“A pair of skis are the ultimate transportation to freedom.”
— Warren Miller

According to GetSkiTickets.com, the numbers don’t lie. Colorado ski resorts overwhelmingly top the list for the most skier visits in the country.

Vail, CO
Skier Visits: 1,634,250

When nothing else but 5,289 acres, seven legendary Back Bowls, and over 300 days of sunshine will do, turn to Vail. This extraordinary winter destination offers powder for every level of skier and snowboarder. Easy access for Colorado locals via 1-70 makes this a feasible day trip. For those coming from out of town, Eagle County Regional Airport, 40 minutes west of Vail and Beaver Creek, takes you to fresh powder without the hassle of DIA.

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Breckenridge, CO
Skier Visits: 1,600,750

Explore your peak at 12,998 feet. With five peaks, 187 trails, 2,908 acres and the highest chairlift in the country, the historic town of Breckenridge is just 40 minutes from Aspen, where you can track your skiing and snowboarding on all five expansive peaks—Peaks 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

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Mammoth Mountain, CA
Skier Visits: 1,128,500

At 11,053 feet, Mammoth boasts the highest summit of any California resort, making for deeper, higher-quality snow, beautiful views and a season that can last until July. And with 3,500 skiable acres, 400 inches of snowfall and an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, Mammoth earns its reputation as California’s only real big mountain skiing/riding experience.

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Keystone, CO
Skier Visits: 1,036,000

With five above-tree-line bowls, night skiing and an in-bounds cat skiing program, Keystone resort boasts over 3,000 acres of easy-to-expert ski terrain on three epic peaks.

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Steamboat Springs, CO
Skier Visits: 923,576

Steamboat enjoys 336 inches of annual snowfall, keeping a dedicated base coming back year after year. One of North America’s top family resorts, Steamboat Ski Town, encompasses 165 trails, 3,668 vertical feet and nearly 3,000 skiable acres, as well as six peaks filled with world-class groomed cruisers, bumps, steeps, meadows, legendary trees and four terrain parks.

Photos courtesy Vail Resort, Breckenridge, Mammouth Mountain, Keystone and Steamboat Springs