There are 3 major ski resorts within 45 minutes of the property.

Of all of the outdoor activities available nearby, one of our favorites is the easy access to great skiing nearby 6 months out of the year. There are ski technicians available at The Trailhead and Boneshaker Cycles in downtown Buena Vista, as well as at various places on the way to each of these. While Breck is one of the largest, most well known ski resorts on the planet, we love Monarch and Ski Cooper because they're closer, they have ski school programs for kids, and they each offer challenging world class snow. The also are less expensive.

MONARCH SKI RESORT. Drive south toward Salida. Monarch is located 30 minutes from the cabin, this ski resort has been around since 1939 and at almost 11,000 feet is in the Top 10 in Base elevation at all of Colorado. 800 acres of skiable area, 63 runs. Great ski school and challenging runs. Lines are short, has a great bar at the base.

SKI COOPER. Drive north toward Leadville. Cooper (Not Copper) is located 40 minutes from BV and is a great family ski resort, especially for young families teaching their kids to ski or snowboard. Cooper has excellent ski school and 2600 acres of back bowls that can be accessed by tracked Snowcats. 400 acres of skiable area and 39 runs. There are no lines at Cooper the Anti-Breck.   

BRECKENRIDGE SKI RESORT. Drive east toward Colorado Springs. This one of the largest ski resorts in Colorado (6th in area, 3rd in runs) and has it all. Including lines at the base to get up the mountain unless you embark up the mountain from lifts at Peak 8. Breck is 45 minutes from the cabin, up CO State Highway 285 toward Fairplay.

Click here to see all projected ski resort openings in Colorado for the 2016/17 season.

In our lifetime, residents of the midwest will have to go to Colorado to enjoy the experience of skiing on natural snow.

 

Average Snowfall (5 yr avg)

Climate change is real, whether its man-made or not (we're a cause) is not the issue. For those of us that grew up learning to ski, it's important that we continue that tradition. Skiing is fun, great exercise, and learning from a young age can instill confidence and independence in a child. Plus it's hard to stare at an iPad when they're skiing.