A Very Colorado July: Holiday Weekends, Mountain Music, and Slopeside Summer Fun
By July, Colorado’s mountains have fully entered summer mode. Skis are swapped for hiking boots and chairlifts carry view-seekers over fields of wildflowers. Music fills base areas while bike parks pick up speed, and mountain communities are prepping for Fourth of July celebrations worth building a weekend around. Below are a few July events and offerings that make a strong case for heading uphill:
Find Live Music at Higher Elevation
Arapahoe Basin kicks off summer operations July 2, followed by a July 3 concert with Todd Sheaffer & CORAL CREEK. A-Basin’s July calendar also includes yoga, brunch at Black Mountain Lodge, and tons of other summer programming throughout the month (see below). Summer music continues throughout the month at Aspen Snowmass with free and ticketed programming across the resort and community. Copper Mountain, Granby Ranch, Winter Park, and Powderhorn also have consistent July music programming.
Try a New Summer Mountain Activity
Mountain biking is a major draw at Powderhorn, where July serves up bike park operations, learn-to-bike programming, mountain bike camps, and downhill events. At Purgatory, group rides and the Total Archery Challenge bring a mix of biking, mountain adventure, and skills-based events to the San Juan Mountains. Arapahoe Basin will offer summer activities including yoga, hiking, biking, and Via Ferrata, giving guests a different way to experience one of Colorado’s highest-elevation ski areas. At Winter Park, be sure to check out TheBigWonderful Beer Fest & Bluegrass and Revel in the Park, along with the resort’s broader summer activity lineup.
Plan Ahead for the Season
Summer is a smart time to get ahead on winter planning. Check your favorite resort’s website and social media channels for updates on passes/tickets, mountain projects, and early details for the season ahead. Our guide to current deals and offerings is also a great resource.
Head for the High Country
July is a wonderful time to make a day of it in Colorado Ski Country USA. Glorious views, cooler temps, a calendar full of events, and unique outdoor activities provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy some mountain time. Event schedules can shift with weather and operations, so be sure to check directly on each ski area site before you head up.
A Smart Start to Ski Season: Colorado Ski Deals Worth Booking Now
We know, it’s summer! Most folks aren’t thinking about powder turns and hot cocoa… but a bit of winter planning now can go very far once the snow starts falling.
Across Colorado Ski Country USA, resorts are rolling out summer offers on season passes, lift tickets, lodging, and lessons, which means skiers and riders have the chance to lock in value early (and the earlier the better!). Planning now and purchasing in the summer often comes with better prices, more lodging options, flexible payment plans, and, of course, the pleasure of knowing there are already a few mountain days waiting for you this winter.
Many skiers and riders are weighing their winter plans carefully as we head into 2026-27. Booking early can make these decisions easier. The right offers help snow lovers build a winter around time outside with the people they love, away from the usual routine, and with the kind of days that have brought generations of skiers and riders to Colorado slopes.
Here are a few current offers from CSUSA member resorts to keep on your radar:
Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain’s Ultimate Family Ski Trip with Kids Ski Free lodging deal is available when guests book by July 13. Families can save 33% on lodging with a stay of three nights or more, receive free lift tickets for kids 12 and under with the purchase of a two-day adult lift ticket, and enjoy extras including Fast Tracks, a Woodward Barn Drop-In session and a Rocky Mountain Coaster ride.
Copper is also offering 50% off a second night of lodging, plus Anytime Tickets with no blackout dates or restrictions. Guests who purchase Anytime Tickets by Sept. 8 can lock in the best pricing for the 2026/27 season.
Copper’s 2026/27 Adult Season Pass is available for $799. New this season, one free child season pass for ages 17 and under is included with the purchase of one adult season pass. The Copper Four Pack with Bonus Day is also available for $369 through Sept. 8 and includes five unrestricted days on the mountain.
Loveland Ski Area
Loveland’s spring season pass pricing is available before prices increase on July 1, meaning NOW is the smartest time for loyal Loveland skiers to lock in their winter plans.
Loveland Ski Area has held season pass prices steady for four years in a row, underscoring its commitment to value and keeping skiing in Colorado accessible. Current rates include adult season passes starting at $599, young adult passes at $409, child passes at $199, midweek passes at $449 and senior passes at $199.
Loveland’s flexible payment plan ends July 1, giving guests a limited-time opportunity to lock in the lowest available rate and spread payments over several months.
New this year, guests can also add season pass insurance for extra peace of mind. Loveland has book-ahead daily lift ticket pricing available from $69 per day.
