A world-renowned winter destination, Vail, Colorado is home to the largest ski resort in the state. Its quaint village and legendary ski slopes are what bring in visitors from all over the world.
Beyond Vail in Eagle County, the neighboring Summit County has some stellar ski resorts that would make for a great day trip. In just 20 minutes, find yourself at the luxurious Beaver Creek Resort, 45 minutes to affordable Ski Cooper, and in under an hour, find yourself at the laid-back resort at Copper Mountain.
Here are the ski resorts near Vail, CO, in order of proximity:
Vail Ski Resort – 1 mile / 5 minutes
When people think of skiing in Colorado, they most often think of Vail. A legend amongst the skiing community and those who love winter in the mountains, Vail Ski Resort is a classic choice for your ski vacation.
With just over 5,000 acres of its legendary terrain, Vail is one of the largest ski resorts in the world and offers a little something for everyone. From beginner runs and ski school to its famous back bowls, Vail has it all.
Mid-mountain skiers can access groomed beginner and intermediate runs, plus the family-friendly adventure zones. Golden Peak is where you will find the ski and snowboard school, plus the race course and terrain park.
And for those looking to lose the crowds and challenge themselves, Vail offers six different bowl areas. Check out Game Creek Bowl and China Bowl for often-groomed runs, perfect for an introduction to bowl skiing. To truly get away from it all and put your skills to the test, check out the Siberia & Mongolia Bowl, plus the Sun Up & Sun Down Bowl.
Beyond the bowls and off the mountain, there is much more to explore. The town of Vail offers several distinct destinations including, Vail Village, Lionshead, West Vail, East Vail, and Cascade Village. Each provides its unique lodging, restaurants, and shops to complete your Vail experience.
Vail Ski Resort offers 5,317 acres of skiable area, a terrain park, 31 chair lifts, and 195 trails, with just over half meant for advanced/expert terrain. The ski area sits at a base elevation of 8,120 feet (2,454 meters), and its peak elevation reaches 11,570 feet (3,527 meters), with a vertical rise of 3,450 feet (1,052 meters). The annual average snowfall is 354 inches.
450 East Lionshead Circle, Vail | 970-754-8245 | vail.com
Beaver Creek Resort – 12 miles / 19 minutes
If you’re looking for a luxurious ski vacation, Beaver Creek Resort is your spot. Beaver Creek is home to stunning mountain scenery, ski runs for all skill levels, and carefully groomed chutes across nearly 2,000 acres of terrain, all converging into three distinct base areas.
For the beginner, hop on the Haymeadow Express gondola to access Haymeadow Park and Red Buffalo Park. For the intermediate skier, try Larkspur Bowl, Gunder’s in Bachelor Gulch, and C Prime in the Rose Bowl.
And for the advanced, take the challenge at the legendary World Cup Birds of Prey downhill course. With over 26,000 vertical feet of expert terrain, crush all 14 runs and earn your place on the Talon’s Wall-of-Fame.
Off the mountain, Beaver Creek Resort comes alive at Beaver Creek Village with shops, restaurants, and luxury lodging. New in the 2020-21 season is the outdoor art installation they are calling Beaver Creek Wonder. The artistic playground will showcase large sculptures that are meant to be a photo-worthy backdrop for you and the family to capture and remember your time at Beaver Creek.
Beaver Creek Resort offers 1,832 acres of skiable area, a terrain park, 23 chair lifts, and 150 trails, with just over half meant for advanced/expert terrain. The ski area sits at a base elevation of 8,100 feet (2,469 meters), and its summit elevation reaches 11,440 feet (3,488 meters), with a vertical rise of 3,340 feet (1,018 meters). The annual average snowfall is 325 inches.
210 Beaver Creek Plaza, Beaver Creek | 970-754-4636 | beavercreek.com
Ski Cooper – 28 miles / 41 minutes
Avoid the hustle and bustle of other larger ski resorts in the area and venture out to Ski Cooper, 10 miles from historic Leadville. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere, affordable prices, and fewer crowds, the mountain’s main draw is the soft, dry, and light snow, plus its unique grooming techniques. Combined, visitors enjoy one of the most authentic skiing experiences in the state.
For more challenging runs, check out the Tennessee Creek Basin with several steep double blacks and bailout options if needed.
Ski Cooper is home to 480 acres of skiable terrain, one terrain park, 60 designated trails, five chair lifts, and runs for a variety of skill levels. The ski area sits at a base elevation of 10,500 feet (3,200 meters) and its summit elevation reaches 11,700 feet (3,566 meters), with a vertical drop of 1,200 feet. The annual average snowfall is 260 inches.
232 Co Rd 29, Leadville | 719-486-2277 | skicooper.com
Copper Mountain – 28 miles / 56 minutes
Copper Mountain is a favorite ski destination for those on the Front Range with its proximity to Denver as well as Vail. The naturally divided terrain at Copper Mountain not only features plenty of beginner terrain but also an ample supply of challenging bowls.
In addition to the mountain’s ski and snowboard terrain, the resort also features the Rocky Mountain Coaster, the Tubing Hill, cross-country skiing trails, and the 19,400-foot indoor training facility at the Woodward Copper Barn.
Beyond the mountain, guests of Copper Mountain will also enjoy the pedestrian-only villages of the East Village, Center Village, and West Village. Each area offers its unique lodging, restaurants, and shops, all just steps away from chairlifts and the slopes.
Copper Mountain Resort features 2,490 acres of skiable area, a terrain park and training facility, 24 chair lifts, and 140 marked trails, with half for beginner and intermediate and just over half for advanced and expert. The ski area sits at a base elevation of 9,712 feet (2,960 meters) and its summit elevation reaches 12,441 feet (3,792 meters), with a vertical drop of 2,738 feet (835 meters). The annual average snowfall is 306 inches.
509 Copper Rd, Copper Mountain | 970-968-2318 | coppercolorado.com
And in just 45 minutes to an hour from Vail, you can reach three popular ski resorts in Summit County, including Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin. These other Summit resorts all lie about 30 minutes from Copper.
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