Four More Colorado Ski Towns

Dreaming of a winter wonderland filled with blue skies, fluffy white snow, and cozy mountain retreats? Look no further than these beautiful ski towns in Colorado! For those that live to shred powder, life here is an unequaled combination of outdoor beauty and modern amenities. You already know about Aspen, Breckenridge, and Telluride from our earlier profile…but have you heard about some of these lesser-known spots?

Let us introduce you. While their slopes may be smaller and quieter than some of their more well-known counterparts, these Colorado ski town gems are full of immense charm.

Durango

Considering how it’s closer to desert attractions like Mesa Verde National Park, you may not think of southwest Colorado as a ski hot spot. But just outside Durango await three ski resorts and over 300,000 acres of backcountry that leave skiers and snowboarders itching to hit the snow. That earns this spot ski town status.

Durango’s picturesque setting amidst the San Juan Mountains makes it a little more remote, but that might be what you want. The city runs a ski area at Chapman Hill, but that’s just the beginning. Head 11 miles west to Hesperus, where 60 acres pack in 26 trails on 150 inches of annual snowfall.

But the largest resort is just 25 miles north–Purgatory Resort, which calls itself “fun as hell.” Purgatory Resort boasts 1,600 acres and 105 trails with a blend of glacier-created steep drops and open slopes perfect for cruising. The landscape averages around 260 inches of snow each year, described as “dry,” suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.

And those are just the resorts–this list doesn’t include the Nordic centers or the trails for snowshoeing, sledding, and snowmobiling the backcountry.

When not skiing, Durango’s historic downtown area is ultra-trendy, now home to boutique stores, fabulous restaurants and bars, and art galleries. If you like cocoa, this is the home of the original Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. The town may be small at 5.6 sq miles, but it fits in more restaurants per capita than San Francisco.

And in the summers, Durango is still a fun place to live with the San Juan National Forest in your backyard. This is your launching point for rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking. There’s even boating on scenic destinations like Haviland Lake and a “Gold Medal” section of the Animas River where you can land large trout.

Buying a home in Durango ranges from downtown condo living to rustic western homesteads. In June 2023, the area had 443 homes for sale at a median list price of $925,000. Prices ranged between $47,000 to $15.3 million.

Winter Park/Fraser

Other ski resorts may get all the press, but Winter Park in the Fraser Valley is one of Colorado’s largest ski resorts and one of its longest in operation. The renowned ski destination is just 67 miles northwest of Denver, so you’ll have lots of weekend traffic from Denverites in season.

The grounds of the Winter Park Resort offer 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, including groomed trails, moguls, and challenging tree skiing. But even though it’s relatively close to Denver, and has an impressive resort size, what’s even more attractive are the 765,000 acres of public lands surrounding the resort. This opens the door for those who prefer snowshoeing, cross country, or backcountry in the winter.

Winter Park Resort is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and hosts various events throughout the winter season. And the resort stays busy all year round with some ripping mountain bike trails and hiking. Adventure courses, gondola rides, and an alpine coaster are on the grounds.

The Town of Winter Park has around 1,000 year-round residents and includes part of the resort. The population can double in the winter, but as a small town surrounded by a preserved landscape, it doesn’t have much room to expand. That’s why Fraser is also considered part of the Winter Park area, as it has the local grocery store, restaurants, and amenities like a library and schools.

Around 75% of the land in Grand County is designated as public lands owned by either the Denver Water Board or Rocky Mountain National Park. Tourism is the main industry for this region, and the activity swells during the winter months. So if you buy here, just be aware of the transient and rural nature of the lifestyle.

Winter Park had 103 homes for sale in June 2023 at a median list price of $850,000. Prices ranged between $390,000-$5.5 million. On the smaller end are condos and townhomes often used for part-time residents and vacationers. More of the offerings are by Fraser.

Avon/Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek is a luxurious ski resort near Avon in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. The village blends that world-class skiing and affluence you’d expect of resorts like Vail but with a more relaxed vibe.

The ski resort prides itself on its bevy of upscale amenities, world-class skiing, and exceptional service. Perhaps the most famous run is the Olympic downhill course “Birds of Prey.” But you don’t have to be an elite athlete to shred the 2,000 acres of runs at Beaver Creek. Its beautifully groomed slopes are suitable for all skill levels, including beginners.

The resort’s village exudes a charming European-inspired atmosphere with a walkable urban area with elegant hotels, high-end boutiques, art galleries, and fine dining. One unique feature for a ski town is the Vilar Performing Arts Center, where you can catch live theater and music performances all year.

Spend the summers in the backcountry fishing the cold waters for trout or backpacking the scenic trails. Ride the lifts with your mountain bike to work the downhill terrain. Beautiful golf courses also roll through the valleys with stunning peaked backdrops.

Technically an unincorporated area, Beaver Creek includes the resort and surrounding valley. The town of Avon is immediately beside Beaver Creek. It provides more real estate options, plus more access services for your daily needs. Avon’s proximity to I-70 can transport you to more skiing options like nearby Vail.

In June 2023, Beaver Creek had 345 homes for sale at a median list price of $130,000, but the spread ranged from $4,000 to $19.5 million. Next door, Avon had 223 homes for sale at a median list price of $845,000.

Keystone

Prefer a laid-back ski experience? Try the rural Keystone, a resort and small village situated in Summit County. It is convenient to reach from Denver, so expect a mix of locals and visitors in season.

Keystone Resort’s 3,148 acres span three mountain peaks, so beginners and experts have multiple runs to test their skills and keep them happy. The A51 Terrain Park has won awards for its setup and design. It provides 60 acres for you to hit the rails and jumps. Keystone also has night skiing, and for a small fee, a snowcat will give you a ride to the 1,000 acres of terrain outside the lifts.

Down at the River Run Village, warm up with an après-ski scene that includes local five-star restaurants, bars, and shops. In addition to skiing, there is ice skating on the zambonied Keystone Lake and tubing at Adventure Point.

When the snow melts, Keystone draws visitors for its Bluegrass & Beer Festival, boating on the lake, and golf courses. The Keystone Bike Park has 50 singletracks for mountain bike beginners up to experts, for 100 miles of trails.

Keystone connects to I-70 through Highway 6, which also runs by Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort. Nearby towns include Summit Cove, Dillon, and Silverthorne. It’s considered part of the greater Breckenridge metro area; that ski town is about 43 minutes drive by car, even though its peak is just 17 miles away. That’s mountain driving for you!

Around the resort are many condos that cater to the part-time and vacation market. As of June 2023, Keystone had 160 homes for sale at a median list price of $1.2 million.

Colorado Ski Towns

Colorado’s got you covered if you want to make your ski vacation lifestyle more permanent. These resort towns combine winter sports with plentiful off-season activities, perfect for any adventurer. Discover more about moving to Colorado and get ready to hit the slopes!