10 Best Cheap Ski Resorts in Colorado, 2024/25
Is it possible to ski and snowboard and not break the bank in Colorado? Absolutely! With a little effort, some of Colorado's best skiing can be had for less than half the cost of the big ski resorts.
In many cases, the drive times are less, the traffic is less, and the lift lines are almost non-existent. Layer on local charm instead of glitz, and friendly locals instead of competitive crowds, and the idea of trying somewhere new and saving money has a lot going for it.
Colorado's cheap ski resorts are fun. Their smaller size creates a relaxed atmosphere, and their old-school charm will draw you in and help you escape the stresses of everyday life. One thing that these resorts share with their more expensive cousins is plenty of snow.
If you're looking for cheap skiing in Colorado, you don't have to look far. Many of the most affordable ski resorts are close to Denver, and in many cases, closer than big-name resorts, making saving on fuel another bonus.
Although the budget-friendly resorts may not have the fastest chairlifts, this is more than offset by the absence of lift lines. You may be surprised at the amount of vertical you can bag in a day, plus your legs will get extra rest time.
Colorado's cheap ski resorts are ideal for families. Not only will you save on lift tickets, but you'll also save on parking, food, and accommodation.
Plan an economical ski getaway with our list of the best cheap ski resorts in Colorado.
Sunlight Mountain Resort
Just up the road from world-famous Aspen is Sunlight Mountain Resort, where the value equation goes off the charts. A relatively large resort with a great mix of runs, Sunlight offers bargains galore. Sunlight is aptly named; they receive over 300 days of sunshine each year. Add to that 250 inches (nearly 21 feet) of snow per season, and you'll know why people enjoy this place.
Intermediate skiers will love it here. The mountain has 67 runs, many of which are long cruisers. For those looking for a bit more challenge, they can head to the glades. The snow in among the aspen trees stays deep and untracked for days after a storm.
New this season are RFID cards for lift access. Gone are the old stick-on passes; now you just ski up to the lift gate, and away you go!
Sunlight is an excellent family ski resort. The ski school offers many combos, including the Learn to Shine program, one of the cheapest ways to get your kids skiing.
The deals here extend off the mountain as well. Nearby, Glenwood Springs offers a wide variety of budget and mid-range accommodation options. Dining in town is also affordable, as you won't be paying ski-town prices; you'll just pay what the locals pay. And Glenwood Springs is a fun town with plenty of things to do when you're not skiing.
The incredible natural hot springs, available at two locations in town, will soothe your tired muscles and get you back on the slopes in no time.
Sunlight is part of the INDY Pass program allowing for two free lift tickets along with a discounted one.
Official site: https://sunlightmtn.com/
Eldora Ski Resort
If you add up the cost of fuel, accommodation, lift tickets, and food on the hill, you'll see why Eldora ranks high on the list of affordable ski destinations in Colorado. The resort is only 47 miles from Denver and 21 miles from Boulder, meaning you can save on accommodation if you are day-tripping from these or other nearby towns. You can pack your own lunch. And finally, lift tickets are cheap.
All these bargains add up to a great day on the slopes, especially for families with teenagers who love to snowboard or freestyle.
The mountain has eight terrain parks with all the usual features, along with some crazy ones dreamt up by the mountain staff.
Eldora's parks are part of the Woodward program, meaning that they are some of the best in the state.
With an average snowfall right around 25 feet a season, you'll generally find good conditions across the 680 acres of skiable terrain. Eldora is one of the only ski resorts that has 100 percent snowmaking coverage.
Ten lifts, one of which is a six-passenger high-speed chair, get you back up to the top quickly and keep lift line wait time to a minimum.
For those who prefer cross-country skiing, Eldora has 40 kilometers of groomed trails of varying difficulty winding their way through the forest.
Official site: https://www.eldora.com/
Purgatory Resort
Purgatory Resort, located just outside Durango, is one of the larger ski resorts that those on a budget can appreciate. Purgatory, or "Purg" for short, is one of the top resorts in the San Juan Mountain range. Lift tickets here are more expensive than some of the other smaller bargain resorts but considering what you get for spending a bit more, skiing here is a worthwhile investment.
One of the best cost-saving benefits at Purg is that your kids ski for free. No adults are required; every child 12 years and younger at the time of purchase gets a free season pass. No strings attached, it's the real deal. Other resorts like Keystone force you to book accommodation to get this deal, but not at Purgatory! Considering a children's lift ticket can often cost upwards of $70/day, a family of four can save nearly $1,000 on a weeklong ski trip here.
The resort receives a decent amount of snow each season and with much of the mountain facing north, the snow tends to stick around. Eleven lifts service nearly 100 runs and are spread strategically around the mountain. Lift lines here are a rare occurrence.
