What to Do Before and After a Colorado Ski Trip

Colorado is known as one of the best U.S. destinations for a ski trip, and it’s also one of the most fun states to explore off the slopes. If you’re planning a ski trip to Colorado and want to experience unique cities like Denver and other activities, we’ve got you covered.

Below, we’ll share what to do before and after a Colorado ski trip, including fun cities and the best activities in Colorado – most of which are close to some of the best places for skiing, including Echo Mountain near Denver and Breckenridge Ski Resort.

From a beer-inspired spa day in Denver to one of Colorado’s most fun family-friendly parks, there’s something for everyone!

Fun Cities to Explore

If you’re planning a ski trip in Colorado and want to visit one or some of the best cities before or after, we recommend checking out the following. These are some of Colorado’s most fun cities with nearby skiing and fun activities away from the slopes.

Denver

Best for: City life with adventure, relaxation, and convenient travel

Closest ski location: Echo Mountain (one hour drive away)

Denver is the perfect place to enjoy a mix of city life and outdoor activities before or after your Colorado ski trip. There are several ski resorts within two hours of Denver, including Echo Mountain – just one hour away. The Denver International Airport also makes for easy travel if you're flying.

While visiting Denver, you can enjoy the lively beer scene, unwind at a beer-inspired day spa, shop, and enjoy outdoor activities. There are also many hotels in Denver – one of our favorites is Halcyon, where you can eat, drink, and relax.

Colorado Springs

Best for: Outdoor activities and unique scenery
Closest ski location: Breckenridge Ski Resort (two hour drive away)

Spend time outdoors and appreciate some of Colorado's best scenery in Colorado Springs. There are several ski resorts within a few hours, including one of the most popular, Breckenridge Ski Resort. Colorado Springs Airport also makes traveling relatively easy, and the area has many hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals.

Palmer Park, Garden of the Gods, and Bear Creek Regional Park are some of the best places to hike, bike, rock climb, and enjoy beautiful views in Colorado Springs. There’s also a charming downtown area with shopping and dining experiences.

Crested Butte

Best for: Small-town fun and convenient skiing

Crested Butte is ideal if you want to plan your Colorado ski vacation in one destination. Enjoy a peaceful mountain getaway with many opportunities for skiing and other outdoor activities and a historic downtown area. The area has many ski resorts, including Crested Butte Nordic and Crested Butte Mountain Resort. 

Although Crested Butte isn’t as built up as other cities in Colorado, there are several hotels and vacation rentals, but be sure to book as soon as possible. The closest airport to Crested Butte is Gunnison-Crested Butte Airport, or you can drive a few hours from larger airports if needed.

Boulder

Best for: Various activities, including outdoor adventure, dining, and arts scene
Closest ski location: Eldorado Mountain Resort (less than half an hour drive away)

Boulder is known for its outdoor activities, arts scene, and delicious dining and drinking experiences. It’s the perfect mix of city and urban life. There are also several airports nearby, including Broomfield Airport, Colorado Springs Airport, and Denver International Airport.

There are several ski resorts near Boulder, including Eldorado Mountain Resort, which you could use as your home base and explore Boulder for a day off the slopes. There are also many other hotels and vacation rentals around Boulder.

Unique Colorado Activities

When deciding what to do before and after a Colorado ski trip, there are many unique things to do and hidden gems to explore.

Hike Through Red Rock Formations in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is one of the most unique places to visit in Colorado, with cool hiking opportunities surrounded by stunning red rocks.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space and Garden of the Gods have easy to moderate, pet-friendly hiking trails through red rock formations. They’re also both open daily year-round.

See the Breckenridge Troll in Breckenridge

The Breckenridge Troll at White River National Forest is one of Colorado's most rare and iconic art installations. It’s a wooden 15-foot sculpture made by Thomas Dambo, a Danish artist.

To get to the Breckenridge Troll, you’ll hike the Trollstigen Trail, which is about a mile out and back. The trail is flat, well-maintained, and easily accessible.

You can make your visit a quick stop or enjoy many activities in the national forest, including snow sports, hiking, biking, and camping.

Relax at a Beer-Inspired Spa in Denver

Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver is one of Colorado's most unique relaxing experiences. It’s also the perfect place to unwind before or after a Colorado ski trip and create a fun memory.

At Oakwell Beer Spa, you can enjoy beer-inspired spa treatments and a self-serve taproom with locally brewed craft beer and other delicious drinks.

When you book a spa day at Oakwell Beer Spa, you get access to a private Beer Therapy Room, where you can enjoy Beer Bath Hydrotherapy, an Infrared Sauna, and a luxurious rain shower. Each spa room is for up to two people, and you can book multiple rooms for a larger group.

Go to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, open year-round, is one of Colorado's most fun and family-friendly parks. It's in Glenwood Springs, a mountain resort community between Vail and Aspen in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

The park sits over 7,000 feet high on a mountain for stunning scenery. You can also enjoy fun rides, games, and a tour of Colorado’s largest show cave.

Colorado Ski Trip FAQs

For more on planning a ski trip to Colorado, get answers to common questions below.

What part of Colorado has the best skiing?

Breckenridge is known for the best skiing in Colorado. However, there are many great ski resorts throughout Colorado. 

If you’re planning a ski vacation but also want to enjoy time away from the slopes, we recommend visiting Denver, Breckenridge, or Colorado Springs – where you can enjoy skiing and other fun vacation activities. 

What is the best month to go skiing in Colorado?

The best time for skiing in Colorado is January or February when there's steady snowfall and colder temperatures. If you'd rather hit the slopes with fewer crowds and when the weather isn't freezing cold, consider planning your ski trip for March.

How many days is best for a Colorado ski trip?

We recommend planning a Colorado ski trip for 6 to 10 days so you can ski for a few days and explore other activities for a few days while also making time to relax and enjoy your vacation.

What is the cheapest month to go skiing in Colorado?

March is usually the cheapest month to go skiing in Colorado, as it’s just after the busy season. Although the weather starts to slightly warm up, there’s usually still ample snow during March.

How to save money on a Colorado ski trip?

To save money on a Colorado ski trip, we recommend planning your trip for March and booking in advance. 

Echo Mountain is one of our favorite affordable ski resorts in Colorado. It’s also close to Denver, where you can find various accommodation options to suit your budget.

What’s the best transportation when visiting Colorado?

If you’re flying to Colorado, there are many small and large airports near ski areas and other popular cities. Once you arrive, you can get a taxi or rideshare service to a ski resort or rent a car at the airport to drive during your vacation. There are several major highways and interstates through Colorado for easy travel, including I-25, I-70, I-76, I-225, I-270.

Enjoy Your Colorado Ski Trip 

We hope you found this article helpful in deciding what to do before and after a Colorado ski trip.

If you plan to check out Denver’s delicious beer and food scene and fun outdoor activities, we hope you’ll make time to get warm and relax at Oakwell Beer Spa. Book your spa day online to enjoy a unique and rejuvenating experience!