CHOOSE
YOUR
COLORADO
SKI
RESORT
Ski Colorado
Eldora
The Ski Mountain
Eldora is a smaller scale resort. Think 680 acres and 11 lifts compared to Vail’s 193-trails and 5,289 acres. But that makes it the winter playground for locals aiming to dodge the highway-turned-parking lot that I-70 becomes at 4:30 p.m. every weekend. Their motto: “Friends don’t let friends drive I-70.” Often windy with variable snow conditions, there’s a reason Eldora is not among the best-known Colorado resorts. But catch it on a good morning after an up-slope storm has swept the Front Range, and the double-black Corona Bowl is (almost) as good as anything the bigger resorts have to offer. If you’re active duty military, Eldora also offers a steep discount on lift tickets.
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Current Snow Conditions
| Resort | Base Depth (in.) | 48hr Snowfall |
|---|---|---|
| Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Colorado | 25" | 0" |
| Aspen / Snowmass Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Beaver Creek Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Breckenridge Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Copper Mountain Resort Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Crested Butte Mountain Resort Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Durango Mountain Resort Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Eldora Mountain Resort Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Howelsen Hill Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Keystone Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Loveland Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Monarch Mountain Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Powderhorn Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Silverton Mountain Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Ski Cooper Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Ski Granby Ranch Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Snowmass Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Steamboat Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Sunlight Mountain Resort Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Telluride Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Vail Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Winter Park Resort Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
| Wolf Creek Ski Area Colorado | N/A" | 0" |
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Eldora – Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive I-70
Ski Terrain
• Beginner: One whole section (albeit a small one) of the mountain gives beginners a chance to get their ski legs without worrying about the experts zipping past. This green-only area features three lifts and one magic carpet. Athletic beginner skiers and beginner boarders might want to head up to the Snail or Easyway trails, as lower paths like Ho Hum and Tenderfoot are mellow enough to manage and provide a little more variety.
• Intermediate: An intermediate-friendly mountain, Eldora’s terrain and its location make it perfect for that relaxed, just-want-to-get-out-and-have-fun skier. Head to the Indian Peaks lift, which accesses a bevy of blues.
• Advanced: Thrill seekers should stick to laps on the Corona lift on the resort’s far east side. If the snow’s deep enough, and you’re feeling brave enough, head to the double-black glades of the Corona Bowl for great tree-skiing and never-been-groomed slopes. The runs aren’t terribly long, but you’ll be breathing heavy by the time you get to the bottom.
• Terrain Park: Eldora certainly isn’t known for its park, but if you’re looking to hit a jump or ride a rail, there are features to accommodate you. Take the Sundance lift to access park features on Corkscrew trail, Bonanza trail and Foxtail trail.
The Mountain Experience
Home of the famed festival “Frozen Dead Guy Days,” which features an actual frozen dead guy, Eldora’s hometown Nederland, marches to the beat of a very different drummer. It’s a mix of funky, friendly individuals who live 21 miles up a canyon from beautiful downtown Boulder in a remote section of Colorado and Boulder refugees, who zipped in for a day of skiing. Take advantage of the fact that you’re likely to share the lift with a local. Residents are proud of their town and love to share its hidden gems with visitors.
Ask about the neighborhood beer scene, and you’ll be a brew snob by the time you get to the top of the lift. Also, dress warmly with lots of layers. Although Eldora’s top elevation hits only 10,800 feet, the winds can be brutal, making it feel far colder than what it says on the thermometer…PAGE 1 OF 2 – READ MORE..
by Courtney Holden
ELDORA LINKS
SKIING WITH KIDS – APRES SKIING – LODGING – COST
GETTING THERE