Pueblo, Colorado, is a town with a grand Riverwalk, upscale restaurants, arts, culture and farmland. It is also home to the Colorado State Fair with livestock shows, concerts and rodeos. While some people think about ski vacations when considering Colorado vacations, Pueblo does not have the mountains or snowfall needed to attract those tourists. However, there are resorts within driving distance of Pueblo for vacationers who want to ski the slopes.
The Monarch Ski Resort is located 115 miles from Pueblo. A group of private investors owns the resort, which originally opened in 1939. The resort attempts to keep a small-town feel while offering a great winter experience. The resort receives more than 350 inches of natural snow from mid-November to early April. The slopes include back country terrain for advanced skiers and conveyor lifts for inexperienced guests. The resort offers 63 trails, 14 percent for beginners and 31 percent for experts. The longest run is one mile, and the resort has one fixed quad lift and four fixed double chair lifts. The hours for the lifts are 9 a..m to 4 p.m. daily.
Monarch Mountain Colorado Ski Resort
23715 W. Highway 50
Monarch, CO 81227
888-996-7669
skimonarch.com
Breckenridge is located 137 miles from Pueblo. One of the most famous ski resorts in Colorado, Breckenridge receives an average of 300 inches of snow a year, with 300 days of blue skies as well. There are 2,358 acres of terrain, split into five parks, 155 trails and two halfpipes, as well as four large peaks. The resort also conducts its own snow making on 565 acres. Breckenridge offers a number of vacation deals, including all-inclusive ski and lodge packages. The town of Breckenridge features a number of shops, cultural activities and attractions for visitors. There are 76 restaurants and bars, 203 shops and boutiques and 800 hotel beds, as of 2010.
Breckenridge Ski Resort
1599 County Road 3
Breckenridge, CO 80424
970-453-5000
breckenridge.com
Echo Mountain is located 142 miles from Pueblo. The resort is only 35 miles from Denver, the closest ski resort to the metropolitan town. The resort promises value-priced season passes for skiing and snowboarding. There are no restrictions or blackout dates. The resort also offers college students, seniors and active military personnel discounts. The Echo Mountain resort offers 16 trails with an average snowfall of 220 inches from early December through early May.
Echo Mountain
19285 Highway 103
Idaho Springs, CO 80452
303-325-7347
echomtnpark.com
