A Look At 4 Of Colorados Best Ski Resorts

With over 30 mountains that top an altitude of over 14,000 feet, Colorado is a skier's dream come true! With so many choices in Colorado, I bet you are wondering where you should go for the best Colorado ski resort vacation? Start with Colorado's four best known and most enjoyed resorts.

• Vail, Colorado, Every Skier's Fantasy Land: With over 5,000 acres of ski slopes and cross country ski areas, Vail is America's number one ski destination. Vail, about 100 miles west of Denver on Interstate 70, and is only about a two hour drive from Denver's International airport. And, because the resort is intersected by a major interstate, it's easily accessible by car in any weather. Because of Vail's altitude, you can ski there most of the year. But with the city's wide assortment of restaurants, cultural interests and breath-taking scenery, a visit to Vail is a great experience any time of the year.

• Aspen Highlands, Unforgettable Slopes: Colorado natives often regard this beloved resort as their favorite mountain. The slopes are just three miles from downtown Aspen and they are simply unbeatable. The Aspen resorts offer unforgettable challenges for even the most experienced skiers and snow boarders. With the free shuttle service that runs from downtown Aspen that will deliver you directly to the slopes, driving is never a problem. The shuttles, with professional drivers, run in almost all weather conditions.

• Winter Park, Near the Continental Divide: Winter Park may be Colorado's sunniest ski resort. Over 70% of the ski season sees sun in Winter Park. With so much sun, visibility is usually great for really fast skiing. In addition to sun, Winter Park has a snow average of over 350 inches of the white fluffy stuff each and every year. This is a ski Mecca! The main lodge is just across the street from the mountain. So you can park the car and forget about driving if you decide to stay at the Winter Park Mountain Lodge.

• Durango Mountain, the Resort for the Southern Part of the State: This resort is located in the San Juan Mountains about 25 miles north of Durango. It's not quite as snowy as Winter Park (with only getting an average of 260 inches of snow each year here), but still the ski conditions are ideal throughout much of the year. This resort offers everything from wide open runs to an assortment of jumps, jibs and half pipes. You'll definitely find something to match your tastes regardless of your preferences. There's never a shortage of options here. The slope-side 'Alpine Village' isn't for cheapies, but every avid skier will want to experience this place at least once.

That's it. The big four, must-do, ski resorts in Colorado, the best of the best. For great skiing, award-winning food, and top notch lodging, you can't beat these four amazing places. Let's face it. Everywhere in Colorado is great, but you should ski each of these four resorts at least once in your life.