Southern Colorado offers six ski resorts, one of which is for advanced and expert skiers only. Some are served by nearby airports but others are far enough from commercial air service that you need to rent a vehicle to get there. Remember to allow plenty of driving time on Colorado mountain roadways.
Silverton Mountain is rated for advanced and expert skiers only, and there are no beginners or intermediate trails. Silverton is the highest and steepest ski area in North America, according to the website. The mountain’s peak elevation is 13,487 feet. Avalanche reduction work is the only modification made to the mountain. One chair lift is available and avalanche gear is required to ride the lift. Silverton Mountain has 1,819 skiable acres and an annual snowfall of 400 inches. The nearest town is Silverton and the closest airport is Durango/La Plata County Airport, 48 miles away. The town of Silverton offers 15 lodging establishments, with a complete list available on the website.
Silverton Mountain
P.O. Box 856
Silverton, CO 81433
970-387-5706
silvertonmountain.com
Crested Butte is rated for beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert skiers. There are three terrain parks, a rail park, a kids park and a DC Superpipe. The mountain’s peak elevation is 12,162 feet, and it has 11 lifts plus 2 magic carpets. Crested Butte has 1,167 skiable acres and annual snowfall of 300 inches. The nearest town is Crested Butte, which has 23 lodging establishments. The closest airport is Gunnison/Crested Butte Regional Airport.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
12 Snowmass Road
Crested Butte, CO, 81225
800-810-7669
skicb.com
Durango Mountain Resort is rated for beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert skiers. There are three terrain parks. The mountain’s peak elevation is 10,822 feet, with 9 lifts and 1 magic carpet. The mountain has 1,325 skiable acres and an annual snowfall of 260 inches. The nearest town is Durango. The closest airport is Durango La Plata County Airport. Durango offers 11 choices for lodging at the resort and surrounding area.
Durango Mountain Resort
1 Skier Place
Durango, CO 81301
970-247-9000
durangomountainresort.com
Monarch Mountain Colorado Ski Resort is rated for beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert skiers. There are three terrain parks. Monarch Mountain’s peak elevation is 10,822 feet. There are five lifts, plus conveyor lifts for ski school. Monarch has 800 skiable acres and annual snowfall of 350 inches. The nearest towns are Poncha Springs and Salida. The closest airport is Gunnison/Crested Butte Regional Airport, but Monarch Mountain is 47 miles east on Highway 50. In the Monarch Mountain area there are 17 hotels and motels, two bed and breakfast homes, and 24 vacation home rentals.
Monarch Mountain Colorado Ski Resort
22720 W. Hwy 50
Monarch, CO 81227
888-996-7669
skimonarch.com
Telluride Ski Resort is rated for beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert skiers. There are four terrain parks. The mountain’s peak elevation is 8,725 feet, with 18 lifts, two surface lifts and two magic carpets. Telluride has 2,000 skiable acres and an annual snowfall of 309 inches. The nearest town is Telluride. Closest airports are Montrose Regional Airport and Telluride Regional Airport. Telluride Ski & Golf Resort operates a vacation lodging rental service and several other lodging establishments are listed on the website.
Telluride Ski & Golf Resort
565 Mountain Village Blvd.
Telluride, CO 81435
800-778-8581
tellurideskiresort.com
Wolf Creek is rated for beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert skiers. The peak elevation is 11,904 feet. There are six lifts plus one magic carpet. Wolf Creek has 1,600 skiable acres and annual snowfall of 465 inches. The nearest towns are Pagosa Springs and South Fork. The closest airports served by commercial airlines are Alamosa Municipal Airport, 75 miles, and Durango/La Plata County Airport, 80 miles. Stevens Field, Pagosa Springs, is open to private planes only. Lodging can be found in Pagosa Springs, Creede, Del Norte and South Fork.
Wolf Creek Ski Area
PO Box 2800
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
970-264-5639
wolfcreekski.com
