A Vacation Breakdown for 3 of the Top Colorado Ski Towns

Colorado is beloved by many travelers for its beautiful mountains and seasonal changes, which provides the perfect environment for skiing. Determining the best ski towns in Colorado is subjective to each traveler and what’s most important to them when they vacation. Here’s our expert breakdown of three of Colorado’s top skiing and snowboarding destinations: Breckenridge, Vail, and Aspen.

Things to Do

Breckenridge offers impeccable skiing on Peak 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 with many shuttle services offered from various resorts. There are dozens of trails to try, designed for every skill level so the whole family can join. In addition to skiing, Breckenridge has plenty of other winter activities available including dog sledding, fly fishing, and snowmobiling. Hang out on historic Main Street for shopping and dining, bring the kids to the Mountain Top Children’s Museum, or take a winter snowshoeing hike through trails like Sawmill Reservoir or McCullough Gulch Trail.

Vail has over 5,317 acres and 195 trails across Vail Mountain’s front side, back bowls, and Blue Sky Basin to explore with a mix of terrain options for skiers and snowboarders of any experience level. Past skiing, there are a number of other popular winter activities such as sleigh rides and hot chocolate, horseback riding, scenic gondola rides, and ice skating. For those who want to get out of the cold and enjoy some local shopping and dining, visitors can travel a short distance to Lionshead Village.

Skiing in Colorado doesn’t get much better than Aspen. This city is home to four major mountains: Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk which provide vacationers with a variety of options and experience levels. When not shredding down the mountains, travelers love to visit Aspen Brewing Company, take a scenic gondola ride, enjoy a guided tour of Aspen Art Museum and snowshoeing around some of the most popular trails in the area that range in length and difficulty.

Places to Eat

Like mentioned previously, Breckenridge‘s Main Street has plenty of dining opportunities. Downstairs at Eric’s is a family-friendly ski pub with great eats while Blue River Bistro is an upscale bistro that features American classics. Hearthstone and Relish are loved for their incredible dishes and BreckFast offers quick and delicious breakfast and lunch options.

Vail offers a variety of restaurant options for all of those who visit. La Tour Restaurant is a sophisticated French bistro, Almresi Vail is a unique German-Austrian-Swiss inspired spot with a delicious menu, and Westside Cafe and Market is the perfect place to have breakfast, lunch, or dinner with a variety of cocktail options including their well-known Bloody Mary’s.

Aspen‘s West Main Street has a diverse list of dining options for any meal! The Meat and Cheese Restaurant and Farm Shop offers impressive meats, cheese, artisan bread, and great cocktails, the White House Tavern has some tasty, elevated burger and sandwich options, and L’Hostaria is a preferred Italian restaurant.

Places to Stay

Breckenridge has a plethora of accommodation options at high-end resorts. Grand Lodge on Peak 7 is a wonderful ski-in/ski-out option, Gold Point Resort offers great amenities like indoor pools, and Grand Timber Lodge has amazing winter features like fireplaces and a wondeful on-site spa.

When searching for a place to rest your head at night in Vail, you’ll never be disappointed. Marriott Streamside Evergreen offers spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom villas to fit the whole family, Vail Run Resort offers free shuttles to Gondola and Gondola No. 1 during the winter months, or relax at the end of each day in the heated outdoor pool and saunas of Eagle Point Condominiums.

There’s no shortage of accommodation options in Aspen, but finding the best properties is important! If your stay in this ski town involves an incredible suite or room, consider The Ritz Carlton Club Aspen for a lavish vacationing experience you won’t want to miss, The Innsburk Aspen will fulfill your cabin oasis dreams, or the Hyatt Grand Aspen offers well appointed accommodations that can sleep anywhere from two to eight guests.