Winter Park Resort
Winter Park Resort is currently offering up to 50% off lodging for winter stays, plus a $100 dining credit for guests who book qualifying stays by Sept. 29. Savings increase with length of stay, with the largest discounts available for stays of six nights or more.
Winter Park Flex Lift Ticket Packs are also available for the 2026/27 season, allowing guests to get the best pricing now without choosing exact ski dates yet.
Granby Ranch
Granby Ranch’s Ski and Stay offer includes 15% off lodging through local hotel and rental partners, plus 15% off day tickets.
For families and newer skiers, Granby Ranch is also offering a Multi Week Camp youth program, Beginner Basics lessons with one-on-one instructor time before the mountain opens, and Night Skiing and Twilight Skiing for $64.
Monarch Mountain
Monarch Mountain currently has one- to four-day Flex Tickets available from $79 per day, giving skiers and riders another flexible way to plan ahead for the season.
Ski Cooper
Ski Cooper’s best day pass offers (and trust us… they’re great deals) are expected later in the fall and winter, so keep an eye out as the season gets closer.
The Best Winter Plans Start Early
Booking early doesn’t mean rushing winter… it’s all about giving yourself more choices at potentially better prices before flakes are flying. Get a head start so that when winter arrives, you already have something good waiting for you in the mountains.
Image courtesy Ryan Bonneau, Telluride.
June in Colorado Ski Country: Summer Starts in the High Country
The flakes may have stopped flying, but the mountains aren’t taking a break.
By June, the mountains have switched from powder days to trail days, patios, concerts, and a different kind of chairlift ride. Life moves slower, the air is a little cooler, and ski country becomes one of the best places in Colorado to spend a summer day.
Keep Skiing and Riding
For those not quite ready to call it a season, Copper Mountain has snow waiting.
The Woodward Copper Summer Hike Park opened for the season on June 5, giving skiers and riders a chance to keep working on tricks through the summer months. The park opened with rails and a jump built from snow farmed from Copper’s Superpipe, and it is scheduled to operate Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for as long as conditions allow.
It is a very Colorado version of summer… sunscreen, short sleeves, and laps on snow.
Take in the View
In June, the lifts start carrying summer traffic, offering guests an easy way to get up high, cool off, take in the view and still have plenty of daylight left when they get back down.
At Monarch Mountain, the Monarch Crest Tramway reopened May 22 for its 60th anniversary season. The tram sits atop Monarch Pass and carries guests to panoramic views of the Continental Divide at more than 12,000 feet. It is a classic Colorado stop for road trippers, families, and anyone who wants a big mountain view without a strenuous hike.
In Steamboat, summer operations began June 5 with gondola rides, hiking, dining with a view, and access to mountain activities on Mt. Werner. The gondola can be the start of a hike, a ride up to lunch, or simply the best part of an afternoon spent above town.
Telluride’s free gondola is also running for the summer season, connecting Mountain Village and the town of Telluride with views that make the ride feel like part of the trip. The gondola runs daily through October, making it one of the easiest ways to get around and take in the San Juans at the same time.
Ride, Hike, and Explore
By June, bikes are back in the mix across the high country.
Snowmass Bike Park is back with expanded capacity this summer thanks to the new Elk Camp Chair, which doubles bike haul capacity and makes it easier for riders to access the park’s trails. The park includes terrain for a wide range of ability levels, from beginner-friendly singletrack to expert downhill trails. New this summer, Aspen Snowmass is also piloting e-bike access on select designated trails at Snowmass from June 21 through Sept. 7.
Steamboat Bike Park offers lift-served riding with more than 2,000 vertical feet of terrain, along with bike lessons, rentals, and scenic trails for those looking to spend the day on two wheels.
In southwest Colorado, Purgatory’s summer lineup includes mountain biking, the Inferno Mountain Coaster, Alpine Slide, scenic chairlift rides, hiking, treasure panning, Twilight Lake, and off-road rentals and tours. Purgatory also kicks off summer with a Summer Opening Day Celebration on June 20, featuring live music, biking, and family-friendly fun.
Sunlight Mountain keeps summer simple and easygoing with access to hiking, mountain biking, disc golf, bike rentals, repair clinics, and group rides based out of Sunlight Ski & Bike in Glenwood Springs. It is a good choice for visitors who want a day on the trail paired with everything Glenwood Springs does best, from hot springs to river time.
Telluride has plenty of summer trail access as well, with cross-country riding available during the 2026 lift upgrade project and the free gondola serving as a convenient connection between town and Mountain Village.
