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    Sunlight Mountain Resort

    4.4 (72 reviews)

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    I took beginner group- lessons at Sunlight today. Rick is the most amazing ski instructor among everyone, I'm giving 5 stars bc of him. I thought I would never ski but he made me do it just in 2-3hrs. I saw that some instructors were giving up on me when I was there, but Rick was very patient with me and eventually we did it!! I feel a real sense of achievement! So, if you're here as a first time skier. go for Rick.

    Alex D.

    As good as it gets! Pro tip 1: Come here in the morning to get the best parking and if you are taking the lesson you would have the half of the day to practice on your own. Pro tip 2: Come here with your own ski boots (even as a beginner, hopefully committed to become a pro). That would make the whole world of a difference. Promise. Pro tip 3: Get the lesson if you are a beginner. Really worth it and the price (at the moment of writing) is reasonable. Pro tip 4: Get your own skis if you can. Not nearly as important as getting your own ski boots but I figured my skis were not locking in place as effortlessly as I would have wanted them to. Pro tip 5: Bring your gear: ski pants, waterproof winter gloves, winter jacket (layer down depending on the weather and you), goggles and a winter face mask. Pro tip 6: Bring your own hot beverage of choice in a thermos. Or water. And fruits and snacks for some quick calories because the cafe gets REALLY crowded and they actually ran out of the food today before 3 because of the snow storm. You can store it in a locker. I was new to mountain skiing but did some cross country skiing waaaay back, can't say I had good memories or much success. So I came here to learn how to mountain ski and rewrite my negative childhood experiences and it did it! First of all, the $145 price (Dec 2021) that included the rental skis/snowboard, the 2hr group lesson and all day lift ticket (9am to 4pm) was more than reasonable. If you did the all day lift ticket and the rentals you would end up paying $115 ($75 lift + $40 rentals). And the lesson alone would have cost you $90. So it was a PRETTY sweet deal! The instructors were very helpful. They walked us through the basic elements like putting the skis on at the slope, walking up the slope, breaking and turning and they spoke loud and were very articulate. They were very strict and told people to pay attention and not play with the skis and do anything they were not instructed to do. At first I thought it was too much but then I realized they did everything to make sure the new students don't crash into other people when they were on the slope. My friend was new to snowboarding, he took the class too and was very happy as well. Now the lift closes at 4 so we had half of the day to practice on our own. After that we hung out at the bar which closes at 6 and it was nice to have a place to relax in the conventional way after the day of skiing. The negatives.. yes there were a couple. The rental shop at 9 was a freaking chaos. Again.. come early. The instructors didn't teach us the best way to recover from the falling down and it is a big one because in my experience recovery takes up a lot of time/energy. I will be back here soon with all the lessons learned.

    Atul S.

    Nice little resort near to Glenwood Springs. Just 12 miles. Excellent place for beginners as less crowded and staff is super helpful. They have classes as well for $90 including lift tickets. It was really fun trying ski for first time. We were unlucky not to get Snowmobile reservations. But if you could get then it's cheapest option here.

    Going down the slope after getting dropped via lift. My first time doing such a long stretch on my own. The pic doesn't capture all of it.
    Subin A.

    Had fun here. Made more fun by the super helpful staff. Hence the review. Wasn't too crowded the day we visited. (Surprising though since it was Christmas week) But good for us since we had more room everywhere. Me & my wife were given a good intro on where to ski for beginners and things like that since we're still new to skiing by a staff in guest services (he did try to sell us ski lessons in the end lol but that's ok, I'd say he's good at his business) I used the lift for the first time & was apprehensive, since it didn't even have a protective bar in the front. I told the lift staff its my first time and they held me and guided me to the lift & showed me hows its done (I got so confident I used the lift about 3 more times) At the end of the lift where you get off, I fell my first time. I struggled to get up and a lady came by my side to lift me up & told me I did good for the first time & gave me some tips too (turned out she was the lift operator lady at this end) I fell the next few times too. For the last one as I approached the lift jump off point, she told me to learn forward & that I could do it. Guess what, I did do it. I kinda shouted with joy. She opened her door & told me that was awesome. Gestures like this make your experience much better at any place in general. Kudos to the staff on that day (Decc 22, 2021) I'd recommend this place.

    Stephanie E.

    Can you get any more charming that Sunlight?!?!? Staff is great and the views are amazing. Hidden gem of a ski lift.

    Chelsey F.

