Good turns. Good company. Something warm afterward.

What to Expect

Clear Creek County offers skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing close to Denver. Explore the slopes at Loveland Ski Area, ski after dark at Echo Mountain, or bring the family for an afternoon of tubing. Whether you’re visiting for the day, a weekend, or a longer stay, compare the ski areas below and find the information you need to plan your time on the snow.

Two skiers, a man in an orange jacket and a woman in a turquoise jacket, standing on snow-covered slopes with a mountain range in the background under a clear blue sky.

A LITTLE PREPARATION. A BETTER DAY.

Dress for changing weather.

Wear warm layers beneath water-resistant outerwear, plus gloves, goggles, and a properly fitted ski or snowboard helmet. Bring sunscreen and dry clothes for afterward.

Share the slopes.

Control your speed, give people downhill the right of way, and look uphill before entering a trail. Stop where others can see and avoid you. Follow signs and closures, and ask the lift attendant if you need help. Ski and ride sober. If you’re involved in a collision, exchange contact details and notify a ski area employee.

Skier Responsibility Code

Start with the right support.

Have a rental shop fit your equipment and adjust your bindings. If you’re new or returning after time away, a lesson helps you build confidence. Take water and warming breaks, and finish before fatigue takes over.

Three people in winter gear standing in snow on a mountain in a forested area with snow-capped mountain peaks in the background, during sunset.

Good turns start with good decisions.

Quiet climbs. Snow-covered trees. A few turns shared with friends. There’s plenty to look forward to beyond the resort, and learning how to prepare is part of the experience. A backcountry class with Jones Pass Guides introduces you to avalanche forecasts, using a beacon, shovel, and probe, and making thoughtful choices about your route. Ask questions. Get familiar with your equipment. Build the knowledge to recognize when to keep going and when to head back for coffee.

Their introductory skiing and splitboarding course is designed for advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders comfortable on black diamond resort runs.

Explore Backcountry Classes

FIND YOUR MOUNTAIN

A parent and child wearing helmets and winter clothing are riding a ski lift together over a snowy mountain landscape with evergreen trees.

Echo Mountain

Loveland Ski Area is located just 53 miles west of Denver. Independently owned and operated, Loveland has been welcoming skiers and snowboarders since 1937 and offers 1,800 acres of terrain along the Continental Divide, two base areas, affordable pricing, free close-in parking and one of Colorado’s longest ski seasons.

Located 36 miles from downtown Denver, Echo Mountain offers skiing and snowboarding by day, night skiing on select evenings, and a snow tubing hill. Equipment and clothing rentals are available, along with an on-site bar and restaurant. Come for an afternoon on the snow or an evening under the lights. Visit Echo’s website for current hours, tickets, rentals, and tubing reservations.

Explore Loveland

Explore Echo Mountain

Person skiing down a snow-covered mountain slope with a backdrop of forested mountains and a partly cloudy sky.

Loveland Ski Area

Group of skiers and snowboarders in winter gear posing in front of a snowcat on a snowy mountain with evergreen trees in the background.

Jones Pass Cat Skiing

A different way up the mountain.

Climb aboard a snowcat and watch the trees give way to open mountain views. Just up the road from Empire, Jones Pass Guides takes skiers and snowboarders into alpine bowls and gladed terrain near the Continental Divide. Book a single seat or bring a group to share the ride. For those who enjoy the climb, guided backcountry skiing and splitboarding tours offer a chance to explore under your own power. You can also leave the skis behind and join a sightseeing tour, where looking out the window is the whole plan.v

Explore Cat Skiing

Leave time for the drive.

Check COtrip before heading out and again before leaving the mountain. Prepare your vehicle for winter conditions and check current traction requirements. Give yourself extra travel time so the day can start without a rush.

Check Road Conditions

Two women sit across from each other in a restaurant booth with a wooden table, drinking and eating. The restaurant has a brick wall decorated with paintings, an American flag, and a framed picture. A hanging light illuminates the table.

The lifts stop. The good part keeps going.

Après-ski simply means after skiing. Around here, that can look like a shared pizza, a warm bowl of soup, or a child explaining every turn of their first lesson between bites. Trade ski boots for comfortable shoes and let a local kitchen take it from here.

Après-Ski

Hot chocolate counts as après.

You don’t need a bar tab to join in. Coffee, cocoa, dessert, or an early family dinner all make a good finish. If drinks are part of your evening, arrange a sober ride before ordering.