Bring the Family
At Aspen Snowmass, Elk Camp’s new Family Fair Saturdays begin June 21 and run weekly through Sept. 26. Families can expect rotating Saturday activities with face painting, carnival games, live music, and treats. Aspen Snowmass is also offering family packages for Lost Forest base activities and sightseeing, making it easier to plan a mountain day that works for a full crew.
Camp Aspen Snowmass is also underway, with peak season programming beginning June 29. The camp connects kids with summer mountain activities, including options tied to downhill clinics and the Trail Academy for young riders building skills in the Snowmass Bike Park.
Purgatory’s mix of mountain coaster, Alpine Slide, scenic chairlift, lake access, hiking, and treasure panning also makes it an easy family stop, especially for visitors looking for a full day of activities in one place.
Live Music, Food, and Mountain Events
If your favorite part of summer is an evening outside with music and a view, ski country has that covered too.
Granby Ranch’s Wednesday Night Concert Series runs June 3 through Sept. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. The free series brings live music to the lawn every Wednesday evening, with June performances from Taylor Scott Band, Shakedown Street, Good For Nothin Thunder Mountain Boys, and Los Mocochetes. Grab food from Bluebird Bistro, find a spot on the grass, and settle in for a midweek mountain reset.
Aspen Snowmass has a packed June calendar. The inaugural Snowmass Mountainside Music Festival takes place June 11–13 on the Fanny Hill stage, followed by a drone show commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence and the 150th anniversary of Colorado statehood. The Snowmass Free Concert Series returns June 18 and runs Thursday evenings through Aug. 27.
During the Food & Wine Classic weekend, Aspen Snowmass will host The Smuggler Social on June 20 at the historic Smuggler Mine overlooking downtown Aspen. The one-night event includes sunset views, cocktails, food, live music, and guided mine tours, with proceeds benefiting the Aspen One Environment Foundation.
On-mountain yoga also returns to Aspen Mountain on weekdays beginning June 22, and Bluegrass Sundays at the Sundeck begin June 21 for those who prefer their summer views with live music.
Steamboat’s June event calendar includes the start of Out Here Yoga on Sundays, along with summer programming such as outdoor concerts, sunset happy hours, downhill bike racing, and Movies on the Mountain.
Say “I Do” on the Summery Slopes
The high country also makes a pretty strong case for a summer wedding.
Echo Mountain offers weddings and private events with indoor and outdoor space, an expansive kitchen, mountain views, and room for large gatherings. Located close to the Front Range, Echo gives couples a stunning mountain setting without too long of a drive from the Denver area.
Arapahoe Basin also hosts summer weddings with a high-alpine backdrop, including ceremonies and receptions at Black Mountain Lodge.
Coming Soon: A-Basin Summer
Arapahoe Basin will join the summer lineup in July, with operations scheduled to begin July 2. Summer at The Basin includes Via Ferrata, scenic lift rides, free mountain biking, disc golf, guided hikes, mountain-top yoga, the Aerial Adventure Park, 6th Alley dining, and events throughout the season.
Make a June Mountain Plan
June means concerts on the lawn, family days at altitude, scenic gondola rides, bike park laps, mountaintop yoga, wedding weekends, and more time to make turns on snow.
The mountains may look different this time of year, but they are very much open!
We will be sharing monthly roundups throughout the summer, with more events, activities and reasons to head for the high country in July and August.
Check resort calendars before you go for the latest operating dates, weather updates, ticket details and event information.
Image courtesy Olivia Klein, Aspen Snowmass.
Why April Is the Best Time to Buy a 2026–27 Colorado Ski Pass
If skiing or snowboarding is part of your life next winter, April is when the smartest planning starts.
Resorts have begun rolling out season pass products, early pricing windows are open, and next winter is starting to come into focus. It’s also when skiers and riders have the best chance to compare options, think through how often they realistically plan to ski, and make a move before prices start climbing.
The best time to plan next winter’s ski days is right now.
Which resorts already have 2026–27 passes on sale?
At this point, nearly every Colorado Ski Country USA member resort has released its 2026–27 season pass information, so there is plenty to look into. The main exception is Telluride, which is expected to release pass details in August. For Winter Park and Steamboat, season pass access is available through Ikon Pass products.
Many resorts also have bundled ticket products available now, which is helpful for people who know they may not need a full pass next season. Either way, right now is the best time to start comparing options and following your favorite resort on social media for updates, deadlines, and new details as they roll out.