    What a charming mountain! This is easily becoming one of our favorite mountain to ski and board. Why you ask?! Well, your right, it's not considered one of the top world class ski mountains in Colorado like Vail or Aspen, but it is charming and quaint in so many ways! Located in Glenwood Springs, it's a small mountain that's almost never crowded. There is plenty of room to ski and board without feeling like your on top of someone else. The staff is super friendly, and the other skiers are really respectful! This past weekend, my hubs and I decided to stay in a cabin 4 minutes down the road from the resort, and loved the easy access to the mountain. Plus, the mountain is only about 20 minutes from downtown. It's easy to know all the runs, and doesn't feel overwhelming like some of the bigger resorts. It's safe to say, I know we will be back next year!

    Shannon Z.

    The Snowmobiling experience at Sunlight Mountain is top notch. You get an amazing view of the backcountry while zipping through snow around 20-30mph. It was my first time experiencing this winter activity and it won't be the last! We tried the shorter tour (the family adventure) for 1 hour (16 miles) but there's also another one that's 2.5 hours and 30 miles (more for the pros). Reservations have to be made by calling their phone number. They don't do online reservations for snowmobiling (just a heads up)! We are coming back and bringing our out of town family members next time they visit. It's so freaking fun!

    One of the many stops we took.
    Nusaybah N.

    We made a reservation a month prior to go on a 1.5-hour snowmobile tour on Christmas Eve. The parking was easy and we got chauffeured over to the entertainment building and on the 1st floor was the snowmobile office. This was an inexpensive trip. I really appreciate them having the snowmobile gear: helmet, winter coverall, and boots; all in which you needed to have for a safe snowmobile trip. Plus we had to fill out paperwork (which didn't take long). Bob and Steve were our tour guides. Bob and Steve gave a really great presentation on what to do on the trial and on how to use the equipment. They provided a lot of information and it was easy to understand and apply. It was an amazing tour. A beautiful place, and they were nice enough for us to stop and take pictures for the Gram! I was afraid of driving so my partner drove.

    I wanted a ski resort that was family friendly, affordable and not too busy. The found it here at Sunlight Mountain Resort. The staff was friendly and made me feel like family. We rented our skis on scene and the employees were amazing! The employees at Guest Services and the lift operations were not offended by my Raiders ski gear. This trip was my kids' Christmas present this year and you made it perfect!

    Our family had a great experience at Sunlight Mountain. Prices were great. Instructors were beyond friendly and so very helpful- especially to our boys. No wait for lifts. Plenty of seating at lunch. Perfect place if you want to avoid the massive crowds and insane costs of the larger resorts. We would go back again for sure and definitely recommend to others.

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    7 years ago

    Perfect day and reasonably priced for our first time snowboarding! grace was a wonderful instructor! Definitely would come back again!

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    7 years ago

    Would be 5 stars if it wasn't for the brat doing snowboard rentals. Sometimes you don't need to hear their tight 5 min stand up routine.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Sunlight Mountain Resort

    Review Highlights - Sunlight Mountain Resort

    Had a GREAT powder day - the skiing was excellent, weather was cloudy and overcast with a light snowfall to keep the runs going.

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    Powderhorn Mountain Resort - Early bird catches the corduroy. ;-)

    Powderhorn Mountain Resort

    4.0(22 reviews)
    49.1 mi

    Great experience with the Bob Beverly sky lessons program. Our instructor, Asia was amazing. She…read morewas patient and gave me perfect instruction which helped me dramatically.

    This was our first time visiting any ski resort and everyone had one of the best times of their…read morelives. Our family of four and my daughter's family of four shared a house for rent for a week less than a mile from the lodge. Three went snowboarding all day, the first day. Lines were short, prices reasonable and down right cheap when I compared them to other CO ski resorts such as Vail and Telluride, each a couple hrs away. Staff was very friendly and always offering what ever help you needed. You would expect this level at any resort of any kind and Powderhorn's staff met all expectations. Skiing with lessons on another day was another huge success. No need to go to the top of mountain to ski or snowboard. One lift goes half way up with plenty of choices for medium to beginner hills. After setting you up and teaching some tips you are free to ski while the instructors check in with you periodically. Then for those of us that are completely inept, they offer tubing. Tubing is sledding on a specially designed inner tube on well maintained bobsled track of sorts. It was fast and fun. We all did this on three different days. $12 for adults, $10 for kids for a two hour session. AND they have a lift for that too! Simply hook your tube's pull rope on the pipe and ride your tube to the top! Over all the place did not seem crowded. Only on one day were the 35 tubes all in use. The Children's Learning Center only had 16 kids there the day we hired our instructor. The Sunset Grille upstairs was reasonably priced for being remote. Nearest place to eat anything was eight miles away in the town of Mesa. I would come back here next year to do any snow related activities in CO.

