FROM TOP: KEYSTONE SKI RESORT, JOSH HUMMEL; BRECKENRIDGE, JACK AFFLECK; BACKCOUNTRY SKIING ABOVE THE OPUS HUT NEAR SILVERTON, KENNAN HARVEY. 27 Reasons Colorado Owns This Title If the Rocky Mountains are Colorado’s defining geographic feature, skiing and snowboarding must be its signature activities. Colorado is, after all, the No. 1 destination for skiing and riding in the country. 1 ARAPAHOE BASIN Known for having one of the longest ski seasons in North America (often mid-October to early June), A-Basin also boasts North America’s highest elevation terrain park and its own “beach,” a home base for concerts, parties and tailgating, as well a new 468-acre experts and intermediate expansion. 2 ASPEN HIGHLANDS When new snow at Aspen Highlands reaches mammoth proportions, you’re in for an epic day of Colorado’s signature light-and-dry powder. Insiders at the ski area rec-ommend studying the trail map to find hidden gems that drop into gladed, untouched expert areas. 3 ASPEN MOUNTAIN While Aspen is known throughout the world as a posh winter playground, more skiers are discov-ering the mountain’s challenging double blacks and chutes — and its on-mountain pop-up champagne bar rewards tired legs — all steps from downtown Aspen. 4 BEAVER CREEK RESORT You can tell from its slo-gan, “Not Exactly Rough-ing It,” that BC charms with fantastic extras. Heated moving walkways, fresh-baked cookies and 20-hours-a-day grooming result in acres of corduroy and powder waiting for skiers and riders to swish through. 5 BRECKENRIDGE SKI RESORT Breckenridge is beloved for its variety of terrain: long groomed trails, monster mogul runs, steep chutes, glades and plenty of beginner areas. The resort was one of the first to allow snowboarding, and its Freeway Terrain Park is arguably one of the best. 6 BUTTERMILK With a reputation as a great venue for beginner skiers and snowboarders, wide, rolling trails are ideal for those just getting their snow legs. For an unprec-edented 17 straight years, it has been the home of ESPN’s Winter X Games. COLORADO.COM / 23
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2018: Page 23
