Skiing in Colorado? What you need to know for the 2021-22 season
Some Colorado ski resorts began opening in October after early mountain snowfall, and most of the rest opened in late November or early December.
The reservation systems that limited access to the the slopes last season are gone, as are the social distancing rules that limited capacity on chairlifts, gondolas, bars, restaurants and other indoor spaces.
Online ticketing, though, has been expanded and is generally the best way to purchase single- and multiday passes. Daily prices can vary significantly by day of the week or time of year, and most resorts are offering discounts even during peak periods for advance online purchases of lift tickets, lessons and rental equipment.
There are still some COVID-19 restrictions in place at various resorts for the 2021-22 season, beyond state, county and local public-health orders. Some resorts are requiring proof of vaccination for access to indoor dining, including cafeteria-style service, and group lessons that include lunch. Many are also requiring face coverings indoors for both the vaccinated and unvaccinated.
Here's a look at what you need to know before heading to any of Colorado's 24 ski areas and resorts this season.
Arapahoe Basin
Status: Open
Location: 64 miles west of Denver, 11 miles east of Dillon
County: Summit
Website: https://arapahoebasin.com/
COVID-19 rules: Face coverings required for anyone visiting Kids Center and strongly encouraged for unvaccinated individuals indoors
Hours: Lifts open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends and major holidays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays
Lift tickets: Daily adult, $69-$119; child (age 14 and under), $49-$69; teen (ages 15-18), $59-$89; senior (age 70 and older), $89
Season passes: No reservations required for Arapahoe Basin or Ikon pass-holders; Mountain Collective passholders must pick up daily pass at ticket window.
Rentals: Advance booking online required
Lessons: Advance booking online required
Parking: Free, no reservations required
Aspen (Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Snowmass)
Status: Open
Location: 198 miles west of Denver, 41 miles southeast of Glenwood Springs
County: Pitkin
Website: https://aspensnowmass.com/
COVID-19 rules: Proof of vaccination required for full-service indoor dining; not required for lift access, lessons, rentals, market-style restaurants or ticket offices. Face coverings required in rental shops.
Hours: Lifts open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Adult, $164-$204 (varies by day); child/teen/senior, $110-$146
Pass-holders: No reservations required for Aspen Snowmass or Ikon pass-holders; Mountain Collective pass-holders must redeem voucher online or at ticket window for daily pass.
Rentals: Online booking available; face coverings required and limited capacity in shop for in-person rentals.
Lessons: Advance booking online required
Shuttle buses: Operating (face coverings required)
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Beaver Creek
Status: Open
Location: 109 miles west of Denver, 13 miles west of Vail
County: Eagle
Website: https://beavercreek.com/
COVID-19 rules: Face coverings required indoors. Proof of vaccination required for those age 12 and over for indoor dining, including on-mountain cafeteria-style restaurants, and full-day ski and ride classes. Reservations required for many on-mountain restaurants
Hours: Lifts open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Adults, $206; child (ages 5-12), $142; senior (age 65 and over), $196
Pass-holders: No reservations required for Beaver Creek or Epic pass-holders
Rentals: Rental shops open (face coverings required), advanced booking online recommended
Lessons: Available, advance booking online recommended
Shuttle buses: Operating (face coverings required)
Breckenridge
Status: Open
Location: 81 miles west of Denver, 10 miles south of Frisco
County: Summit
Website: https://www.breckenridge.com/
COVID-19 rules: Face coverings required indoors. Proof of vaccination required for those age 12 and over for indoor dining, including on-mountain cafeteria-style restaurants, and full-day ski and ride classes
Hours: Lifts open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Adults, $148-$219 (varies by day); child, (ages 5-12) $96-$142; senior (age 65 and over), $138-$199
Pass-holders: No reservations required for Breckenridge, Epic or Summit pass-holders
Rentals: Rental shops open (face coverings required), advance booking online recommended
Lessons: Available, advance booking online recommended
Shuttle buses: Operating (face coverings required)
Copper Mountain
Status: Open
Location: 78 miles west of Denver, 12 miles west of Dillon
County: Summit
