by Amanda Faison skier, ski mom, lover of slopeside cuisine
SOMEWHERE IN COLORADO SKI COUNTRY USA – There’s so much more to skiing and riding than just swooshing down the slopes. It’s a lifestyle—the camaraderie in the parking lot and in the lift line, the hoots and hollers heard from the chair on a powder day, the well-earned beer at the end of the day. And, in the middle of all that fun, the need to refuel. For some, that might mean a pocket PB&J eaten between runs, but for many others, the hunt for good eats is just part of the adventure. We’re happy to report that, this winter, there are some big openings and a number of favorites to revisit while you’re out and about.
New & Notable
As of this season, Steamboat’s old gondola building has been replaced by The Range Food & Drink Hall. Constructed as part of the new base along with Skeeter’s Ice Rink, the airy space has gobs of indoor and outdoor seating and four food stalls—Pioneer Pie, Sunshine Bowl, Twister Tacos, and Why Not Sandwich Shop—effectively covering all the major food groups. (On a cold day, we highly recommend the crispy pork belly ramen from Sunshine Bowl.) There’s also a bar on each of the two levels, and the names of the eateries tie into some of Steamboat’s most beloved runs.
The season’s most exciting opening has to be The Aerie at Copper Mountain, which replaced Solitude Station at mid-mountain. Riding up American Eagle, you can’t miss the gorgeous, modern lodge crafted from polished wood and glass. The Aerie cleverly offers two distinct experiences: a food hall with five stalls (don’t miss the furikake fries from the ramen spot), a hot chocolate bar, and grab-and-go on the bottom level, and full-service restaurant up top. Chef Brian Duncan oversees Forage & Feast, which is wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows showing off stunning, 270-degree views of the Gore and Ten Mile ranges. The menu is composed of large plates, shared plates, and salads, and sides. The French dip—called an Italian dip here because of the fantastic addition of house-pickled giardiniera—is sure to satisfy even the hungriest of guests. (You can eat at the bar or in the restaurant itself, in either case, sip on a Mountain Mist, the Aerie’s gussied-up version of a gin and tonic.) The restaurant also offers special-occasion dinners, where guests ride up American Eagle, enjoy a multi-course meal paired with wine and live music, and then depart by gondola under the stars.
Also new this season, Winter Park has launched four Outposts, each with a different menu, around the mountain. The idea is ski-specific food that’s easy to grab and perfect for refueling. Look for quesadillas at The Olympia Outpost (bottom of the Olympia lift), grilled cheeses at the Wild Spur Outpost (top of the new Wild Spur Express), cheese steaks at Mary Jane Outpost (near the Super Gauge lift at the base of Mary Jane), and taquitos at the Lunch Rock Outpost (outside the Lunch Rock day lodge). Take your pick, grab some napkins, and be on your way. Also, after crushing bumps on Saturdays, swoop into Mary Jane Café for après from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Grab a beer and $4 tacos before either heading up for another couple of runs or calling it for the day. Savvy Skier tip: if you find après at the Sunspot a little too bustling, this kicked-back vibe might be just your style.
Trucks ’n Huts
There’s something inherently thrilling about sidling up to the window of a food truck or the counter of a food hut. The undercurrent is that good things await, and that’s certainly the case at these slopeside spots.
The Pow Pow Donuts truck at Winter Park’s base proves that the lure of a good donut extends well beyond the breakfast hour. Hop in line (better yet, order on your phone while riding up the chair) for a half bag or full bag of mini treats topped in a variety of ways. Plain, cinnamon sugar, and powdered sugar are classic, but you can up the ante by adding frosting, sprinkles, and even toppings like M&Ms, crushed Oreos, or Andes Mints. And what’s the other half of a perfect donut order? Coffee (or hot chocolate), of course!
As they say at Monarch Mountain, if your pocket is big enough, you can buy a burrito for later. If not, order at Flyby Burritos’ window, choose your vehicle (burrito or bowl), filling (steak to peppers and onions), salsa, and add-ons (guacamole, sour cream, etc.) and find a seat on the deck of the main lodge. If it’s been a particularly awesome day of shredding, celebrate with a shotski from Elmo’s Bar.
