We enjoy skiing/boarding, but each resort has its own benefits.
First Basics:
Runs are color coded by difficulty
Green- easy
Blue- intermediate
Black- hard
RULES:
Always ski in control.
It is your responsibility to watch out for those down slope from you as they don't have eyes in the back of their head.
If learning, take a lesson.
Take turns in lift line.
Do not smoke in lift line.
Resorts:
Arapahoe Basin - Usually the first resort to open and the last to close in Colorado. This one, like its competition Loveland, is a bit more budget friendly. With only 2 green runs this is a more intermediate to expert favorite. Another favorite with locals is renting out "the beach" which is adjacent to the runs and an excellent tailgate spot.
Price for lift ticket- $82.99
Parking- free
https://www.arapahoebasin.com
Aspen:
Acutally, Aspen mountain is a bit boring with limited terrain (in my opinion) but I hear Snowmass is better. Due to distance and price I have not tried Snowmass or the other 2 mountains they own.
https://www.aspensnowmass.com/our-mountains/aspen-mountain
Beaver Creek- Most people either love or hate this resort. My brother and sister love it, but I find it a bit tedious. At a high price tag, I personally am more inclined to go elsewhere, but the esculator and occasional free cookies are nice.
Price for a lift ticket- $189
Parking- $10
https://www.beavercreek.com
Breckenridge- A good family resort with an adorable ski town this one has a large variety of terrain, but is getting to be a bit pricey. It also has a tendency to be a bit windy.
Price for lift ticket-$169
Parking- $0-20
https://www.breckenridge.com
Copper- I love this resort for its easy to understand layout and tree runs. It has a section for beginners and really tough bowls for experts. Reasonable prices and free parking are added bonuses.
Price for a lift ticket- $111
Parking- $0-20
http://www.coppercolorado.com
Eldora- The closest one to Boulder and very afordable one. This place also boasts some of the oldest functional wooden lifts.
Price for a lift ticket peak season- $119
http://www.eldora.com
Keystone- A favorite with hipsters, but once the back slopes are open it is enjoyable for the rest of us. My favorite is the Outback for all the tree skiing and the away-from-resort atmosphere.
Price for a lift ticket- $149
Parking-Free
https://www.keystoneresort.com
Loveland- Early to open and late to close this one and Arapahoe frequently compete for that honor. Makes sense since they are located by the same mountain pass. This one you can see off I-70 and is an affordable option. It is another locals' favorite.
Price for lift ticket-$73
Parking- free
http://skiloveland.com
Monach- Great small family resort near Salida, Colorado. More affordable than some others, but a decent variety of terrain.
Price for lift ticket- $89
Parking-free
http://www.skimonarch.com
Silverton- Experts only. No seriously!
Ski Cooper- Very budget friendly and very easy runs. This small resort is good for really young kids just starting out. Lots of locals.
Price for lift ticket- $54
Parking-free
http://skicooper.com
Vail: Expensive and posh, but the back bowls for experts is where it is at.
Price for lift ticket-$189
parking-$25
https://www.vail.com
Winter Park- A variety of terrain but divided out. You could traverse a lot going between mountains, but I like starting at Mary Jane for free parking and black diamonds. This resort is unique that there is a ski train that goes up from Union Station in Denver, if you dont want to drive. It costs 40 bucks and you have to leave early but is a fun ride.
Price for lift ticket- $159
Parking- $0-20
https://www.winterparkresort.com
Canada-
Whistler (no not in Colorado)- Oh Canada. Located 2 hours from Vancouver, this resort normally gets a lot of wet, dense snow (bring your Gore-Tex). I found the runs harder than in the USA and with only a few green runs this location is more suited for experienced skiers. The town is adorable and parking is easy but 10 dollars a day.
Price for lift ticket- $148
Parking- $0-10
https://www.whistlerblackcomb.com
South America-
Los Penitentes- these slopes are all above the Argentina tree line. This place is quite small with only a few slopes but very affordable if you wish to ski in July.
