Denver, Colorado, is the perfect location if you enjoy winter weather play activities. The city is just a short drive from skiing, snow boarding, snowshoeing and other snow activities that will keep your family busy and in great shape, all while enjoying the beautiful Colorado landscape. A few of the snow play areas are near Denver and are all within a short enough drive to make the trip a one-day event.
Keystone resort is just over an hour west of Denver. The resort is home to Dercum Mountain, which is an 11,640-foot peak that has trails for beginner snow bunnies. Keystone is made up of three mountains, so you'll also find more advanced trails as well. You'll also find an ice skating rink, be able to go snowshoeing or snow tubing, or even take a romantic sleigh ride. Keystone is one of the few resorts in the area to offer night skiing.
Winter Park is where you'll find local Denver residents whiling away a snowy day. It is one of the closest resorts to Denver, sitting about an hour's drive to the northwest. Winter Park is a state park and offers snowboarding, skiing, ice skating, snow cycling and snowshoeing. The park even offers tours in a 13-passenger Snowcat, so you can view the beautiful Colorado winter scenery.
To get to Loveland from Denver, take I-70 west for about an hour. Loveland Ski Area offers skiing and snowboarding for those who are serious about winter play near Denver. Loveland also features a ski school with lessons for children as young as 5. Loveland is a mere 53 miles from Denver and offers one of the more versatile snow play areas near Denver, Colorado.
Another 15 miles north of Winter Park lies SolVista. The resort is on 5,500 acres and takes advantage of trails in the Rocky Mountain National Park. The area makes for a nice "snow"cation for families who love the outdoors. There are ski schools for young children, or more advanced snow activities for adults.
If you're looking for a ski resort that is the very closest to Denver, then Echo Mountain is likely your best choice. It is located in Idaho Springs, which is about 35 miles from downtown Denver. This resort is popular with locals and visitors, because it is one of the few resorts to offer night skiing. The resort also offers tree skiing.