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    Powderhorn Mountain Resort
    Powderhorn Mountain Resort
    Powderhorn Mountain Resort

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    Crested Butte Mountain Resort - Church on the Mountain

    Crested Butte Mountain Resort

    3.7(52 reviews)
    40.0 mi
    $$$

    I had a blast here at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. This is a beautiful place to visit that is an…read moreexcellent spot for hiking, biking and skiing. I have been skiing my whole life and have had Crested Butte on my list to ski for some time. I am glad that I finally made my way over here to ski their slopes. Crested Butte Mountain Resort is owned and operated by Vail Resorts. My buddy and I have Epic Passes and chose to ski here this past winter. This resort is geared toward intermediate to expert skiers as there are lots of blue and black runs. Overall, we had good snow and a fun weekend. We started our day off by taking Red Lady Express Lift from Base Area. We spent a lot of our time hitting the intermediate runs off of Paradise Express Lift. We eventually hit some black runs off of Silver Queen Express Lift. We didn't do it, but Rambo run is the steepest tree-defined ski trail in North America with a 55-degree pitch. That run looks insane. Crested Butte Mountain Resort opened in 1960. We stayed in town near the base of the resort and had a lot of fun. We were able to walk to the lift from our hotel. Crested Butte is a former coal mining town that is a popular tourist destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Mount Crested Butte is in the heart of the Elk Mountains and sits over 9,000 feet above sea level. The town is named after its iconic 12,168-foot mountain peak. You can see the peak while you ski from almost anywhere on the mountain.

    Crested Butte Resort is an awesome skiing destination. It is set up well and relatively easy to…read morenavigate around the entire resort from the Front Side (the Base Camp area) to the lifts/terrain on the back side (Paradise Express, East River, Teocalli) as well as the Ten Peaks area! Approximately 40% of skiing trails are marked as Double Black Diamond Extreme, so if you're looking for the most challenging terrain, then this is the place for you! But even if you're not an "advanced expert," then there are still plenty of runs that you can take it easy on... or that will push you to keep on learning and getting better! Of all the Vail Resorts, I feel like the Crested Butte team was the friendliest and most welcoming. Definitely try to plan your trip to Crested Butte for when they're getting some fresh powder, as most of the runs will be even more enjoyable! *****FIVE STARS*****

    Photos
    Crested Butte Mountain Resort - Paradise Bowl (North Face T-Bar to the right)

    Paradise Bowl (North Face T-Bar to the right)

