With abundant snowfall and breathtaking views, Colorado is home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. There are cirques, chutes and headwalls to tackle, moguls and steeps that will turn your thighs to jelly, and bowls with views of the Continental Divide.
But you don’t have to be an expert skier or rider to have a great snow day. Colorado’s 28 ski resorts also offer exhilarating blue runs and scenic green slopes. Take it from this avid intermediate skier, from prime powder stashes to groomed corduroy graced with sweeping views, these 10 runs around the state offer big payoffs.
Blue runs
Andy’s Encore at Copper Mountain
The Super Bee Lift at Copper Mountain takes you to Andy’s Encore, a long groomer where intermediate skiers and riders can get in their laps. It’s even got a few steep sections that boost the thrill meter. For untracked snow, even in the afternoon, hit up Wheeler Creek in Lower Enchanted Forest off the Rendezvous Lift. Both of these are wide runs with sensational views and surrounded by thrilling terrain.
Bliss at Breckenridge Ski Resort
Get above treeline for a bowl-like experience and ski the middle of Breck’s Peak 6. If you’re a newbie to exposed terrain skiing or riding, the adrenaline rush kicks in as you drop in on Bliss. That’s the moment I feel my heart in my throat before I start to hoot and holler. This run is most enjoyable on a bluebird day with light wind. Continue down Euphoria or Déjà Vu (also blue runs) and make your way to the Independence Super Chair on Peak 7 to run laps on a plethora of intermediate runs. Claimjumper and Angel’s Rest are my two favorites for fun rollers.
Chet’s Run at Loveland Ski Area
If you’re a powder chaser, take Loveland’s Chair 8 above Ginny Lee Cabin to Chet’s Run. It’s known for its deep powder. Another fun run off Chair 8 is the aptly named Awesome. Loveland Valley learning terrain is excellent for newbies.
Heavenly Daze at Steamboat Ski Resort
The afternoon sun makes Heavenly Daze my favorite late-day run at Steamboat. Soak up the heavenly views of the Yampa Valley, but if it hasn’t snowed in a few days keep an eye out for icy patches on this popular run. On sunny mornings, run laps off the Sunshine Express Lift. Several years ago, Olympic silver medalist and ski legend Billy Kidd took me on Baby Powder (blue) for the first time and it became an instant favorite. The un-groomed short run off Tomahawk (blue) has powder stashes and easy tree skiing. The giggle-inducing rolling hills on Tomahawk are fun too.
Long Shot at Snowmass
Bragging rights for the longest continuous inbound ski run go to Snowmass. If you want to test your ski leg endurance, Long Shot off the Elk Camp Lift fits the bill. The challenge: cover the 5.3-mile run without stopping. Don’t feel bad if you need a breather. Take a break at the distance markers and soak in the scenery. To enjoy the entire run requires a short hike after you exit the lift. Bull Run (blue), also off the Elk Camp Lift, offers an iconic view of the Maroon Bells.
Poppy Fields at Vail Resort
Vail’s Back Bowls are legendary, but can intimidate intermediate skiers. Poppy Fields is a great entry point. Most of China Bowl is intermediate terrain, but Poppy Fields is groomed, making it a little more mellow. China Bowl is named after its towering limestone head wall with a “Great Wall” vibe. On your way to China Bowl, take either Grand Review or Cloud 9, both blue runs, for skiing with a view in Blue Sky Basin.
Ruby Chief at Crested Butte Mountain Resort
There are great intermediate runs off the Paradise Express Lift in Paradise Bowl including Upper and Lower Ruby Chief. (Ruby Steep, which you can use to connect the two sections, is a leg burner.) From Upper Ruby Chief (blue), cruise on green runs Bubba’s Shortcut and Peanut to Uley’s Cabin for a fun lunch. Intermediate skiers looking to advance to expert terrain can try Twister and Middle Twister, two “easier” black runs that lead to the Ice Bar at Uley’s Cabin.
Green runs
Red Buffalo at Beaver Creek Resort
Make a beeline to Cinch Express Lift for your first runs of the day. Beaver Creek Mountain is mushroom shaped with gentler terrain at the top making for easy to intermediate skiing with expansive views. Red Buffalo is a fabulous green run where I love to find powder stashes early in the day. Jack Rabbit Alley (blue) and Centennial (wide green) are fun slopes too. These runs are in the Kids Adventure Zone and are great for families. The mellow bowl setting of McCoy Park is also perfect for beginner skiers and riders.
Schoolmarm at Keystone Resort
A Colorado classic, Schoolmarm is one of the best options for newbies or anyone who wants a chill run. Starting at the top of Dercum Mountain, it covers 3.5 gentle miles. I can still remember my excitement when I skied the whole run for the first time. New this season at Keystone, Bergman Bowl is lift-accessible for the first time and offers 555 acres of fun above treeline for skiers and riders of all abilities.
See Forever at Telluride Ski Resort
Take Revelation lift for an epic view of area peaks, including Mount Wilson, Wilson Peak (featured on Coors Light cans) and Mount Sneffels. On a bluebird day, you can see the La Sal Mountains rising out of the Utah desert over 100 miles away. This run has long mellow stretches that are perfect for enjoying the view as well as steeper sections where you can pick up some speed. I’ve yelled “I’m on top of the world” multiple times while gleefully skiing this run. If you want to flirt with more advanced terrain, take the double blue run Woozley’s Way. Stop and relax in an Adirondack chair outside the Bon Vivant Restaurant before finding powder stashes on Dew Drop (blue) on your way down the mountain.
Paintbrush at Winter Park Resort
This run in Parsenn Bowl is my favorite at the resort, partly because it starts at 12,000 feet with an incredible 360-degree view of stunning scenery. On a powder day, you can paint your path as you carve your turns on this fun run. Winter Park has seven mountain territories. Mary Jane is known for its expert terrain and bumps, but Edelweiss and Columbine are more approachable blue runs. In Vasquez Ridge, I love finding powder stashes on Gunbarrel (green). Cranmer (blue) in Winter Park is an iconic last run of the day.
Buckhorn at Granby Ranch
Buckhorn, a wide-open green run with a view, is great for beginners and anyone looking for an easy ride. All of the terrain on Granby Ranch’s East Mountain is green or blue. If you want to try tree skiing, Summit Glade and Gettles Glade (both blue) offer spacious tree sections.
