Colorado is one of the best places in the world to go snowboarding, and there are a bunch of great spots to ride near the city of Denver. Whether you are visiting the area or living here, you won’t be disappointed when snow is on the ground.
I’ve been snowboarding for most of my life, and I love to travel as often as possible in the pursuit of good snow. I’ve had the chance to snowboard in Colorado many times and know through first-hand experience all of the top spots in the state.
This post will highlight all of the best places to snowboard near Denver. I’ll tell you what makes each location special and give you some other helpful information, such as each location’s opening and closing dates.
Let’s get after it.
1. Breckenridge
- Official Website: https://www.breckenridge.com/
- Opening Day: November 10 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 20 (Average)
- Best Known For: Awesome terrain parks, winter events, great terrain
Breckenridge is a top spot to go snowboarding near Denver. This is one of the resorts found in the Summit County region of Colorado, a few hours west of the city. You can land at the airport and be on the slopes on the same day.
Breckenridge is home to some truly world-class terrain, and there is something for every type of snowboarder to enjoy here. From steep bowls and glades to more mellow groomers, you have access to it all and much more.
The terrain parks are also great here, making it a good destination for riders who want to work on their freestyle skills or try something new. The resort and town also host several events throughout the winter that are worth checking out.
Lodging and dining are abundant in the area surrounding the resort and the town of Breckenridge nearby. You can find a lot of condos to rent and some excellent restaurants. It’s not a very affordable location, but it’s worth it if you have the cash.
2. Vail
- Official Website: https://www.vail.com/
- Opening Day: November 15 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 20 (Average)
- Best Known For: Huge amounts of terrain, world-class amenities
If you want a taste of a legendary resort with all the perks you would expect from one of the world’s top snowboarding and skiing destinations, you’ll love Vail. Vail is a little over two hours from Denver but still right off the interstate for easy access.
One of my favorite things about Vail is how huge the mountain is. There is an almost endless amount of area to explore and something for riders of all ability levels. The back bowls are legendary on powder days, and the front side has more beginner terrain.
Vail Village and Lionshead are the two base areas, and here you’ll find great shopping and dining alongside some world-class lodging options. The resort and town also have several different events like music concerts and races throughout the season.
Vail is a world-class destination, and with that comes higher prices on just about everything. This is not a budget resort at all, so you’ll need to have the cash or plan accordingly if you want to make the most out of a trip here.
3. Copper Mountain
- Official Website: https://www.coppercolorado.com/
- Opening Day: November 20 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 21 (Average)
- Best Known For: Easy access, good terrain, family-friendly
Copper Mountain is another fantastic spot to go snowboarding near Denver. This resort is located between Summit County and Vail, giving you plenty of room to explore another snow-packed mountain in Colorado.
Copper Mountain has a lot of fun terrain to explore and is another large mountain with just about everything you can imagine. There are some really fun cruisers on the front side that you can bomb down as fast as you can handle.
If you like freestyle riding, the terrain parks at Copper are solid. This is where some professional snowboarders come to train for the Olympics and X-games, so you know it’s got to have a real deal park. The other terrain on the mountain is incredible as well.
One of the only downsides of Copper Mountain is that this isn’t a real ski town like a lot of other destinations in Colorado. You have some lodging and dining options right at the base, but they are somewhat limited and can fill up quickly.
4. Loveland
- Official Website: https://skiloveland.com/
- Opening Day: October 30 (Average)
- Closing Day: May 5 (Average)
- Best Known For: Close to Denver, long season
Loveland isn’t as well known as some other big-name resorts in Colorado and near Denver, but don’t let that keep you from visiting here. It’s easily accessible and has one of the longest seasons in the state.
Loveland is located right off Interstate 70 and is the closest resort near Denver. If traffic is moving well (which isn’t often), you can get from the city to the slopes in just about an hour. That makes it a great spot for a day trip if you are visiting.
The resort sits right on top of the Continental Divide, allowing for epic powder days when the conditions are right. It has a variety of terrain and a separate section of the mountain dedicated strictly for beginners, which means it’s family-friendly as well.
Loveland isn’t a large resort, so the parking lots and lift lines can get a bit crowded, especially on holidays and weekends. There also isn’t any lodging at the mountain, so you’ll need to venture to Summit County or back to the city if you want a place to stay.
5. Winter Park
- Official Website: https://www.winterparkresort.com/
- Opening Day: November 15 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 15 (Average)
- Best Known For: Family-friendly, great atmosphere
Another excellent snowboarding destination near Denver is Winter Park. This spot is off the I-70 corridor, so you can expect fewer crowds. That also makes it a little bit longer of a drive to reach.
Conditions at Winter Park are excellent nearly all season long, and you can take advantage of a variety of terrain with plenty of coverage. From high alpine glades to front-side groomers.
Winter Park also has a solid terrain park and a great lessons program. So whether you are a beginner or advanced rider, you can improve your skills on your own or with the help of a qualified instructor.
The valley where the resort is located can be one of the coldest areas of the state during the winter. You’ll want to make sure you have all your layers and warm gloves when you come to ride here.
Final Thoughts
You can’t go wrong with snowboarding in Colorado. The state has many amazing places to ride, and all of the options listed here are within a few hour’s drive from Denver. If you get the chance to ride here, you won’t be disappointed.
About Lorraine