    Crested Butte Mountain Resort - Paradise Bowl

    Paradise Bowl

    Crested Butte Mountain Resort - Base Area

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    Base Area

    Aspen Mountain Ski Resort - mountains

    Aspen Mountain Ski Resort

    4.4(56 reviews)
    31.5 mi

    Ranking ski areas this good eventually becomes a little ridiculous. I have called Aspen Highlands…read moremy favorite of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains, and on pure terrain, especially Highland Bowl and Deep Temerity, I understand why I said it. Still, all four earn five stars from me for different reasons, and forcing them into a rigid hierarchy misses what each one does so well. Ajax makes perhaps the strongest case that technical skiing and an effortless overall experience can coexist. What makes Ajax singular is its position directly above the town of Aspen. You walk from the street onto the Silver Queen Gondola, climb thousands of vertical feet, and spend the day skiing sustained fall lines that deliver you right back where you started. With its remarkable setting, vibrant energy, and almost comical wealth, Aspen remains unlike anywhere else on Earth; I also understand why its excess wears on some people. The Little Nell and the other hotels at the base are second to none, while downtown sits close enough that the transition from ski boots to normal life feels almost absurdly easy. Beneath all that polish, Ajax is a serious skier's mountain. There are no beginner runs, and its steep vertical layout favors strong skiers who enjoy bumps, glades, and terrain that keeps asking for attention. The fast gondola makes full mountain laps remarkably efficient, and the compact trail pattern keeps the day moving. I like technical skiing, so the mountain's directness suits me: ride up, choose a line, and ski hard all the way down. Late in the day, the lower face often drops into shade, firms up, and can get icy enough to demand real concentration. Some visitors step onto the Silver Queen because it is beside their hotel and discover several hours later that convenience does not make the final descent forgiving. Ajax has a funny way of humbling people who came mainly for the town, which may be healthy in a place surrounded by so much luxury. I go in with my eyes wide open and genuinely enjoy the focus that the mountain demands when conditions get firm. Finishing a run on Ajax is part of the magic. After clicking out, you can head to Ajax Tavern, walk downtown for a meal, or stop at a bar. The shops and even a dispensary are right there, so the end of the session can take whatever shape you want. If you rent, Aspen Snowmass can transfer your skis between its mountains, while the excellent bus network makes the entire area remarkably easy to navigate. Summer deserves equal billing in any review of Aspen. The weather is beautiful, the pace is gentler, and outdoor life fills the valley. Crowds thin, prices ease somewhat, and the fresh alpine air remains every bit as restorative. People often say that locals come for the winter and stay for the summer; after experiencing both seasons, I understand exactly why. Ultimately, Ajax is one of the best ski areas in the world, full stop. Its sustained terrain, immediate town access, and slightly intimidating late-day personality give it an identity all its own. Highlands holds a special place for its Bowl and Deep Temerity, and Ajax earns the same five stars through a completely different combination of terrain and place. Every visit feels like a privilege, and I never leave Aspen without feeling lucky that I got to spend time there.

    Buy your ticket in downtown Aspen at the foot of the mountain, $40 round trip…read more Even when busy, the wait is short. The trip up gives you an eagle's view of the ski runs, and amenities along the way. The Aspen Ski Deck is a restaurant atop the mountain, with fantastic views, an outside and inside area (lit fireplace when cold outside), a bar and a choice of food at separate food stations. The bartenders are fantastic, super friendly and polite; and can make whatever drink you like. Aperol Spritz appears to be a crowd favorite. The only downside is that the food is self-serve.

    Photos
    Aspen Mountain Ski Resort - Midnight Mine Rd up, lunch at the Sun Deck, then down to Silver Queen.

    Midnight Mine Rd up, lunch at the Sun Deck, then down to Silver Queen.

    Aspen Mountain Ski Resort - Board

    Board

    Aspen Mountain Ski Resort - Audi Power of 2/4 finish line!

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    Audi Power of 2/4 finish line!

    Buttermilk Ski Resort - Buttermilk!

    Buttermilk Ski Resort

    4.7(21 reviews)
    28.8 mi

    Under-rated and too easily dismissed by experienced skiers. Have travelled to Aspen four times in…read morethe past several years and only on this trip visited Buttermilk. Accessed by (complimentary) town bus about 10 minutes from downtown Aspen the vibe is easy. Home to the X-Games and the half-pipe etc. still visible President's Day weekend. Staff friendly, lifts efficient - their are a variety of routes for beginner, intermediate and expert skiers. I experienced the group lessons for three days (to rediscover my ski legs) and found the quality of tuition excellent (ask for Bob Morse or his opinion on whom to learn with). Ultimately I spent five days skiing the resort and enjoyed it immensely - the ease with which I could build familiarity enabled me to focus on technique and the relatively light number of skiers meant the runs were not crowded. Interestingly I spoke at length with instructors who made the point that Buttermilk seemed to be where they had their fondest memories. The Cliffhouse at the summit serves some great food - if you are not skiing I noticed snow-shoers making their way up by foot or buying a lift ticket to go dine and enjoy the views of neighboring Highlands.

    It's a lovely mountain if you are a new or learner…read more Not much in the way of advanced terrain here. Short groomers. Some fun spots to dip into the trees or small sections of bumps. 5 lifts and a terrain park. Lots of ski school lessons for kids and adults. Ski school sucks up a lot of lift capacity. CliffHouse lodge on the summit is nice for lunch. Lower base buildings are new and fresh and clean. Shops. Food. Booze. Gear. Aspen priced so look away! Lots of entitlement here. Lots!! I think this would be a great place for an easy powder day. Nothing special here.

    Photos
    Buttermilk Ski Resort - Go to the top!!!!

    Go to the top!!!!

    Buttermilk Ski Resort
    Buttermilk Ski Resort - Hehe

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    Hehe

    Sunlight Mountain Resort - skiresorts - Updated September 2026

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