Season pass links: Arapahoe Basin – Aspen Snowmass – Ski Cooper – Copper Mountain – Echo Mountain – Eldora – Granby Ranch – Loveland – Monarch Mountain – Powderhorn – Purgatory – Steamboat – Sunlight – Winter Park
Why April is the best time to buy
April is a sweet spot for season pass shopping. It gives skiers and riders a rare combination of flexibility and opportunity: time to compare options, space to think about next season, and a chance to lock in value before prices begin to rise.
Buying early also makes the rest of winter easier to plan. Once your pass is in place, it’s much simpler to think through trips, schedules, partner mountain access, and the overall shape of the season ahead.
Season pass or ticket pack?
Not every skier or rider needs a season pass. But for people planning to ski or ride regularly next winter, buying one early can make a lot of sense.
A simple way to think about it: if next winter includes six to ten days or more on the mountain, a season pass is worth a close look. Beyond a handful of visits, a full pass often starts to make more sense than piecing together day tickets or smaller bundles.
A bundled ticket product, like a 4-pack or similar multi-day option, can be a better fit for people who expect to ski or ride just a few days next winter. It can also work for skiers and riders who want to keep things flexible, are trying out a new mountain, or simply are not ready to commit to a full season pass. Many of those bundled ticket products are on sale now too, so it is worth checking resort websites and social channels for the latest details and timing.
Do not overlook partner resort benefits…
A season pass can open more doors than people realize.
At many Colorado resorts, passes come with added benefits at partner resorts, whether that means discounted lift tickets or a few days to explore somewhere else. For skiers and riders who like to mix in a road trip, ski with friends at different mountains, or just keep their options open, these benefits can go a long way.
Because details vary from one ski area to the next, now is the time to start comparing. The earlier you look, the easier it is to spot the extras that could shape your winter.
Follow your resort for the latest details
Season pass products can change between spring launch and next winter. Prices shift, new benefit details may be added, and bundled ticket products can continue to roll out.
Your best bet is to keep an eye on resort websites and follow your favorite mountains on social media as you consider options. It’s the easiest way to stay current on pass details, partner benefits, timing, and any updates that may shape your decision.
See you on the slopes!
2026 Colorado Ski Area Closing Days
Closing dates are subject to change based on conditions.
Spring Skiing in Colorado: Events, Deals, and What’s Still Ahead
A spring ski day usually starts with a handful of runs and ends up stretching out. There’s live music at the base, a pond skim in the afternoon, and lifts spinning later. The next few weeks are packed with events, and there are some solid late season offers mixed in. Here’s what’s happening:
Signature Spring Events
Spring is when some of the most recognizable on-mountain events stack up.
Arapahoe Basin rolls into April and May with a full slate, including the 37th annual and re-imagined Enduro on April 8. Aspen’s Spring Jam runs March 27–29, while Buttermilk has finished out the season, Highlands closes March 29, Snowmass closes April 11, and Aspen Mountain April 19 (guide to the Four Mountain Finale).
Pond skims start to take over the calendar in early April. Copper Mountain’s Sunsation weekend lands April 25–26, closing things out with its pond skim on April 26. Steamboat wraps the season April 11–12 with a closing weekend celebration, including the cardboard classic and pond skim.
Elsewhere, Echo Mountain keeps things light with Decade Duos on March 20, “Anything But Ski Clothes” on March 29, and an inflatable-themed day on April 4.
Music, DJs, and Après
It’s a safe bet that somewhere on the mountain in the spring, there’s music playing.
look forward to Copper Live April 18, leading into Sunsation April 25–26. Play Forever Thursdays continue through the rest of the season. At Eldora, Play Forever Wednesdays and Coworking Collective Thursdays carry on, with all-day DJ sets on weekends Friday through Sunday.
Late-Season Deals
Arapahoe Basin offers $50 lift tickets and $50 one-hour private lessons every Wednesday through the rest of the season (lessons must be booked at ticket office). Purgatory has dropped lift ticket prices to under $100 when purchased online, with some days as low as $49 starting March 20.
Steamboat rolls out $99 lift tickets beginning April 6, and Winter Park marks Mary Jane’s 50th with $50 lift tickets on Thursdays.
Snag an Aspen Invite ticket for access to $169 lift tickets available to passholders from other mountains at the ticket window. Loveland will introduce late-season ticket pricing starting April 6.
Buy Now, Ski Now (and Next Season)
Granby Ranch is offering a buy-now, ski-now option for the 2026–27 season, with access for the rest of this season included. Monarch Mountain’s Wings Pass does the same, covering the remainder of this season and all of next, along with partner resort benefits.