If it’s a bluebird day and you’re skiing Steamboat’s Sunshine Peak, be on the lookout for the Taco Beast idling outside of Rendezvous Lodge. This is no ordinary food truck; it’s a taco truck built onto the back of a snowcat. Choose from four kinds of tacos, but don’t miss the side of Mexican street corn, plus Mexican sodas and cerveza.
Across town at Howelsen Hill, those in the know clip in for lunch laps. Take a few midday turns and grab a bite to eat at the adorable and historic Outrun Snack Bar. Whether you’re fueling up with a quick snack between runs or making the most of an afternoon break, it’s the perfect way to enjoy the mountain and a meal.
The Sundance Chili Hut at the top of Winter Park’s Wild Spur lift is so beloved that we have a friend whose daughter once penned an ode to it for a school paper. The kiddo wrote that if she won the lottery she would buy it and extend the hours so it was open snow or shine. Just what instills such a deep-seated love? The hut itself is adorable, but the real draw is, of course, the cozy bowls of chili—white, beef, or veggie—topped with mountains of melted cheese.
We have to applaud GR Eats, the food truck at Granby Ranch (at the base of Quick Draw Express), for its small but mighty menu. There are tacos, yes, but there are also loaded brisket barbacoa fries with chipotle ranch; mac and cheese bites with smoked gouda and bacon; and crispy taquitos with Hatch chile. And leave room for dessert: just-baked chocolate-chip cookies, Bavarian cream-filled churros, and funnel cake.
Flyer’s, which sits at the top of Copper Mountain’s American Flyer lift has something of a cult following. Its selling point: elk cheddar-jalapeño brats and hot soups, all serviced by a small, stocked bar. There’s nothing fancy about it, but the ski-in, ski-out location and quick turnaround renders it a favorite.
Never enough nachos is a ski day mantra—and thanks to Thunderbird Taco Truck at Powderhorn, the craving is answered. Each standard order includes a mound of tortilla chips layered with queso, and you can add on from there. Choose from ground beef, chicken, pulled pork, or jackfruit, plus guac, sour cream, and salsa. For non-nacho eaters, there are also tacos (one order includes three), burritos, and quesadillas.
Bradley’s, which is housed in a refurbished shipping container at the base of Winter Park, is half truck and half hut. The spot dishes up all things chicken, including super crispy chicken tenders, chicken skewers, and a fried chicken sammy. There’s also a salad and a hummus and veggie wrap.
dining Eats Food & Beverage
CSCUSA Visits Ski Noir 5280
DENVER, CO – Ever wonder what happens to all that rental gear when it’s time to be replaced? For one Colorado Ski Country USA ski area, all those rental skis, snowboards, boots, and other gear are paving the way for a diverse group of skiers and riders to enjoy the slopes. Last season, Eldora donated its entire ski and snowboard rental fleet to Ski Noir 5280, a club of diverse snowsports enthusiasts who love to share the winter sports experience through regular ski and snowboard trips. Ski Noir 5280 is a part of the National Brotherhood of Snowsports, a group dedicated to diversifying winter sports through competition and recreation.
Colorado Ski Country USA recently had the pleasure of taking a tour of the Ski Noir 5280 gear locker in Denver. The community center features a large room laid out for fitting lots of people with the right gear quickly, along with storage areas for skis, poles, snowboards, boots, and even ski pants and jackets in all different sizes and colors. President Quincy Shannon led the tour through several enviably organized rooms while sharing his vision of welcoming more people of color to skiing and snowboarding.
Community Building Inclusion
It’s Coming Down at Loveland
GEORGETOWN, CO – Loveland Ski Area is getting hammered, and skiers and snowboarders are loving it. It shows no sign of stopping, so for the love of Mike*, get thee to the slopes!
* Mike’s got a Gems Discount Card, and right now he’s knee deep in powder somewhere in Colorado Ski Country USA. Be like Mike, and get on out there!
fresh snow Loveland Loveland Ski Area Powder
Roll the ‘Dozer, Tiny Snowplow
Echo Mountain‘s new snowstake features the world’s cutest snowplow. We don’t know whose idea this was, but helmets off to ya, you genius, you!
Video courtesy of Echo Mountain
Echo Mountain Snowstake Camera
Hop On the Bus, Gus!
