When you think about Colorado, the first thing you probably think of is the mountains, whether you live here or not. Colorado is known for its mountains, and rightfully so. It should be a well-known fact that skiing is the best sport and that everyone should try it. But, there are dozens of resorts to choose from! Which resort should you pick? Well, it all depends on what you are looking for, and what pass you have. Personally, I have the Epic Pass. So, this article will be directed toward Vail-owned resorts. 

Breckenridge 

Breckenridge is my personal favorite. It has the perfect balance of easy groomers if you are feeling sleepy, yet many runs that are so difficult you need to go through gates to get to them. Breckenridge is a wonderful town, with many amazing restaurants and shops. There are also many VRBOs and hotels, so there is a wide variety of places to stay at. Breckenridge has 35 lifts and over 5 peaks, giving many options on where to go. You could easily go the entire day without repeating lifts. If you are looking for something very difficult, you can go through the gates and do some hikes, but always make sure you hike with a friend. Though Breckenridge is a very crowded mountain, at peak season, there are over 180 trails to choose from, spreading everyone out and giving everyone the difficulty that they desire. 

Vail

Vail is probably the most well-known mountain in all of Colorado, and for a reason. Vail is by far the biggest mountain, and probably the most expensive on the Epic Pass. Vail has easy runs for people that are still learning, but Vail also has a lot of difficult runs. With 275 trails open at peak season, everyone is very spread out, making the mountain seem not very crowded. If you are feeling very adventurous, there are many hikes that you can do to get to runs that aren’t for the faint of heart. Of course, like every good ski mountain, Vail has very good apres ski. You can get anything you desire, from a slice of pizza to a $100 steak, there is guaranteed to be a restaurant for you. If you are looking for a good shopping spree, Vail’s got you covered. From Vail swag to expensive Birkin bags, you could spend your entire vacation shopping. 

Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek is a wonderful resort, especially if you are looking for a very high-end town. This resort is gorgeous, and there are many easy runs for beginners. If you are looking for more challenging runs, you need to seek them out, but be prepared for an unforgettably difficult run once you find it! At the end of the day, warm chocolate chip cookies are handed out to skiers just coming off of the slopes, warming you up instantly. There are many hotels that you can stay at that are nearly ski-in-ski-out. If you are looking for a more affordable option, there are many great VRBOs a few miles away. 

Of course, there are many other Resorts on the Epic pass. These are just three of my favorites, and there are many other amazing resorts, even on the Icon Pass!