Website: https://www.coppercolorado.com/
COVID-19 rules: No face coverings required except on buses and for children ages 2-11 in indoor group settings, per county health order
Hours: Lifts open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays
Lift tickets: Adult, $138-$208 (varies by day); child (ages 5-12), $100-$126
Pass-holders: No reservations required for Copper Mountain or Ikon pass-holders
Rentals: Rental shops open, advance booking online recommended
Lessons: Available, advance booking online recommended
Shuttle buses: Operating (face coverings required)
Crested Butte
Status: Open
Location: 228 miles southwest of Denver, 28 miles north of Gunnison
County: Gunnison
Website: https://www.skicb.com/
COVID-19 rules: Face coverings required indoors. Proof of vaccination required for those age 12 and over for indoor dining, including on-mountain cafeteria-style restaurants, and full-day ski and ride classes. Reservations required for many on-mountain restaurants
Hours: Lifts open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Adult, $101-$159 (varies by day); child (ages 5-12), $52-$98; senior (age 65 and over), $84-$138
Pass-holders: No reservations required for Crested Butte or Epic pass-holders
Rentals: Rental shops open (face coverings required), advance booking online recommended
Lessons: Available, advance booking online recommended
Shuttle buses: Operating (face coverings required)
Echo Mountain
Status: Open
Location: 36 miles west of Denver, 11 miles south of Idaho Springs
County: Clear Creek
Website: https://echomntn.com/
COVID-19 rules: State, county and local public health orders apply
Hours: Lifts open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays early season. For regular season, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.
Lift tickets: Online advance purchase only by 10 p.m. the night before; adult, $57-$64 (varies by day); child (ages 6-15), $35-$40; college students/teachers/seniors (age 65 and over), $53-$60
Pass-holders: No reservations required
Rentals: Advance booking online required
Lessons: Not available
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Eldora
Status: Open
Location: 50 miles west of Denver, 21 miles west of Boulder
County: Boulder
Website: https://eldora.com
COVID-19 rules: Facial coverings required indoors, per county health ordinance
Hours: Lifts open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Adult, $99; junior (ages 5-15)/senior (age 70 and over), $59
Pass-holders: No reservations required for Eldora or Ikon pass-holders
Rentals: Rental shops open
Lessons: Available
Parking, buses: Boulder County is requiring a $10 fee for single-occupancy vehicles on weekends and holiday periods as part of Eldora's parking expansion plan. Fares will be free to skiers and snowboarders beginning Dec. 18 on RTD Route NB bus to and from Boulder Transit Center, and a free shuttle bus to Eldora will leave from the Boulder County Justice Center, 1777 Sixth St., Boulder, at 7 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and some days during holiday periods, with return trips leaving at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Granby Ranch
Status: Open
Location: 86 miles west of Denver, 5 miles south of Granby
County: Grand
Website: https://granbyranch.com
COVID-19 rules: Will adhere to CDC and state, county, local public health guidelines
Hours: Lifts open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Adult, $109-$129, varies by date; junior (ages 6-12), $64-$74; senior (age 65 and over), $89-$109; golden (ages 80 and over) $15-$25.
Pass-holders: No reservations required
Rentals: Rental shop open, advance booking online recommended
Lessons: Available, advance booking online recommended
Hesperus
Status: Open
Location: 361 miles southwest of Denver, 25 miles west of Durango
County: La Plata
Website: https://www.ski-hesperus.com/
COVID-19 rules: State, county and local public health orders apply
Hours: Lifts open only on Thursday and Friday nights, Saturday, Sunday and holidays
Lift tickets: Adults, $46 day, $34 night; teen (ages 13-20) $38 day, $29 night; seniors (ages 60-74), $39 day, $29 night; seniors 75 and over ski free.
Pass-holders: No reservations required
Rentals: Rental shop open on scheduled days of operation
Lessons: Call 970-385-2199 in advance 72 hours for availability and reservations
Howelsen Hill
Status: Open
Location: 166 miles northwest of Denver, in Steamboat Springs
County: Routt
Website: https://steamboatsprings.net/131/Howelsen-Hill-Ski-Area
COVID-19 rules: State, county and local public health orders apply
Hours: Lifts open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends
Lift tickets: Adult, $39; youths (ages 5-18), $28; senior (age 65 and over), $28; Sundays are free.
