Copper Mountain
Just a couple hours outside of Denver on the US 285, this is a highly trafficked mountain that has a naturally created skills-based gradient across the mountain. Skiiers and snowboarders looking for easier slopes will want to stick to the west side of the mountain while those ready for a challenge can move east and face harder runs. And in case you’re getting ready to give us the side-eye – yes, you can get to Copper Mountain via I-70. But you don’t have to.
Eldora
Take the US 36 up through Nederland and you’ll find yourself at Eldora, ready to hit the slopes in less than 2 hours if you’re driving from Denver. Sure, it’s a smaller mountain, but it’s got plenty of family-friendly runs and you can’t beat not having to take I-70 and showing up in around an hour and a half. We’ll take shorter runs and a smaller mountain for those exceptional trade-offs.
Monarch
It might take 3 hours on US-285, but Monarch is a gem that doesn’t ask you to sit in hours and hours of stopped traffic to arrive. The drive is fairly easy, and despite getting over 300 inches of snow annually, Monarch is extremely accessible. If you’re looking for something that’s doable in a day that still packs one hell of a skiing punch, it’s hard to beat this one.
Crested Butte
Another gem off US-285, Crested Butte is a perfectly preserved mining town just over 4 hours outside of Denver. Pack your weekend bag and enjoy your nearly stress-free drive to this stunning location. Spend the early morning moseying around the quaint downtown and hop on the free bus to the mountain when you’re ready to clip in and get some good runs in. There are plenty of places to stay in the town from Airbnbs to resorts and hotels – you have the ability to make your Crested Butte experience exactly what you want it to be.
Telluride
And finally, what Colorado must-see list would be complete without this world-renowned gem. Telluride is definitely not a one-day journey from Denver, but if you have a long weekend to burn, avoid I-70 and enjoy some of the most breathtaking views Colorado has to offer with a 6 hour drive on US-285 to 5oW to Telluride. The ski options out there are amazing and the views are second to none. Add in the overall vibe of the town and the friendly downtown area and you’ve got the perfect picturesque getaway.
There’s nothing worse than starting your morning with an excited rush to hit the slopes only to be met with traffic that takes out half your planned day before you even arrive. There’s no getting around how popular I-70 is when it comes to certain mountain towns and ski resorts. And if your heart is set on one of those, you may have to deal with it. However, if you’re willing to try something new, give one of these a shot and you might be surprised to find a new favorite slope that doesn’t leave you with a major traffic headache.
