Colorado Ski Country USA

Press Room

 

Denver, Colo. - Winter 2009-10 - Colorado's location in the middle of the country has always attracted skiers and riders from outside the state to come and play in the majestic Rocky Mountains. Now with new flights offered, transportation-included packages, and other alternative means of getting around the mountains, snow enthusiasts from around the world are quickly charting the easiest way to get here for the 2009-10 ski season.

With 22 resorts throughout the state, Colorado Ski Country USA's (CSCUSA) members cover almost the entire north-south span of Colorado, and stretch from the state's westernmost boundaries eastward over hundreds of miles of mountainous terrain. From Steamboat in the north to Wolf Creek in the south, Colorado Ski Country USA resorts operate in nearly every major Colorado mountain range. Travelers coming from any direction are sure to find a resort to their liking and an easy way to get there.

Because more than half of Colorado's ski areas are located within 35 miles of an airport, and Colorado's eight regional airports offer more than 8.6 million passenger seats annually, getting to Ski Country from anywhere has never been easier.

Here are some of the ways CSCUSA resorts aim to help skiers and riders access world-class Colorado skiing, including alternative transportation and carpool incentives:

Arapahoe Basin
Perched on the Continental Divide in Summit County, Arapahoe Basin's legendary skiing is only a short jaunt from Denver and other Front Range locales. Since A-Basin is usually one of the first resorts to open for skiing in North America, travelers can take advantage of early-season travel discounts to ski at the resort in October or November. Of course, A-Basin's elevation allows it to stay open later than most resorts in the spring, another time when travel and lodging discounts abound. 

By air, winter travelers can access A-Basin after a short ride from either Denver International Airport (DIA) or from Eagle County Regional Airport. The resort is almost equidistant between the two. From those airports, guests most often rent cars, but they can also make their way near the resort and to local lodging via the Colorado Mountain Express shuttle, a hassle-free shuttle service with originations at DIA and the Eagle County airport.  

For out-of-state guests who rent cars and for locals who drive to the mountain, the resort encourages travelers to carpool. Arapahoe Basin will offer a carpool incentive program during the 2009-10 ski season in which guests who arrive with four or more passengers in their vehicle receive a lift ticket discount, even when other passengers in their vehicles have season passes.

A-Basin also works closely with the Summit Stage bus service. The Summit Stage is a free bus service that brings skiers to A-Basin hourly from other Summit County locations.


Aspen/Snowmass
Aspen/Snowmass' four mountains-Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass-are located in the picturesque Roaring Fork Valley. The resorts are accessible from Colorado's major roadways and are served by the most convenient airport in the mountains, Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. Guests can step off the plane and be on the slopes in minutes.

Located just three miles from Aspen and six miles from Snowmass Village, the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport sees approximately 150 direct and connecting flights per week, including many connecting international flights. Delta, United Express, and Frontier airlines all offer direct service into Aspen/Pitkin Country Airport.

Once there, guests wanting to move between town and the mountains can take a free shuttle. For visitors who want to sample the different mountains, Aspen/Snowmass provides a free shuttle between all four mountains regularly during the skiing day, from 8:00am to 4:30pm.

With four or more passengers per car, carpoolers park for free at Aspen Highlands and Snowmass. 

Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain lies on 2,465 acres of naturally divided terrain in Summit County, just 75 miles west of Denver. Those flying into the area can book tickets into either DIA or the Eagle County Airport. During the winter, Eagle County Airport takes flights from five airlines with nonstop connecting flights from 12 cities, and connecting service from cities throughout North America and the world.

By car or bus, Copper is also easy to get to. The resort is just off of I-70, which connects Denver to the adjacent mountain corridor. Drivers have a straight shot from Denver along I-70 to get to Copper. The Summit Stage shuttle also services Copper with free transit from other Summit County locations.

Copper also makes it easy to arrive from DIA via a direct shuttle provided by Grayline, Copper's Official Ground Transportation Provider. There are many benefits to taking Grayline: no need to worry about paying for gas or parking, or driving through snowy weather.  

To follow up on its successful program last season, Copper Mountain is also offering incentives to guests who carpool during the 2009-10 ski season.

Crested Butte
Nestled in the heart of the Elk Mountains, Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) peeks over the charming ski town of Crested Butte. By air, travelers can get to the resort easily by flying into the Gunnison/Crested Butte airport. The airport hosts direct winter flights from a variety of major US cities, such as Dallas, Salt Lake, Atlanta, and Denver.

When traveling by air to Crested Butte, visitors can take advantage of the resort's Friends and Family Fly Free program. The offer is simple: buy two airline tickets and get the third free. The maximum number of tickets per reservation is nine and there is a four-night minimum stay required.

Upon arrival, let someone else do the driving. Crested Butte's transportation network makes for a hassle-free vacation. Alpine Express meets every flight and provides door-to-door shuttle service between the Gunnison/Crested Butte airport and Crested Butte; a short, scenic 30-minute transfer.