Pass-holders: No reservations required
Rentals: Not available
Lessons: Not available
Kendall Mountain
Status: Open
Location: 325 miles southwest of Denver, in Silverton
County: San Juan
Website: https://www.skikendall.com/
COVID-19 rules: State, public and local public health orders apply
Hours: Lifts open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday and select holidays
Lift tickets: Advance purchase online required; adult, $26; child (ages 6-18), $18; seniors (ages 65 and over) and military/veterans, $18.
Pass-holders: No reservations required
Rentals: Advance purchase online required
Lessons: Not available
Keystone
Status: Open
Location: 77 miles west of Denver
County: Summit
Website: https://www.keystoneresort.com/
COVID-19 rules: Face coverings required indoors. Proof of vaccination required for those age 12 and over for indoor dining, including on-mountain cafeteria-style restaurants, and full-day ski and ride classes. Advance reservations required for many on-mountain restaurants
Hours: Lifts open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Adult, $179-$199 (varies by day); child (ages 5-12), $86-$115; senior (age 65 and over), $138-$189
Pass-holders: No reservations required for Keystone, Summit Value and Epic pass-holders
Rentals: Rental shops open (face coverings required), advance booking online recommended
Lessons: Available, advance booking online recommended
Shuttle buses: Operating (face coverings required)
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Loveland
Status: Open
Location: 57 miles west of Denver, 13 miles west of Georgetown
County: Clear Creek
Website: https://skiloveland.com/
COVID-19 rules: State, county and local public health orders apply
Hours: Lifts open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Adult, $85-$94 (varies by day); child (ages 6-14), $35-$38; senior (age 60 and over), $75
Pass-holders: No reservations required for Loveland pass-holders, those with passes from partner resorts must present pass at ticket window for daily ticket
Rentals: Rental shop open, advance reservations online or by calling 303-571-5580 recommended
Lessons: Advance reservations required by calling 303-571-5580
Monarch
Status: Open
Location: 157 miles southwest of Denver, 21 miles west of Salida
County: Chaffee
Website: https://www.skimonarch.com/
COVID-19 rules: State, county and local public health orders apply
Hours: Lifts open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Adult, $99-$129 (varies by day); junior (ages 7-12), $52-$69; teen (ages 13-17), $49-$89; senior (ages 62-68), $69-$89; children 6 and under and seniors 69 and over ski free
Pass-holders: No reservations required
Rentals: Rental shop open, advance reservations online recommended
Lessons: Available, advance reservations online recommended
Powderhorn
Status: Open
Location: 233 miles west of Denver, 39 miles east of Grand Junction
County: Mesa
Website: https://www.powderhorn.com/
COVID-19 rules: State, county and local public health orders apply
Hours: Lifts open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Adult, $79-$89 (varies by day); child (5 and under), $19; junior (ages 6-12), $29-$39; teen (ages 13-19), $69-$79; senior (age 75 and over), $19
Pass-holders: No reservations required
Rentals: Online reservations required at least 48 hours in advance
Lessons: Online reservations required at least 48 hours in advance
Purgatory
Status: Open
Location: 363 miles southwest of Denver, 27 miles north of Durango
County: La Plata
Website: https://www.purgatoryresort.com/
COVID-19 rules: State, county and local public health ordinances apply
Hours: Lifts open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Online only, $39-$100 (varies by day)
Pass-holders: No reservations required
Rentals: Online reservations required
Lessons: Online reservations required
Parking shuttle: Operating (face coverings required)
Ski Cooper
Status: Open
Location: 109 miles southwest of Denver, 10 miles north of Leadville
County: Eagle and Lake
Website: https://www.skicooper.com/
COVID-19 rules: State, county and public health ordinances apply
Hours: Lifts open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Adult, $90; youth, (ages 6-14) $70
Pass-holders: No reservations required
Rentals: Online reservations available but not required
Lessons: Advance registration required online or by calling 800-707-6114
Silverton Mountain
Status: Helicopter skiing open, guided skiing begins Dec. 30 and unguided skiing begins March 16.
