In the USA, most ski resorts were designed specifically for skiing. Often, the ski area first appeared, and only then it was equipped with the necessary infrastructure, hotels, and restaurants. The main advantage of the American ski resorts is snow – such light, fluffy and heavy snow cannot be found anywhere else!
Huge ski areas, no queues at the ski lifts, as well as a variety of ski tracks are at travelers’ disposal from December till the end of April. The most famous world-class ski resorts are situated at a distance of 2-5 hours’ drive from Denver in the state of Colorado. Thus, Firefly rental car in Denver will be the greatest way to find any destination from the following list…
Vail
The highest mountain in Colorado cannot be compared with anything. Vail is the former base of the Alpine Ski World Championships, as well as the most extensive North American winter resort. The selection of 7 Back Bowls valleys stretches for 11 kilometers, where the thickness of the snow cover can reach even 13 meters.
Vail is located at a distance of 193 kilometers and in 2 and a half hours drive away from the Denver Airport and 56 km from the Eagle Vale Airport. The SKI magazine calls it the Best North American resort. In Vale you have the most extensive ski area in North America – its area is 2,142 hectares.
Telluride
(photo by Juan Sanchez)
Telluride is a small ski resort in the northeast of Colorado, situated among a stunning range of mountain peaks on the height of 4,267 meters in Rocky Mountains. The mountain landscapes of Telluride are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in North America. Historic buildings, iconic bakeries and Western-style bars are perfectly combined with fashionable hotels, luxury restaurants, boutiques and spas.
Telluride is a cozy picturesque town that keeps the history of gold prospectors of the XIX century. The architecture of the Victorian style in a mixture with modern establishments gives the city uniqueness.
Next to Telluride, there is the charming Mountain Village with excellent restaurants, spas, shops, and hotels, which are specially equipped for alpine skiing tourism. More than 50 restaurants of Telluride offer a menu of various cuisines and are not inferior to the best culinary establishments of New York. High in the mountains, Alpino Vino will delight you with excellent cuisine and scenic views of the mountain landscapes, while an evening lift ride and a romantic dinner at Allred’s will give you unforgettable impressions for a lifetime.
Aspen
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The spirit of history, mixed with modern art, annual exhibitions and salons attract many tourists there. Gorgeous art galleries, gourmet restaurants with international cuisine, fitness centers and SPA salons, as well as a nightlife fountain make Aspen a magical place to visit at least once in your life!
Thanks to the special charm of the city and the striking beauty of the Alpine Colorado, Aspen resort remains the soul of North American ski culture.
509 kilometers of tracks is what keeps Aspen’s reputation as an important point on the map. Add to this a combination of four mountain peaks, first-class restaurants, hotels and nightlife, and you get the best place for a winter holiday. The resort is located within 4 hours’ drive from Denver Airport.
Breckenridge
Four huge mountain peaks, 954 hectares of ski area, five snow parks, two half-pipes, eight valleys and a real ski city with fascinating views – this is why Breckenridge is highlighted among the other resorts of America.
Breckenridge was founded on the wave of the ‘gold rush’ in 1859. Located 148 km away from Denver Airport, it occupies the 3rd place among the biggest mountain slopes in Colorado.
Here the earliest snow falls in Colorado, which attracts skiers and snowboarders from Europe for early preparation for the upcoming season. In April, due to the high location of the resort, you can enjoy the excellent snow, along with the spring sun. The sun shines 300 days a year, which is almost the standard for Colorado.
Keystone
The huge skiing area of Keystone is a guarantee that you can ski all day long with family and friends. Here’s one of the best snow parks in America. For children, the Adventure Point hill will be incredibly interesting – it features a tubing track, a picturesque Keystone lake, providing excellent skating opportunities. Also, snowmobiling to the Independence Bowl are at visitor’s disposal.
Many local restaurants are award winning. Among them is interesting Alpenglow Stube located at an altitude of 3,478 meters – this is the highest restaurant in North America, marked by the most prestigious AAA Four Diamonds award.
Special offers: wine tasting and sleigh riding with horses. There are plenty of accommodation options – from hotels to condominiums, as well as bed and breakfast options. Keystone is located just within 90 minutes’ drive from Denver International Airport.