- Several ski resorts are located near Golden, Colorado.extreme skiing image by Maxim Petrichuk from Fotolia.com
Colorado, with an average of 300 days of sunshine and over 300 inches of snow each year, is the destination for 12 million visitors every winter, according to Colorado Ski Country USA. Golden, a suburb just west of Denver, is the gateway to several resorts offering a variety of ski and snowboard terrains, accommodations and dining options that provide a complete winter sports experience. - Eldora Mountain Resort is 35 miles northwest of Golden and boasts of 300 inches of snow annually. With a base elevation of 9,200 feet, it offers 680 acres of terrain for skiing and snowboarding runs as well as trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. A double-diamond black run and a three-mile run make Eldora a challenge for even seasoned skiers, while group or private ski and snowboard lessons make this resort suitable for all ability levels. Nearby accommodations include luxury hotels, bed and breakfasts and cabins. For dining, choose from four on-site restaurants with a variety of menus.
Eldora Mountain Resort
2861 Eldora Ski Road #140
Nederland, CO 80466
303-440-8700 - Loveland Ski Area, 48 miles west of Golden on Interstate 70, is open October through May. With a base elevation of 10,800 feet and summit at 13,010 feet, Loveland averages 400 inches of snow per year. The terrain is 1,570 ski acres with 93 trails; the longest run is two miles. Loveland's Ski & Snowboard School offers group and private lessons for all ages and levels. Six different places to eat and drink provide plenty of refreshment. Nearby Georgetown offers lodging in a variety of price ranges.
Loveland Ski Area
Exit 216 Interstate 70
Georgetown, CO 80444
303-569-3203 - Arapahoe Basin, with a base elevation near 11,000 feet and a summit over 13,000 feet, has one of the longest seasons in North America, October to June. The Montezuma Bowl expansion in 2008 added 400 acres and 36 new runs, with slopes graded blue, black and double black. Located 55 miles west of Golden on Highway 6, A-Basin offers skiing and snowboarding lessons for all skill levels, six places to eat and various lodging options within 10 miles of the resort.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
28194 U.S. Highway 6
Keystone, CO 80435 - Winter Park Resort is about 62 miles northwest of Golden, on Highway 40. The resort, which opens before the Thanksgiving holiday in November and closes in April, has over 3,000 acres for skiing and 143 trails. With ski and snowboard lessons in winter and mountain bike camps in summer, Winter Park is a year-round destination. Lodging options include condos, mountain lodges, lofts in the village and ski-in/ski-out right at the resort. Dining choices range from breakfast and lunch at cafes in the village to a full-course dinner on the top of the mountain, accessible by chairlift.
Winter Park Resort
85 Parsenn Road
Winter Park, CO 80482.
970-726-5514
