Plan your Holiday Ski Vacation Now

Colorado Holiday Ski Vacation

It’s time to plan your holiday ski vacation. Another bumper snow season is predicted for this coming 3023 – ’24 ski season. The holiday ski season is very popular in Colorado so we encourage you to get your lodging and tickets secured sooner than later.

The holidays are fast approaching; book your holiday ski vacation now before it sells out!

Holiday Ski Cooper

Holiday Ski Vacation Resort Guide

Check out our Ski Resort Guide to help you find the resort that’s going to work best for your style. There is a variety of ski resorts ranging from top-shelf luxury to more family-minded vacation packages. Here are some ideas to help you figure out what destination will be your holiday ski vacation.

Holiday Ski Aspen, Colorado

Considerations for Your Ski Vacation

There are other variables to consider when organizing your holiday ski vacation. Often, not everybody in your group is skiers or snowboarders. Other attractions become very important, such as activities for non-skiers, shopping, dining, spas, and access to hot springs.

Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne Destination

You might consider staying in the Frisco, Dillon, and Silverthorne (Summit County) areas, as these locations are central to several world-class ski areas such as Vail/Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, A-Basin, and Ski Copper. You will find excellent shopping and dining, plus various lodging opportunities. Activities specific to kids are throughout these mountain resorts and communities.

The Georgetown Loop scenic train is on the way, tight off of I70 at the Georgetown exit.
Mall shopping at Silverthorne
Boutique shopping at Vail, Beaver Creek, and Breckenridge
Various opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
Diner sleigh rides and dog sledding
Adventure Parks, snowboarding parks, and more.
A little further down I70 is the Glenwood Springs Hot Springs and Spa—a world-famous spa and resort.

Cross-Country Ski Areas are found throughout this region. Frisco has 28 K of trails, snowshoe trails, and a kids winter adventure park ( big tubing center). Breck has 30 K of cross-country trails, and Vail/Beaver Creek have a complete proshop with lessons for all abilities and styles including backcountry ski tours, with a combined total of 59 K of trails.

Base Your Holiday Ski Vacation out of Denver

If your winter ski vacation finds you in Denver, no problem.

Take the Zephr Tain right from Union Station in downtown Denver, straight to Winter Park. Devil’s Thumb Nordic Center, one of Colorado’s most premier cross-country ski resorts is just 20 minutes from Winter Park.
Ride the Ski-n-Ride bus straight to Eldora Ski Area from Boulder, 36 minutes. Or, just one hour drive from Denver.
Take a short drive to Echo Mountain, just 51 minutes from downtown Denver. Enjoy skiing all day and into the night under lighted slopes while rocking out to music played throughout the area, and be back in time for the festivities in Denver.

Aspen – Buttermilk Holiday Ski Vacation

Some of the best skiing, riding, and ski schools you’re going to find are at the Aspen – Buttermilk resorts. Aspen and Aspen Highlands (Expert Only) will satisfy the more extreme skiers in your group. Or, check out nearby Buttermilk Resort for all-day blue run skiing and a huge selection of terrain parks. It’s a real dream come true for the tricksters in your group. Buttermilk has been the host for the Winter X Games, and yes, they have it all: big pipes, extensive terrain parks, and more.

If Nordic skiing is your passion, the Aspen Snomass Nordic Trail system dishes out an impressive 90-kilometers of trails. Best part is the very Euro style. These trails connect Aspen, Snowmass and Basalt as one of the largest free trail systems in the country. You can even find snowbiking, snowshoeing, dog walking, lessons, and more.

Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley step it up with an endless supply of luxury and mindful experiences. From live music, art shows, and exotic events to the best boutique designer shopping and dining you can find.

Silverton Telluride Extreme – Luxury

Looking for what Colorado has to dish out on the extreme level? Well, turn your attention to the Telluride Silverton area. Both resorts are located in the San Juan Mountains, the highest and most rugged mountain range in the Rocky Mountains, with several peaks reaching over 14,000 feet. Both areas have some of Colorado’s most extreme skiing and snowboarding. Although almost 2 hours drive apart, by helicopter, they are much closer, and in fact, you can heli-ski this area, starting or ending at either resort.

Silverton is a guided-only backcountry-type ski area with an emphasis on all-natural, big-elevation drop ski runs. All skiers must come equipped with backcountry safety gear.

You can catch the Durango Silverton Narrow Garge Railroad during the holidays and experience some super festive holiday cheer.

Or, stay in Telluride and join in on the town’s excentric festive events and over-the-top luxury opportunities.

Telluride has a classic Victorian charm with a mining town history and an assortment of shops, spas, and dining choices. Silverton (Silver mining), you guessed it, is similar but scaled back. Both resort towns have cross-country ski areas as well.

The Right Holiday Ski Destination

There’s nothing better to look forward to than a holiday ski vacation in Colorado, and Colorado’s Ski Resorts are the experts at delivering a fun, memorable time. You really only need to narrow your choices down to your group’s expectations. Are you looking for terrain park access or group ski lessons? Are non-skier activities important, or is access to extreme skiing a must? Check out our above recommendations; these will certainly get you going in the right direction. And happy holidays!

by Kathleen Fitzsimmons