6 Best Ski Towns in Colorado

If you long for winter and dream of fresh powder and shredding the slopes, why not put the slopes in your backyard and live in a ski town? Colorado is home to some of the nation’s most iconic ski towns. They are epicenters for world-class skiing and snowboarding. Not only are you surrounded by stunning mountain views, but because you can’t ski 24/7, these towns are often jam-packed with things to do. Many have charming downtown areas lined with art boutiques, taverns and bars, and entertainment venues for when you’re off the slopes.

Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly destination or a high-end ski resort, Colorado has the ski town that fits your checklist. This list explores six of Colorado’s best ski towns. Each has a special blend of winter sports activities, dining, shopping, and entertainment options.

Aspen

Known for its luxurious amenities and world-class skiing, Aspen (and next door Snowmass Village) often makes a list of the best ski towns and resorts in the nation and the world. Surrounded by the Elk Mountains, it’s a small town with just 7,000 full-time residents. However, it can feel much busier with up to 27,000 people in town during peak season.

Skiers and snowboards have four mountains combined for 5,500 acres of winter fun. These slopes see an average of 176 inches of snow annually within the world-famous Aspen Snowmass Resort. Most visitors first notice Ajax, or Aspen Mountain, which you can ski in and out of downtown. It’s only for intermediate and expert skiers, with several black and double-black routes. Extreme sports lovers will head over to Buttermilk Mountain, host of the Aspen X Games. Backcountry skiers prefer Aspen Highlands and the terrain of Highland Bowl, and Snowmass offers even more slope diversity and acreage.

After skiing, Aspen has a legendary aprés ski scene found at the local craft breweries and taverns, world-class restaurants, live music venues, ski resorts, and multiple cultural institutions. Even the art museum hosts an after-ski cocktail event some nights.

But when the snow melts, you won’t be left lacking. Summer is just as plentiful with things to do in the surrounding beautiful White River National Forest and the Elk Mountains. Hit the trails hiking, horseback riding, or mountain biking. Get the heart pumping whitewater rafting, rock climbing, or paragliding. Spring and summer are when people come for the famous Aspen Food and Wine Festival and the Aspen Film Festival.

And what about your other needs? Aspen has one of the state’s best school districts and top-ranked schools. The town is pedestrian-friendly and even has heated sidewalks. Multiple beautiful boutiques and high-end retailers are based across Aspen, including outdoor suppliers like Patagonia, but also Gucci and Kemo Sabe.

Aspen has a Victorian aesthetic that is maintained in its strict building codes. Real estate can be pricey here, and many workers commute from surrounding Roaring Fork Valley towns. Aspen had 361 homes for sale at a median $1.3 million list price in April 2023.

Vail

Another world-famous and globally top-ranked ski destination, Vail delivers over 5,000 acres of skiable terrain at the nation’s largest single ski resort. Smaller than Aspen, with 5,000 residents, it can feel larger with 5,000 part-timers and even more visitors.

Even though all are run by Vail Resorts, the slopes are actually spread across three distinct mountain areas, all within the beautiful White River National Forest. The 31 lifts keep the flow moving, and there are seven back bowls for backcountry skiers. The groomed runs average about 6.8 miles, so you can feel pretty spaced out when cruising down the slopes or hitting the bowls. The resort averages 250 inches of snow each season, so you’ll have plenty of fresh powder all season.

Summers are just as stunning. The town has over 1,000 acres of parks, 17 miles of hiking trails, zip lines, an alpine coaster, tubing, and much more to keep residents busy. Fly fishing is incredibly popular during the summer and may be the other activity the town is known well for.

Because Vail is packed into the valley at the mountain’s base, it has a dense urban feel. However, the wide pedestrian paths help get around town on a bike or foot. A free bus system moves people around Vail until late at night.

Hospitality is the driving industry in Vail, and Vail Resorts is the biggest employer. Ski season hires around 4,000 people! But hospitality stays busy all year thanks to golfing, the resort, restaurants, and hotels. Vail’s other perks are a great scene for foodies, the apres-ski scene, and farmer’s markets.

Buying a home in Vail can be more of a challenge. Not only is high demand one factor, but the town has taken the initiative to try and keep housing owned by the people who live and work in the community with a “deed restriction” program. Vail’s median list price was $1.4 million in April 2023, with 143 homes on the market.

Breckenridge

The nation’s No. 2 “best ski destination” is in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Besides its 13,000 ft peak, Breckenridge–or “Breck” as locals call it– is known for its charming Victorian architecture and vibrant nightlife. This historic town transformed from a former gold town to a world-class ski and biking town. While only about 5,000 people call it home year-round, during peak season, the town can swell to 39,000. That’s because it’s only 80 miles from Denver, so it’s easy for many people to get to.

In the winter, the average 350 inches of snow at Breckenridge Ski Resort and Alpine 9 are the big draws for skiers and snowboards. However, there’s also cross-country skiing with two Nordic Centers, plus dog sledding, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in the surrounding mountains.

When the weather warms, Breckenridge is equally beautiful and thriving. The town has an expansive open spaces and trails, one public golf course with 27 holes, 18 museums or art galleries, and a whitewater kayak park. Locals enjoy various cuisine styles, craft breweries, and a lively bar scene all year.

Breckenridge is striving to meet resident needs by offering affordable housing programs and a childcare tuition assistance program. The town also has free public transportation options like the Main Street Trolley, Summit Stage, and Breck Free Ride. While tourism and hospitality work is essential to the industry, there’s also some variety in the local employment scene, with demand for healthcare, mining, and retail work. There has been growth in startups and technology-based companies.

