Colorado Ski & Snowboard

Every mountain. Every pass.

All 27 lift-served ski areas in Colorado — from Vail's Back Bowls to a volunteer-run town hill — with which pass covers what, how to get lessons and lift tickets, and where to stay and eat in each base town.

27 ski areas Epic · Ikon · Indy · Power Lessons, tickets, stay & eat

The pass question decides most Colorado ski trips, so start there: two corporate passes dominate the I-70 corridor, two value passes unlock the independents, and a handful of mountains still sell their own ticket and like it that way.

Pass lineups and prices change every single season. Day and blackout allowances shift, resorts move between passes, and parking reservations come and go — confirm current terms on the pass and resort sites before you buy. Passes are cheapest in spring and early fall, and walk-up window tickets are always the most expensive way to ski.
Epic PassVail Resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte unlimited, plus limited days at Telluride.6 areas here
Ikon PassAlterra and partners: Steamboat, Winter Park, Copper, Eldora, Arapahoe Basin, and all four Aspen Snowmass mountains. Day counts vary by tier.6 areas here
Indy PassTwo days each at independents: Monarch, Sunlight, Ski Cooper, Powderhorn. The value play for skiers who like small mountains.4 areas here
Power PassPurgatory, Hesperus, and Kendall Mountain in southwest Colorado, plus areas in New Mexico and Arizona.3 areas here
IndependentTheir own ticket, their own rules: Wolf Creek, Loveland, Silverton, Echo, Granby Ranch, Howelsen, and the town hills.8 areas here
Before you drive: I-70 and mountain passes close for avalanche control and crashes, traction laws apply to every vehicle in winter, and parking reservations are now required at several resorts. Check COtrip.org before leaving town, and confirm ticket, lesson, and pass details with the resort. Verified July 2026 — pass details change every season.
Abbi, the Explore Colorado adventure dog

Your Colorado adventure companion

Ask Abbi

Hi, I’m Abbi. Tell me what you would love to do and I’ll shape it around you — trails, drives, campgrounds, dog rules, and the places to stay and eat nearby.

Abbi is an AI planning companion, so double-check anything perishable — hours, fees, closures, and dog rules — with the business or land manager before you go.

Explore Colorado — Before You Go

Travel responsibly

Before You Go

Adventure begins with preparation. Colorado weather, road conditions, trail access, wildfire restrictions, permits, and seasonal closures can change quickly. Information may also change after publication, so verify important details before every trip.

Before heading out

  • Verify current weather and local conditions.
  • Check road, trail, pass, and seasonal closures.
  • Confirm permits, reservations, fees, and timed-entry requirements.
  • Carry appropriate gear, navigation, food, water, and emergency supplies.
  • Share your itinerary when traveling into remote or backcountry areas.
  • Know your limits and turn around when conditions become unsafe.

Planning notice: Explore Colorado provides information for inspiration and trip planning only. It is not a substitute for official information, professional instruction, navigation tools, or personal judgment. Maps, routes, mileage, travel times, access details, and seasonal recommendations should not be used as the sole basis for navigation or safety decisions. Travelers are responsible for verifying current information and choosing activities appropriate for their experience, health, equipment, and the conditions encountered.