A sunny but brisk December 29th greets skiers at Sunlight Mountain Resort, where overnight temperatures dipped to a chilly 7°F. Sunlight Mountain Resort is a family-friendly ski destination located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, offering a variety of terrain to suit all skill levels.
Wind
Humidity
Though the current snowpack depth sits at just 8 inches—over 70% below average—hope is on the horizon. A modest 3 inches of snow is forecasted over the next five days, with regional weather predictions calling for up to a foot of fresh powder across parts of Colorado by the weekend. Groomed runs remain skiable, but off-piste and backcountry routes may be thin or closed due to low coverage. Skiers are encouraged to check trail status and adhere to all safety advisories.
Despite the lean snowfall, there’s plenty of buzz on the mountain. Today marks the retirement of Segundo, Colorado’s oldest operating chairlift, after 71 years of service—a historic moment and sentimental sendoff for this beloved relic. The change signals the rise of a new era, as Sunlight's lift upgrade project is officially underway for the 2025-26 season. Additionally, Sunlight has introduced a fee for uphill access this season and has temporarily shut down uphill traffic due to evolving health department guidance. While conditions are variable, the spirit of the mountain is alive and well for those craving fresh air and alpine views.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) shows how much water the snow holds. This is ideal for year-to-year tracking of real snowfall and water resources. Measurements from Mc Clure Pass.
Snowpack depth measures how much snow has accumulated in the area. This is a key indicator of powder quality, trail coverage, and how epic your runs are going to be this season at Sunlight Mountain Resort.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Sunlight Mountain Resort impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
Some of the pertinent mountain ranges and mountain aspects of Sunlight Mountain Resort in Colorado include:
1. The Elk Mountains: Sunlight Mountain Resort is located in the Elk Mountains, a subrange of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. The Elk Mountains are known for their rugged peaks, deep valleys, and abundant wildlife.
2. Sunlight Peak: Sunlight Mountain Resort is named after Sunlight Peak, a prominent peak in the Elk Mountains. Sunlight Peak stands at an elevation of 14,059 feet and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
3. The ski slopes: Sunlight Mountain Resort offers a variety of ski slopes for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. The resort features over 700 acres of skiable terrain, with 67 trails and 2,010 feet of vertical drop.
4. Sunlight Mountain: The main mountain at Sunlight Mountain Resort is Sunlight Mountain, which has an elevation of 9,895 feet. The mountain offers a mix of groomed runs, glades, and steep chutes for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy.
Overall, Sunlight Mountain Resort is known for its diverse terrain, stunning mountain views, and family-friendly atmosphere, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts in Colorado.
The best trails for advanced skiers are the East Ridge and Sun King trails, which offer steep and challenging runs. For beginners, the gentle and wide-open Practice Slope is a great place to start. Interestingly, the resort's name comes from the fact that it receives an average of 300 days of sunshine a year. For some post-skiing fun, the Sunlight Lodge Bed and Breakfast offers a cozy apres ski atmosphere with live music and cocktails.
Night Skiing | No |
Lift Count | 3 Lifts |
Hourly Lift Capacity | 4600 per hour |
Base Elevation | 2403 Meters |
Terrain Park | Yes |
Acreage | 470 Acres |
Established | 1966 |
Run Count | 67 Trails |
Top Elevation | 3016 Meters |
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, sunny, with a high near 35. northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Sunlight Mountain Resort is expected to receive up to 4.0" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
Steamboat Springs and the surrounding northern Colorado mountains are seeing the heaviest snowfall forecasts this week. The Tower SNOTEL site near Steamboat reports a snowpack depth of 48" and an 8" forecast over five days. Dry Lake and Rabbit Ears Pass are also in line for 7–8" of new snow. Close by, Steamboat Resort is expected to benefit most from ... Read more