Powderhorn has 2026–27 season passes available at $399 for teens and adults through April 6, and Sunlight’s 2026-27 passes are on sale now, including unique family pass options.
A Few Extras to Know About
Not everything fits neatly into an event or a deal…
Arapahoe Basin continues its weekly intermediate and advanced adult clinics on Mondays and Fridays, with specialty women’s clinics on March 30 and April 3. Loveland offers intermediate and advanced group lessons each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Eldora hosts Ski with a Ranger days, providing a different way to experience the slopes. Echo Mountain keeps things flexible with its Friends Pass benefit, allowing season passholders to bring a friend for free.
Check out our full list of closing days here.
Worth One More Day
Spring skiing in Colorado always delivers with a full calendar, a great atmosphere, and a few more bluebird days to get out there this season.
Events subject to cancellation/change.
Image courtesy Lucas Herbert, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area.
Skiing Feels Better Than Scrolling: A Colorado Spring Reset
There’s a particular kind of tired that comes with modern life. Not the good kind, like legs-after-a-ski-day tired. The other kind. Exhaustion that builds from endless tabs and pings, heavy headlines, relentless group messages, and a phone that’s always asking for attention.
In Colorado Ski Country USA, digital detox happens naturally. Once your rear’s in the gear and the first chair leaves the base, the day starts to rearrange itself around what’s real and immediate: crisp, fresh air in the lungs, how the snow feels under your skis, a wide-open view that makes everything else feel small. Skiing is physical and practical, and that’s part of the reset. Balance, snow conditions, weather, and visibility ask for real focus, and a few laps in, the mind tends to follow the body. The people part comes naturally, too. Lift rides turn into easy conversations, a quick comment in line becomes a run together, and it all feels simple in a way it rarely does in the Real World.
That’s the heart of skiing and snowboarding’s appeal, and it’s a big reason slope time feels especially valuable. For spring break and beyond, the mountain offers something hard to find in daily life… time outdoors, real connection, and the kind of well-earned earned satisfaction a screen just can’t deliver.
The Mountain Does the Heavy Lifting
Part of what makes skiing such a powerful digital detox is that it doesn’t require a big declaration. You don’t have to post about “unplugging” or commit to a perfect phone-free day. The shift starts with the sport itself.
There is a lot to keep track of on a ski day (in the best possible way). Hands are in mittens, and that alone changes the equation. The phone stays in a pocket, while attention moves to the mountain, weather, terrain, snow conditions, where friends are headed next, and whether there’s time for one more lap before lunch. The body stays engaged, and the mind has a straightforward job: pay attention to what’s in front you. Even the pauses, on a chairlift or at the base, feel different when the day is moving at mountain pace.
As Jessica Downing, the head of Monarch Mountain’s Ski with a Naturalist program reinforces, the “digital detox” part is already happening in the simple act of showing up. People are outside. They are moving through a landscape instead of scrolling past one. They are noticing things again. That may be the most compelling aspect of skiing as an antidote to screen-saturated life. It does not feel like deprivation. It feels like relief.
Colorado Spring Skiing Is the Sweet Spot
If skiing is a natural reset by definition, spring skiing in Colorado gives it more room to unfold. Longer days and later light take some of the rush out of the experience, which means there is more space to settle in, take the scenic route, and let the day stretch a little longer.
Spring break arrives right in the middle of that window, when Colorado’s high elevation and snowiest months help preserve excellent conditions deep into the season, even as the experience feels brighter and more relaxed. Spring skiing hits a sweet spot with terrific turns, abundant sunshine, lingering lunches, and warm chairlift chats. It is one of the season’s great pleasures, and one Colorado does especially well.
Nature, Connection, and Three Ways to Lean In
Skiing connects you two things at once: nature and other people. Swap jokes with the friendly lifties, trade powder stash intel with new friends, and find something in common with people from all over the world in the time it takes to get to the top. Conversation is never as easy as when the mountain gives you something real to pay attention to and a shared experience from the start.
- Monarch Mountain’s Ski with a Naturalist. Monarch Mountain’s Ski with a Naturalist program, offered in partnership with GARNA and the U.S. Forest Service, is a great example connection in action. The group format creates a social experience, while the emphasis on observation and education makes moving across the mountain intentional. Guests are paying attention to the landscape and the animals, trees, and plants that call it home. The result is a ski day that feels richer, more grounded, and more memorable.
