Skiing is a thrilling and beautiful sport that allows you to embrace the winter season with open arms, flying over the snow down amazing slopes surrounded by stunning peaks, but it can be intimidating to newcomers. You probably aren't just going to jump right into double-black tree runs. If you're excited about enjoying the winter on the mountain but haven't yet gotten into skiing, stay tuned.
We will cover some of the best resorts in Colorado with beginner terrain so you can enjoy the journey more comfortably. Let's get ready for ski season!
Tip: Skiing is very popular in Colorado, especially at the bigger-name resorts. If you hate crowds, sometimes it's worth the PTO or a day off school.
Best Beginner Ski Resorts in Colorado:
Winter Park
My favorite mountain close to Denver is Winter Park. While it certainly has challenging routes, it also has fantastic beginner options. It's great for everyone! They even have bunny hills that don't require a lift ticket, so it's great if you don't want to spend a ton of money on your first day on the hill. Although the Mary Jane side primarily has more advanced terrain, that is where you will find these beginner hills. Start with Shoo Fly and The Siding. These can be accessed using the free Galloping Goose lift on the Mary Jane side. Once comfortable on the bunny hills, progress to Village Way on the Winter Park Side for a slightly greater challenge.
Granby Ranch
Their website states, "Granby Ranch is the perfect mountain to bring beginners/first timers." This is an independent mountain, meaning it doesn't have any affiliation with Vail Resorts or Alterra, the companies that own or partner with many ski resorts in Colorado. This also means there won't be as many crowds, making your first time more relaxing. Another reassuring aspect is that all trails lead back to the base area, so you don't have to stress about potentially getting lost! Try the East Mountain Trails. This area offers a variety of beginner and intermediate runs.
Beaver Creek
Drive a little bit past Vail (and away from the chaos) to beautiful Beaver Creek. The mountain isn't steep overall and has minimal crowds, making it an awesome place to start. Check out Red Buffalo Park for lots of beginner-friendly terrain. They also give out free cookies, just the cherry on top of the awesome resort. When you finish the slopes, take a bus to the Ritz Carlton for après.
Ski Cooper
Ski Cooper is a great resort for beginners, with a good amount of mellow and wide-open terrain. This mountain is a bit of a hidden gem, so it won't be as busy (or expensive) as the bigger resorts. If you want to dip your toe into skiing, why not do it at the "finest learning and beginner terrain in the country"? Try the front side and Piney Basin zones.
Snowmass
If you want to venture further out from Denver, head over to Snowmass, one of the four awesome mountains in the Aspen area. This large resort offers ample terrain for beginners and expert riders alike. The crowds at the Aspen mountains also tend to be a bit lighter than other places, which is always nice. Check out the Elk Camp, Assay Hill, and Fanny Hill areas.
Buttermilk
This is another of Aspen's four mountains, and it's geared toward beginners. It's the perfect place for new skiers to enjoy one of the most iconic ski towns.
Loveland
Beginners will love the Loveland Valley area, which is just for beginners! That makes it an awesome ski destination to learn and develop your skills.
Keystone
To recommend or to not recommend, that is the question. (I think Shakespeare said that.) Anyway, I'm mentioning Keystone with a little less gusto and a little more caution. Keystone offers many long green runs, a beginner's paradise. Unfortunately, it can become quite crowded, much like many resorts, but there’s something about Keystone that feels particularly hectic. If this makes you nervous, it may not be your best option. Be especially careful on schoolmarm. Yes, it's a green, but it also gets swarmed with people lacking control. If we're going back to the positives, kids under 12 ski free if you stay and play for two or more nights. But maybe don't take them to schoolmarm on a busy day. Check out the learning areas at Dercum Mountain, Endeavor, and Scout.
Colorado Ski Resorts to Avoid as a Beginner:
As a bonus, I'm also sharing a couple of places beginners should avoid.
I advise beginners to avoid Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin) and Aspen Highlands. These resorts are small and geared toward advanced or expert skiers. This can be intimidating and potentially dangerous if you aren't super experienced. Check them out once you become a more confident skier.
So there you have it! A few options for beginners to consider when planning their first ski trip in Colorado. Remember, don't be afraid to start small and move up to more challenging terrain. Skiing is all about having fun and enjoying the mountains, so take it at your own pace and have a blast! And who knows, maybe you'll become an expert shredder on those black diamond runs someday.
While I did list a few options for runs to try, they are just some options! Look for bunny hills or greens and talk to the employees for advice. One Reddit user even suggested trying this to help find runs that suit your skills and comfort level. This is mainly geared toward people who have skied at least once before.:
- Go to fatmap.com
- Find the mountains you've skied and trails that you liked
- Click "route elevation profile" to see the steepness
- Find the new mountain you're skiing and find trails with the same steepness
So, if you're new to shredding, don't worry! Take it slow and check out some of these resorts for an excellent place to start. Have a blast out there!
