The Colorado Gems Resorts

The Colorado Gems are some of the state's best hidden treasures - 9 resorts off the beaten path, where you'll find shorter lift lines, smaller crowds, down-to-earth prices, and a great family atmosphere. It's where you don't need a homing beacon to keep track of your kids. It's what we in Colorado call quaint. It's what you will call perfect.

Colorado Ski Country offers the Colorado Gems Card, which gets you great deals at all of the Colorado Gems Resorts. Click Here to find out more.

 



The Colorado Gems Monarch Mountain Ski Cooper Powderhorn Sunlight Arapahoe Basin Loveland Eldora SolVista Basin Echo Mountain

Arapahoe Basin
Echo Mountain

A-Basin

It's no wonder A-Basin is called "The Legend." Legendary steeps on East Wall and off Pallavicini lift, legendary views from the Continental Divide and legendary Spring "beach scene" and events like music concerts and rail jams. A-Basin has one of the longest seasons in Colorado, opening in late October and closing in June, as well as some of the best terrain in the state. Be sure you check out A-Basin's newest expansion, Montezuma Bowl, with over 400-acres of new chutes, glades, cornices, and wide-open bowls.

Echo Mountain

Echo Mountain is Colorado's newest ski area and 9th Gem. Just 35 miles from Denver, Echo is situated on 80 acres of terrain with a base elevation of 10,050 feet. Echo not only boasts easy access from Denver and other Front Range locations, but is known for its affordability and laid-back atmosphere. Echo offers skiers and riders fully-lit terrain to ski and ride into the night, a sound system playing tunes across the slopes, and wireless internet and a gaming lounge to wind down after an exhilarating day of jibbing.

Eldora
Loveland Ski Area

Eldora

It's the closest skiing and riding to Denver. Eldora offers a short, no-hassle drive and is a quick 21 miles from Boulder. Besides its charming local flavor, Eldora is best known for its diverse terrain, cross-country center, and outstanding children's SnowSports school. Eldora is one of Colorado's best-kept secrets for families. Kids of all ages love learning to ski or ride in the Eldorables and Ski & Snowboard Trek Programs. Eldora offers a variety of terrain that can challenge any skiing or riding ability level.

Loveland

Just 53 miles from Denver, locals love Loveland for its free close-in parking, 400 inches of snow each season, low-key atmosphere, lack of lift lines, and 1,365 acres of varied terrain. Loveland has something for everyone, The Valley offers a separate, gentle beginners area while The Ridge provides intermediate and advanced snow-riders terrain just the way they like it - open, steep and deep. Come find out why there's more to love at Loveland.

Monarch
Powderhorn

Monarch

Located in South Central Colorado, Monarch Mountain is what you expect from a real Colorado ski area. Abundant natural snow (350+ inches) and friendly people are the two strongest attributes. Convenient parking, reasonable prices and runs that flow naturally back to the base. At Monarch you'll lose the crowds but not your friends. With Monarch Mountain's Snowcat Tours, you'll find great powder and 900 acres of expert terrain. This year, Monarch is investing over one million dollars on improvements designed to enhance the guest experience.

Powderhorn

Known as one of Colorado's best family-friendly areas, Powderhorn prides itself in offering great value with outstanding guest service. Powderhorn is almost 4,000 feet higher than Grand Junction but only 35 miles away. Stand atop Powderhorn on the edge of Grand Mesa and it looks as if you're on top of the world as Western Colorado stretch out across the horizon. The area has developed a reputation for its outstanding tree and glade skiing and powder stashes can be found all day on Powderhorn's uncrowded slopes.

Ski Cooper
Sol Vista Basin

Ski Cooper

Ski Cooper is skiing the way it used to be, affordable and family-friendly with extras, like Chicago Ridge Backcountry Ski Tours. Come ski the difference at Ski Cooper in Leadville, CO. With family friendly pricing, friendly staff and an award-winning ski school, Ski Cooper is the best location for winter fun. But it's not all about the family experience; Ski Cooper is also the home of Chicago Ridge Backcountry Ski Tours, which access over 2,500 acres of untracked Colorado powder.

Sol Vista

Fun lesson programs, convenient access and affordable prices make it a long-time family favorite. This mountain paradise is a genuine Colorado retreat with western charm and small-town friendliness that invites you to slow down and enjoy what's around you. The tavern at SolVista has a great deck on the third floor facing south so it catches great sun all day long. It's a great place to hang out to watch the skiers and boarders, not to mention the antics in the half pipe.

Sunlight

Sunlight

Nestled in the charming mountain town of Glenwood Springs, halfway between Aspen and Vail, Sunlight Mountain Resort offers varied terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities - cruising corduroy, heart stopping steeps and three jib parks - all at family-friendly prices. Tackle one of the longest runs in Colorado (2+ miles) or one of the steepest (52° pitch). Sunlight boasts short lift lines, free slopeside parking, casual dining, après ski live music and a spacious sundeck where you can relax and watch your friends ski. Named Parents magazine #1 Best Budget Ski Resort 05-06.