, the Adventure Park, movies and fun games at Camp CB, while Mom and Dad get a night out on the town.
DON’T MISS
On November 21, 2012, everyone skis for free, no strings attached! If you want to stay longer and still enjoy free skiing, book the Ski Free with Lodging package; Stay one night and receive a free day of skiing for each person on the reservation through December 19th.
BY THE NUMBERS
Vertical drop: 3,062 feet
Acres: 1,547
Summit Elevation: 12,162 feet
Annual Snowfall: 300 inches
Lifts: 16 (4 high speed detachable quads, 2 fixed grip quads, 2 triple chairs, 3 double chairs, 3 surface lifts, 2 magic carpets)
Terrain: 26% beginner, 58% intermediate, 16% advanced
Longest Run: 2.6 miles/4.2 km (Peak to Treasury)
Lift Tickets: $95
Pass: Adult $1,549 (summer & winter), $1,399 (winter only)
Getaway Pass: Only sold at sales events across Colorado and New Mexico, the Getaway Pass is the perfect product for a couple or friends looking to escape to Crested Butte for a weekend. For just $275, the Getaway Pass includes one night of lodging and two days of lift tickets for two people. That’s a savings of over 50 percent off of the retail price and Crested Butte even gives you the opportunity to add extra nights of deeply discounted lodging. For more information and a list of sales shows where you can purchase the Getaway Pass, visit skicb.com/getaway.
Loveland Ski Area: Georgetown, CO • 800.736.3754 • skiloveland.com
Snowmakers are in full swing and Loveland is set to be one of (if not) the first to open this season like they have often done in the past. And with unrestricted tickets available for $32.25 each as part of the 4-Pack deal (cheaper if you visit a Front Range Ski Show), this could be the best deal on snow. These tickets are totally transferable and have no black-out dates. You can take three friends on the same day or use them yourself on four separate days. They are actual tickets so all you need is a wicket (or just slap it on over your old ticket) and you’re ready to skip the ticket lines and hit the slopes. Loveland Ski Area celebrates 75 years of operation and is only 53 miles from Denver making it easy to pop up for a day or even a few runs in the morning during the week before work.
Improvements include adding a mid-way unload station on Chair 2 below the current re-load station to accommodate early and late season lessons for beginners even when Loveland Valley is closed. Further up, be sure to check out the remodeled on-mountain cabins E-Tow and Ptarmigan Roost. The decks have been expanded making them a great place to warm up or soak up some spring sun between runs.
Events abound at Loveland. In November things kick off with the Christy Sports Demo Day on the 10th. Then the Colorado Ski & Golf Demo Days are a week later. There are a number of smaller demos where you can try out the newest gear before you buy it. Check out the website for a full event calendar. Beyond that, the classics like the Marry Me & Ski Free Valentine’s Day Mass Wedding takes place at the top of Chair 2. Then the New Belgium Scavenger Hunt happens on March 30th and the Corn Harvest on April 27th is a spring ski party to benefit the CAIC. And with a date yet to be announced, Loveland will be throwing a 75th birthday party.
Loveland season passes come with three free days at Monarch Mountain, three free days at Durango (does not apply to mid-week pass) and one free day of unguided skiing at Silverton. There are discounts available for returning pass holders and military, plus every season pass holder receives discounts on lessons, food, sport shop purchases and rental equipment.
DON’T MISS
New this season Loveland is providing free snowcat skiing access to the north side of The Ridge. Dubbed the Ridge Cat, this first-come, first-serve service will pick up a group at Gate 1 North and drop them at Gate 4 North. This terrain is only accessible by the cozy ride on the Ridge Cat or by huffing and puffing by foot. There is no lift access to these runs. Be sure to get a free Ridge Cat pass at the ticket office before heading up the mountain. A waiver will need to be signed.
BY THE NUMBERS
Vertical drop: 2,210 feet
Acres: 1,800
Summit Elevation: 13,010 feet
Annual Snowfall: 422 inches
Lifts: 10 (3 quads, 3 triples, 2 doubles, 1 surface lift & 1 magic carpet surface lift reserved for the ski & ride school)
Terrain: 13% beginner, 41% intermediate, 46% advanced
Lift Tickets: $49 shoulder season,$61 mid-season
Pass: Many options. All prices listed for adults. Child and other options online. Season: $379 (discount for renewals and military, plus additional benefits); 4-Pak $129 ($119 at Ski Shows).
Ski & Snowboard School: Loveland Valley is the perfect place for beginners to develop their love of snow sports. Loveland’s 3 Class Pass combines 3 lessons with a season pass for one low price. First timers and children (6-14) receive a FREE season pass with the purchase of 3-lesson packages. 3 Class Pass options are available for every age and ability level with certain restrictions. Loveland also offers group and private lessons for every age and ability.