Once settled, there's no need for a car; Crested Butte has one of the best ski town shuttle systems around. The Crested Butte Town Shuttle and Crested Butte Mountain Express provide free, convenient transport between Mt. Crested Butte and the historic town throughout the day and into the evening.

Echo Mountain
As Denver's "closest, cheapest, and freshest" resort, Echo Mountain boasts easy access along with a fun attitude. The mountain, which specializes in terrain parks, lies only 35 miles away from downtown Denver on Highway 103. Just past the town of Evergreen and a stone's throw away from other mountain towns, the resort's location and affordability often entice skiers into an impromptu getaway to the resort.

Denver International Airport makes the most sense for travelers wanting to access Echo Mountain by air. Since the resort is so close to Denver, travelers can minimize the cost of gas when traveling by car, either from within Colorado or from the airport.

Eldora
Eldora is the only resort accessible by Denver's public transportation system, RTD. Located only 21 miles from Boulder and 45 miles from Denver, Eldora Mountain Resort is uniquely situated near several of Colorado's main metropolitan areas. By air, travelers can access the resort by flying into DIA and either taking a public transit bus to Boulder, where the connecting RTD Ski-n-Ride bus is available, or renting a car to drive to the resort.

Eldora encourages guests to take advantage of the Ski-n-Ride program. Ski-n-Ride is a public bus service that picks guests up at the Boulder RTD station at 14th Street and Walnut, and drops them off a few steps from Eldora's chairlifts. 

Loveland
Loveland is one of two Colorado ski areas that share a spot on either side of the Continental Divide. Loveland Ski Area is the first ski area along the I-70 corridor coming from Denver, so skiers and riders can drive less and ski more at Loveland. Although near to the highway, the resort resides within the wooded alpine reaches of the Arapahoe National Forest. A favorite for locals, the resort also attracts riders from around the world who are looking for a convenient trip to a Colorado gem. With one of the longest seasons of any resort in the country, drivers to Loveland can take advantage of empty highway lanes in the early and late ski season.

By air, most out-of-state Loveland visitors fly into DIA. From there, renting a car is the easiest way to get to the mountain, although shuttle options are also available. To make a trip by car even easier, Loveland provides free, close-in parking to its guests at both of its parking areas and a free shuttle service to take guests between parking areas and to the lifts.

Monarch Mountain
Monarch is situated along one of the nation's most scenic canyon routes, Highway 50. Drivers on this byway can often see bighorn sheep darting along high canyon walls in the winter months. Monarch is also accessible from Highway 285 coming from Denver and Highway 24 coming from Colorado Springs. Approaching drivers can see Monarch Mountain hulking over the quant mountain town of Salida as they approach from any direction.

By air, Monarch travelers can fly into either Gunnison/Crested Butte or into the Colorado Springs airport. Car rental is the most convenient way for travelers to get around once arriving at either of these airports.

Powderhorn
On the Western edge of the Grand Mesa, just east of Grand Junction on Colorado's Western Slope, Powderhorn is easily accessible by air or ground transportation. Nearby airports in Grand Junction and Montrose allow skiers to fly in and out for a hassle-free ski vacation.

New daily direct flight from Los Angeles to Grand Junction will make getting to Powderhorn simple for West Coast powderhounds too.

Access by car from I-70 is also convenient. In fact, drivers approaching Colorado by car from Western states on I-70 will find Powderhorn to be the first resort they encounter as they enter the state.

Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort
Purgatory is one of four Colorado resorts located in the southwestern corner of the state in the San Juan mountain range.

The closest resort to the Durango/La Plata airport, Purgatory is a cinch to get to by air. Durango airport currently takes daily, direct service from Denver on United and Frontier Airlines and from Phoenix on US Airways. These airlines may consider adding more flights from these locations during the coming ski season, due in part to the past success that the flights have seen carrying skiers and riders to the area. Once guests arrive at the airport, the resort works closely with the City of Durango to provide daily shuttle service from Durango to the mountain.

For those making their way to the resort by car, Purgatory encourages carpooling by offering prime parking to guests who ride together.

Silverton Mountain
One of the four distinct mountains in the Southwest corner of the state, a visit to Silverton Mountain is worth the trip from any direction. Skiers and riders wanting to experience the advanced, natural terrain that Silverton offers can fly to Durango/La Plata airport. Direct flights to this airport, as mentioned above, come from Denver and Phoenix, with a host of other connecting flights entering these major airports from most places around the globe.

For car travelers, the historic Million Dollar Highway (Highway 550) is the most direct way to get to Silverton, and also one of the most breathtaking drives in the country. Old relics from the mining era dot the roadside and vast acres of mountain wilderness are visible in all directions.

Ski Cooper
Located atop Tennessee Pass, just nine miles north of the historic mining town of Leadville, Ski Cooper offers guests a family-friendly atmosphere in a location that's easy to get to.

The resort draws visitors from the surrounding areas, including Front Range and out-of-state guests from Denver and Colorado Springs. Ski Cooper is located just 125 miles from Denver International Airport and 135 miles from Colorado Springs.

Sol Vista Basin
SolVista Basin is just south of the town of Granby and at the footsteps of Colorado's iconic Rocky Mountain National Park.

