Three Great Ski Resorts West of Denver that Are Worth the Drive

There's not much time left to ski this year. If you're planning to catch some snow, the ski resorts west of Denver are great choices to get your fix. Here's what you can expect from a few of the popular resorts.

Breckenridge

This is one sprawling resort that offers a lot of terrain for every skier. Experts can roam all the peaks, stringing black and blue runs into never-ending rides. Intermediate skiers can stay happy easily, too - especially on Peak 7. Beginners will find at least a few trails on each peak. The lift lines are short and efficient. I expected more snooty attitude from a fairly pricey, affluent area. Surprise! Everyone was high on the friendliness scale.

And after you ski? The town has a great sledding hill. And an excellent Thai restaurant called Mai Thai - it's spicy, and the chefs know how to cook vegetables right. You can also grab a great snack at Crepes a la Carte. Or just stroll the many pricey shops and gawk at the well-heeled. Consider staying in Dillon. It's a quick 10 miles away, and the hotels are a lot cheaper.

Copper Mountain

This is not a great hill for rank beginners. Let's put it this way: Green runs here are generally harder than the blue runs at Breckenridge. Trails are less groomed, and you'll even see a mogul patch here and there. I can only imagine what a black run would be like at Copper.

Lift tickets are also pretty pricey, and the lifts move a lot more slowly. Food options? Not nearly as expansive as Breckenridge, but it'll get the job done. It's also a friendly place. I think it's a fun resort, but I should've skied here the first day when my legs had more power. If I were a more advanced skier, this might be my favorite.

Keystone

This is the most compact and contained of the trio. Its runs are slightly more difficult than Breck's, but it is not in Copper Mountain's realm at the blue level. The blue runs are pretty steep in spots, but generously wide. There's plenty of terrain to cover for advanced skiers, and nice lifts. Food is a little on the plain side. But that just means more room in the belly for a trip to Backcountry Brewery in Frisco when you're done riding.

Keystone also has great free parking if you show up early. It's not as much of a trudge from the lot to the slopes as the other resorts, either. If you have just one day to ski and a heavily mixed group, this might be your best choice. Dillon is just five miles away, and you'll find reasonably priced hotels. If the weather is right, you also might be able to check out the ice-skating pond - you can even rent a puck and stick to get a little pond hockey going.