Monarch Mountain: Monarch, CO • 888.996.7669 • skimonarch.com
This season, Monarch Mountain is like a brand new mountain. No, really. With $2.3 million being invested in the expansion and remodeling of the Base Lodge every aspect is getting bigger to accommodate the growing popularity of this Arkansas Valley wonder that has been in continuous operation since 1939. No matter how you enjoy Monarch Mountain you’ll find more room this year with an additional 16,000 square feet in the Base Lodge. The majority of the expansion will be towards the south putting the building closer to the slopes.
Improved traffic flow will be the first thing guests notice as they arrive. From the parking lot, there will be a new walk-through access to the mountain. This will pass right under the expanded Gunbarrel Cafeteria level and lead right to Group Ticketing, locker rooms, the snowcat meeting area, restrooms, the group picnic area, a new retail shop and of course the mountain itself.
The many favorite dining options will still be available though they may move around some. Freshies, the deli, will be bigger and located on the lower level and will add Starbucks coffees and snacks to their menu. Sidewinders Saloon is getting a bigger kitchen, hence a bigger menu and of course many more seats to accommodate hungry and thirsty guests.
As mentioned above, the Gunbarrel Cafeteria is expanding to provide more room to make collecting food easier and the menu is expanding. There will be plenty of room to sit as the seating capacity goes from 67 to a walloping 520!
Brown-baggers have not been forgotten as the incredibly popular Family Picnic Room located on the new lower level is expanding from 224 seats to 392 seats. And if picnickers discover they didn’t quite bring enough food, the family picnic area will be connected to the rest of the building with internal stairs unlike before where guests had to walk outside to get up to the vendors in the lodge.
Along with the improvements made to the Base Lodge, $300,000 is being invested in expanding the demo and rental fleet equipment. The ski school instructors are getting new highly visible green uniforms making them much easier to spot on the mountain and the ski patrol is getting new snow machines to open terrain faster and to better assist and respond to emergency situations.
DON’T MISS
With all this lodge renovation going on, the experience on the mountain is brought to new heights as well. Bring the extended family or a big group for access to amazing terrain for all levels and find plenty of room to gather, schmooze and meet new friends in the new lodge experience.
BY THE NUMBERS
Vertical drop: 1,162 feet
Acres: 800
Summit Elevation: 11,952 feet
Annual Snowfall: 350 inches
Lifts: 8 (1 quad, 4 doubles, 3 surface)
Lift Tickets: $60 for adults, $38 for teens, $24 for juniors, $35 for seniors
Pass: $359 for Adult (ages 16-61); $229 for Student (ages 13-15); $129 for Junior (ages 7-12); $229 for Senior (ages 62+)
Ski & Snowboard School: First-timer day package ages 7+ $180; half-day package ages 7-12 $115, ages 13+ $125; Six Person 3-hour group lesson package $678; Six Person 5-hour group lesson package $1,038; More options available.
Eldora Mountain Resort: Nederland, CO • 303.440.8700 • eldora.com
Looking for the cheapest door-to-door slopeside service available? Try the public bus from Boulder to disembark within 50 feet of the lifts at Eldora. Or just drive the 45 non-I-70 miles yourself, up to the small, free parking lot. A wide range of terrain options and on-slope activities make Eldora an easy choice for families. Check out a wide range of terrain, from beginners to deep challenging runs, steep slopes groomed or raw, rolling glades and exciting terrain parks. An active Children’s Center provides ski school for kids and adults are not forgotten with private and group instruction to improve their skills. And Nordic skiers and snowshoers enjoy over 40K of peaceful trails.
New this year, 3 and 4 Packs provide direct-to-lift access. That’s right—no extra ticket needed, just take your Pack card directly to the lift! Out of town visitors should be sure to check out the Boulder Ski Escape packages that include lodging and ski passes at boulderskiescape.com. Plus, Improvement projects from Eldora’s Master Plan are currently being reviewed by the US Forest Service…stay tuned for new lifts and terrain.
DON’T MISS
The Satellite Demo Tour hits Eldora on December 9th, giving you the opportunity to try out the newest gear from brands like Burton, Vans, Lib Tech and more. Satellite’s mini-park will be on site.
Got an 80’s fettish? Get your fix and garb up with all that retro ski gear you have from yesteryear with their Retro Ski Day on March 16th. Prizes for the best costumes.
Strut your uphill-downhill skills in the DOJOe, a memorial telemark race happening on Sunday, February 24th. For downhill only racers, the Nighthawks Race Series (beginning Wednesday nights in January) offers the chance to prove your metal in any way you want to go fast including downhill, tele, snowboard, Nordic or snowshoe.
BY THE NUMBERS
Annual Snowfall: 300 inches
Lifts: 11 (2 quads, 2 triples, 4 doubles, 3 surface)
Terrain: 20% beginner, 50% intermediate, 30% advanced
Lift Tickets: $72 for adults, $44 for youth
Pass: Adult Season $399, Family Season $959 (discount for renewals), Military Season $199; 4-Pak $139
Ski & Snowboard School: First-timer lesson package $109; Adult All Mountain– $119; Youth $109; More options available.
