ARAPAHOE BASIN
What’s new: In what it calls “the best and only method to improve our arrival experience,” A-Basin will be charging for parking reservations, starting at $20, on weekends and holidays between Dec. 21-May 4.
Mountain stats: 13,050-foot summit, 10,520-foot base
Where to eat: 6th Alley Bar & Grill is the spot for Bloody Marys and a hearty bite at the base. Farther out of sight is Il Rifugio, said to be the continent’s highest-elevation eatery at 12,456 feet. A-Basin’s newest eatery is Steilhang; warm up with German beer, sausage and strudel a short ski down from atop Lenawee Express.
ASPEN HIGHLANDS
What’s new: While locals are busy hoofing it to the mighty Highland Bowl, operators are looking to expand snowmaking on the lower slopes to improve early-season conditions.
Mountain stats: Highland Bowl at 12,392 feet, 8,040-foot base
Where to eat: Near the top of Cloud Nine Lift, Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro is a must-stop. The Switzerland-inspired cabin serves fondue and wine plus pops Champagne during more rowdy occasions overseen by a DJ. The views are hard to beat.
ASPEN MOUNTAIN
What’s new: Ajax last season debuted its largest terrain expansion since the 1980s. The terrain is called Hero’s with 150 acres of chutes and glades above 10,000 feet.
Mountain stats: 11,211-foot summit, 7,945-foot base
Where to go: Close to the base gondola, visitors will find a music institution. That’s Belly Up Aspen, the small concert hall drawing big acts. Peep the calendar before swinging through town, and hope tickets aren’t sold out.
BEAVER CREEK
What’s new: Beaver Creek has spent the past few years aiming to separate itself as a family destination unlike any other in the industry. The resort calls its progressive learning terrain the Signature Parks Collection; lift-served McCoy Park is the latest addition.
Mountain stats: 11,440-foot summit, 8,100-foot base
Where to eat: The prestigious Michelin Guide recognized a handful of restaurants in the Vail Valley. Check them out and make a reservation: Mirabelle, Splendido at the Chateau and WYLD are the ones around Beaver Creek.
BRECKENRIDGE
What’s new: The popular base at Peak 8 has seen high-speed chair upgrades to increase flow. Now operators are eyeing a revamped Peak 9, with a proposed gondola, reimagined learning zone and lift replacement.
Mountain stats: 12,998-foot summit, 9,600-foot base
Where to go: No visit to Breck is complete without a side trip to see Isak Heartstone. The big wooden troll sits at the end of a short trail through a snowy forest. Trollstigen trailhead is in the southeast corner of the Stephen C. West Ice Arena parking lot.
BUTTERMILK
What’s new: Officials cut the ribbon on a $23 million base renovation last year, centerpieced by the “sustainable and intuitive one-stop shop” guest services building. The project also added The Backyard, a sleek hangout for food and drinks.
Mountain stats: 9,900-foot summit, 7,870-foot base
When to go: Buttermilk every year hosts the X Games, bringing the world’s top winter sports athletes — not to mention star-studded parties — to Aspen. Festivities are set for Jan. 26-28.
COOPER
What’s new: If you haven’t been back in a few years, you might be surprised by the Tennessee Creek Basin terrain on the backside. The trails add an expert flair to Leadville’s small, historic ski area.
Mountain stats: 11,700-foot summit, 10,500-foot base
Where to shop: You’ve seen the light, vibrant, cinched hoodies all over Colorado. Now’s the time for your own “Melly.” But don’t expect to find one at Melanzana, the fiercely independent store where the hoodies are handmade. You’ll want to book an advanced appointment online.
COPPER MOUNTAIN
What’s new: The Timberline Express is being upgraded from a four-person chair to a high-speed six-seater, increasing uphill capacity to cherished intermediate terrain. The replacement is part of Copper’s broader, multi-year effort enhancing the resort’s Western Territory.
Mountain stats: 12,313-foot summit, 9,712-foot base
Where to drink: If you’re an IPA lover, you already know about Outer Range Brewing Co. If you don’t happen to know — run, don’t walk. It’s a beautiful, two-story facility with a super scenic deck.
CRESTED BUTTE
What’s new: The Al Johnson Memorial Telemark Race is not new at all. This spring just happens to mark the start of a new decade. The race celebrated 50 years last season, bringing back costumed competitors honoring a 19th-century mountain mailman.