Breckenridge does have a high cost of living, and real estate is the big reason why. April 2023, median home prices ran $1.4 million for the 228 homes for sale.

Telluride

This picturesque town is surrounded by stunning mountain peaks and is famous for its excellent skiing and snowboarding conditions. That’s because it has an interesting mix of 300 days of sunshine and 300+ inches of snow! US News and World Report calls it the best place to visit in Colorado.

Telluride sits at 8,750 feet above sea level in the San Juan Mountains. It’s more geographically isolated than some other ski towns, as it sits in the southwest corner of Colorado near the Utah border. But the fantastic views and outdoor access are worth it for the 2,500 people who live here all year.

The ski resort has over 148 ski trails spread across 2,000 acres. Many of these trails aren’t for the faint of heart, but there are some runs fit for novices. This is where to go if you’re into helicopter skiing or snowshoeing.

In addition to skiing and snowboarding, residents can hike, bike, and whitewater raft. The Telluride Golf Club has a scenic course surrounded by stunning mountain peaks. And don’t miss the world-famous Telluride Film Festival.

The community takes pride in its local culture. Some say the name “Telluride” comes from the phrase “To tell you to ride,” a sign this town has a lively atmosphere. You’ll find a lot of bluegrass, artists, and indie vibes in the stores. The town is focused on preserving its unique character while meeting demands for development and growth. In addition to tourism, year-round locals rely on ranching and mining for work. And for families, the Telluride schools rank among the state’s best.

Housing prices are high in Telluride, and nearby Mountain Village, because it is such a desirable place to live, but growth is limited by space. The town itself is only eight blocks wide and 12 blocks long! However, there’s an affordable housing program for locals and options for renting during winter months that can make living here somewhat more attainable. Telluride’s median list price was $3.8 million, with 102 homes on the market in April 2023.

Steamboat Springs

With its famous trademarked Champagne Powder snow, Steamboat Springs is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. But for residents, part of its charm is the small-town vibe, even though it has big-city amenities and can be packed in peak season. Locals call it “cowboy culture meets ski culture,” resulting in a more laid-back ski town. Just check out the itinerary for the annual Winter Carnival for a taste of local culture.

What is champagne powder snow? You’re in for a treat if you’ve never heard of it. The snow is noted as some of the lightest and driest snow in the world, making for fast and light runs down the slopes. You’ll have around 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, which includes 18 lifts and 165 named trails. The Steamboat Ski Resort is also family-friendly, with multiple trails perfect for every level of skier to enjoy a day in the snow and work on their skills.

As the name suggests, Steamboat Springs is home to numerous hot springs, including the famous Strawberry Park Hot Springs, which offers a relaxing soak in naturally heated mineral water. In fact, early settlers named the town after the steamboat-sounding noise made by the hot springs.

Surrounding Steamboat Springs awaits an abundance of outdoor activities, like canoeing the Yampa River or the trails at Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests. You have cultural attractions like the local art museum, the Tread of Pioneers Museum, and the Yampa River Botanic Park. Whet your whistle at five craft breweries, whether after a day on the slopes or a day on the trails.

If you’re looking for employment, hospitality, and ski resorts are definitely large employers, but so are the school district, local health care, and government. Several companies–particularly in the outdoor space–have headquarters in Steamboat Springs, like Moots Cycles, Honey Stinger, and Big Agnes.

The local school district is also among the state’s best and most consistent top-performing, adding to the perks of life in Steamboat Springs.

Steamboat Springs could be considered a great value for real estate compared to other ski towns. That doesn’t mean it’s cheap. Median listed prices were $700,000 in April 2023, with 204 homes for sale.

Crested Butte

Crested Butte is a favorite among advanced skiers and snowboarders because of its steep terrain and challenging runs. It’s right in the central Rocky Mountains and not easy to get to from big cities, which adds to its appeal for those who want extreme sports without crowds. Budget Travel called it one of America’s “coolest small towns.”

With 200 inches of snow per year, locals have 1,500 acres of ski terrain. So while it’s smaller than the other resorts on this list, it has more double-black diamond routes accessible off lifts than anywhere else in the US. Besides downhill runs, Crested Butte has a wealth of well-maintained cross-country ski trails. For a real challenge, enter the Elk Mountain Grand Traverse, a 40-mile backcountry ski race from Crested Butte to Aspen.

While you may like the challenging skiing, you may just like summers here even better. Crested Butte is transformed by the wildflowers and greenery, making it Colorado’s “wildflower capital.” Not only are the surrounding mountains great for a hike, but it’s a top destination for mountain biking. Some say the town even birthed the sport. You can head out on a trail right from downtown. The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame is here, and multiple races during the year attract the sport’s best.

This ski town has a different feel from others on the list. Where many are influenced by Victorian or European aesthetics, the downtown has an Old West façade. The Historic District also has some colorful art and paintwork, making the town stand out. The Crested Butte Arts Festival is one of the busiest weekends in the summer, and the summer has outdoor concerts twice a week.

Crested Butte’s real estate averaged $1.5 million in February 2023, up 26.2% year-over-year.

Colorado Ski Towns

These are just a few of the great ski towns in Colorado. Each one offers its own unique blend of skiing, snowboarding, and winter sports activities and a complement of off-season things to do. If you want to explore more in Colorado, learn about moving to the state.