Eldora Mountain is a locals’ favorite for snowboarding in northern Colorado. It’s large enough to enjoy different runs all day and has a surprisingly good mix of skiable terrain.
Roughly the same distance as most Summit County resorts, it has one distinct advantage: you avoid I-70’s treacherous traffic. There are three main roots there from Denver, each about equal distance.
Terrain
Eldora has terrain for everyone: cruisers, steeps, bumps, trees, terrain parks, learning areas, and a nordic center. Over 300 inches on average hit Eldora each season and if you’re a fan of long cruisers and bumps, you’ll find plenty.
Beginners will find the easiest terrain conveniently located near the base village. Eldora has an acclaimed Children’s Center, assuring fun for the whole family.
Experts will find enough single and double black runs to keep them entertained. There is some gate access terrain that requires a very minimal traverse (30 seconds) to get to the steepest double-blacks. From there, West Ridge provides steep bumpy runs and tree skiing. You’ll end up right at Corona Lift.
Village
There is no town of Eldora, but the resort does have all the necessities: rental equipment, ski school, food, and drink. The Look-Out Cafe is situated at the top of the Corona Lift on the summit. It’s usually more of a warming hut though. Panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains expand in every direction, perfect scenery for a rest from the slopes.
At the base lodge, there is a big cafeteria offering affordable meals, an upstairs bar, and a retail shop. Parking is free and close to the mountain.
Nearby Nederland has a unique vibe with lots of cool shops and restaurants. This is also where would you find the closest lodging to Eldora. Boulder is only a twenty-mile drive from Eldora.
Details
Address: 2861 Eldora Ski Rd, Nederland, CO 80466
Phone: 303-440-8700
Season: mid-November – early April
Lift Hours: Monday – Friday (9am – 4pm) | Saturday – Sunday (8:30am – 4pm)
Mountain Stats:
- Elevation: 9,200 ft – 10,800 ft
- Vertical – 1,600 ft
- Ski Area: 680 acres
- Average Snowfall: 300 in
Trail Map: Eldora Mountain (jpg)
Website: eldora.com
Latest in Eldora Mountain Resort
Top 9 Affordable Ski Resorts in Colorado
Most well-known Colorado ski resorts charge well beyond $150 per day just to be on the…
12 Closest Ski Resorts to Denver
With Colorado being home to the Rocky Mountains it’s no surprise that the state boasts some…
View more Eldora Mountain Resort articles
Snowy Day at Eldora Mountain
January 28, 2014 – The Front Range has gotten plenty of snow the last couple of days and more’s to come. This means good skiing at Eldora. Today it was powder and packed powder riding. My late 12 o’clock arrival missed most of the freshies, but it was still a fun day.
Eldora Mountain Resort is tucked away by the Continental Divide, west of Nederland. It’s a locals’ mountain with reasonable prices and upfront parking. The best perk about Eldora is that it doesn’t require a trip on I-70, so it’s perfect for congested weekends. The downside to this smaller resort is slow chair lifts.
It has a great mix of greens, blues, and blacks, with several expert steeps and tree runs. There are some small freestyle features too. The total skiable acreage is 600, all of which is below the tree line.
The cafeteria has soups (with a side of potato or corn chips) from $6.25-$7.75 and mountain grub-like burgers for around $8. The Corona Bowl Bar is located upstairs with happy hour from 2pm-4pm. Specials are $4 wells, wines, and drafts. Adults are $79 for a full day and $64 for half. 4 packs are available for $219. Some other deals may be available, usually something on the Gems Card.