Let me start by saying that this is not an article about whether or not there are quality ski resorts in Colorado. Because there certainly are some very good ski resorts in Colorado. The question I am examining is whether Colorado ski resorts get more press or hype than they deserve. I will also be looking at this question based on what these resorts offer skiing wise as opposed to how nice the hotels and restaurants are.
Colorado gets more skier days than any other state in the nation. Why is it that Colorado gets so many skiers? Let’s look at some factors.
Population
Colorado has a much larger population than other great skiing states such as Wyoming, Montana and Vermont. But if population was the reason for Colorado’s large ski crowds than California would surely hold the title for most skier days for a single state.
Snowfall
Most ski areas in Colorado get between 300″-350″ of snow per season. This is a respectable amount but certainly not enough to make it the powder paradise that various marketing materials would have you believe. 300″ per year is what the best East Coast ski resorts get, and there is a reason people don’t own fat skis on the East Coast. When you start looking at some of the other top ski destinations you start to see where the real powder paradises are. Utah, which can actually back it up when they claim to have ‘The Greatest Snow on Earth,’ is home to Alta which receives over 500″ of snow annually. The West Coast also beats Colorado for annual snowfall. Washington, not generally thought of as a major skiing state, laid claim to the largest snowfall in a single season when Mt Baker got over 1000″ of snow in the 98-99 season.
Terrain
Beginner terrain, groomers and terrain parks can be found anywhere there is enough snow. So let’s skip to an assessment of the cliffs and steeps that set apart the truly elite ski resorts. Colorado has a few resorts known for premier terrain, such as Crested Butte and Aspen, but the most popular resorts in the Summit County area don’t have the same caliber of terrain. And when you compare the Summit County resorts to ski resorts like Squaw Valley, Jackson Hole and Snowbird, which consistently rank as the top resorts for terrain, there isn’t much to compare.
Clearly this is a subjective analysis. So what do you think? Is Colorado overrated or do you think all the people that ski there can’t be wrong?
James Dropler writes about various skiing related topics. See his latest articles about spring skiing and choosing powder skis.
Breckenridge Ski Resort is Open!
|
|
A chairlift taking skiers to the back bowls of Vail ski resort Photo Mugs A chairlift taking skiers to the back bowls of Vail ski resort, Vail, Colorado, United States of America, North America…. |
|
|
A trail marker below the Gore mountains at Vail Ski Resort Photo Mugs A trail marker below the Gore mountains at Vail Ski Resort, Vail, Colorado, United States of America, North America…. |
|
|
Accommodation Photo Mugs Accommodation, Vail Ski Resort, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, United States of America, North America…. |
|
|
Copper Mountain: A Club Med Experience $0.01 … |
|
|
Snow Beast (1977) $7.99 … |