- TreadShare for finding ski buddies. Even the trip to the mountain can become part of the social side of skiing and riding. TreadShare is a carpooling app for snow lovers that helps solve a real challenge, getting to the slopes, while making solo plans easier to pull off. It also adds connection before the first chair, with a built-in chance to talk conditions, compare plans, and start the day together.
- Work from Eldora. For skiers and riders craving something beyond the usual screen-heavy routine, the work-from-Eldora setup offers a different kind of reset. Eldora offers flexible weekday warriors a dedicated space (and dedicated high speed internet!) to keep one foot in the business world and both skis on the mountain for the best possible kind of multitasking. It may not be a fully offline day, but that’s part of the point. A few runs, fresh air, and real conversation between meetings or during breaks can make screen time feel less isolating, and make us feel more human.
The Case for Being on Snow
The appeal of skiing and snowboarding as a digital detox lasts well beyond spring break. Skiing puts you back in motion and back in touch with the world around you, which is a big part of why it feels so necessary right now. In Colorado Ski Country USA, spring invites people to linger longer, take one more lap, and enjoy the kind of human connections that make this time of year some of the best mountain days of the season.
Cross the Line, Pay the Fine: Stay Safe in the Express Lanes this Winter
Skiers and riders are always looking for ways to get to the slopes quickly and effectively, especially on peak travel days when the corridor can feel like a slow-motion mogul run. Colorado’s Express Lanes can be a great tool for keeping plans on track—but they only work (and stay safe) when everyone follows the rules of the road.
The widely known Express Lane rule: ‘don’t cross the solid lines’ is not in place to slow you down, it is in place to keep you safe. The speed differences between the general-purpose lanes and the Express Lanes are often drastic and crossing over a solid line, when other drivers are not expecting it, leads to slamming on brakes and crashes. To increase safety and reduce these crashes caused by motorists violating the Express Lane rules, Colorado is cracking down on Express Lane rule-breakers with smart roadside cameras and sensors that automatically issue $75 fines to violators. If you cross a solid line, expect a fine in the mail.
This system has been gradually rolled out over the last two years and is now active on all of Colorado’s tolled Express Lanes — which includes the I-70 mountain corridor (Idaho Springs to Empire), C-470 (Wadsworth to I-25), north I-25 (downtown Denver to E-470), Central 70 (I-25 to Chambers), I-25 South Gap (Castle Rock to Monument), and US 36 (Federal to Table Mesa). This system is expected to launch on I-25 from Berthoud to Fort Collins later this spring.
A few quick, general safety reminders for winter driving: give yourself extra following distance (especially when conditions change fast), keep speeds reasonable for the road surface (not just the posted limit), and make smooth, predictable lane changes. In the mountains, “predictable” is a safety feature.
What are the Express Lanes rules?
This enforcement focuses on a critical safety rule in the Express Lanes: entering and exiting the lanes outside designated areas, a.k.a., weaving over solid lines. That solid line isn’t just a suggestion — it’s there for a reason. Traffic in the Express Lane often flows freely past stalled traffic in the general-purpose lanes, so when a driver suddenly cuts across the solid line and into the Express Lane, it catches other drivers off guard and forces them to slam on their brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Drivers should only enter or exit the Express Lane in designated areas where there’s a dashed line. This rule is in place to keep all motorists and emergency responders safe and keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible.
Another helpful safety habit: plan your entry and exit a little earlier than you think you need to. Last-second moves are where problems start—especially when visibility is low, pavement is slick, or traffic speeds differ lane to lane.
Rules specific to the I-70 mountain Express Lanes (Idaho Springs to Empire)
There are two other rules that apply only to the I-70 mountain Express Lanes:
● Drivers cannot use the I-70 mountain Express Lanes when they are closed – the lanes operate as an emergency shoulder for disabled vehicles or first responders when they are not operating.
● No oversized vehicles that have more than two axles or are longer than 25 feet are allowed in the I-70 mountain Express Lanes – these lanes are narrower than typical highway lanes and are therefore unsafe for oversized vehicles.
The I-70 mountain Express Lanes are technically “peak period shoulder lanes,” meaning they are narrower than typical highway lanes and cannot accommodate oversized vehicles such as semitrucks, RVs and vehicles pulling trailers. Due to federal regulations, they can only be open for a certain number of days per year and operate as emergency shoulders when they are closed. Driving in the lanes when they’re closed is extremely dangerous as violators could crash into a disabled vehicle, an emergency responder or a maintenance vehicle using the lane as a shoulder during this time.
