13 Insider Tips for Better Colorado Ski Trips in 2025

If you dream of skiing in Colorado, you’re not alone—thousands of people flock to the Centennial State’s legendary mountains each year to experience fluffy powder, bluebird days, and stunning scenery. Unfortunately, high prices and long lines can put a damper on your trip if you’re not prepared. However, with some intel from a Colorado local who learned a lot from seven years of trial and error, you can spend more time on the slopes and less time in line for lifts or to pay expensive bills.

Here are 13 tried-and-true tips to get you started.

Preview of the Complete Colorado 14ers Planner spreadsheet showing all 58 peaks with route details, difficulty, mileage, and prep information

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Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.

All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips

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1. Ski Midweek for Short Lines and Cheap Lodging

Weekends at Colorado resorts attract the biggest crowds and highest prices. Plan your trip midweek—Tuesday through Thursday—for:

Shorter lift lines and less highway traffic
Reduced lodging and amenities rates
A quieter, more relaxing experience both on and off the slopes

If you can only make it to the mountains over the weekend, consider leaving Denver exceptionally early (no later than 5:00 am) to beat the ski traffic. You’ll spend far less time waiting in traffic along I-70, and be among the first to start skiing when the lifts finally start running.

2. Book Lift Tickets Online in Advance

Avoid the wallet-crushing cost of walk-up lift tickets, which can exceed $250-$300 per day. Instead:

Purchase tickets online, weeks or months in advance, for significant discounts.
If anyone in your group has an Epic or Ikon Pass, they may be able to buy you a discounted “buddy pass.”
If you plan to ski multiple days or resorts, consider multi-resort passes like the Epic or Ikon Pass for savings.

If you do end up going skiing at the last minute and have no other choice than buying lift tickets at the ski resort, I highly recommend going to Ski Cooper, Monarch Mountain, or Sunlight Mountain Resort. They offer the most affordable prices in the state, with weekday lift tickets available for less than $80.

Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner

Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.

All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips

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3. Start at the Back of the Mountain First

Most skiers stay near the base or popular lifts, creating congestion. Instead:

Use lifts that take you directly to the back bowls or less-trafficked areas of the mountain early in the day.
For example, at Vail, head straight to Blue Sky Basin to enjoy fresh powder and quieter runs.

When I arrive at a new ski area, I always stop and download the resort’s trail map app. I can use it to track lift times, identify areas with less traffic, and ensure I don’t get lost—which is easier than you might think. At smaller resorts without a dedicated app, there is usually a large map of the ski area at the base camp, which you can take a picture of on your phone.

4. Travel by Train on the Winter Park Express

Skip the I-70 traffic and enjoy a scenic, stress-free journey by train.

The Winter Park Express runs from Denver Union Station directly to Winter Park Resort.
You’ll avoid parking headaches while taking in breathtaking mountain views on the way.
Check out the train’s cafe to enjoy snacks and drinks along your journey to and from the ski area.

The Winter Park Express is so notoriously popular that the Governor recently announced they were adding more trains and expanding the service to run five nights each week. This will go a long way to make it easier to find a seat and hopefully keep the tickets affordable—while reducing highway congestion for everyone else!

💡Pro Tip: Book Early to Reserve a Train Ticket! Tickets are affordable, and you can bring your gear! However, this makes the train very popular. Even with the addition of more trains this winter, they always sell out. Book far in advance for the best chance of finding a seat on your preferred date.

Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner

Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.

All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips

Get the Free Planner

5. Pack Your Lunch and Snacks

Ski resort food is expensive and often involves long waits. Save time and money by:

Packing sandwiches, snacks, and a thermos of hot coffee or tea.
Taking advantage of designated picnic areas with beautiful views.

If you’re trying to warm up, or your friends are purchasing a meal, you are usually still allowed to bring your food inside, as long as you don’t call attention to yourself. I like finding a spot near a warming lamp on a deck somewhere and eating my packed snacks with a view of the mountains.

💡Pro Tip! Pack Food with Low-Moisture Content The higher the moisture level in your food, the higher the chance it will freeze solid—which means spending time thawing it instead of skiing. I recommend packing snacks with low moisture levels, like peanut butter, crackers, chocolate, dried fruits, nuts, jerky, and string cheese.

6. Use the Singles Line to Cut Wait Times

Lifts often have empty seats that single lines are designed to fill. Even if you’re skiing with friends, splitting up for the ride can save a lot of time, as it is usually much shorter than the main group lift lines.

Split up before you enter the corrals and enter the singles line one by one.
Reunite with your group at the top of the lift.
This trick is especially useful on weekends or holidays.

Don’t overuse this trick, especially in an obvious way in front of the lines, as you may annoy other riders and potentially even get your ticket or pass revoked. This is one to use sparingly when the lines are at their worst.

Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner

Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.

All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips

Get the Free Planner

7. Take Advantage of Night Skiing

Night skiing is often overlooked but offers incredible perks:

Resorts like Keystone, Steamboat Springs, Echo Mountain, and Granby Ranch provide well-lit runs with fewer people.
Night skiing is usually more affordable and lets you extend your ski day.

I especially recommend Echo Mountain for night skiing. It’s available Tuesday through Saturday nights until 9 p.m. Echo is one of the least-known ski areas near Denver, despite only being a 45-minute drive from downtown. While small, Echo offers terrain for all levels, with great views of the Denver area and continental divide.

