Like any vacation, choosing the perfect location is a complex endeavor, particularly when visiting "ski in/ski out Colorado", which maintains an embarrassment of riches when it comes to luxury accommodation and amenities.
Colorado offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world, with distinguished resorts featuring seemingly endless terrain, groomed runs and some of the best backcountry skiing in North America. So whether you're contemplating skiing in for some extreme terrain and above treeline chutes, or just to encounter the fun of the friendly blues and greens, here is a list of the best ski resorts Colorado has to offer.
Topping the list as one of North America’s most popular ski resorts, Breckenridge boasts around 1.5 million ski bums every winter season, and it's not hard to see why. Founded in 1859, later becoming a booming gold-mining town, Breckenridge is now regarded as a mecca for big mountain shredders and high alpine terrain, particularly in comparison to every other ski area in Summit County.
The resort is in the same ownership as Vail, Beaver Creek and Keystone, therefore, a multi-day lift ticket includes days at all of these luxury ski locations. However, unlike the purpose-built mega resorts of Vail and Beaver Creek, what sets Breckenridge town apart is its gripping blend of old and new. Plush spas, fine-dining and ski in ski out Colorado lodgings are positioned against the preserved historic buildings, providing the perfect playground for tons of great activities.
Accomodation options at Breckenridge are varied and plentiful; particularly for all budgets. Ski in and ski out rentals and hotels are a viable option, or if you don't mind being a bit further from the slopes in some of the best 5-star 'home from home' style ski rentals in Colorado, Breckenridge has it all, making it a desirable destination to suit your every budgeting needs.
Considered to be the most luxurious of all the American ski resorts, Beaver Creek truly reinvents the ideology of a 'world-class' resort. 'Not exactly roughing it' ironically emblematizes this ski heaven, built from the ground up in 1980 to serve one singular purpose - to provide an opulent experience like no other.
Indeed, Beaver Creek is home to some of the best black and double black bump skiing in North America as well as containing the men's and women's World Cup Downhill race course. However, don’t be mistaken, Beaver Creek is heaven for both novices and powder hunters alike, containing what is considered to be one of the best ski schools in the world as well as a one of a kind learning gondola to assist beginners in mastering the bunny slopes.
The physical infrastructure of the charming Beaver Creek village is what truly makes this resort stand out, which is set against a European-inspired pedestrian area with elegant shopping and dining excursions. There is also an abundance of luxury condos centered around a ski in/ ski out colorado vibe, as short stays in the rocky mountains are fairly commonplace.
The lift system at Beaver Creek spreads across the mountains to Bachelor Gulch, home to a small collection of up-market ski rentals and condos in Colorado, as well as the exclusive Ritz Carlton hotel and Arrowhead, another slope-side sleepy ski-in and ski-out hamlet easily accessible by lifts to Beaver Creek.
Vail, the biggest and baddest of the Colorado ski resorts (if not the world), is often depicted as the one of the most iconic destinations in North American skiing. Featuring seven back bowls, surplus tree runs and spruced up skiable terrain thanks to an annual snowfall of 9 metres, Vail is an attractive location for snow adventurers year in and year out.
Indeed, there is an incredible amount of variety at Vail's mega resort both on and off the slopes, with mountains jam-packed full of green and blue runs in addition to a swiss-style village boasting designer boutiques, fine-dining eateries and nightspots. Vail truly is the quintessential ski town with more to offer than any other ski destination in the Colorado highlands.
Vail is home to a wealth of lodging options, suitable for every taste. Whether you're looking for unparalleled luxury in a unique Colorado ski vacation rental, or five-star hotels, Vail has something to offer for everyone. Although, there's no true ski-in/ ski-out accommodation at Vail, besides from a few of the best private ski rentals in Colorado with exclusive access to the rocky mountains.
Moreover, luxury ski vacation rentals and hotels are also readily available at Lionshead just down the road from Vail, right next door to the Eagle Bahn Gondola, for guest to hop on at their convenience and enjoy the amazing glades and bumps of the 5,289 acres of skiable terrain.
A ski mecca for the rich and famous, Aspen highlands is regarded as one of the greatest ski towns in the world. Since it opened in 1946, this famous town now features four standalone resorts: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands, poviding a unique ski experience for each visitors fortunate enough to visit.
Collectively, Aspen highlands presents skiers with over 5,550 acres of spectacular ski terrain to explore, with Aspen highlands providing the most exhilarating chutes for ski and snowboarding bunnies, whereas Snowmass and Buttermilk provide a more laid-back slope experience, perfect for family adventures.
Accommodation is located eithe at the old town of Aspen and the newer Snowmass Village, with a vast amount of ski vacation rentals, condos, hotels and family homes available, all of which are slightly more affordable than the neighbouring villages.
If the prototypical 'ski-in/ski-out Colorado' accommodation is a prime concern of yours, Snowmass is the best option. Alternatively, if you want to be located centrally to the vibrancy and buzz of the nightlife, then downtown Aspen has an attractive appeal. Free shuttle buses run efficiently between the four resorts, providing the perfect oportunity to explore what Aspen has to offer.
Eager for a visit to Colorado yet? This ski paradise lures individuals seeking outdoor adventures and five-star lodging every season, and it's hard not to see why. Whether you're a mountain shredder or a casual cruiser, Colorado has something for everyone. Book with Emerald Kite now for your privately owned and professionally managed Luxury ski Colorado vacation rental today to enjoy the amazing activities this magical state has to offer.