Colorado is known as one of the best places in the world for winter sports.
The US state is home to the Rocky Mountains and has over 30 different resorts inside its borders. This means there are plenty of options to snowboard if you live in the area or are planning to visit.
If you want to take advantage of some of the best snow in the world, this article has some of the best places to snowboard in Colorado.
My name is Lorraine, and I’m a certified snowboard instructor. I’ve been to a lot of places snowboarding. My analysis will help you learn the differences between each region and help you decide which one is best for you.
1. Keystone
Among all of the great options to ride in Colorado, Keystone is one of the best.
With 20 different lifts and over 3,000 rideable acres, this resort has plenty of varying terrains to satisfy snowboarders of all abilities.
Keystone is a family-friendly resort, but it is also home to some technical and challenging runs.
That’s enough to keep advanced riders occupied as well. It also offers night skiing and snowboarding, making it one of the only places in the state to do so.
Keystone makes it to the top of the list for its great snow and different types of terrain.
However, it also earns top honors because it sees fewer crowds than other popular resorts. Keystone isn’t really a town, which means there aren’t as many people staying or living in the area.
That then cuts down on visitors and means you’ll be able to catch more runs than you would at other resorts.
The mountain is also home to one of the best terrain parks in the state and hosts a variety of competitions over the course of the season.
The A51 terrain park is over 60-acres and has some of the best and most unique features you’ll find anywhere in the world.
The park even has its own chairlift, which makes it easy to spin laps and get big airs all day long.
2. Breckenridge
Breckenridge is another world-class Colorado resort. It is a fun, diverse mountain to ride and offers everything from hike-to powder to wide-open groomers to tree runs.
This mountain is a favorite among locals. I won’t reveal any secrets here, but just know there are some runs that hold fresh snow on even the most crowded days.
Breck has almost 3,000 acres of rideable terrain and the highest elevation you can access is nearly 13,000 feet. That can make for some challenging weather conditions, but it almost always delivers quality snow and great conditions.
The hike-to terrain is best suited for advanced riders, but there are plenty of runs for those who are just learning as well.
The resort’s 34 lifts give you access to 187 different marked trails, but with all of the trees and steeps on top of that, you can ride all season long and never get bored.
Breck also has four different terrain parks and hosts a variety of competitions and events each season. The 18-foot halfpipe is a must for park rats while the chutes between Peak 7 and Peak 6 are a must on a powder day.
3. Aspen/Snowmass
Another one of the best places to snowboard in Colorado is Aspen/Snowmass.
The Aspen area is well-known for catering to the rich and famous, but there’s a reason the region is so popular with some of the world’s elite: the snow and mountains that surround the town.
Aspen/Snow mass is made up of four different mountains that you can snowboard at – Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk.
These mountains combine to offer over 5,500 rideable acres and 41 lifts. That’s enough terrain to keep you occupied for several seasons.
Snowmass and Aspen Mountain are probably the best places to snowboard.
Snowmass has the most beginner-friendly terrain, but it also offers advanced options that are great for the family.
Aspen Mountain is also called Ajax by the locals and it can be accessed right from downtown Aspen.
Aspen Highlands is my personal favorite mountain. It’s smaller and best left to advanced riders, but offers some of the most fun and technical terrain you will find in-bounds anywhere in the world.
Hiking up to the top of Highlands Bowl is a must if you love steep-and-deep conditions. If you catch Highlands on a powder day, you’ll never want to leave.
Aspen hosts the Winter X-Games nearly every season and this is a great time to visit if you want to see some of the best snowboarders in the world perform in competitions at the highest level.
It can definitely get crowded during the event, but if you love the night-life and want to have a great time, it’s worth checking out.
4. Vail
Vail is another resort at the top of the list of the best places to snowboard in Colorado.
This mountain is huge and offers something for everyone. There are over 5,000 rideable acres scattered across the main resort area and legendary back bowls. The longest run is 4 miles long and the mountain averages 354 inches of snow a year.
Vail is a world-class resort destination with a lot to offer.
Some people say that Vail isn’t a great mountain for boarders due to the many catwalks and traverses that you have to navigate to get around. Even though you’ll have to work for turns sometimes, it’s well worth it.
The front side of the mountain is great for beginners while the back offers diverse terrain options including open bowls, trees, and everything in between. The terrain park is also great and easy to access.
Vail is one of the most expensive resorts in the state and it can get crowded on weekends and holidays.
Even so, its popularity is well deserved due to the vast area you can play around in as well as its proximity to an international airport that sits only a few hours away.
In addition to all of the great options on-snow, Vail also has excellent dining, accommodations, and nightlife.
Read More:
- 3 Best Places to Snowboard in Utah
- 4 Best Places to Snowboard in California
- 3 Best Places to Snowboard in the US
- 5 Best Snowboarding Mountains
Final Worlds
Colorado is a top snowboarding destination, and for good reason. There are many great resorts to choose from and there’s always a lot of snow in the winter.
I would recommend visiting as many resorts as you can following this map to decide for yourself which one is the best, but the options listed here will surely keep you satisfied. You truly can’t go wrong with any of the above locations.
About Lorraine