Colorado Official State Vacation Guide - 2025

Note: All resorts listed offer adaptive-ski programs.

Aspen

Aspen Snowmass boasts four distinct mountains. Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands cater to intermediate and expert skiers, while Buttermilk is ideal for families and freestyle enthusiasts. Snowmass, the largest mountain, has something for all skill levels. When you’ve set down your gear for the evening, head to Mawa’s Kitchen, a Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant serving Afro- Mediterranean cuisine with a French-American twist in Aspen. Order buttery bread boards and spicy West African peanut curry. Then spend an afternoon exploring the latest eclectic exhibition at the Aspen Art Museum.

Salida

Hailed for its high-elevation terrain and short lift lines, Monarch Mountain near Salida is a bit of a hidden gem. Ride to the top of the narrow, between-trees Panorama Lift for 360-degree views of the Continental Divide. On your rest day, roam through downtown Salida, a Certified Colorado Creative District, where the Arkansas River runs through the community. Pop into The Mad Potter to browse handmade ceramic pieces by local artists. At night, stop by High Side! Bar & Grill and dig into their signature burger topped with “Salida Sauce” as you jam out to weekly live-music sets.

Vail

As one of the largest ski resorts in North America, and with seven legendary back bowls, it’s no wonder Vail Ski Resort is one of the most iconic ski destinations in the world. While you’re in town, dive into the sport’s history. Step into the Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame and uncover exhibits about the ski-clad soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division and Olympic racers who train on our slopes. For an intimate evening, reserve a spot at La Nonna Ristorante for a candle-lit dinner of fresh-made pasta with Italian wine.

Beaver Creek

If you’re seeking out a family-friendly mountain, look no further than Beaver Creek Resort. It’s known for both steep, expert terrain like the Stickline glades and beautiful beginner descents like the McCoy Park bunny hills. But what the kids will inevitably remember most are the fresh chocolate-chip cookies handed out at the base every afternoon. Once you’ve gotten your fix of sweets and slopes, shower up and head to the Vilar Performing Arts Center for fun-loving children’s performances or moving symphony orchestras.

Telluride

Hop on the gondola in downtown Telluride and soar over to the Telluride Ski Resort’s European-style terrain, much of which is situated above treeline. Once you slide down to a lower elevation for the day, plan for an Old West après. Hang up your saddle and head to New Sheridan Hotel’s Historic Bar, the town’s oldest saloon, which feels right out of a John Wayne movie. On your day off, let fluffy huskies whisk you through the San Juan Mountains’ backcountry trails by booking a session with Idarado Sled Dog Adventures.

Glenwood Springs

Sunlight Mountain Resort has budget-friendly day passes and lots of fluffy powder. Post-après, swap out your ski gear for swimsuits and take a dip in Iron Mountain Hot Springs, where the newest pools replicate mineral formulas from hot springs around the globe. Towel off and head to dinner and drinks at Doc Holliday’s Saloon & Restaurant for loaded potato skins and triple-decker club sandwiches.

Mesa

Powderhorn Mountain Resort is in the Grand Junction area on the northern edge of the world’s largest flat-top mountain, and is an ideal family ski-trip destination. Spend a day on the trails, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing through their scenic pathways near the mountain. For dinner, Pêche. in nearby Palisade shines a spotlight on the area’s homegrown flavors, with produce from local farms and, of course, wine from the town’s sprawling vineyards.

Crested Butte

Crested Butte Mountain Resort is known for gnarly terrain parks, lots of expert-level runs and some of the steepest tree-cut trails in North America. This is the place to go if you want to step up your ski game, but there are also plenty of easy routes for beginners. Remember to wander downtown Crested Butte to discover work by local artists. And for dinner, you’ll thank yourself for making a reservation at Izakaya Cabin for craft cocktails and fresh sushi rolls.

Winter Park

Winter Park Resort’s two peaks have something for everyone, from Mary Jane Mountain’s expert-level tree runs to Winter Park Mountain’s family-friendly greens and blues. The resort is home to the National Sport Center for the Disabled, one of the best adaptive programs in central Colorado. To sneak in some extra thrills, zip through Continental Divide trails on a snowmobile with Grand Adventures. At night, grab a specialty drink at Devil’s Craft and groove to bands in the lively downtown.