Accommodation is where you can really save money by skiing at Purgatory. An easy drive down the road from the resort is the lively town of Durango. A wide variety of hotels and inns are available to suit every budget.
With the town being home to Fort Lewis College, plenty of excellent budget eateries catering to students can be found. For those into self-catering, the large and well-stocked City Market in the center of town is a good go-to grocery store.
Purgatory Resort is part of the Power Pass Resorts program meaning that a season pass or multiday pass gets you access to Hesperus, Snowbowl, Brian Head, Sipapu, Pajarito, Nordic Valley, Lee Canyon, and Willamette Pass. You'll also get unlimited use of Spider Mountain Bike Park and a free round of golf at Birdie Ranch or Bison Golf Club.
Official site: https://www.purgatoryresort.com/
Loveland Ski Area
Loveland is only 53 miles from Denver, making it an easy spot to get to fast from the city or the Denver International Airport. While other folks are still on the highway heading to resorts a couple of hours away, you will be cruising down uncrowded, snow-filled slopes. With some of the best snow in the state, it's a great, cheap spot to ski or board.
Loveland has incredible deals on advance lift tickets, especially if you pre-purchase them in blocks of four. Even if you plan on skiing just a few times this winter, a season pass might still make sense. The reciprocal benefits provide three free ski days at many other resorts that basically pay for the cost of the pass. If that isn't enough, the resort also offers free snowcat lifts to more advanced terrain.
The mountain has 94 named ski runs spread out over 1,800 acres all serviced by nine lifts. Loveland recently installed a triple chair for Lift #6, replacing the 40-year-old double that was showing its age. Skiers have given this lift the big thumbs up as ride time to the top has been cut dramatically and lift lines reduced.
Loveland is a great budget ski destination for families, not only for its low-cost tickets but also because it's an excellent place to take lessons. The Loveland Valley area, separate from the rest of the mountain, has its own lift and is only for those just starting out. No need to worry about fast skiers buzzing by you as you are learning your turns.
For those more advanced skiers, the Loveland Basin area has a strong mix of intermediate through to advanced trails, including some exceptionally good wide-open bowl skiing.
Official site: https://skiloveland.com/
Cooper Ski Area
Cooper is in the same mountain neighborhood as Vail, Breckenridge, and Beaver Creek, so you'll get all the same amazing snow conditions but without the high prices. Cooper, in operation since 1942, is a friendly place with good facilities and great snow. Five lifts service 59 trails spread out across 470 acres. Lift tickets are an incredible bargain here; they cost half as much as the large resorts just down the road.
Cooper claims that their all-natural snow offers the softest snow surface in Colorado. You'll find terrain for all abilities, including the finest learning and beginner areas, up to epic powder and glades.
The fun and funky town of Leadville, population 2,700, is just down the road. In town, you will be able to pile on more savings with reasonably priced accommodation and meals. The historic main street is worth a stroll to stretch out your legs after a day on the slopes.
Note that Leadville is also at a gasp-inducing 10,052 feet, so if you are feeling extra tired after your day on the slopes, it's not because you are out of shape; it's just that there isn't a whole lot of oxygen to go around.
Official site: https://www.skicooper.com/
Wolf Creek Ski Resort
Bargain hunters in southeast Colorado, New Mexico, and even Texas, rejoice! You are fortunate to have one of the cheapest and snowiest ski resorts in the entire state right in your backyard.
Located in the southern region of the state, Wolf Creek is all about snow, 430 inches, nearly 36 feet, in fact. Considering the resort gets the most snow in Colorado, and it's a budget place to ski, you might be led to believe the place is overrun with skiers. Fortunately, that is not the case. What you will find is a great small resort with 1,600 skiable acres.
The Tumbler lift, installed last season has been a big hit with beginners. The reason for this is that unlike most lift installations targeted at getting more skiers up the mountain faster, this lift is for beginners and runs 50% slower than normal. The chair is a quad and provides lots of room for families with beginner skiers to easily get on and off together. Wolf Creek added three shuttle buses last season and will have them again in 2024/25, making your trip to the lifts faster.
The resort is spread out across the mountainside, and its position is ideal for catching snow. Runs are a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced, and the tree skiing here is excellent. Lift tickets are a relative bargain and on hill dining is cheap, filling, and tasty.
Good, reasonably priced accommodation can be found to the west of the mountain in nearby Pagosa Springs or to the west in South Fork. Both towns have good dining options and grocery stores for those who want to self-cater. Pagosa Springs offers the bonus of being able to soak in the hot springs.
