Whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned snow bunny, heading to the tried-and-true hills in Denver, Colorado is a sure-fire way to spruce up your frosty vacation.
I’m lucky enough that I got to spend two winter seasons in Colorado and it still stands out as one of my favorite places on this planet.
However, which resort should you go to and how do you get there?
Choosing Your Mountain
Although I spent six months working in Aspen, exploring Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk and Snowmass, then another 6 months in Copper Mountain, if you are only heading to one resort, then Vail has to be my favourite.
With over one million visitors per year, Vail Mountain is an incredible spot to hit in your ski circuit.
The town of Vail, Colorado is a quaint city that sits at the foot of the great Vail Mountain, providing winter sportsmen and women a home-away-from-home when visiting the great ski resort.
With its various kinds of terrain, over 190 marked skiing trails and over 5,000 acres of accessible land, is understandably popular among both accomplished and beginner skiers.
Vail gives skiers (and snowboarders) the opportunity to explore almost the entirety of the mountain, with 31 ski lifts on three sides of the large hill.
While Vail would be my first choice, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other great options.
A few other fantastic areas to look into when looking for skiing in Colorado include Breckenridge (great for part lovers) and Copper Mountain. While Vail is great for a week, Copper is perfect for a shorter trip as there is;t so much exploring to be done, but still offers a great combination of beginner to pro slopes.
Both these areas are home to quaint towns, much like Vail, that offer vacationers a classic winter experience.
But, no matter which mountain you choose to fly down on your favorite set of skis, you’re sure to have a blast in the Rocky Mountains.
Getting to Your Mountain
Once you have chosen your set of ski runs, it’s time to decide how you’ll get there.
Getting to and from the airport and your chosen resort shouldn’t be stressful; you’re on vacation, after all!
Of course, as usual, the cheapest option would be to use public transport. There is a bus that runs to most of the ski ports from Union Station in Downtown Denver.
From Denver airport, you’ll need to jump on the RTD Rail A Line to get you to Union Station and then the bus. From there the bus will take around 2 and cost around $20.
If you’re travelling solo, this is certainly possible, but, my recommended method would always be to book a private or shared shuttle.
When you’re transporting all your bulky equipment, it’s just so muchm= more convenient and quicker. Of course, that means it’s a bit more expensive, but money well spent for peace of mind.
There are many kinds of airport shuttles from Denver that will get you to your desired mountain, but knowing which one to pick is a key element in having a smooth, successful transportation experience. You will want to look for a shuttle that provides door-to-door service.
For example, some services offer discount shuttles, shared shuttles, or even private shuttles, depending on your preference. With a shared shuttle, you’ll be picked up from your departure location and dropped off at your destination based on a preset schedule.
If you’re looking at getting the best bang-for-your-buck, a discount shuttle could be right for you.
By picking you and your party up and dropping you off at a Transfer Station, you’ll be provided access to another free form of transportation to get you where you need to go.
Lastly, if you are looking for a VIP experience, a private shuttle may offer luxury SUVs or vehicles that can hold larger parties that perform pick-up and drop-off based on your specific itinerary and schedule.
Final thoughts
Skiing in Denver, Colorado is a highly sought after wintertime activity that attracts millions of people each year. With Vail Mountain being such a popular mountain in the Gore Range, it’s easy to see why people make it their regular ski zone. Make sure you book your flight and perfect shuttle experience so you can get a taste of this winter’s top ski locations!