Granby

Granby Ranch has smaller crowds and big fun. Beginners should take advantage of the ski-andride school and flowy green terrain, but seasoned skiers will also find plenty of thrill-filled routes. On a day off, drive over to the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park for a serene, snowy hike through frosty pine trees to snowcapped peaks. Steer over to the Granby Garage Roadhouse to order saucy, slow-roasted barbecue sandwiches and an old fashioned.

Frisco

Usually one of the first resorts to open and the last to close for the season, Arapahoe Basin is beloved by locals. Expert skiers hail the hike-to terrain on the East Wall for its steep chutes and breathtaking descents. Afternoon shredders should spend mornings dipping fresh croissants in cocoa at Butterhorn Bakery & Café in downtown Frisco before heading to the slopes. For a slower-paced day, rent snowshoes or cross-country skis and traverse sparkling trails at Frisco Nordic Center.

Meet Tony Drees

If you visit Aspen Highlands, don’t be surprised if you spot Tony Drees surrounded by an eager group of students or whooshing past you on three-track skis. As an instructor and avid adaptive skier, he easily clocks over 100 days on the mountain each season.

However, as a military veteran who lost his leg in 2018, his sunny ski days were not born from an easy journey. The award-winning documentary “One For All” tells his story of resilience through the unimaginable as he becomes the first Black amputee to do a ski-jump backflip at 55 years old. Today, he translates the lessons he’s learned to inspire skiers of all stripes, ages and abilities, so they too can get a piece of that joy.

“For me, to be able to show up every day and have this [mountain] as my office view — and that I get to do this thing that I love so much around a bunch of people that also love it so much — what that does for my mental health is almost unquantifiable.”

Experience the wonder of skiing in Colorado for yourself. From beginnerfriendly bunny hills to blackdiamond glades, there’s a route for every skier at these resorts. Get to know them all on Colorado.com.

Backcountry Safety

Headed into backcountry territory?

Be sure to research your destination, check the avalanche forecast, and get proper equipment and training. Pro tip: Go with an experienced guide!

Overcoming Fear as a Beginner

Whether it’s your first time on the slopes or you’re trying your very first black diamond, fear is a natural part of visiting the mountain. Drees sees the process of overcoming that feeling as one of the most rewarding parts of the sport. In fact, he often compares the learning curve to everyday challenges — saying that conquering obstacles on the mountain can help you to face life’s obstacles after you return from vacation.

“You’re going to fall. You’re going to take a hit … that’s what life is full of. No one goes to après ski and talks about how many times you fall. What you talk about is how you were able to get back up and conquer that thing that you were initially scared of.”

Adaptive Ski Programs

After losing his leg, training for adaptive skiing helped Drees through the difficult transition. At the time, his teenage sons were getting excited about winter sports, so he made it a goal to get out on the mountain with them.

“It’s liberating. It helps you gain a sense of independence. It helps you gain a sense of community and for me, it gave me a purpose. I wanted to ski with my sons.”

While Drees teaches all forms of skiing, one-third of his year is dedicated to adaptive lessons through Challenge Aspen, where he instructs and skis alongside people with disabilities. And he notes that there are adaptive programs throughout Colorado that can accommodate people with various forms of adaptive equipment.

“What I love about adaptive and what I love about skiing, in general, is that regardless of your ability level, there’s something for you.”

Ski-Trip Tips

When it comes to ski-trip tips, Drees suggests drinking plenty of water, eating a good breakfast and scheduling in some extra time to adjust to the mountains’ high elevation.

“If you fly into Denver, I recommend that you stay in Denver for a day and acclimate to the altitude. Even if you come straight to the mountain, don’t ski your first day. Maybe go get your gear and wander around to get used to the environment.”

And if it’s your first time taking on the slopes, be sure to schedule a lesson to ensure a safe start for you and everyone else on the hill. Prepare for a few falls and challenges — and most importantly, lots of fun and laughs. 

“There’s going to be joy. There’s going to be accomplishment. There’s going to be adrenaline. … They all have an opportunity to be present, to light up. That’s the beautiful part.” 

Learn more about Tony Drees’ story at transition-expert.com.