The Local newsletter is your free, daily guide to life in Colorado. For locals, by locals. Sign up today!
You’ve been busy this off-season. So, too, have your favorite ski areas. We got the inside scoop on what you can expect at the best places to downhill across Colorado for the 2024-’25 season.
All that’s left to do now is, well, pray for snow.
Arapahoe Basin
What’s new: Parking, carbon neutrality
Nobody likes skiing or riding on overly crowded slopes, so last year, Arapahoe Basin headed off the problem at the (ski) pass by limiting lift tickets. This year, the resort adds a parking reservation system to its efforts. So, if you plan to ski the Basin on a holiday or weekend between December 21, 2024, and May 4, 2025, make a parking reservation online in advance. This winter also marks the first full season that Arapahoe Basin will operate on a net-zero carbon footprint.
Read More: The Oversimplified Guide to Opening Day at A-Basin
Aspen Snowmass
What’s new: One lift, dining, terrain improvements, sustainability
Hit the Snowmass slopes faster this season with the new Coney Express high-speed quad, which extends from the base area (unlike its predecessor, the Coney Glade chair) up to the top of the Coney Glade trail. Nearby, the Cabin, a Western-inspired restaurant, will show off its facelift (expanded patio, new grill and bar) during a lineup of après parties, live entertainment, and the return of snowcat dinners.
Over at Aspen Mountain, maintenance teams have spent the summer working to expand glading on the 153-acre Hero’s terrain (that was new last season). Across all four Aspen Snowmass mountains, guests will get their beverage with a side of climate advocacy. Each compostable cup features a QR code and a call to action to join Aspen One (the Aspen Snowmass parent company) and Protect Our Winters to fight for meaningful climate action.
What’s new: App updates, ski competitions
Forget Siri. When you have questions about which runs were groomed overnight or where to pick up your ski rentals, ask the My Epic Assistant, a new feature available on the My Epic App for Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Vail Mountain. In Beaver Creek–specific news, the men’s and women’s Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup races will take place on back-to-back weekends for the first time ever this December 6 through 15. In addition to cheering for the Giant Slalom and Super G racers on the famed Birds of Prey course, plan to attend the corresponding multiday festival, which will include concerts, family activities, and the Beers of Prey beer-tasting event.
What’s new: Waste-sorting stations, app updates
It’s been seven years since Breck employees first began helping guests take the guesswork out of knowing which items to recycle, compost, and trash. Starting this season, they’ll do so from 22 new, custom-built waste-sorting stations located across all on-mountain dining locations. Finish your meal, drop your tray by one of these stations, and workers will ensure everything possible is recycled or composted. Have other questions? Ask the handy My Epic Assistant, new this season.
Copper Mountain
What’s new: One lift upgrade, dining, pro skier-rider competition
Copper Mountain’s maintenance teams have spent the last three years improving trails in its Western Territory, especially beginner- and intermediate-level runs like Lyman Lane and Pine Cone Alley. This summer’s work on the Timberline Express lift, which transformed the standard quad into a high-speed six-pack, will make that terrain even easier to access. Of course, Copper has plenty to please the experts as well. Living up to its reputation as the Athlete’s Mountain, Copper hosts a new X Games Street Style Pro event December 20 to 21. On the food and bev scene, the year-old Aerie Lodge will now offer after-hour events like Sunset Ski outings that pair an extra 60 minutes of downhilling with a meal of authentic Colorado cuisine.
Read More: 5 Things You Need to Try at the New Aerie Lodge in Copper
What’s new: Gear membership program
For those averse to traveling with their skis or board, eager to shred on a conditions-specific ride, or just over maintaining their gear, the membership program My Epic Gear, new to Crested Butte this season, is a great option. The $50 membership fee, plus a daily use fee, offers access to more than 60 of the most popular models from Atomic, K2, Lib Tech, and more delivered—and picked up—slopeside or to your door.
What’s new: General maintenance
Visit tiny Echo Mountain just 36 miles west of downtown Denver for freshies. This season, that includes fresh pavement in the parking lot and a fresh coat of paint on the lift towers. Oh, and, we hope, fresh powder, too.
What’s new: Expanded facilities
When it comes to ski facilities like Eldora’s new Caribou Lodge, energy-efficient building practices get two mitten-clad thumbs up. Ned Heads—and those in the Denver metro area who consider Eldora their go-to ski hill—will dig the building’s 52.65kW solar array, capable of generating more than enough energy to fully power the 12,000-square-foot space. Caribou Lodge will primarily house the Children’s Ski and Ride School as well as headquarters for local nonprofit Ignite Adaptive Sports, but a cozy cafe, retail shop (get your Eldora merch there), and gear-rental space will take residence, too.
What’s new: One new conveyor lift, dining area, (limited) extended hours, rentals, multipurpose maintenance building
Mountain resort community Granby Ranch unveils a host of updates for the 2025 season. Downhilling newbies can now hitch a ride on Stagecoach, the new 400-foot, covered conveyor lift that’s open to anyone with a ticket or ski pass (not just lesson-takers like the Pony Carpet). Also, the lodge in the base area redesigned its patio over the summer to include a 14-by-3-foot fire pit ready to fend off the chill. And from March 10 through 20, Spring Break guests can ski into the now-later sunset; lifts will spin until 5:30 p.m. to take full advantage of Daylight Savings time.
Other improvements in the form of additional Nordic ski rental equipment and a multipurpose chairlift maintenance and ski patrol dispatch building aren’t quite as sexy, but they do up the ante on convenience and safety.
