Plan Your Trip Outdoors - Colorado - page 70

A51 Terrain Park is decked out with an array of jumps, jibs, rails and a superpipe. There's a fun and easy tubing area -
perfect for young kids - on Dercum Mountain, and a CAT system that will take the daring above the lifts to the lips of a
string of Black Diamond bowl runs at the top of the park. It's also the only Summit County resort to offer night skiing.
Copper Mountain A self-contained resort area that's ideal for families, Copper Mountain has 2450 acres of skiable ter-
rain accessed by 22 lifts and carved by 125 trails that are almost equally divided among beginners, intermediate, ad-
vanced and expert. There are 15-plus miles of groomed Nordic tracks, a tubing hill and free transportation to Keystone
and Breckenridge.
Arapahoe Basin One of two day-use ski areas in the Central Mountains; locals dig Arapahoe Basin because the lack of
lodging and dining options keeps package tourists to a minimum. Put together by veterans of the 10th Mountain Divi-
sion, this was among Colorado's first resorts. The top lift gets you to the summit (13,059ft), where you can drop into
Montezuma Bowl on the back side. A-Basin, as it's affectionately known, is also famous for the Beach, which rages on
Gaper Day. Summit County lift tickets are generally accepted here, too. A-Basin and Loveland have the longest ski sea-
sons, and are usually open from October to June. The scene is at its peak April to May - when other resorts have tapered
off, people are barbecuing and suntanning in the parking lot here, between slushy spring ski runs.
Loveland Ski Area The oldest operating ski area in Colorado, Loveland opened in 1943 and is set against the Contin-
ental Divide, above the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70. It's only 56 miles from Denver, lift tickets are reasonably priced,
and it has plenty of intermediate and advanced terrain, with limited variety for newbies.
Winter Park Connected to Denver by rail, Winter Park draws Denver and Colorado Springs locals, who flock here for
down-to-earth weekend powder. It's a favorite of Coloradans, with awesome terrain without the pretension. The 3000
acres of skiable terrain occupy five mountains, with terrific mogul runs and hair-raising off-piste action. There are also
six terrain parks serving all levels, from beginners to X Games-caliber talent.
Northwest Colorado
Steamboat Springs One of the state's great all-around resorts, Steamboat Springs has 165 trails (3668ft vertical) and
nearly 3000 acres with ample runs at every level. A great destination for multiday trips, it boasts a great town atmo-
sphere alongside a whole lot of terrain. It's particularly renowned for tree skiing, and even intermediate skiers can
weave through trees without the typical hazards. Serious skiers will also gravitate to a number of mogul runs on the hill.
More than a few Olympic-caliber skiers and riders make their winter home here.
Southwest Colorado
Crested Butte Tucked behind Aspen (but separated by impassable mountains in winter), Crested Butte isn't the biggest
resort in the state, but it is one of the best. Come here if you want a more casual, Western feel, because the town is
downright adorable. It also boasts some of the best scenery. Surrounded by forests and rugged mountain peaks in the
West Elk and Maroon Bells Wilderness Areas, the landscape is mind-boggling. Way out of the way for day trippers, it
doesn't get heavy traffic. The mountain's 1167 acres are mostly geared toward intermediate and advanced skiers, with a
terrain park.
Telluride Believe the stellar reviews - the quality of skiing at Telluride is truly world class. The steep, fast, north-facing
runs are the main reason it has an experts-only reputation, but there are some moderate trails, too, particularly in the
Goronno Basin. The best runs for non-experts are the aptly named See Forever and Lookout runs, both of which are
graceful glides with panoramic views. For a bit more adrenaline, try the West Drain run. The Telluride Nordic Center
can set up experienced cross-country skiers for a multiday backcountry trip between Telluride and Ouray along the San
Juan Hut System.