Colorado

Off Peak Podcast Episode 3: A Crowded Affair

We discuss our recently published Northstar review and how the resort stacks up against other Tahoe destinations. We explain our crowd flow ratings in light of an atrociously long Vail lift line that went viral this season.

(Expired) Limited $108 Silverton Season Passes ($206 with Partner Resort Days)

Silverton Mountain has announced that they’re selling a very limited number of significantly discounted 2021 unguided season passes. This unpatrolled resort, which only has one chairlift and requires avalanche gear, is offering base passes for just $107.95 ($99 + $8.95 shipping).

Ikon Lowers Pass Prices, Extends Date For Cheapest Rate

This afternoon, we received a press release from Alterra announcing the extension of the cheapest price for the 20/21 Ikon Pass to May 26th, 2020. Ikon has dropped the current renewal price for both the base ($649 to $599) and full ($899 to $799) passes, doubling the initial discount.

Ikon Allows 20/21 Season Passholders to Defer to 21/22

This evening, we received an email from Ikon alerting passholders that all 20/21 season passes will now have “Adventure Assurance” to defer the use of their pass until the 21/22 season. This insurance will be valid regardless of when the pass is purchased.

Arapahoe Basin to Proceed with Lift Replacements Next Season

According to Arapahoe Basin COO Al Henceroth, the resort is moving forward with replacing the Molly Hogan and Pallavicini chairlifts despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vail Resorts Announces Epic Pass Refund Policies, Pass Renewal Credits

This morning, we received an email from Vail Resorts about a number of updates for 20/21 Epic Pass products, including benefits for renewing passholders. All passes will now come with “Epic Coverage”, which will provide refunds for “any portion of the season that is lost” in the event of COVID-19 resort closures. This coverage will also provide insurance on the pass for job loss, injuries, or other personal matters.

Buttermilk

Aspen’s beginner-centric mountain offers a good learning environment and excellent terrain parks, but the area is otherwise uncompetitive and overpriced.

Ski Cooper

While most folks won’t want to plan a weeklong vacation here, this modestly-sized hill stands out from the destinations with an easy-to-handle footprint and lack of crowds.

Monarch

This Colorado ski area is way too small and underbuilt to be a destination mountain, but several facets make it a strong regional choice.

Eldora

This small Colorado resort is seriously outclassed by destination competitors, but its convenient location makes it a decent day trip option.

Breckenridge

This high-elevation resort offers diverse terrain, including conveniently accessible alpine bowls. However, the altitude and navigation logistics will be overwhelming for some.

Loveland

This local Colorado ski area doesn’t deliver the same well-rounded experience as destination resorts, but it’s hard to beat the quality for the price on a powder day.

Purgatory

This San Juan resort’s local feel, stunning vistas, and decent variety of terrain make it a strong regional choice for those in the southwest.

Wolf Creek

This local ski area offers the highest average snow totals in Colorado, although its vertical drop is short compared to the destinations.

Aspen Mountain

The oldest Aspen ski area offers incredible views of town on a relatively compact footprint, but the resort could use logistical enhancements in lower-mountain areas.

Snowmass

The largest resort in the Aspen conglomerate is one of the best in Colorado, delivering a well-rounded experience worthy of the asking price.

Steamboat

While it’s not the most striking ski resort in the world, standout tree terrain and significant recent lift and terrain improvements help this northern Colorado resort hold its own against the other destinations.

Winter Park

Although it can get crowded, this conveniently located Colorado destination has a lot to offer for a wide variety of visitors.

Keystone

This Colorado resort offers unique, enjoyable slopes and finally boasts lift-serviced high-alpine bowls, but it still falls somewhat short in its lift-served footprint size and expert terrain.

Arapahoe Basin

While slow lifts and a lack of on-site lodging may turn some people away, this local favorite offers some of the most extreme terrain in Colorado.

Aspen Highlands

While modestly sized, this Aspen resort offers a surprisingly local feel and a diverse, demanding expert footprint.

Telluride

Despite its modest size and reputation for extreme terrain, this beautiful, remote resort delivers an experience that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Beaver Creek

Despite its family-centric reputation and lack of above-treeline terrain, Beaver Creek delivers an experience that visitors of all ability levels will enjoy. Just don’t expect anything to be cheap.

Vail

With expansive, diverse terrain and modern lifts, this top-of-the-line resort competes well with the best in the country.

Copper

This Colorado favorite offers very competitive terrain, but many lifts outside base areas are slow.