June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
;
Ukraine; Belarus; Moldova; North Korea; Russia; Israel
Jamaica
Jamaica;
In Colorado, there are nearly 30 ski towns to choose from. When booking your ski trip, it’s important to realize that not all of the ski towns are created equally. While every ski town will of course offer skiing, doing a bit of research ahead of time can ensure that you pick the best destination for you and your travelling party.
First, take an honest look at the skiing ability of your group. It’s not fun, and can even be dangerous, to head to slopes that you don’t have enough experience to tackle. On the other hand, if your group is packed with advanced skiers, riding the rope tow up bunny slopes (and then back down) will probably be a yawn. And if you’ve got kids in tow, check to make sure that your ski town offers lessons for children, or at a minimum plenty of kid-friendly activities.1
Snowbound on a budget? Booking a trip for early or late in the season can help you snag the best deals. Many ski towns offer discounts on both tickets and lodging for the lulls between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and after Spring Break.1 You can also save money by staying a little further away from the resort and driving in each day.
If your trip is limited to just a few days, make sure you factor in travel time. There’s the potentially traffic-laden journey from the airport to your ski town, and then there’s the daily commute you need to take from your hotel to the slopes. Staying close by and choosing a town that provides convenient transportation to the mountain can help maximize your trail time.
If a visit to Colorado’s iconic ski towns is on your travel bucket list, you’ve undoubtedly heard of the following towns. What can you expect when you arrive?
Arguably the most well-known ski resort in Colorado, Vail has more than 5,000 skiable acres, making it one of the largest ski resorts in the world. The resort gets 370-plus inches of snow annually, 300-plus sunny days, and has unparalleled views of the Gore and Sawatch mountain ranges. With seven bowls and groomed long runs, there’s enough at Vail to keep you entertained for an entire season.2
The ski resort is nestled in Vail Valley, which is an Austrian-inspired village. The town caters to skiers, and offers plenty of lodging, restaurants, and top-notch customer service for visitors.3
With nearly 3,000 acres of slopes and five distinct peaks, Breckenridge (Breck) has terrain for all skill levels so that everyone in your group can work on improving their skills. Breck has an elevation of 9,600 feet, making it home to the highest lift in North America and a good destination for later season skiing.2 The elevation also means that you may need some time to adjust to the altitude before hitting the slopes.
The town of Breckenridge has stunning views of the Ten Mile Range.3 The resort’s gondola leaves directly from town, making access to the slopes a breeze if you stay close by. The popular ski destination combines small town vibes with a busy nightlife to keep you entertained once you’ve put away your skis for the day.2
Aspen Snowmass is made up of four distinct, but neighboring, mountains: Buttermilk, Snowmass, Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands. Each mountain offers a different variety of terrain, with some better suited for experienced skiers and others more accessible for beginners. Buttermilk in particular has gained some notoriety for hosting the Winter X-Games, but ironically has the most beginner-friendly terrain of the four mountains.2, 5
The town of Aspen transports visitors to the slopes with free shuttles. As a bonus, if you need a break from the snow, the town has a variety of high-end stores and boutiques.3
While it may be tempting to head to the ski towns that have strong name recognition, keep in mind that everyone else is headed there, too. Smaller resorts are more laid back, more cost effective, less crowded, and can offer untouched slopes and enough elbow room to enjoy the runs.4
Crested Butte is less mainstream than many of the larger resorts, largely due to its 3remote location. Getting to the ski town takes a four-hour drive from Denver and it’s not even off a major highway! Once you arrive, the small Victorian town will welcome you like a local, and you’ll be rewarded with less crowded slopes. With 1,500 snowy acres, zip lines, tubing, and more, there are plenty of winter activities for the whole family.6
Loveland is popular with locals, but often overlooked by visitors. The area gets a whopping 35 feet of snow annually, and is usually one of the first ski spots to open and one of the last to close each season — ideal if you’re traveling outside of peak season. When you ski at Loveland, you get more time on the slopes and less time in the lift line. As an added bonus, its convenient location (just 53 miles from Denver and the first ski area on the I-70 corridor) helps you skip most of the resort-bound traffic.7
Whether you’re headed to one of North America’s largest ski towns, or you prefer a more private ski experience, Colorado has you covered. It just takes a bit of planning to design the ski town trip of your dreams!
View all of our travel insurance products
Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.
Share this Page