Price for lift ticket- $39
ww.argentina.travel/en/nieve/penitentes/6#.WmgPDoFlDgB
First Basics:
Runs are color coded by difficulty
Green- easy
Blue- intermediate
Black- hard
RULES:
Always ski in control.
It is your responsibility to watch out for those down slope from you as they don't have eyes in the back of their head.
If learning, take a lesson.
Take turns in lift line.
Do not smoke in lift line.
Resorts:
Arapahoe Basin - Usually the first resort to open and the last to close in Colorado. This one, like its competition Loveland, is a bit more budget friendly. With only 2 green runs this is a more intermediate to expert favorite. Another favorite with locals is renting out "the beach" which is adjacent to the runs and an excellent tailgate spot.
Price for lift ticket- $82.99
Parking- free
https://www.arapahoebasin.com
Aspen:
Acutally, Aspen mountain is a bit boring with limited terrain (in my opinion) but I hear Snowmass is better. Due to distance and price I have not tried Snowmass or the other 2 mountains they own.
https://www.aspensnowmass.com/our-mountains/aspen-mountain
Beaver Creek- Most people either love or hate this resort. My brother and sister love it, but I find it a bit tedious. At a high price tag, I personally am more inclined to go elsewhere, but the esculator and occasional free cookies are nice.
Price for a lift ticket- $189
Parking- $10
https://www.beavercreek.com
Breckenridge- A good family resort with an adorable ski town this one has a large variety of terrain, but is getting to be a bit pricey. It also has a tendency to be a bit windy.
Price for lift ticket-$169
Parking- $0-20
https://www.breckenridge.com
Copper- I love this resort for its easy to understand layout and tree runs. It has a section for beginners and really tough bowls for experts. Reasonable prices and free parking are added bonuses.
Price for a lift ticket- $111
Parking- $0-20
http://www.coppercolorado.com
Eldora- The closest one to Boulder and very afordable one. This place also boasts some of the oldest functional wooden lifts.
Price for a lift ticket peak season- $119
http://www.eldora.com
Keystone- A favorite with hipsters, but once the back slopes are open it is enjoyable for the rest of us. My favorite is the Outback for all the tree skiing and the away-from-resort atmosphere.
Price for a lift ticket- $149
Parking-Free
https://www.keystoneresort.com
Loveland- Early to open and late to close this one and Arapahoe frequently compete for that honor. Makes sense since they are located by the same mountain pass. This one you can see off I-70 and is an affordable option. It is another locals' favorite.
Price for lift ticket-$73
Parking- free
http://skiloveland.com
Monach- Great small family resort near Salida, Colorado. More affordable than some others, but a decent variety of terrain.
Price for lift ticket- $89
Parking-free
http://www.skimonarch.com
Silverton- Experts only. No seriously!
Ski Cooper- Very budget friendly and very easy runs. This small resort is good for really young kids just starting out. Lots of locals.
Price for lift ticket- $54
Parking-free
http://skicooper.com
Vail: Expensive and posh, but the back bowls for experts is where it is at.
Price for lift ticket-$189
parking-$25
https://www.vail.com
Winter Park- A variety of terrain but divided out. You could traverse a lot going between mountains, but I like starting at Mary Jane for free parking and black diamonds. This resort is unique that there is a ski train that goes up from Union Station in Denver, if you dont want to drive. It costs 40 bucks and you have to leave early but is a fun ride.
Price for lift ticket- $159
Parking- $0-20
https://www.winterparkresort.com
Canada-
Whistler (no not in Colorado)- Oh Canada. Located 2 hours from Vancouver, this resort normally gets a lot of wet, dense snow (bring your Gore-Tex). I found the runs harder than in the USA and with only a few green runs this location is more suited for experienced skiers. The town is adorable and parking is easy but 10 dollars a day.
Price for lift ticket- $148
Parking- $0-10
https://www.whistlerblackcomb.com
South America-
Los Penitentes- these slopes are all above the Argentina tree line. This place is quite small with only a few slopes but very affordable if you wish to ski in July.
Price for lift ticket- $39
ww.argentina.travel/en/nieve/penitentes/6#.WmgPDoFlDgB