What’s new: Nothing
After 109 seasons, North America’s oldest operating resort is resting on its well-deserved laurels. Yet while there’s nothing specifically new at Howelsen Hill this season, it’s worth a reminder that it’s one of the few places where downhillers can find free (not a typo) skiing. Ride the lift without a ticket each Ski Free Sunday.
What’s new: A resort within the resort
Luxury development comes to Keystone this season in the form of Kindred Resort, a collection of 95 ski-in, ski-out residences along with a 107-key Rock Resorts–branded hotel, full-service spa, private club, and three restaurants serving up sushi, upscale farm-to-table dishes, and slow-cooked meats.
What’s new: Snowmaking
Loveland will offer the same authentic ski and ride experience for which it’s long been known and loved, but this season, four new tower snow guns installed in Loveland Valley will improve coverage on beginner terrain. Also, if you didn’t enjoy your smushed PB&J and granola bar in Loveland’s new-last-year expansion to the Valley Lodge, now’s your chance.
What’s new: Birthday bash
Salida’s home mountain celebrates 85 seasons this year with retro-inspired billboards and a new logo (look closely to see the vintage pics hiding inside the bubble font). The 800-acre resort also got the go-ahead to add runs, a three-person lift, and a warming hut among a 377-acre expansion in No Name Basin. Visitors to Monarch will have to wait until next season, however, to take advantage.
What’s new: Snowmaking
No question a freeze is good news for snowmaking operations at Colorado ski resorts. This year at Powderhorn, a price freeze is good news for customers. In a continued effort to lean into its “Mission Affordable” motto, the family-friendly mountain is freezing or reducing lift-ticket costs, menu prices, and more.
What’s new: One lift upgrade, trail maintenance, dining
You might not specifically notice Purgatory Mountain’s key on-mountain updates for this season—namely, the addition of a low-voltage safety control system to Hermosa Park Express Lift #3 and the removal of deadfall and standing dead trees around the Hoody’s and McCormack’s Maze runs—but it’s a good reminder that Durango’s local hill puts guest safety first. Now that your mind is at ease, indulge your stomach with something yummy from the Powderhouse Lodge (enjoy the old-school ski memorabilia of its newly retro decor) or a grab a sandwich or salad from the Village Market & Deli’s all-new menu of local, NOSH (natural, organic, specialty, and healthy) grocery items.
What’s new: Aesthetic touch-ups
Leadville’s local hill Ski Cooper has small updates for this season including a new carpet on the lodge’s third floor and a fresh coat of black paint on the lift towers.
What’s new: Nothing
But after three years and $220 million of massive overhauls to the base area (including an ice skating rink and the new Range food and drink hall), terrain expansion to the tune of 655 acres of advanced/expert runs, and the opening of a the longest, fastest 10-person gondola in North America, we think the Steamboat team deserves a season to just, well, ski.
What’s new: RFID cards, terrain cleanup, dual-activity deal
Situated 13 miles southwest of Glenwood Springs, 730-acre Sunlight streamlines the ticketing system for this season with RFID cards, allowing guests to access the mountain’s freshly cut-back and cleared terrain. Midweek skiers can take advantage of the new Slope and Soak package, which includes a lift ticket as well as entry to nearby Iron Mountain Hot Springs for $110.
What’s new: Experiential ski trail, snowmaking, weekday pass
Along with snowmaking improvements and a new, $999 Weekday Pass (excludes holidays), Telluride offers a history lesson and powder run in one. The new Heritage Trail incorporates seven interactive features showcasing the region’s past from the geologic evolution of the San Juan Mountains and the first Ute Tribe inhabitants to bank robberies of the Wild West and today’s stunning ski resort. Find it in the Grouse Glade, just off the Double Cabin trail.
What’s new: Dining
When you head to Vail this season, come for the bowls—but not just the so-called legendary Back Bowls that inspired Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton to create a ski resort in the first place. The $4 million Avanti Food & Beverage space set to open in the Golden Peak base area in early 2025 will offer buffalo chicken bowls, pho with smoked brisket, and multiple other bowls (and plates). If your crew is feeling bar food rather than international cuisine, grab a signature burger and a few minutes of the game at the new Powerline Pub, situated mid-mountain at the top of Gondola One. For more elevated fare, the Two Elk Lodge (sitting above 11,000 feet) will feature familiar favorites like chicken posole soup and Two Elk Pork Green Chile—and the new-this-season industrial dish machine and reusable dishware will significantly reduce waste.
What’s new: Snowmaking, ski school, trail signs, dining
Even Winter Park needs a little help creating winter these days. (Cursed climate change.) That’s why the Grand County–based ski resort invested a whopping $37 million over the past two years into snowmaking upgrades such as a new reservoir, pump houses, and water pipes that—together—more than double the resort’s previous snowmaking capacity. Ski and Ride School participants will be among the many taking advantage—and with the new learn-to-ski guarantee, they’ll be doing so with finesse (or at least less flailing). Lesson-takers ages 14 and under get the added benefit of a complementary lift ticket if they (or their big people) book before November 29.
Expert-level skiers exploring the Eagle Wind terrain should keep an eye out for trail signs translated into the native Arapaho language. Then meet up with your crew at the Outpost lodge at the top of Wild Spur Express, where Denver-based American Indian eatery Tocabe has taken over the menu.
What’s new: Anniversary events
In celebration of its 85th ski season, Wolf Creek will host events like a scavenger hunt, Live Band and Boot Dance, and more throughout the season.
