Steamboat Ski Resort The mountain ranching  town of Steamboat Springs, in beautiful northwestern Colorado, is comprised of five  mountains and the steamboat people call it their own mountain range. The open areas of Sunshine and Storm Peaks are Steamboat's crown jewel, providing excellent "champagne powder" on fun routes through trees. 330 inches of snow cover Steamboat's 2,939 acres of terrain annually. There are plenty of outdoor opportunities for those who choose not to ski or snowboard. No trip to Steamboat Springs is complete until you take advantage of the numerous hot springs that give the area its name. Just as you enter town from the east there is a delightful public pool and hot springs. The winter festival in downtown is also a must see. Link     Book Rooms

Sunlight Mountain Resort  Sunlight, located just outside Glenwood Springs, Colorado, caters to families. Four lifts access the entire mountain and over 460 acres of skiable terrain, and most trails lead conveniently back to the single base lodge, making it easy to meet up for a mid-day lunch. Sunlight offers a centrally located lodge, restaurant, nursery, Education Center, equipment rentals, and free parking, making it simple for everyone to enjoy a day of skiing or boarding on Colorado's mountainside. Opens Dec 2. Link     Book Rooms

Telluride This present-day town of Telluride began as a mining town in 1878.  and eventually became a recreation retreat during the '60s - '70s. The original buildings of the mining town say 1878 with a class of it's own while the new ski resort is a quietly stated European flavor. Telluride offers terrain ranging from invitingly easy to incredibly steep. 3,500 vertical feet of naturally segregated terrain keeps snowboarders and skiers pumped with adrenaline and challenged at any level; and, best of all, there isn't a lift line anywhere. With its 300 days of sunshine a year and an average snowfall of 325 inches, it is easy to have a fantastic ski vacation at Telluride.  Link     Book Rooms

Vail Ski Resort Vail, with its 32 lifts and 5,164 acres of terrain, ranks as one of Colorado's premier wintertime destinations. Perfect trails exist for anyone - from nicely sloping beginner runs, to Vail's wild and difficult back bowls. Snowboarders will love the numerous events throughout the season, as well as the Golden Peak Half Pipes and Park - 15 feet deep with 17 foot transitions! For those not interested in skiing or snowboarding, try Adventure Ridge, Vail's Day and Night mountaintop activity center. Ice skating, tubing, snowmobiling, and snow biking are just a few of the activities they offer. Less active visitors will want to explore downtown Vail, a charming Tyrolean-style pedestrian village lined with hundreds of shops, restaurants, galleries and bars. This one is known the world over and has been and will be the host of many world class ski events. Link     Book Rooms

Winter Park Ski Resort Winter Park claims to have the most consistent snow of any Colorado resort, averaging over 370 inches per year. Twenty lifts, including 8 high speed quads,  whisks skiers and boarders across the resort's expansive 2,886 acres. Beginners and intermediate skiers and riders will love Winter Park's long, groomed slopes; and for those who are more advanced, take the lift to Mary Jane, Winter Park's hotspot for fun intermediate and advanced runs. If you don't want to drive from Denver, take the ski train, which departs from Denver at 7:15 am and deposits visitors right at the resort's base area, then returns to Denver when the train departs at 4:15 in the afternoon. The train ride is an adventure especially for kids winter or summer. Link  Ski Train Link     Book Rooms

Wolf Creek Pass This ski area is a high alpine resort.  The base is 10,300 and rises to 11,900. On the Rio Grande National Forest, alpine skiing is at its best high on the Continental Divide, just south of Wolf Creek Pass. This ski area, and the surrounding San Juan Mountains, receives more snow than anywhere else in Colorado with an annual average snowfall of well over 400 inches. Powder of the best quality - deep and light - can be enjoyed by all.   Link     Book Rooms