Mountain stats: 12,162-foot summit, 9,375-foot base
Where to eat: Make a reservation and splurge at The Slogar, named for the Slogar family who lived in this cabin in the late 1800s. Now patrons gather around tables for family-style fried chicken dinners, with all the biscuits, creamed corn and mashed potatoes you can eat.
ECHO MOUNTAIN
What’s new: Colorado-based entrepreneur Dan Dietrich acquired Echo last year, the next to oversee the small ski area with several starts and stops going back to the 1960s.
Mountain stats: 10,650-foot summit, 10,050-foot base
Where to eat: Down in Idaho Springs, you’ll find the original home of “Colorado-style” pizza. Beau Jo’s began baking mountain-like pies here in the 1970s.
ELDORA
What’s new: Ignite Adaptive Sports has long connected people with disabilities to these Boulder County slopes. A new facility, Caribou Lodge, will welcome those skiers this season and serve as Ignite’s base into the future.
Mountain stats: 10,600-foot summit, 9,360-foot base
Where to go: Whimsical Nederland might be best symbolized by the whimsical carousel in the heart of town. That’s the Carousel of Happiness, the indoor memory maker of hand-carved animals.
GRANBY RANCH
What’s new: Automated snowmaking and enhanced grooming have been part of the humble Grand County ski area’s long-term vision called Granby Ranch Rising.
Mountain stats: 9,202-foot summit, 8,202-foot base
Where to stay: Granby Ranch is well-suited for skiing families, who might spoil themselves by making base at nearby Devil’s Thumb Ranch. It’s a rustic, sweeping getaway that offers cozy rooms, log cabins and endless fun activities.
HOWELSEN HILL
What’s new: Historically grounds for Steamboat Springs youth and pros training on jumps, Colorado’s oldest ski area has broadened its appeal to outsiders with new infrastructure, extended hours and friendly pricing.
Mountain stats: 7,136-foot summit, 6,696-foot base
Where to shop: Visitors get a glimpse of Steamboat’s skiing history at Howelsen. At F.M. Light & Sons, they get a glimpse of the town’s ranching heritage. The store has been outfitting local cowboys for more than 100 years.
KEYSTONE
What’s new: Those in the know had long been hiking to the wonders of Bergman Bowl. The Bergman Express is now providing a ride up.
Mountain stats: 12,408-foot summit, 9,280-foot base
Where to shop: The Outlets at Silverthorne are a 10-minute drive from the base. Two birds, one stone: Get your fix on the slopes, then get those last-minute Christmas gifts.
LOVELAND
What’s new: Loveland Snowcat Tours in recent years expanded access to 580 acres of high-elevation bowls and glades in an area known as Dry Gulch.
Mountain stats: 13,010-foot summit, 10,800-foot base
Where to drink: If you want to feel like you’re in on a secret — and if you’re needing a break from the weekend’s Interstate 70 traffic — exit at Silver Plume and mosey on over to the 1800s-era building where miners once resupplied on baked good. This is now Bread Bar, mixing up fine cocktails Friday through Sunday.
MONARCH
What’s new: After many years of anticipation, Monarch this summer got the green light to expand to the other side of the Continental Divide. The goal is to have a lift and No Name Basin open for the 2025-26 season.
Mountain stats: 11,952-foot summit, 10,790-foot base
Where to eat: Back down in Salida, stop to refuel with a big, hearty sandwich. Sweetie’s Sandwiches & Baked Excellence always delivers, with an expansive menu to match the epic proportions. We counted nearly 50 sandwiches at last check.
POWDERHORN
What’s new: While prices increase pretty much everywhere else, the ski area on the Grand Mesa has announced “Mission Affordable” ahead of the 2024-25 season. That’s a pledge to freeze or reduce prices at the ticket window and cafeteria.
Mountain stats: 9,850-foot summit, 8,200-foot base
Where to eat: Grand Junction’s food scene has steadily grown to harness the flavors of local farms. Among the recommended spots: Cafe Sol, Bin 707 Foodbar, The Winery, 626 on Rood and Tacoparty.
PURGATORY
What’s new: Last season’s announcement of $29 lift tickets turned heads. It was a bit of a marketing ploy; demand-based pricing means the chance at cheap tickets, yes, but not necessarily on busy days. The point: The Durango-area resort is pushing to grow its clientele.
