Colorado’s most popular ski lifts often come with hefty price tags. But if you’re willing to forego the name recognition of saying you skied at Breckenridge or Vail, you’ll find scores of locals-only mountains worth your time. These well-kept secrets might not have fancy spas or heated lifts, but with daytickets for under $100andhostels and cheap hotels close by, it’s possible to spend a day on the slopes and a night out in town for less than $150.
Loveland Ski Area
Price: From$135
One of the greatest things about (day tickets from $75) is how close it is to Denver: just 90 minuteswest ofthe airport. But its greatest asset? Free snowcat skiing. Anyone with a lift ticket can pick up a , which are first come, first served,to skiright along the Continental Divideinto expert-only terrain that lift takerscan’t reach. Loveland also offers free access to its terrain park and to slopeside cabins that you can reserve during the day for picnics and BBQs. Then there’s the deal, where, if you join in the annual Valentine’s Day Mountaintop Matrimony celebration, you and your new spouse can ski for the price of one.
Where to Stay: The (from $60) in Silverthorne is minutes away from Loveland and within walking distance from the Summit Stage bus stops, so you can easily get to Dillon, Keystone, Frisco, and Breckenridge if you want to ski a day elsewhere or just explore another town. The five-room hostel has both bunk and private room optionsand includes a continental breakfast.
Monarch Mountain
Price:From$117
What (day tickets from $94) lacks in fancy amenities, it more than makes up for in its proximity to several of Colorado’s best hot springs.Located three hours southwest of Denver and 20 miles west of Salida, Monarchhas 54 trails for skiers of all levels and an extreme-terrain area called Mirkwood.For those looking to splurge,there’s also(from $400) that gets you to wide-open bowls and steep chutes. After a day on the slopes, soothe your muscles at (from $24)or (clothing optional;from $9), the latteran hour southeast, butboth withaffordable private rooms and dorm-style accommodations (from $30). For the nonskiers in your group, book a day of (from $24).
Where to Stay:The offers comfortable, spacious private rooms and basic bunks (from $23for a bunk) just a short drive from restaurants in town. The (from $24for a bunk) has is very basic,but is right in the heart of downtown.
Wolf Creek Ski Area
Price:From $106
When it comes to powder, (day tickets from $76) is king. This small mountain typically gets more snow than any other resort in the state, averaging around 480 inches each year. And because it’s one of the least convenient to access—from Denver it’s a 4.5-hour drive southwest—it doesn’t get skied out as quickly as the big resorts, and you never have to compete with crowdedlift lines.If you’re looking to shred, you can do it here from the lifts or in, where expert-only terrain is a short hike from the top of theTreasure and Bonanza chairs.
Where to Stay: The , aneight-person cabin, is small but cheap (from$30). It’s about a 40-minute drive east ofWolf Creek. If you want to splurge with your lift-ticket savings, stay at the in Pagosa Springs (from $330), a half-hour northeast, which has nearly two dozen hot-spring pools (or stick with your budgetand opt for a day pass, from $30).
Ski Cooper
Price:From $95
If you’re looking for a family-friendly mountain, (day tickets from $62) might be it. Cooper has mellow trails ideal for beginnersand is also expanding its expert terrain for the upcoming season. A new lift opensinDecember,offering access to steeper and more challenging runs. For more a advanced option,you can book a seat in (from $400). And for those in your group who prefer to ski on mostly level ground, the , a resort withwide skate lanes on agroomed trail system, is right across the parking lot.
Where to Stay: The (from $32) offers a wide variety of accommodations 17 minutes north of base camp and is within walkingdistance ofshops and restaurants downtown. For more rustic luxury and closer proximity to the mountain, book a night or two in a ($240 for up to six people). You’ll have to work for it by skiing in, but you can arrange for your luggage to be transported via snowmobile to make the journey more enjoyable.