Snowstang Gallops Into a New Season
Saddle up, savvy skiers: Snowstang, Denver’s city-to-slopes bus service, starts running on Saturday, December 16!
Snowstang has Denver Metro Area stops at Denver Union Station, Federal Center Station, and Wooly Mammoth Park & Ride. Hop on board for service to the following CSCUSA member ski areas:
Steamboat Springs (service leaves Saturday and returns Sunday)
Round-trip tickets are $25 for A-Basin, Copper, and Loveland. Steamboat round-trip tickets are $40.
Tickets are now live, and individuals who use the promo code LAUNCH23 now through the end of the year will receive 25% off their tickets; purchasers must buy tickets and travel by December 31.
Photo courtesy of the Colorado Department of Transportation
Bus Service Snowstang Sustainability
For He’s a Jolly Good Skier
‘Tis the ski-son, savvy skiers!
This month, catch a run with the Big Man—or the Mrs., who is, this author happens to know, the better skier—and then catch fireworks or free cookies or a cuppa hot chocolate, and let the spirit of the season lift you like a snowflake on the breeze.
Click below to find out where the winter holiday happs are happening around Colorado Ski Country USA.
GEORGETOWN, COLORADO – Mother Nature dropped 11 inches of snow over the pre-Halloween weekend at Loveland Ski Area. Temperatures were in the single digits, and the ski area’s snowmakers were hard at work around the clock starting on Friday.
All the snowguns have been relocated from the top of Chet’s Dream and Catwalk to the bottom section of Mambo and Homerun. The Loveland Trail Maintenance crew has been moving the snow around in the snowcats, and the Loveland snowmaking team will cover the opening day run from tree-to-tree with an 18-inch base.
With an anticipated opening date in the next 1–2 weeks, Loveland Ski Area is planning for a full top-to-bottom run made up of the trails Catwalk, Mambo, and Home Run, comprising 1,000 vertical feet and over a mile in length.
For the latest updates on the snowmaking progress and opening day announcements, visit skiloveland.com/snowmaking.
Behind the Snow Loveland Loveland Ski Area Pre-season Press Releases snowmaking
The Righteous Gems Slopes
Cash In On a Gold Mine of Skiing & Riding at the Gems
Colorado is home to a handful of Bucket List resorts. You probably know them by name: Aspen. Snowmass. Steamboat. Telluride. They’ve earned their fame for a reason, and those reasons are sound and borne out by the experience you’ll undoubtedly have should you visit these storied ski areas (and we recommend that you do!).
But here in the great, glorious state of Colorado, in this state where snow falls so light and dry it’s been compared to champagne, where you can see it rainin’ fire in the sky, the Bucket List resorts are not your only option. If you want powder without the pretense, lifts without liftlines, and ticket prices that leave you with plenty of Pueblo-chile-and-fries money, look no further than our Gems.
You might not find them in your typical guidebook, but you will find them to be as quintessentially Colorado as, well… a bowl of Pueblo chile and a side of fries.
And you can ski or ride all of them with our Gems passes and cards.
Have Gems Discount Card (or Gems Teen or Parent Pass), Will Travel.
With the addition of our newest jewel Purgatory, the CSCUSA Gems now total eleven. And your Gems Discount Card (or your Gems Teen or Parent Passes) will get you on the slopes (quite affordably, if we do say so ourselves) of the most laid-back, most bona fide, most legit local ski areas in the state.
Let’s take a tour, shall we?
Arapahoe Basin is a crowd favorite for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it boasts one of the longest ski seasons of any mountain in Colorado and, in really good years, in all of North America. Tucked away just over Loveland Pass and perched on the Continental Divide, Arapahoe Basin gets snow, snow, and more snow—hence, a storied history as the Opening Day headliner season after season. There’s terrain aplenty for everyone, no matter your skill level, but A-Basin is especially known for an abundance of moguls, steep and deeps, chutes, and tree runs.
Ski Cooper is the very definition of authentic Colorado skiing. It’s fun, friendly, and perfect for families. With the softest snow surface in the state and terrain for all abilities, from learning-to-ski on up to pushing-personal-limits, Cooper has a little something for everyone. What doesn’t Cooper have? Lift lines, high prices, and hordes of tourists, just to name a few. Plus, their outstanding ski and ride school will get you going or tweak your skills, if you’re looking to jump to the next level.
