Skiing Near Estes Park
Estes Park is unique among famous Colorado mountain towns for not being a dedicated ski resort town. While many Colorado mountain towns are dependent on their nearby ski resorts, Estes Park winter activities are much more well-rounded.
Visitors can access nearby downhill skiing and cross country skiing in about an hour’s drive from our Estes Park vacation rentals or explore nearby backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Alpine Skiing: Eldora Mountain
For downhill skiing, Eldora Mountain is the best option for visitors staying in Estes Park. Located near Nederland, Colorado this ski resort is about an hour and fifteen minutes south of Estes Park. If you’re looking to take a day trip, skiing at Eldora is a fantastic option that doesn’t require a long drive. Whether you are a first-timer or an advanced skier, Eldora offers an impressive variety of terrain for a relatively small resort.
Eldora offers 680 acres of skiing with 1,240 feet of lift-served vertical and averages about 300 inches of snow per year. The trails consist of 20% easy, 50% intermediate, and 30% advanced. It’s one of only a few Colorado resorts in the Front Range that is not accessed via the traffic-congested I-70. For more information on lift tickets, parking reservations, and policies, visit the Eldora website.
Cross Country Skiing: Eldora Ski Resort
Cross country skiing is more focused on fitness and can be a fun alternative to snowshoeing or winter hiking. If you don’t enjoy the fast speeds and steep downhills of alpine skiing, then cross country skiing is a great alternative. Eldora also offers cross country skiing in addition to its extensive network of lifts and downhill ski trails.
The Eldora Nordic Center offers a network of cross country ski trails located next to the main mountain of alpine ski trails. With over 40 kilometers of trails, this world-class facility offers one of the best nordic experiences in Colorado. Enjoy a wide variety of terrain including forests, alpine meadows, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Backcountry Skiing: Rocky Mountain National Park
For expert skiers with extensive training and experience in backcountry skiing, winter in Rocky Mountain National Park offers a nearly endless wilderness full of skiing opportunities. One of the most popular areas to backcountry ski in Rocky Mountain National Park was once a ski resort. Hidden Valley Ski Area was located about 10 miles from Estes Park along Trail Ridge Road. The ski area operated from 1955 to 1991 before removing its lifts and closing down operations. However, the trails remain and make for an excellent place to earn your turns.
The Hidden Valley area of Rocky Mountain National Park is also frequented by families for sledding, tubing, and snowshoeing. There are also picnic tables near the parking area which make for a great day trip even if you decide not to take part in any winter activities. We’ve provided driving directions to Hidden Valley from Fall River Village, which is about a 25-minute drive up Trail Ridge Road as long as conditions permit.
Whatever your winter plans are in Estes Park, make sure to check out our Fall River Village resort condo rentals. Enjoy stunning views and a convenient location only minutes from the downtown area!