One more winter-specific note: if you see emergency lights, slowed traffic, or a vehicle stopped on the shoulder, give responders space and stay alert for sudden merges or speed changes—conditions can shift quickly in the corridor.
To stay in the know about unexpected Mountain Express Lane closures, delays or flex day openings, sign up for the Mountain Express Lane text alert system by texting “xpresslanes” to 21000.
What does it mean when there’s a dashed line on one side and a solid line on the other?
If you’ve ever driven next to an Express Lane, you might have noticed that sometimes the lane markings are dashed on one side and solid on the other. So, what does that mean?
A dashed line on the side closest to you means you can cross. A solid line on the side closest to you means you can’t cross.
Cross where it’s allowed, and everyone gets where they’re going smoothly and safely.
What’s the penalty?
Drivers who violate any of these rules will receive a $75 mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner. If it’s not paid within 20 days, the fine goes up to $150. Fines can be paid online at ExpressLaneSafety.com or by calling (800) 450-5167 with your license plate or notice number.
Visit ColoradoExpressLanes.com to learn more.
Mountain Cheers, Take Two
If one of skiing and riding’s biggest draws is its inherent sense of community, there’s no better way to further the power of coming together than raising a collective glass after the lifts close. That could be a cold beer, a Dram sparkling water, or a craft cocktail. What’s in the glass hardly matters, what’s memorable is being together on the slopes and celebrating the conquests.
Of course, the key to après lies in its very definition: “after.” Imbibing after putting your skis or board up for the day still allows you to be in compliance with #9 of the Your Responsibility Code: “Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.” In addition, you’ll still want to be mindful of the altitude and getting home safely.
In this series we’re exploring the many ways one can après, and here, we’re looking at festivities that are what we consider a medium splurge—they offer big fun without a big financial dent.
We can only guess, but we think après has been a thing at Winter Park’s Mary Jane for a looooong time—since 1976 to be exact! Which is why WP is throwing MJ a 50th birthday bash all season long with live music and food and drink specials every Saturday from 1:30–4:30 p.m. at Club Car. If you’re lucky, you might score some free swag to go along with the refreshments. Bonus: Real die-hards might even spring for a pair of Mary Jane 50th 4Front skis!
One of Steamboat’s most brilliant ideas to date is the Taco Beast. This snowcat-turned-taco-truck (maybe a more apt name would have been the Taco Cat?) roams the mountain 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. dispensing tacos and esquites, plus Mexican beer and sodas. OK, so maybe those aren’t typical après hours, but we won’t tell if you don’t tell! For a true end-of-day celebration, don’t miss Sunset Happy Hours on Thursdays and Sundays from 5-9 p.m. Ride the gondola to Thunderhead Lodge for live music), drinks and apps for purchase, and picture-perfect views of the sun going down over Yampa Valley.
There’s nothing like a DJ spinning tracks to up the fun factor. And that’s exactly the point at Eldora, where you can make laps in the a.m. and jam in the p.m. at the Timbers Tap House on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. There are, of course, drinks and snacks for purchase.
If you haven’t been to Granby Ranch lately (or ever!) put it on your to-do list for a) the skiing and b) the vibe. Make some turns and then head up the Quickdraw Lift to The Outpost, a newly debuted snack hut and deck on the top of East Mountain. There, you can pair your panoramic views with mac and cheese (upgrade to lobster, bacon cheeseburger, buffalo chicken, or chili mac and cheese), cream-stuffed churros, or funnel cake fries. Back at the base, sip on a well-earned signature gin and tonic with bruised rosemary and lemon peel. Bonus: We love how this gem thinks outside of the box and offers craft workshops.
If you think the fare at Purgatory is just staples like chicken tenders and fries, it’s time to take another spin through chef de cuisine John Feely’s on-mountain menus. Of course the ever-popular burgers and tendies are always available, but you can also expect Provençal-style honey-dijon duck wings served with arugula at Backside Bistro, hearty bibimbap rice and gochujang bowls at Dante’s Cafeteria, and bacon burnt ends—available in a rice bowl, sandwich, or mac and cheese bowl—at Powderhouse. It’s enough to make you want to set up a culinary scavenger hunt, ending at Purgy’s Slopeside for its après menu of fried polenta cakes topped with sautéed wild mushrooms and shaved manchego and bite-size tacos with shredded brisket, pickled red onions, Cotija cheese, and cilantro-lime crema.