Mountain stats: 10,822-foot summit, 8,793-foot base
Where to stay: The historic Strater Hotel is a Victorian marvel commanding a corner of downtown. If you can’t snag a room, you at least need to check out the old-time Diamond Belle Saloon. Happy hour is 4-6 p.m. Monday to Friday.
SILVERTON
What’s new: The extreme, single-lift outpost was acquired last year by a pair of friends who’d been operating Heli Adventures Inc., the business similarly aimed at high-octane thrills.
Mountain stats: 13,487-foot summit, 10,400-foot base
Where to go: On the opposite end of the skiing spectrum is Kendall Mountain Ski Area, the family hill with a short lift serving a short series of green runs. Families might also hit the sledding hill or ice rink.
SNOWMASS
What’s new: Snowmass is unveiling the Coney Express this season, a high-speed quad effectively replacing the Coney Glade chairlift. The Express figures to significantly increase out-of-base flow, including also a midway station accessing the terrain park and unlocking foot access to Lynn Britt Cabin.
Mountain stats: 12,510-foot summit, 8,104-foot base
Where to stay: Hotel Jerome and The Little Nell are two bucket-list stays in Aspen. The former is historic, the social center of town dating to 1889, while The Little Nell is the five-star retreat with luxury suites, fine dining and a spa.
STEAMBOAT
What’s new: The $220 million, multi-year, multi-faceted Full Steam Ahead initiative has culminated in a terrain expansion making Steamboat the second largest ski resort in Colorado.
Mountain stats: 10,568-foot summit, 6,900-foot base
Where to go: For being fairly small and remote, Steamboat Springs has a surprising music scene. Will it be Schmiggity’s Live Music & Dance Bar? Or the locally beloved Old Town Pub? Then there’s the press., the intimate nook commonly hosting acoustic talents.
SUNLIGHT
What’s new: This season expects to be a celebratory send-off for the chairlift said to be the longest running in Colorado, traced to the 1950s. The Glenwood Springs ski area plans to replace Segundo for next season.
Mountain stats: 9,895-foot summit, 7,885-foot base
Where to go: While Glenwood’s most famous hot springs destination is the one with the massive pool, Iron Mountain Hot Springs continues to build its fan base. More than a dozen pools have been added to the terrace overlooking the Colorado River. It’s an adults-only area, with several more scenic dips on the other side of the property for families.
TELLURIDE
What’s new: The resort added another feather to its cap in 2024: “best overall ski resort in North America.” That was the honor from OnTheSnow’s Visitors’ Choice Awards.
Mountain stats: 13,150-foot summit, 8,725-foot base
Where to eat: “World’s Best Pizza” is a lofty claim. But Brown Dog Pizza apparently has the hardware to back it up — gold from the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas. You be the judge, sampling both the traditional crust and the thick, Detroit pan-style made here.
VAIL
What’s new: The Avanti Food & Beverage halls in Denver and Boulder are big hits. Now one is coming to the resort’s Golden Peak. Powerline Pub also will debut at the top of Mid-Vail.
Mountain stats: 11,570-foot summit, 8,120-foot base
Where to eat: The Michelin Guide’s suggested restaurants in Vail: Sweet Basil and Osaki’s Sushi & Japanese Cuisine. Inspectors noted Sweet Basil’s tempura-fried mahi mahi tacos, bone marrow pho with scallop and miso black garlic-glazed halibut. Inspectors loved Osaki’s sushi, niche Japanese specialties and “sweet and meaty” snow crab.
WINTER PARK
What’s new: The resort this summer announced “Winter Park Unlocked” — a long-term vision foreseeing a massive terrain expansion, a redeveloped base area and a “ski back trail” connecting to town.
Mountain stats: 12,060-foot summit, 9,000-foot base
Where to drink: Locals and tourists converge at Randi’s Grill & Pub. After a hard-earned day on the mountain, the cozy Irish pub hits the spot with big mugs of beer and comfort grub.
WOLF CREEK
What’s new: This will mark the first full season for the Tumbler lift, the fixed-grip quad introduced last spring. It was built with beginners in mind, situated near terrain designed for them.
Mountain stats: 11,904-foot summit, 10,300-foot base
Where to go: After a cold, taxing day on the slopes, warm up and rejuvenate in Pagosa Springs’ geothermal waters. The Springs Resort offers the most pools beside the San Juan River, while nearby Healing Waters Resort & Spa is the intimate, family-owned spot. Enjoy soaking tubs with a view at Overlook Hot Springs.