Location: 330 miles southwest of Denver, 6 miles north of Silverton
County: San Juan
Website: https://silvertonmountain.com/
COVID-19 rules: State, county and local public health orders apply
Hours: Lift open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday to Sunday during guided season, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday during unguided season. Groups for guided season form at base area at 8:15 a.m.
Lift tickets: $219-$249 (varies by date)
Pass-holders: No reservations required
Rentals: Rental shop open, advance reservations online recommended (all skiers and snowboarders are required to carry avalanche beacons, shovels and probes, which are available for rent)
Lessons: Not available
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Steamboat
Status: Open
Location: 164 miles west of Denver, 4 miles south of Steamboat Springs
County: Routt
Website: https://www.steamboat.com/
COVID-19 rules: Unvaccinated individuals required to wear face coverings indoors
Hours: Lifts open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Adult, $135-$269 (varies by day); child age 4 and under, $10; child ages 5-12, $105-$165; senior (age 70 and over), $115-$239
Pass-holders: No reservations required for Steamboat or Ikon pass-holders
Rentals: Rental shops open, advance reservations online recommended
Lessons: Available, advance reservations online recommended
Shuttle buses: Operating (face coverings required)
Sunlight
Status: Open
Location: 170 miles west of Denver, 13 miles south of Glenwood Springs
County: Garfield
Website: https://sunlightmtn.com/
COVID-19 rules: Face coverings required indoors and in outdoor spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained, including the base area, lift lines and while riding lifts
Hours: Lifts open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Adult, $75; child (ages 6-12), $45; senior (ages 70-79), $59
Pass-holders: No reservations required
Rentals: Advance booking online or by calling 970-945-9425 required
Lessons: Available; details for season TBA
Telluride
Status: Open
Location: 331 miles southwest of Denver, in Telluride
County: San Miguel
Website: https://tellurideskiresort.com/
COVID-19 rules: State, county and local public health orders apply
Hours: Lifts open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Advance purchase online only; adult, $162-$205 (varies by day); child (ages 6-12), $80-$119; senior (ages 65-79), $115-$179
Pass-holders: No reservations required for Telluride or Epic pass-holders
Rentals: Rental shop open, advance booking online recommended
Lessons: Advance booking online required
Vail
Status: Open
Location: 97 miles west of Denver, in Vail
County: Eagle
Website: https://www.vail.com/
COVID-19 rules: Face coverings required indoors. Proof of vaccination required for those age 12 and over for indoor dining, including on-mountain cafeteria-style restaurants, and full-day ski and ride classes. Reservations required for many on-mountain restaurants
Hours: Lifts open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Adult, $176-239; child (ages 5-12), $121-$165; senior (age 65 and over), $166-$229
Pass-holders: No reservations required for Vail or Epic pass-holders
Rentals: Rental shops open (face coverings required), advance booking online recommended
Lessons: Available, advance booking online recommended
Shuttle buses: Operating (face coverings required)
Winter Park
Status: Open
Location: 66 miles west of Denver, 34 miles northwest of Idaho Springs
County: Grand
Website: https://winterparkresort.com
COVID-19 rules: Unvaccinated individuals required to wear face coverings indoors
Hours: Lifts open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays
Lift tickets: Adult, $79-$219 (varies by day); child (ages 5-12), $78-$118
Pass-holders: No reservations required for Winter Park or Ikon pass-holders
Rentals: Rental shops open, advance booking online recommended
Lessons: Available, advance booking online recommended
Shuttle buses: Operating (face coverings required)
Wolf Creek
Status: Open
Location: 253 miles southwest of Denver, 24 miles northeast of Pagosa Springs
County: Mineral
Website: https://wolfcreekski.com
COVID-19 rules: State, county and local public health ordinances apply
Hours: Lifts open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lift tickets: Adult, $82-$92 (varies by day); child (ages 6-12), $41-$51; senior (65-79), $51-$61
Pass-holders: No reservations required
Rentals: Rental shop open, advance booking online recommended
Lessons: Available, advance booking online recommended
Contact Coloradoan reporter Kelly Lyell at kellylyell@coloradoan.com, follow him on Twitter @KellyLyell and find him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KellyLyell.news. Support his work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Skiing in Colorado? Here are opening dates, COVID rules, ticket costs