Powderhorn was built for families and so, you could say, is its après scene. Low on pretense but big on vibe, check out Sunset Grill for pints of beer and end-of-the-day cheese curds. Also, major props to the resort for its Tiny Home Village at the base. Rent one of the six available properties for night and après right on your mini front porch or at the shared fire pit.
The thing about sweet little Sunlight is that it reminds you of the way skiing should be—fun, low-key, and accessible. Whether you’re crushing a sammie on the sunny slopeside deck or riding Segundo to the Cassanova Glades (more snow please!), there’s something uniquely homey about this place. New this season is an extended après with twilight skiing until 6:30 p.m. on March 13, 20, and 27. There will be live music and, of course, Todd’s Tavern will be slinging drinks.
You can’t count yourself a fan of Echo Mountain if you don’t also count yourself a fan of The Cafe’s waffle fries. Hot, crispy, waffly, salty perfection—they are the way to fuel up at this tiny resort. (Some would say it’s worth the 30-ish minute drive from Denver just for the snack, especially if you order them loaded.) Bonus: Get yourself up to Echo on Valentine’s Day for chairlift speed dating and drink specials. If all goes well on the lift, you might be sharing those fries!
February at Colorado Ski Resorts: Events, Après, and Midseason Ski Days
February arrives with a familiar rhythm in Colorado Ski Country USA. By now, the season feels settled in. Favorite runs have been rediscovered, layers are dialed, and the mountains feel less like a destination and more like a second home. It’s the heart of winter, and it invites you to slow down and savor it… linger on a sunny deck, take one more lap, or stay a little later for après.
February is also a month built around connection. On the slopes, that can look like skiing side by side, striking up a conversation on a chairlift, or realizing you’ve taken three runs in a row with someone you just met. Whether you’re flirting, friending, or forever-ing, there’s a chairlift with your name on it this February.
Love Is in the Lift Line
On February 14, several resorts are leaning into the social side of skiing and riding. At Echo Mountain, Chairlift Speed Dating brings a playful structure to night skiing, creating space to meet new people between runs. At Sunlight Mountain Resort, Palentine’s Day Chair Speed Friending focuses on connection and community, welcoming anyone looking to expand their ski circle. And at Loveland Ski Area, the 35th Annual Mountaintop Matrimony continues a long-standing Valentine’s tradition, with couples exchanging vows high in the Rockies.
Each event reflects a different side of February on the slopes, from playful to communal to deeply meaningful, and all of them tap into what skiing and riding already do well: bringing people together.
February, in Full Swing
Valentine’s Day is part of the February calendar, but at Colorado Ski Country USA resorts, the month is shaped just as much by long-running traditions and community.
On February 13, Arapahoe Basin hosts VNTRbirds Galentine’s Day, creating space for friendship, laps, and après with a like-minded crew.
Mid-month brings a mix of celebration and reflection. Snowmass hosts its Mardi Gras celebration on February 17, while Ski Cooper honors mountain history and service during the Rucksack Challenge on February 18 and 10th Mountain Day on February 27, both paying tribute to the legacy of the 10th Mountain Division.
Later in the month, energy stays high with Copper Subaru Winterfest at Copper Mountain (February 20–22), the kickoff of the Rail Rodeo Series at Granby Ranch on February 21, and the start of Telluride Gay Ski Week at Telluride Ski Resort (February 28–March 7), one of the longest-running LGBTQ+ ski weeks in the country.
Après, Naturally
Après starts when skis come off, gloves get stuffed into pockets, and someone asks what everyone’s doing next. Plans are loose. Groups overlap. A quick stop turns into something longer. It’s where the day has space to breathe, and where connections that started on snow have time to take shape.
If you’re looking for ideas, we’ve rounded up a variety that keep things easy and social, from budget-friendly après spots to mid-range options that are comfortable without feeling overdone. Both are built around the same idea: good food, good company, and no rush to head out the door.
A Valentine’s Gift That Gets Used
If Valentine’s Day gifting is on your mind, ski gear is an easy place to start. It’s something that goes straight into rotation on the mountain and often stays in use for the rest of the season, and for seasons of skiing together to come. Right now, Christy Sports is running a sale, making it a good moment to pick up essentials or replace gear that’s seen a few winters.
Helmets, goggles, gloves, and layers are part of every ski day. They get used, relied on, and folded into the rhythm of the season in a way that lasts well beyond Valentine’s Day.
The Heart of the Season
February brings people onto the mountain in all kinds of ways. Events put dates on the calendar, ski days stretch a little longer, and time together continues after lifts stop turning. Valentine’s Day falls right in the middle of it, another moment in a month that’s already busy with time on snow.