SolVista guests can fly into one of several surrounding airports, including DIA, Eagle County, and Steamboat Springs/Hayden.

Visitors who drive to the resort can approach on Highway 40 from either Denver (from the South) or Steamboat Springs (from the north). Alternatively, guests who want to take a scenic route to SolVista for fishing, golf, or mountain biking during warmer months can travel on Highway 34 through Rocky Mountain National Park past Lake Granby to arrive at the resort from the North.

Steamboat
Steamboat brushes up against the western edge of Routt National Forest in Northwestern Colorado. Ski Town USA® is easily accessible by nonstop or connecting flights directly into Steamboat or through Denver International Airport.

The Steamboat Springs/Hayden airport will carry nonstop direct flights from nine cities across the US during the 2009-10 winter season, with daily arrivals and departures plus connecting flights providing access across the country and around the world. Four major US carriers-American, Continental, Delta/Northwest and United Airlines-offer offer nonstop jet service from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Houston, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Newark, New York/LaGuardia and Salt Lake City.

Once in town, the city of Steamboat Springs offers free buses between the resort and town. Each bus is equipped for winter travel and ski/board storage. In addition, many lodging properties operate resort shuttle service and the ski area offers complimentary shuttle service from its free Meadows parking lot.


Sunlight
Sunlight Mountain Resort is a picturesque ski resort tucked away at the northern end of the Elk Mountains between Aspen and Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The resort is located a short distance from I-70 by car, more-or-less equidistant between Denver and the Western border of Colorado.

By air, travelers can get closest to Sunlight from the Aspen/Pitkin County airport. The resort is also accessible from major airports at Grand Junction and Denver, which offer flights from most major cities around the country and connecting international flights on a daily basis. 

Glenwood Springs is the home of the largest hot-spring pool in the world, where skiers often soak after a day of riding. Sunlight offers free shuttles to the resort from select hotels in Glenwood Springs as part of its "Ski, Swim, Stay" package. This vacation deal allows guests to combine a night's lodging, admission to the Glenwood Hot Springs, and a day lift ticket at Sunlight for one low price.

Telluride
Telluride Ski Resort is located in southwestern Colorado in the San Juan mountain range. Nearby airports host direct air service from nine major cities across the US and connecting flights to cities around the world. Montrose and Telluride Regional Airports are closest to the resort and allow for scenic drives in to the destination.

For local travel, Telluride boasts what it refers to as the most innovative transportation system in the country, a town-to-town gondola known simply as "The Gondola". This unique cable car transports passengers between the town of Telluride and Mountain Village, a town located mid-mountain at the ski resort. This option not only simplifies travel for guests, but also reduces the number of cars on roads between the two towns.

In addition to this innovative transportation option, Telluride has a local bus system to get people around town and to the resort. All of these buses run on biodiesel fuel.

Winter Park
Located near Denver and Boulder off of Highway 40, Winter Park is accessible by plane, train, and automobile. To make travel arrangements as convenient as possible, Winter Park offers a complete travel service center to help guests plan their travel itinerary and logistics. Winter Park Resort Travel Services can find guests competitive rates on air, rail, and rental cars.

By air, Winter Park travelers most often fly into DIA and then either rent a car or take one of several shuttle options available from the airport to the resort.

Winter Park also is accessible via train. Although the Ski Train to Winter Park is no longer in operation, the resort still boasts being one of few Colorado resorts that can be accessed by rail. Amtrak runs daily winter trips to Fraser that are affordable and arrive early enough in the morning for train riders to get in a full day of skiing.

For guests not wanting to lug their gear, Winter Park allows guests to ship ahead and then pick up their gear when they arrive. With airlines more frequently charging for extra gear, this service allows guests to bypass the hassle of checking equipment at the airport.

Wolf Creek
Wolf Creek is located in southwestern Colorado, at the top of Wolf Creek Pass on Highway 160. Its proximity to Pagosa Springs and Durango (not to mention its claim to fame as the snowiest Colorado resort) make it a desirable destination for many winter travelers.

By air, Wolf Creek skiers can take advantage of Frontier and United Airlines flights to Durango airport. In addition to Durango flights, travelers can also access Wolf Creek from Alamosa's airport, with flights offered by Great Lakes Aviation daily.

For ground travelers, Wolf Creek has taken its carpooling commitment to the next level. The resort offers a carpooling match-up service over the internet called "Share the Ride, Share the Fun." The program is designed to connect drivers with people who need rides. Riders share the cost of fuel with drivers who are heading to the slopes. The service saves carpoolers on fuel, emissions and time spent in traffic.

Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) is the not-for-profit trade association representing Colorado's 22 ski & snowboard resorts. CSCUSA is the global voice of the Colorado ski industry. The Association's primary functions are concentrated in marketing, public policy and public relations. Information about CSCUSA and its members can be found at www.ColoradoSki.com, on Twitter @ColoradoSkiUSA and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ColoradoSkiCountryUSA. This release and other press information can be found in the online press room at http://media-ColoradoSki.com.