If live in Denver and you want to sneak in a weekday of skiing (Go on! We won’t tell your boss.), Echo is your mountain. Located less than an hour from the city and off the beaten-down-by-traffic path of I-70, Echo’s claims to fame include proximity, affordability, and hospitality, plus beautiful views of the Continental Divide. Want to ski after dark? You can do that five nights a week at Echo. Feeling the need for speed? Echo’s quick tubes are about as close as you can get to bobsledding, if you prefer to go downhill on your derrière. Want to try something new, make mistakes, and have some fun? We recommend [cups hand to ear] Echooooo–Echooooo-Echooooo!
Just 45 minutes west of Boulder in Nederland, Eldora is CU Boulder’s backyard mountain. Spanish majors will know that “Eldora” means gilded one, and if there’s not gold in them thar hills, there’s certainly lots of snow. Little Hawk Mountainside is the perfect place for beginners to get started, and Challenge Mountain is, well… a challenge, even for expert skiers and riders. Eldora is the only ski resort served by RTD, Colorado’s largest public transportation system, and that, combined with the ski area’s commitment to doing all they can to both protect the environment and support the surrounding community, make Eldora a real treasure.
Granby Ranch is a family-owned ski resort designed and operated with families in mind. Laid out across two mountains, East and West, this Gem of a ski area offers terrain of all types and tiers. Granby’s East side is designed for beginner and intermediate skiers, while the West side’s vibe is a little more wild, wild, er… West. Whichever direction you go—West, young man, or East-bound and down—all trails lead back to the base. (And if you’re anything like this directionally-challenged reporter, you know that means you can’t get lost.)
Named for the exceedingly handsome Greek god of the evening star, Hesperus ski area is, like its namesake, a gorgeous chunk of rock in the southwest corner of Colorado, from which are carved a total of two baker’s dozens, crowd-free runs. Hesperus (the god, not the mountain) would be pleased to note that a good part of Hesperus (the mountain, not the god) is lighted for night skiing, and there’s a tubing hill for kids. With a full fleet of rental equipment and a sweet ski school, you couldn’t find a more fitting place to visit if you’re learning to carve turns. Bonus points if you already knew that Hesperus is home to the only all-volunteer ski patrol in the state of Colorado. *NOTE: Hesperus has announced that they are regretfully and officially closed for the 2024–25 season. We look forward to their return next season. Get well soon, Hespie!
Family owned and operated for nearly 60 years and a locals’ favorite for as long as anyone can remember, Loveland, located just before the Eisenhower tunnel on I-70, wraps around the interstate and is proof that somebody up there loves Coloradans. How else to explain the winter wonderland that is Loveland. Just starting out? Look to Loveland Valley, a stand-alone area designed for beginners, complete with its own lifts and gentle slopes. Looking for thrills and chills? Look no further than Loveland Basin, which offers bowl skiing, a terrain park, and acres and acres of pristine snow that’ll have you head over heels—metaphorically speaking, that is. You don’t fall, my friend.
Situated 20 miles west of Salida on U.S. Highway 50, Monarch sits majestically atop the Continental Divide and offers a king’s ransom of terrain. [Editor’s note: watch for falling puns.] There’s 130 acres of extreme, double-black-diamond skiing in Mirkwood Canyon; Tilt and Steel City, two terrain parks for beginners and advanced riders respectively; uphill access; and cat skiing with access to wide open bowls, steep chutes, beautiful glades, and tree skiing galore. In short, we recommend that you give yourself the royal treatment with a visit to Monarch Mountain.
Looking for a family-friendly ski area in the western part of the state? Allow this reporter to toot Powderhorn‘s, um… horn. [Editor’s note #2: we can’t make her stop; we’ve tried.] Sitting alongside the northern edge of Colorado’s Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flattop mountain, Powderhorn offers breathtaking 360-degree views and over 1,600 acres of mountain terrain. Powderhorn is justifiably proud of its groomed runs, but if your tastes run to the more wild and wooly, there are bumps and trees for the ambitious skier or rider.
