At the moment, everyone in the world of skiing has its eyes on Colorado. But not only on Vail and Beaver Creek that both are hosting the world-championship! You´ll also find some pretty outstanding ski trails in the other ski resorts. The second part of our special features those resorts in Colorado that are equally fun:
Aspen, Breckenridge and Copper Mountain are the all-rounder
Passionate skiers are going to love the former mining town Aspen. The runs at Buttermilk are great for beginners and people re-entering the world of skiing and snowboarding. Snowmass offers best conditions for experts and the runs that are up to 110 degrees steep. Those runs in the Aspen Highlands are going to even make best skiers think twice. If you consider yourself among advanced skiers, you´ll sure appreciate the longest vertical trail (1341 meters= 4399 feet) in the US. 300 sunny days and up to 10 meters (32 feet) fresh snow every year make the conditions for winter athletes perfect. Since celebrities like Michael Douglas, Kate Hudson and Heidi Klum enjoy this ski resort as much as everyone else, you´ll probably have to share the trails with some familiar faces.
Fans of heights are going to enjoy the highest chairlift in the USA in Breckenridge. The last season 2013/2014 brought access to additional 20 percent by adding the Peak 6 to the highest ski resort of Vail Resorts. The ski resort, one hour away from Denver, now spreads across five peaks that are perfect for every level and ability. Peak 9 has a good spread of variety for beginners to improve their skills quickly. Peak 7 is mostly recommendable for intermediate skiers. Plenty of trails are awesome for challenge-seekers, more than 30 percent in Breckenridge are on the more challenging side. Head to the Back-country to find those tough black marked runs. Peak 6 is amazing for Freestylers.
Copper Mountain counts to Colorado´s biggest ski resorts with 1000 ha. It´s about 120 kilometers (74,5 miles) away from Denver and splits up in three areas: The east boasts countless steep slopes, the center welcomes especially intermediate skiers with comfortable carving hills and the west has some decent hills to help families to work on their skills. This well-balanced range of trails and the possibility to find always more challenging trails as you go from west to east makes Copper Mountain extra special.
Nothing for newbies: Telluride, Crested Butte and Steamboat
Telluride is Colorado´s only ski resort where you can go heliskiing. It´s also well-known for the huge off-piste terrain around Black Iron Bowl, the Gold Hill Chutes and Palmyra Peak. Actually more than 40 percent of the trails in Telluride are black so beginners better steer clear of this terrain. Similar to Aspen you´ll have the perfect weather conditions of 300 sunny days and 7,5 meters (23 feet) fresh snow every season.
Crested Butte is a true Eldorado for real experts. 626 ha filled with Double Black Diamonds for experts, the ´Warming House Hill´ for novices and ´Keystone´ or ´Ruby Chief´ for intermediates will please every party.
In the North-west of Colorado, in Steamboat, wait incredible six peaks for you to get discovered. The trails around Mount Werner, Sunshine Peak, Storm Peak, Thunderhead Peak, Pioneer Ridge and Christie Peak each feature more than 40 percent of the toughest terrain. If you still don´t have enough, look for the Morningside Park, where you can hit some more Double Black Diamond runs. This is the category where the most ambitious winter athletes should look for. The 17 meter (55,7 feet) high Mavericks superpipe at Christie´s peak is one of Steamboat´s main attractions.
Families love Keystone and Winter Park
Keystone stretches across 1300 ha. Dercum Mountain, North Peak and The Outback are your skiing destinations here. It has a great reputation among night-skiers because most parts of the front and the A-51 terrain park for Freestylers are lighted until 9 pm. Besides, Keystone has great offers for families: Bunny hills for little skiers, Kids Adventure zones along the trails and an own family area make families with adventurous kids feel welcome.
Winter Park is not only the highest town in the United States but with its 1214 ha also the biggest ski resort. Around the 4 peaks Winter Park, Mary Jane, Vasquez Cirque and Casquez Rigde you´ll find 143 trails offering all kind of difficulties. Winter Park is often a good spot for beginners or blue folks due it´s huge amount of easy runs. The zone Mary Jane is on extreme skiers right and tree skiing is possible as well. Vasquez Cirque is famous for having best freeride conditions by featuring the best deep snow.