Official site: https://wolfcreekski.com/
Monarch Mountain
Off most people's radar, Monarch Mountain is an affordable destination that receives 350 inches (29 feet) of snow each year. The mountain has a good vertical drop of 1,162 feet, and with 66 named trails, lots of downhill options are available. This resort is a low-key place, with locals and visitors interacting and having a good time enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
The cost of a visit here is low due to reasonably priced lift tickets, well-priced food services, and cheap learn-to-ski packages. Boarders, freestylers, and skiers will be able to rack up an impressive number of laps on the slopes or at the two terrain parks due to the non-existent lift lines even though the lift equipment is fixed grip and a bit slow.
Recent improvements to the parking lot to increase capacity by several hundred spaces and the introduction of RFID gates at the lifts have made getting to the ski hill easier and more comfortable. The mountain has also thinned the trees in the Breezeway area. Skiers will notice more room to roam on the Snowburn, Outback, and Shag runs.
Just like at Cooper, you might be tempted to try cat-skiing. Rides up can be booked with the resort and open another 1,631 acres of untracked terrain.
The nearby town of Salida is a budget-friendly option for accommodation. A wide variety is on offer, ranging from chain hotels to family-owned establishments. Dining here is also easy on the pocketbook, with local restaurants serving up large portions for a fair price.
Official Site: https://www.skimonarch.com/
Winter Park Resort
Only 67 miles from Denver, Winter Park has long been a popular choice for those looking to save money on fuel and get the most resort amenities for their buck.
This is one of the larger budget resorts. Winter Park basically reinvented itself over the past five seasons through investments of over 30 million dollars spread across critical infrastructure and chairlifts. The latest addition to the chairlift roster is the six-passenger high-speed Wild Spur Express. This chair is your ticket to ride the awesome terrain up on Vasquez Ridge, an area long loved by advanced and strong intermediate skiers.
Winter Park receives around 27 feet of snow each season and supplements that with extensive snowmaking operations. The amount of terrain available for skiing here is extensive: 3,081 acres are just waiting to be explored. Named runs total 166, and they tilt towards the intermediate-level skier. Your ski ticket dollar goes a long way here with 23 lifts, including a 10-passenger gondola.
A great way to ski at Winter Park and save even more money is to take the Winter Park Express Train to the mountain. Perfect for those in the heart of Denver and without a car, the train leaves from the historic Union Station every weekend throughout the season. Enjoy the incredible scenery along the way, and don't worry about traffic or parking. At the end of the day, rest your tired legs as you recline and let someone else do the driving.
If you are flying in, consider staying a night in downtown Denver and catching the train to Winter Park in the morning. The cost of the hotel will be made up by the costs not incurred by renting a car.
Winter Park is part of the IKON Pass program.
Official site: https://www.winterparkresort.com/
Echo Mountain
This is a small operation with just 13 runs, but that's okay because the price of a lift ticket is commensurate with the facilities. Echo Mountain is only 36 miles from Denver, making it an ideal day trip destination and a good option for saving on gas and accommodation. Snow here is plentiful, averaging about 23 feet a year, but the mountain also has extensive snowmaking capabilities.
A bonus at Echo is night skiing. Finish up your workday and a short while later, you'll be scoring laps in the terrain park or on the main intermediate runs. The mountain also offers evening meals and lift ticket deals so you don't need to worry about cooking.
Echo also has a tubing park for those not interested in skiing.
Echo Mountain is part of the INDY Pass program allowing for two free lift tickets along with a discounted one.
Official site: https://echomntn.com/
Hesperus Ski Resort
If you base yourself in Durango, you are in one of the best spots for cheap skiing in Colorado. Not only is the accommodation and food inexpensive, but you also have two cheap ski hills to choose from: Purgatory and Hesperus.
Hesperus, mere minutes from downtown Durango, is certainly the lesser known of the two, but that's just fine by those who ski here. The 8,888-foot-high mountain has a 700-foot drop serviced by the trusty Big Horn double chair. From the top, you'll not only have impressive views out over Durango, but your choice of 26 named runs. The fun doesn't stop at Hesperus when the sun goes down. In fact, the mountain claims the largest night skiing operation in the entire southwest United States.
Just like at Purgatory, families with children under 12 years of age can save a significant amount of money on a ski vacation here with the kids ski free program. Any child under 12 gets a season pass, no strings attached.
If you've had enough skiing or boarding or are looking for some different family fun, head over to the Marmot Hill area and grab a tube to take a slide down one of the multiple chutes.
Hesperus is part of the Power Pass Resorts program meaning that a season pass or multiday pass gets you access to Purgatory, Snowbowl, Brian Head, Sipapu, Pajarito, Nordic Valley, Lee Canyon, and Willamette Pass.
Official site: https://www.ski-hesperus.com/
