Most everyone loves the gorgeous state of Colorado, which a plethora of outdoor activities year-round. The summers can be filled with hiking the Rockies, biking the beautiful trails, morning runs along the green belts, water skiing in the lakes aplenty, white water rafting the many rapids throughout the state, and fishing in fresh streams. What’s not to love? Still, the winter snow brings on even more activities, such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and downhill skiing. It’s no wonder Colorado is ranked in the top 10 best places to live every year.
For all of our friends visiting Colorado and those lucky enough to reside there, when is the best time to ski? Before considering vacation home rental, ask yourself, when is the best time to plan my trip?
A quick google search will bring up a myriad of opinions. Some say February, while others argue March? Which is it? Why does it matter?
Before answering this question, we need to consider the answers to a few other questions.
- Where are you planning your trip? Remember that the mile-high city has different weather than Steamboat than Vail than Winter Park than Loveland than Copper than Breck. Their peak snow season is different for each resort. Decide on your location.
- What level of skier are you? The answer to this question matters, because skiing in Colorado is not the same experience for everyone. If you are an experienced, elite skier, looking for adventure and photographic memories, your needs and wants are going to be completely different than someone who is learning for the first time. You might be motivated by powder, whereas your novice is going to be motivated by the ski school experience and potentially the pricing in the package. Also, the skill level that the resort has to offer will matter.
- How much do you want to spend? Are you going to lodge at the ski resort and ski for a few days or do you only go up once a year to take in the experience? Again, this matters, because it will dictate when the best prices come available online, which will impact when you go.
- How do you feel about crowds? Do you care if spring-breakers from Texas are flying down the mountain out of control for their “ski Colorado” experience? What about weekend crowds or crowds in general? Do you prefer a season pass somewhere, where you can drop the kids at school, head up the mountain and get in a few hours, and then, be back by 3 p.m. to pick up the littles? If so, what is the closest resort to you? All of these questions will impact when the best time to ski is.
- Let’s talk about temperatures. Are you a suffer-it-out kind of person that handles extreme winds and harsh temps well or do you need some sunshine in your life, in order to enjoy the experience? And remember that these temperatures also impact the snow and whether or not you are skiing in slosh, ice, or powder.
The Colorado Rockies are breathtakingly beautiful year-round. Each resort is loved differently because each resort offers something unique and different to the experience. Depending on the position, some mountains bring more ice than others and Colorado skiing seems to have the most snow from mid to late February through March.
If you’re staying for a week, chances are one of those days is going to be pleasant. If you’re planning ahead and you have lift passes online, as well as plane tickets, you roll the dice. However, I would argue that while it may be cold, it will not be so chilly that it is miserable. Dress accordingly and I have always had a great experience.
Skiing Colorado is an adventure that you will never forget. There is nothing quite like it. It doesn’t matter where you’ve skied. Before committing to a day on the slopes at any resort, I highly recommend that you go through the questions mentioned above. Doing so will help you find the best time for you personally to ski Colorado. As far as the vacation home rental? Ski Colorado Vacation Rentals has you covered.