While Cheyenne might have the feel of a plains town far from the famous ski areas of Wyoming, the city boasts surprising access to a number of resorts, especially in its southern neighbor Colorado. There are eleven incredible ski resorts, all within about 3 hours of Cheyenne, and several more if you’re willing to drive a little farther.
These resorts range from well known destinations like Loveland and Copper, to smaller family-run resorts like Granby Ranch. This puts everything from expert terrain, to world-class parks, to relaxed beginner ski areas all within reach for Cheyenne residents.
Out of the eleven ski areas closest to Cheyenne, only one resort is actually in Wyoming, while the rest are out-of-state in Colorado. While you’re road tripping consider visiting a local Wyoming hot springs or one of these Colorado hot springs for your apres-ski celebration. There’s bound to be one nearby to your route.
For reference, Jackson Hole, the gem of Wyoming, is 420 miles from Cheyenne, a 6.5 hour drive. Check out these ski resorts near Jackson, for a look at this world class region of the Rocky Mountains.
Here are the ski resorts near Cheyenne, Wyoming, in order of proximity:
Snowy Range Ski Area, WY – 85 miles / 1 h 28 m
The Snowy Range Ski Area is a small resort located in the scenic Medicine Bow National Forest. The resort is popular with both Centennial locals and University of Wyoming students coming from Laramie, located only 32 miles away.
At 250 acres and 27 runs, Snowy Range is the smallest resort on this list, and is definitely geared more towards beginner and intermediate skiers. The base elevation is 8,798 feet and the summit 9,663 ft.
Still, for what it lacks in extensive terrain, Snowy Range has much to offer. Reasonably priced lift tickets, proximity to Cheyenne, and a relaxed atmosphere make this a perfect resort for a day trip or weekend outing.
3254 WY-130, Centennial, WY 82055 | 307-745-5750
Eldora, CO – 113 miles / 2 h 13 min
The next closest resort on our list, Eldora is a classic Colorado ski resort located in the foothills southwest of Boulder. Popular with locals and weekend warriors, the proximity to nearby towns such as Nederland and Boulder makes it a great weekend destination.
It’s ideal for anyone who wants to get in some skiing and riding, and still have time to check out the nearby sites. Even better, visitors get to avoid the I-70 traffic catching travelers on the way to many of Colorado’s resorts.
Snow conditions at Eldora tend to be excellent and reliable, as the resort sits at 9,200 feet. It even boasts snowmaking covering a Colorado-best 100% of its groomed terrain. The lift-served peak is at 10,600 ft.
Despite coming in at 680 acres, this mountain counts on a wide variety of trails from chill groomers to steeps, cliffs, and gullies off the more challenging Corona lift. So even if it won’t keep die hard skiers busy all day, there’s definitely something for everyone.
2861 Eldora Ski Rd, Nederland, CO 80466 | 303-440-8700
Echo Mountain, CO – 133 miles / 2 h 28 min
More hill than mountain, Echo Mountain has one chair and 2 carpets that serve 9 total runs. While that might not thrill the experienced skier, Echo Mountain serves as a great place to learn skiing and riding due to its easy terrain, reasonable lift tickets, and down to earth atmosphere.
For those on a budget or new to the sport, the resort is a gateway to new skills and experiences at a reasonable price. This is an upside-resort, so the base lodge sits towards the top at 10,500 feet of elevation. There’s a decent vertical drop of 660 feet, providing a fairly long run over the 60 skiable acres.
What’s cool about Echo is that there’s night skiing. There’s also tubing at Echo to provide a change of pace when you exhaust yourself repeating laps. The closest town is a thirty minute drive to Idaho Springs, which you’ll pass on the way from Cheyenne, WY. It makes for a thrilling base not from far Colorado’s capital city.
19285 CO-103, Idaho Springs, CO 80452 | 720-899-2100
Loveland Ski Area, CO – 153 miles / 2 h 33 min
Scenic Loveland Ski Area offers incredible views of the rockies from the top of the continental divide. Located just past Georgetown, CO, Loveland has no lodging, and little in the way of typical base area shops or restaurants. Not that visitors will miss much as they focus on exploring over 100 trails, and 1800 acres of challenging terrain, incredible scenery, and plenty of light, fluffy powder.
