Colorado is seeing varied snowfall across its ski areas, with the heaviest accumulations in the northern and central regions. The Never Summer (46"), Rabbit Ears (55"), and Ripple Creek (53") areas lead in snowpack depth, bolstered by 4-5 inches of forecast snowfall over the next five days. Resorts near these stations, like Steamboat and Winter Park, are set to benefit from fresh powder, making them prime destinations for skiing. Hourglass Lake, Lake Irene, and Joe Wright also report strong five-day forecasts of 5 inches, with snow depths exceeding 27". This aligns with nearby areas such as Rocky Mountain National Park, which might see enhanced conditions for backcountry skiing.
In the Front Range, Copeland Lake, University Camp, and Niwot show 6-7 inches of expected snowfall in the next five days, favoring resorts like Eldora. Meanwhile, southern and southwestern regions, including Wolf Creek Summit and Upper Taylor, report minimal snowfall but retain strong snowpack depths of 31-43". Aspen and Vail, while maintaining respectable depths (41-42"), have modest forecasts of 1 inch. Skiers targeting areas with substantial new snowfall should focus on the northern mountains or Front Range, while southern destinations like Telluride and Durango may offer more stable conditions.
Ski Area | Air Temp (F) | Snowfall | Snowpack | vs Avg | SWE | 24hr Forecast | 72hr Forecast | 120hr Forecast |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
33 | 0 | 24 | +42% | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
1 | -1 | 47 | +33% | 10 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
3 | 0 | 14 | +30% | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
-2 | 0 | 41 | +29% | 9 | 0 | 0 | 6 | |
6 | -3 | 55 | +26% | 13 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |
7 | -1 | 18 | +22% | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
6 | 0 | 25 | +21% | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
15 | -1 | 45 | +19% | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
0 | -2 | 39 | +12% | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
0 | -2 | 39 | +12% | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
3 | -1 | 41 | +11% | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
42 | 0 | 0 | +7% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
3 | -1 | 39 | +6% | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
-4 | 0 | 48 | +4% | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
1 | 2 | 32 | +1% | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
1 | 2 | 32 | +1% | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
1 | 2 | 32 | +1% | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
5 | 1 | 32 | 0% | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
-6 | -1 | 31 | -1% | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
-6 | -1 | 31 | -1% | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
10 | 0 | 27 | -2% | 6 | 0 | 0 | 7 | |
3 | 0 | 39 | -6% | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
3 | 0 | 39 | -6% | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
7 | 0 | 29 | -6% | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
4 | -1 | 33 | -14% | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
-5 | 0 | 28 | -16% | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
10 | 0 | 38 | -22% | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
5 | -1 | 20 | -23% | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
4 | 2 | 43 | -25% | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
12 | -1 | 25 | -27% | 7 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |
10 | -1 | 6 | -55% | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Colorado is home to some of the best skiing in the world, with over 25 resorts spread across the Rocky Mountains. Popular resorts include Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Aspen, each offering unique terrain and amenities.
The average snowfall per season in Colorado varies between resorts, but ranges from 300 to 400 inches. The snowpacks typically range from 60 to 90 inches, offering excellent powder skiing. The best month to visit for skiing is typically February or March, when snow conditions are at their peak.
Colorado has a rich ski history, with the first commercial ski resort, Howelsen Hill, opening in Steamboat Springs in 1915. The state hosted the Winter Olympics in 1960 in Squaw Valley, and in 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria, a Colorado native, Billy Kidd, became the first American male to win an Olympic medal in Alpine skiing.
Many of Colorado's ski resorts also have interesting histories. Vail, which opened in 1962, was founded by Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton, both of whom served in the 10th Mountain Division during World War II. Breckenridge, which opened in 1961, was once a mining town and has preserved much of its historic charm. Meanwhile, Aspen has been a popular destination for celebrities and ski enthusiasts since the 1950s.