Snow skiing in Colorado

"in Colorado"

Eldora. Not a huge place, and close to Boulder.

go to monarch mountain. perfect for you. Lots of blues and greens. you will get way more runs down the mountain and also pay less than if you go to breck, vail, copper, summit county. Wolf Creek rules as well.

Steamboat Springs

It depends on how far you're willing to travel. Eldora is close, but can be hit with bad wind. Hell, I haven't skied there for so long, I don't remember what the terrain is like. Anything on the I-70 corridor will be a pain in the ass for traffic if you're going on the weekend. But during the week, it isn't bad, and I would recommend any of the major resorts along there, except maybe Breck. Loveland, Keystone, Copper, and Vail are all good for novice skiers.

Winter Park is a good option. About the same distance as Keystone/Copper, but you get off I-70 and go over Berthoud Pass, which is well maintained unless there is a major storm.

Destinations that are further away (3+ hours), like Steamboat, or Crested Butte, are really nice towns to ski and spend time in for a few days.

Luckily, Colorado has been getting decent snow fall this year, so you can go anywhere and find good conditions right now.

My pick would be Winter Park, unless you want to drive 3+ hours. Then either Steamboat or Crested Butte. Both are awesome.

Thanks for the quick replies.

I will be traveling south from Fort Collins back down to NM and eventually home to Houston. I am just going to take the scenic route and not get in an hurry.

Thanks again.

Even the scenic route won't take you by Steamboat, the Butte, or Wolf Creek. I guess you could detour 100mi ea. way to either Crested Butte or Pagosa. I'd second Winter Park, especially if you're a beginner. It's been a while, but I think you can still buy discounted lift tickets for most summit county areas at the local King Soopers grocery. Never pay full price to ski in CO.

there is not much terrain open at Eldora just yet.

most of the green slopes are open, but few blues and no blacks.

most of the storms have dumped before they got east of the continental divide.

but in 2 weeks, anything could happen

Crested Butte

I was looking back at your starting place, Fort Collins.

I'm not sure when you are getting started, but you could have a really beautiful drive from Fort Collins to Nederland along the Peak-to-Peak Highway before sunset or to start your day.

Have dinner and beer at the Smokehouse in "downtown" Ned.

or at Katmandhu.

Ski at Eldora the next day

Eldora has opened most of their green terrain.

Eldora blues would be greens at many other resorts.

You could sleep at the Sundance Cafe/Motel and run 200 yards south to Magnolia Rd.

Then to continue your drive, head south on the Peak-to-Peak and it kicks you out on I-70.

I was at eldora today and it was awesome !