In fact, Loveland has one of the longer seasons in Colorado due to its high elevation between 11,000 and 13,000 feet, and it’s 422 inches of snow yearly.
While tailored towards experienced skiers, there is something for everyone at Loveland Ski Area. Beginners can visit the Loveland Valley beginner area to hone their skills away from the crowds, while those looking for an adrenaline rush can take the free snowcat in search of the “open, steep, and deep” runs from the top of the divide.
I-70, Dillon, CO 80435 | 800-736-3754
Winter Park Resort, CO – 163 miles / 2 h 47 min
One of the most popular resorts not just in Colorado, but the US, Winter Park has been in operation every season since 1940. Winter Park’s 3,000 acres have been ranked as the #1 ski resort in North America 2 years in a row by USA today, and for good reason. A substantial vertical of 3,060 feet stretching from 9,000 feet of elevation to 12,060 ft.
From glades and tree skiing to lightning fast groomers, there’s something for everyone at Winter Park Resort. And while it may have more to occupy the experienced skier, spanning two mountains, Winter Park and Mary Jane, even beginners will have plenty to explore.
Beyond the amazing terrain and 315 inches of annual snowfall, the town of Winter Park caters to many different adventures. Snowcat tours, dog sled rides, and even snow bikes offer an alternative to the usual skiing and boarding, as does the renowned apres ski life in Winter Park Village.
85 Parsenn Rd, Winter Park, CO 80482 | 970-726-5514
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, CO – 161 miles / 2 h 47 min
Arapahoe Basin is one of the most terrain focused resorts on this list. Known for having one of the longest seasons in Colorado, visitors can regularly enjoy skiing and riding well into June, or even July.
With a base elevation of 10,780ft, and an impressive summit at 13,050 feet, Arapahoe Basin covers nearly 1,500 acres of skiable terrain. While it may not be the largest resort in Colorado, A-Basin is known for its incredible share of difficult and extreme terrain. Visitors who want to test their mettle can head for Montezuma bowl, or even hike up the famous East Wall for access to an impressive array of chutes and other features.
While luxury dining and lodging aren’t available at A-Basin, guests will enjoy the laid back local vibe, particularly “the beach,” where the parking lot butts up against the base area. In the spring it’s one big tailgate with crowds of people drinking, grilling, all while taking laps right off the nearest lifts. The closest town is Keystone, just a few minutes away. Dillon and the rest of Summit County is also close by.
28194 US-6, Dillon, CO 80435 | 970-468-0718
Keystone Ski Resort, CO – 166 miles / 2 h 50 min
From the base at 9,280 feet, to its peak at 12,408 feet, Keystone Resort offers over 3,100 acres of skiable terrain. Keystone’s 3 mountains and 5 back bowls offer nearly every kind of skiing and riding imaginable, and experts will revel in its seemingly endless array of glades, chutes, and extreme terrain.
While the terrain at Keystone is geared towards skilled skiers and riders, beginners will find an array of runs to hone their skills on. The most well known is Schoolmarm, a winding 3.5 mile learning area perfect for anyone new to the sport.
Keystone even offers some of the most extensive night skiing in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, with much of the terrain out of the River Run base area staying open until 8:00pm on select nights and holidays. The village of Keystone is one of the nicer ski towns in Colorado.
100 Dercum Square, Keystone, CO 80435 | 970-496-4118
Steamboat Ski Resort, CO – 171 miles / 2 h 56 min
Steamboat Ski Resort is spread across an impressive 2,965 acres and 6 mountain peaks. Boasting 169 named runs, Steamboat offers near endless opportunities to explore whether you’re looking for bumps, glades, groomers, or anything in between.
While only 14% of trails are rated for beginners, a relaxed set of intermediate runs means that this mountain can be enjoyed by the whole family. The weather brings 400 inches of snow annually, so there’s no shortage of epic conditions and Steamboat’s famed “champagne powder”
Those looking for a signature experience should check out the Maverick Superpipe, or glade runs On Pioneer Ridge, Sunshine Peak, and Storm Peak. The base of Steamboat Ski Resort is 6,900 feet and 10,568 feet at the peak of Mount Werner.