8. Rent Gear Offsite to Save Money

Resort rental shops are convenient but costly. Instead:

Rent your gear in Denver or nearby towns like Frisco or Idaho Springs.
These shops often offer better prices, high-quality gear, and more flexible return policies.

A good rule of thumb: The further away from the ski resort you rent your skis and snowboard, the cheaper they will be. If you can, rent them back in Denver away from I-70 and I-25 to get the best price possible. Just make sure you confirm the return time so you don’t get charged a late fee.

Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner

Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.

All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips

Get the Free Planner

9. Arrive Early to Beat Crowds

Parking lots and lifts get packed, especially on weekends. Arrive 30–45 minutes before lifts open to:

Secure convenient parking near the main base area.
Be among the first to enjoy freshly groomed runs or untouched, new powder
Avoid getting annoyed while losing time waiting to find parking

Remember that this quiet period is short-lived. Plan to make the most of this time so you can spend as much of it skiing as possible. Significant lines will develop for the main lifts within 1-2 hours at most, especially on weekends.

💡PRO TIP! Try signing up for “First Tracks." This program, offered by many ski resorts, including Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, and Aspen, allows you to pre-reserve access to ski fresh powder before the lifts open officially to the public.

10. Explore Lesser-Known Resorts

Skip the big-name resorts like Vail and Aspen in favor of smaller gems:

Loveland Ski Area: An affordable ski area without a resort or village area. Close to Denver and family-friendly.
Monarch Mountain: Known for excellent powder and a local vibe, perched along Monarch Pass near Salida.
Ski Cooper: A small ski area oriringally built to train the 10th Mountain Division how to ski during WWII.
Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin): A high-altitude ski area with challenging terrain and a no-frills focus on great skiing.
Sunlight Mountain Resort: This affordable ski area near Glenwood Springs has excellent beginner terrain framed by stunning views of Mt. Sopris.

These options provide the same breathtaking scenery with fewer crowds, shorter lines, and lower prices. While there are often also fewer amenities and no resort lodging, it is usually more than worth the trade-off.

Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner

Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.

All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips

Get the Free Planner

11. Time Your Lunch Strategically

Avoid the lunchtime rush (12:00–1:00 p.m.) when dining areas get packed. Instead:

Ski during peak lunch hours for quieter slopes.
Enjoy an early lunch (11:00 a.m.) or a late one (1:30 p.m.).

We often ski until 2:00 p.m. and then finish our day early with a meal. For those driving back to Denver, this gets you back on the road by 3:00 p.m. or so, beating some of the worst traffic jams when the ski areas start closing around 4:00 p.m.

12. Stay in Nearby Towns to Save Money

Instead of booking expensive on-resort lodging, stay in charming mountain towns a short drive away:

Frisco (close to Breckenridge and Copper Mountain)
Idaho Springs (close to Echo Mountain and Loveland)
Buena Vista (near Ski Cooper)
Salida (near Monarch Mountain)
Glenwood Springs (great for Sunlight, Aspen and Vail)

You’ll save money and get a more authentic experience than at a bigger resort like Breckenridge, Aspen, or Vail.

My favorite mountain town is Leadville, which is near Copper Mountain, Ski Cooper and not far from Monarch Mountain. It’s a little historic gem with a ton of character, quirky shops and bars, and a colorful history worth pausing to hear more about.

Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner

Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.

All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips

Get the Free Planner

13. Check the Weather and Traffic Before You Go

Mountain weather and traffic can make or break your ski day. Before heading out:

Check the forecast from the National Weather Service in Denver for snow, wind, and temperature.
Use apps like CDOT’s Trip Planner Map App for real-time traffic updates to avoid frustrating delays.
Always check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center forecast for current snow conditions and avalanche danger levels and plan accordingly.

Always double-check the weather and traffic reports in the morning directly before leaving for the mountains. Even if you just checked the previous night, road conditions can change rapidly overnight without any visible warning signs in Denver. If you don’t know what to expect in the mountains, you can’t expect to be prepared for them.

💡PRO TIP! Keep a Car Survival Kit in Your Vehicle Winter storms in Colorado can shut down highways and mountain passes for days. When you head to ski resorts, keep an emergency kit in your vehicle with extra blankets and clothes, snacks, water, essential medication, a charged battery pack, a flashlight, hand warmers, and something to do while waiting.

Bonus Tip: Remember to Wear a Helmet on the Slopes!

Safety should always be your top priority on the slopes. A helmet can protect you from serious head injuries, and many resorts now require them for ski school participants. It’s a small investment that could save your life.

If you’re in the market for a new helmet, I recommend checking out the Holt Smith Helmet—one of the most affordable helmet options that provides top-notch protection for both skiers and snowboards. Click here to buy it on REI.com

Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner

Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.

All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips

Get the Free Planner

Conclusion: Your Best Colorado Ski Trip Awaits

Colorado’s mountains are calling! With these 13 tips, you’ll have an answer… and a plan. From arriving early and picking lesser-known ski areas to avoid crowds and saving money, to packing low-moisture lunches and timing it strategically to avoid peak lift lines, these low-effort strategies will make your ski trip as valuable as possible, no matter how short or long you have to spend exploring the Rockies.

Ready to plan your next adventure?

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Alex Derr, Founder of The Next Summit

Alex Derr is an Eagle Scout, climber, and environmental policy expert located in Denver, Colorado. He created The Next Summit to help others stay safe exploring the mountains and advocate to preserve the peaks for the future. Follow him on Linkedin or Twitter or click here to contact him.

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