Dreaming of a trip to the mountains in Colorado this year? You’re going to absolutely love it! Colorado is a winter wonderland, and one of the best places in the world to ski. I’ve done many ski trips to Colorado, including staying for a whole season, and I want to share everything you need to know before you go.
Winter in Colorado is a bit different than most other places, so you want to make sure you’re prepared before you hit the slopes.
These skiing in Colorado tips will help you stay safe, warm, and actually enjoy your time at high elevation without spending the first few days out of breath.
Arriving in Colorado
If you’re flying into Colorado, then I would recommend flying into Denver International Airport. Make sure you check out flight prices on Avia Sales if you want the best rates.
Haven’t decided where you want to spend your trip in Colorado yet? You can read here about which Epic Pass Resort you should visit in Colorado for tips on which one would suit you best.
Get ready for the altitude
The first thing that always sneaks up on visitors is the altitude. Denver sits around 5,280 feet, but Breckenridge is almost 9,600 feet in the town and gets as high as 13,000 feet at the summit. That resort has the highest lift in North America, so prepare accordingly!
Vail is a bit lower, but still towers at around 11,500 feet at its highest point.
If you’re coming from sea level, don’t forget that most people descend a few thousand feet a day, so take it slow. Spend a night or two in Denver before heading to the mountains, and once you arrive at altitude, hydration needs to be your top priority.
Although it’s not exactly fun, try to avoid alcohol and smoking for the first couple of days… or at least the first 24 hours. If you start to feel lightheaded, dizzy, or nauseous, drop down to a lower elevation and rest.
Alkaline water doesn’t make much of a difference (in my opinion!), the bigger focus is on quantity of water, so stay hydrated.
Colorado driving and road conditions
Driving through the mountains in winter can be both gorgeous and terrifying. The weather is super inconsistent, changes quickly, and is usually completely different in Denver than the highway to the resorts.
Always check CoTrip.org before you head out. If you’re driving along I-70, make sure your car has snow tires or chains, because you can get fined if you don’t have the right equipment… even if the roads look okay to you.
I always recommend packing some winter essentials in your car, like blankets, snacks, a flashlight, cardboard for traction, and even a small bag of kitty litter to help if your tires get stuck.
If driving in snow makes you nervous (totally fair!), consider booking a shuttle from the airport or Denver to your ski town. Many places offer reliable transfer services, and some towns like Breckenridge even have free bus systems that make it easy to get around once you’re there.
Dress in layers and be prepared
The weather in the Rockies is all over the place. You might start the day in bright sunshine and end it in a blizzard. The best way to hack it is by dressing in layers.
I’d recommend starting with a moisture-wicking base like this one (pictured), then add an insulating layer like fleece, and finish with a waterproof outer shell like this one that’s warm enough but isn’t too heavy.
Don’t forget sunscreen either. I’ve gotten quite a few intense sunburns from making this mistake, even for cloudy days. The sun at high altitude is much more powerful and reflects right off the snow. I swear by Supergoop! sunscreen because it feels super light and a little bit goes a long way.
For more tips on how to stay comfortable and what to pack for the mountains, I wrote up a full list on what to bring to Colorado that you should check out before your trip.
