Skiing Near Denver · Rocky Mountain

Best Ski Resorts Near Denver This Weekend

Denver is one of the best-positioned ski cities in the world. World-class resorts start less than an hour away and keep getting better as you head into the mountains. The challenge isn't finding somewhere to ski — it's deciding which direction to go.

6

resorts under 2 hours

4

resorts 2–3 hours

9

resorts 3–4 hours

22

total within 6 hours

Best picks near Denver

Sorted by what matters — not just distance.

Closest serious mountain

The best all-around option at 1h 14m from Denver, balancing terrain, snow, and drive time.

CO · 1h 14m · $110 · Ikon Pass

Best snowfall

430" average annual snowfall — the highest of any resort near Denver.

CO · 5h 30m · $93 · Independent

Best value

$52 day ticket — one of the most affordable days on snow within reach of Denver.

CO · 3h 23m · $52 · Independent

Best for beginners

The most beginner-friendly terrain layout within driving distance of Denver.

CO · 3h 20m · $250 · Ikon Pass

🚗 Getting there from Denver: I-70 west is the main artery and it gets congested on weekends. Chain laws apply during storms. Keystone and Arapahoe Basin are the closest serious options if you want to avoid the I-70 crunch.

Under 2 hours from Denver

Quick day trips — you can be on the slopes by morning and home for dinner.

CO · 1h 14m drive · 1,400 ft · $110

Ikon Pass ❅ 300" avg

CO · 1h 27m drive · 3,060 ft · $195

Ikon Pass ❅ 327" avg Expert terrain

CO · 1h 36m drive · 2,530 ft · $110

Ikon Pass ❅ 370" avg Expert terrain

CO · 1h 38m drive · 2,210 ft · $99

Indy Pass ❅ 422" avg Expert terrain

CO · 1h 45m drive · 2,340 ft · $210

Epic Pass ❅ 235" avg Expert terrain

CO · 1h 55m drive · 3,398 ft · $240

Epic Pass ❅ 300" avg Expert terrain

2–3 hours from Denver

Worth a dedicated day. Leave early, get full laps in, head back the same night.

Copper Mountain

CO · 2h 5m drive · 2,601 ft · $185

Ikon Pass ❅ 305" avg Expert terrain

CO · 2h 21m drive · 3,450 ft · $269

Epic Pass ❅ 350" avg Expert terrain

CO · 2h 21m drive · 1,600 ft · $72

Independent ❅ 250" avg

CO · 2h 35m drive · 4,040 ft · $295

Epic Pass ❅ 310" avg Expert terrain

3–4 hours from Denver

Weekend territory — better as a two-day trip to make the drive worthwhile.

CO · 3h 14m drive · 3,267 ft · $299

Ikon Pass ❅ 300" avg Expert terrain

Aspen Highlands

CO · 3h 18m drive · 3,635 ft · $299

Ikon Pass ❅ 300" avg Expert terrain

CO · 3h 19m drive · 3,668 ft · $250

Ikon Pass ❅ 349" avg Expert terrain

CO · 3h 20m drive · 2,030 ft · $250

Ikon Pass ❅ 200" avg

CO · 3h 23m drive · 440 ft · $52

Independent Expert terrain

CO · 3h 24m drive · 4,406 ft · $299

Ikon Pass ❅ 300" avg Expert terrain

Monarch Mountain

CO · 3h 24m drive · 1,162 ft · $119

Independent ❅ 350" avg Expert terrain

Sunlight Mountain

CO · 3h 39m drive · 2,010 ft · $79

Independent ❅ 250" avg

+ 1 more mountains in this range

4–6 hours from Denver

Destination trips only. Plan a long weekend — these mountains earn the drive.

CO · 5h 12m drive · 1,535 ft · $99

Independent ❅ 250" avg

CO · 5h 30m drive · 1,604 ft · $93

Independent ❅ 430" avg Expert terrain

CO · 5h 54m drive · 4,425 ft · $225

Epic Pass ❅ 309" avg Expert terrain

Pass access near Denver

Which passes work within driving distance.

Epic Pass

6 resorts within 6 hours

Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek, Crested Butte and 1 more

Ikon Pass

9 resorts within 6 hours

Eldora, Winter Park, Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, Aspen Mountain and 4 more

Indy Pass

1 resort within 6 hours

Loveland

Independent

6 resorts within 6 hours

Ski Cooper, Howelsen Hill, Monarch Mountain, Sunlight Mountain, Powderhorn and 1 more