Planning a Colorado Ski Trip From Out of State
Quick answer
Book lodging and flights three to four months ahead for peak weeks, fly into Denver International for year-round reliability, and choose a resort based on how far you want to drive. Arrange ground transport when you book the flight, not on arrival. Allow a gentle first day for altitude, since most Colorado resorts sit between 8,000 and 10,000 feet.
Colorado is straightforward to visit once you understand the sequence. Here is the order to make decisions in.
How far ahead should you book?
Three to four months for Christmas, New Year and Presidents Day weekend. Six to eight weeks works comfortably for most other dates, and midweek in January often books a fortnight out.
Lodging goes first, then flights, then ground transport. Booking transport last is the common mistake, because peak weekends genuinely sell out.
Which airport should you fly into?
Denver International for almost everyone. It flies everywhere year round, fares run lower, and it rarely closes for weather.
Mountain airports at Eagle, Hayden and Aspen sit far closer to the resorts, but they run seasonal routes and divert in poor visibility. Compare Eagle and Denver in detail here.
Which resort should you choose?
Pick by drive time first, then by terrain. A resort two hours away gives you more skiing across a short trip than a better mountain four hours away.
| Trip length | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Long weekend | Keystone, Copper, Breckenridge | Under two hours, more time skiing |
| Five to seven days | Vail, Beaver Creek | Larger mountains, drive time amortised |
| A week or more | Aspen, Steamboat | Worth the longer journey |
Sort the airport leg when you book the flight
Private transfers to every Colorado resort. Flight tracked, flat rate, gear welcome.
How do you get from the airport to the resort?
Four options: private transfer, shared shuttle, rental car or a connecting flight to a mountain airport. For groups of three or more, a private transfer usually costs about the same as shared seats and takes an hour less.
Book it when you book the flight. Peak weekends sell out for transport exactly as they do for lodging, and arriving without a plan means rental queues or surge pricing.
Do you need a car once you arrive?
Usually not. Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone and Aspen all run free local shuttles, and the villages are walkable.
Winter parking is limited and often charged separately by lodging, so a rental frequently sits unused. Full breakdown on rental cars at Colorado resorts.
What about altitude?
Take the first day gently. Most Colorado resort towns sit between 8,000 and 10,000 feet, and arriving from sea level hits harder than most visitors expect.
Drink considerably more water than usual, go easy on alcohol the first evening, and do not plan your biggest ski day for day one. Breckenridge at 9,600 feet is among the highest and the most noticeable.
Should you bring gear or rent it?
Rent skis and boards, bring boots if you own good ones. Airline baggage fees for ski equipment usually exceed a week of rental, and rental shops in resort towns are excellent.
Boots are the exception, since fit matters more than anything else on the mountain. If you do bring gear, tell your transport provider at booking so they send a vehicle with the cargo space.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month for a Colorado ski trip?
February for conditions, January midweek for value, late March and April for sunshine and smaller crowds.
How many days should a Colorado ski trip be?
Four to five nights suits most visitors. It allows a gentle first day for altitude and still gives three or four full ski days.
Is Colorado good for beginners?
Very. Keystone and Breckenridge both have extensive beginner terrain and well-regarded ski schools.
Planning your trip? Call (720) 277-1843 or book online. We handle transfers to every Colorado resort from Denver and the mountain airports.