Are you looking for a way to plan a ski trip for the record books without getting stuck at a cookie-cutter ski resort that deprives you of life in an authentic mountain town? The good news is that it’s surprisingly easy to build your ski adventure around an authentic mountain village full of lovely views, friendly people and cozy vibes. A place like Estes Park allows you to enjoy some of the best slopes in Colorado without getting locked in by one resort. The fact that Estes isn’t a “ski” town is exactly what makes it so charming for people who really want to feel like locals! The best part is that you’ll have an authentic, adorable downtown area to explore when you come to play in the snow in Estes Park. The fact that elk are known to prance through downtown pretty regularly just makes it even more idyllic here! Take a look at the three best ski spots close to Estes Park.
Eldora Ski Resort
Getting about 47 miles outside of town will bring you to the famed Eldora Ski Resort. This resort offers amazing slopes for downhill skiing. Skiers from around the country come here year after year simply because they love the groomed slopes and family-friendly atmosphere that can be found. Eldora caters to people looking for lessons and rentals. Alpine trails offer adventures for skiers of all ages and skill levels. Eldora is known for hosting festivals, night races and other events throughout the winter season.
Echo Mountain
Getting to Echo Mountain in Idaho Springs will require a very scenic 85-mile drive. Echo Mountain is known for being a fun and affordable Colorado spot for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. The slopes here are actually part of Mount Evans. The park is accommodating to both experts and beginners. Echo Mountain offers opportunities to enjoy the altitude under the moonlight with night skiing several times a week. In addition, the park proudly offers Colorado’s longest ski day. This is a great spot if you love terrain parks because the landscape features jumps, rails, and boxes. Echo Mountain’s stats include 15 trails, a vertical drop of 660 feet and roughly 220 inches of annual snowfall.
Rocky Mountain National Park
A polished ski slope is always a great sight to see for skiers. However, there is just something about the call of a natural landscape that really gets skiers excited. Did you know that you can actually enjoy backcountry skiing and boarding inside Rocky Mountain National Park? Many skiers use Trail Ridge Road when seeking easy access to ski-worthy trails during the summer months. If fact, the juxtaposition of wildflowers blanketing meadows against a backdrop of peaks that are still capped with snow is quite a vision! Skiers inside the park are often treated to glimpses of big-horn sheep, elks, marmots, and foxes. You should know that skiing inside Rocky Mountain National Park is definitely for the truly wild at heart. Keep in mind that there isn’t any sort of avalanche control within the natural, unpredictable terrain of the park. That means you should always check with park officials before you set out for a ski trip inside the park.
Enjoy a Ski Trip Whenever the Mood Strikes
The only thing better than planning a ski holiday is crafting plans to make the mountain lifestyle a full-time thing. Estes Park Team Realty can help with that! You should be warned that one stay in this one-of-a-kind town nestled at the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park could have you falling in love. The crew at Estes Park Team Realty would love to show you some properties that put the best slopes in Colorado at your fingertips. Contact us today!