This reporter is thrilled to report that she’s found a copywriter punnier than herself: our newest Gem Purgatory is, by their own reckoning, Closer to Heaven and Fun as Hell, and honestly, said reporter is a little miffed she can’t claim authorship for that doozy. Lexical lyricism aside, there’s nothing infernal about the hella great resort in Colorado’s southwest corner. With a blend of steep tree-skiing trails, wide-open cruisers with stunning views, and an average of 260 inches of snow annually, Purgatory is a family-friendly, winter wonderland. Need more reasons to go? They’ve expanded their free parking lots and added new equipment—including Burton snowboards—to their rental shop inventory.
Our last-but-not-least Gem is Sunlight Mountain, located above Glenwood Springs, with views of the Elk Mountain Range and Mt. Sopris. Let your little light shine on Sunlight Mountain’s 2,010 vertical-feet and 680 acres of groomers, steeps, and aspen groves. You’ll park for free, walk to the lifts, and never stand in line at Sunlight, making it a delightful destination for you and your ski tribe to experience an exceptional day on the slopes. In light of all that, we hereby give you the green light to ski Sunlight. [Editor’s note #3: sigh]
Colorado Ski Country Colorado Skiing deals family Skiing with Kids
Now In the Starting Gate…
Racing at Copper Mountain Starts In 3-2-1-Go!
COPPER MOUNTAIN, COLORADO – It’s official: on Sunday, October 29, Copper Mountain opened for early season alpine ski race training. Despite the less-than-ideal snowmaking conditions, Mother Nature delivered the goods, and that, combined with a boost from the Copper Mountain Team, meant that athletes were carving up Copperopolis trail on Sunday.
Copper has been preparing its race venues on the upper mountain for the season since snowmaking began on Oct. 2. The Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team is expected to arrive at Copper in November to train on the U.S. Ski Team Speed Center, the only full-length downhill training venue available in the world this time of year. Copper Mountain is the Official Training Center for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard team and is the only resort in Colorado to hold this distinction, offering year-round training opportunities for alpine, snowboard, and freeski athletes.
Copper Mountain will officially open to the public for the 2023–24 winter season on November 13.
To learn more about the season ahead at the Athlete’s Mountain, visit Copper Mountain.
Photo courtesy of Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain Pre-season Press Releases Ski Racing snowmaking
We’re Making Family Skiing More Affordable
Ski More, Spend Less: CSCUSA Passes Give You More Mountains for Your Money
Calling all families who want to ski or snowboard together this season: Colorado Ski Country USA now has passes for teens and parents that work alongside fan-favorite kids’ Ski Passport. The new Gems Teen Pass and Gems Parent Pass are perfect for busy families who love to ski (and ride!) but have other demands on their time during the school season.
“I have high school and middle school students myself, so I know it can be a challenge to fit family ski days in between school, sports, and other activities,” said Sarah Beatty, Director of Communications for CSCUSA. “Our goal is to make skiing and riding more accessible, and our new suite of Gems passes will help get families on the slopes so they can create memories that last a lifetime.”
The new Gems Passes and the Gems Discount Card can be used at 11 CSCUSA Gems ski areas in Colorado: Arapahoe Basin, Cooper, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Granby Ranch, Hesperus, Loveland, Monarch Mountain, Powderhorn, Purgatory, and Sunlight.
choose your discount: BOGO adult lift tickets or 30% off a single adult lift ticket; valid for two (2) redemptions each at Cooper, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Granby Ranch, Hesperus, Loveland, Monarch Mountain, Powderhorn, Purgatory, and Sunlight
Plus, $79 midweek adult ticket (Tuesday–Thursday) or $99 weekend adult ticket (Friday–Monday); valid for two redemptions at Arapahoe Basin
And, thanks to our presenting sponsor Christy Sports, Ski Passport holders also get two free daily junior rental packages with each Ski Passport.
All Gems products and our kids’ Ski Passport share the same blackout dates: December 25, 2023–January 1, 2024; January 13–14, 2024; and February 17–18, 2024.
Want unlimited, unrestricted access to 20 of Colorado’s world-class mountains, all season long?
Consider our Gold Pass. With unlimited, unrestricted access to 20 of Colorado’s world-class mountains, all winter long, the Gold Pass is your ticket to ride (and ski!) in Colorado Ski Country USA. And it’s fully transferable with no blackout dates, so you can go where the season takes you.
Colorado Ski Country Colorado Skiing deals family Skiing with Kids