Steamboat Springs, Colorado, located in the Yampa Valley, just might be the most picturesque ski town on this list. It’s home to both Steamboat Ski Resort and the tiny Howelsen Hill, known for being the oldest ski resort in the United States and for its heritage of training olympic athletes.
The town and mountain village are home to a range of excellent shops and restaurants, as well as the relaxing hot springs for which the town is named. The old-west feel embraced by the town is an enchanting backdrop to any ski getaway.
2305 Mt Werner Cir, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 | 800-379-7425
Howelsen Hill Ski Area, CO – 173 miles / 2 h 59 min
While it doesn’t compare to Steamboat Ski Resort, and doesn’t make for a great weekend destination, Howelsen Hill Ski Area deserves an honorable mention for its rich history. Plus you can hit it for night skiing or on an off day from the big boy slopes.
The oldest operating resort in North America, Howelsen opened in 1915. Since then its natural ski jumping terrain has trained nearly 100 Olympians, as well as members of the Colorado and International Ski Hall of Fame.
A modest 440-foot vertical provides a fairly impressive steep pitch down the main run of the mountain. There are just enough to choose from over 50 skiable acres of mostly beginner and intermediate terrain. Howelsen Hill spans from 6,696 feet to 7,136 feet of elevation.
Howelsen Pkwy, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 | 970-879-8499
Granby Ranch, CO – 174 miles / 3 h 6 min
Although it’s only 406 skiable acres, Granby Ranch isn’t the smallest on our list if you’ve been counting, it’s the third, ahead of Snowy Range and Echo, respectively. It’s a lovely little resort for beginners and newbies looking to hone their craft.
The resort climbs from 8,202 feet of elevation at the base to exactly a thousand feet higher at 9,202 ft. There are two main hills to the ski area, as well as night skiing. Granby Ranch is a wonderful place for families looking for a picturesque ski holiday.
There’s a nice base village area, which is located five minutes drive from the town of Granby. This western town features just enough shops and restaurants to keep you entertained and well fed during the after ski hours.
You can also head only thirty minutes south and be at Winter Park Resort or fifteen minutes west to Hot Sulphur Springs Resort. You can get epic gnar at the former and relaxing hot springs water at the latter.
1000 Village Rd, Granby, CO 80446 | 970-887-5123
Copper Mountain, CO – 175 miles / 2 h 50 min
Sitting just east of Vail Pass, Copper features 140 trails spread out across nearly 2,500 acres of skiable terrain. The sheer size of Copper Mountain means that there is terrain for every ability level. It’s made easily accessible by the mountain’s natural layout, which tends to cluster trails of similar difficulty together.
In addition to the glades, bumps, and groomers, Copper Mountain Resort is home to the famous Woodward. Divided into 8 smaller park areas, the Woodward Copper allows new and experienced park riders access to an endless array of freestyle areas, jumps, boxes, rails, and even a superpipe. Their specially tailored progression areas even make it easy for visitors to explore park riding, and develop new skills.
Once the on-mountain fun is done for the day, visitors can visit one of three base villages at Copper Mountain for access to a wide array of restaurants, spas, and bars. Perfect for an overnight or weekend trip, Copper has convenient lodging options all throughout the base village. The base elevation is 9,712 feet and Copper’s summit is quite high at 12,441 ft.
209 Ten Mile Circle, Copper Mountain, CO 80443 | 970-968-2318
Willing to go the extra mile?
Another Wyoming resort close to Casper is Hogadon Basin Ski Area. It’s just under three hours drive and roughly 188 miles. It’s a small hill featuring 14 trails spread over 60 skiable acres.
For those looking to venture further into the Colorado counties of Summit and Eagle, there are several world-class resorts at the price of 30-45 minutes of additional drive time from the aforementioned resorts. From the World Cup downhill at Beaver Creek, to Vail’s famous back bowls and “the legend” Arapahoe Basin, these options are well worth a look for the intrepid traveler.
Here’s a list of Colorado ski resorts in case you decide to stick around.
6 Ski Resorts within 3 Hours of Fargo, ND