With 28 ski resorts and its legendary Champagne Powder, Colorado is one of the world’s great ski destinations, combining famous resorts and characterful mountain towns with affordable independent ski areas.
From multi-resort road trips and flexible passes to car-free adventures, here’s what UK skiers need to about Colorado know this winter.
Getting There: From the UK to the Slopes
Denver is the main gateway to Colorado’s ski country, with British Airways and United Airlines flying direct from London Heathrow. From here, visitors can hire a car or take mountain transfers to major resorts. Spending a night or two in Denver before heading into the mountains also allows time to acclimatise and explore highlights including the colourful RiNo Art District, Denver Art Museum, historic Union Station and the city’s thriving craft brewery scene. For a car-free option, the Winter Park Express runs from Union Station directly to the slopes.
Which Colorado Ski Pass Do I Need?
Colorado’s multi-resort passes can offer good value for skiers visiting several mountains, with both Ikon and Epic also providing access to participating international resorts.
Ikon Pass: One of the main options for skiing multiple Colorado resorts, with access to Winter Park, Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Snowmass, Steamboat and Eldora. It also includes access to participating European destinations in France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria, meaning UK skiers could potentially use the same pass for both a Colorado and European ski trip. Different versions offer varying levels of access, so visitors should compare the full Ikon Pass, Ikon Base Pass and shorter Ikon Session Pass based on the length and timing of their trip.
Epic Pass: Best suited to travellers planning to ski Vail Resorts’ Colorado mountains, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte. Epic also extends internationally to participating European ski destinations, making it worth considering for those planning multiple ski trips in one season. Several pass options are available depending on how many days visitors plan to ski and where.
Independent Resort Passes: Smaller ski areas including Monarch Mountain, Powderhorn and Ski Cooper sell their own lift tickets and passes, often at considerably lower prices than Colorado’s larger resorts. Some also offer reciprocal benefits at other mountains, making them particularly good value for skiers planning a multi-resort road trip without committing to an Ikon or Epic Pass.
Whichever option visitors choose, booking ahead usually pays, as lift ticket and pass prices can increase as the season approaches.
Five Ways to Ski Colorado This Winter
Explore The Legend at 80
A firm favourite with locals, Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin) celebrates its 80th anniversary this season with moonlight dinners, ice bars, themed après, live music and an on-mountain history exhibition. The fiercely independent resort is also making skiing more accessible, with first-timer lesson packages for under £75 and Wednesday lift tickets from £60.
How to do it: A-Basin is included on both the Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass for 2026/27. Alternatively, buy direct from the resort, with three-day Any Day packs from $249. Stay in nearby Dillon or Silverthorne to combine A-Basin with other Summit County ski areas.
Try Aspen Luxury Without the Commitment
A magnet for A-list celebrities, Aspen has long been synonymous with world-class skiing, glamorous après and luxury shopping. This season, the iconic resort is becoming more accessible with its new Flex Pass, offering four to seven days of skiing across Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass, with prices starting from £500.
How to do it: Compare the Flex Pass with Ikon options, particularly if combining Aspen with other Colorado resorts. From Denver, connect by air to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport or travel through the Rockies by road.
Make the Most of Powderhorn’s Deals
High on Western Colorado’s Grand Mesa, Powderhorn Mountain Resort offers relaxed, family-friendly skiing away from the bigger crowds. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, its 2026/27 ‘Mission: Affordable’ includes accessible passes, free beginner lessons and wallet-friendly dining, alongside the new Wild West Express high-speed quad.
How to do it: Buy lift tickets directly from the resort and book online in advance for the best available price. Powderhorn is around 45 minutes from Grand Junction and works well as part of a Western Colorado road trip.
Learn to Ski in the Wild West
With views of the Continental Divide, Monarch Mountain offers an affordable alternative to Colorado’s larger resorts, including $49 lessons and expanded terrain in No Name Basin. Nearby, Ski Cooper is freezing its 2025/26 prices, with 480 acres of all-natural powder and a reputation for minimal lift lines.
How to do it: Hire a car in Denver and combine both resorts on a road trip. Monarch’s season pass also offers reciprocal benefits at partner mountains, including three days each at A-Basin and Copper Mountain.
Go Car-Free to Winter Park
Colorado’s ski train tradition turns 90 this winter. Today, the Winter Park Express runs from Denver’s Union Station directly to Winter Park Resort, allowing travellers to combine a city stay with skiing without hiring a car. Winter Park’s season is scheduled to run from 5 December 2026 to 4 April 2027.
How to do it:
Fly direct to Denver, spend a night or two in the city, then take the train to the slopes. Winter Park is included on the Ikon Pass, making it easy to combine with other participating Colorado mountains.
For more information, visit www.colorado.com
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