Top 10 Best Small Ski Resorts In Colorado

Colorado is my favorite place to ski. The high elevation means a long season, fantastic snow, and plenty of resorts to choose from. 

I love big resorts for their various trails and amenities, but the local vibe and fewer crowds at Colorado’s small ski resorts can be a real game changer. Smaller resorts are also great for beginners. If you want to discover the best small ski resorts in Colorado, keep reading below.

1. Ski Cooper

First on the list is Ski Cooper, located in Leadville, Colorado, the highest town in the U.S. This small ski resort is perfect for those seeking a local feel and a mix of beginner, intermediate, and expert runs. With 480 skiable acres, 64 trails, and five lifts, it offers a great range of options. Plus, the resort gets about 250 inches of snow annually. 

This is the perfect option for those wanting a bit of everything. The resort is only two hours from Denver, making it easy to reach from the Mile High City. 

2. Howelsen Hill Ski Area

Next on the list is Howelsen Hill Ski Area, located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, not far from the renowned Steamboat Ski Resort. I love this spot because Steamboat is an amazing small town with fantastic snow, a charming downtown, and a local atmosphere.

Howelsen Hill is perfect for those looking for an affordable, local mountain. It offers 50 skiable acres, 19 trails, and an average of 170 inches of snowfall each year. They even have night skiing! Plus, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy free skiing on Sundays, which is a great perk.

3. Powderhorn Mountain Resort

Powderhorn Mountain Resort is a bit larger than others on this list but still considered one of Colorado’s smaller resorts. It offers 1,600 skiable acres, five lifts, and receives 250 inches of snowfall annually. 

What I love most about Powderhorn are the charming tiny homes available for rent. Located right at the resort’s base and just a short walk to the main chairlift, these cozy homes provide a fun and unique way to enjoy a ski trip at a quieter, lesser-known resort with easy access to the slopes.

4. Wolf Creek Ski Area

Wolf Creek Ski Area is another fantastic small ski resort in Colorado. It offers 1,600 skiable acres and ten lifts and receives an impressive 430 inches of snow annually, making it one of the snowiest resorts in the state. Despite this, it often flies under the radar compared to bigger resorts like Vail and Breckenridge. 

In southwestern Colorado near Pagosa Springs, Wolf Creek is a hidden gem with legendary powder perfect for those looking for an off-the-beaten-path ski experience.

5. Granby Ranch

Granby Ranch is another fantastic small ski resort in Colorado. It offers 406 skiable acres, five lifts, and around 40 trails for skiers and snowboarders to explore. 

What I love most about Granby Ranch is its location, though. It’s next to Granby Lake and close to popular spots like Winter Park. It’s an excellent pick for anyone wanting to enjoy fantastic slopes without the high price or large crowds of more prominent resorts.

6. Lee’s Ski Hill

You’ve probably never heard of Lee’s Ski Hill; it’s one of Colorado’s hidden gems. This tiny ski area is located in Ouray, one of my favorite small towns in the state. 

True to its name, it’s just a ski hill with one beginner run and a tow rope. If you’re in the area or staying in Ouray, it’s a fun spot to check out, but I wouldn’t recommend planning a trip to Ouray solely for skiing here.

7. Echo Mountain Resort

Echo Mountain Resort is a very small ski area in Colorado, offering just 60 skiable acres. Located only 36 miles from Denver, it’s one of the closest small resorts to the city. 

With three lifts, 12 runs, and the option for night skiing, it’s a great choice if you want to experience a local mountain with a more intimate atmosphere, all within a short drive from Denver.

8. Chapman Hill

Chapman Hill is another small ski area in Colorado, featuring just two rope tows and a laid-back atmosphere. As the name implies, it’s more of a ski hill and offers little beyond that, so it’s not really worth visiting. 

However, if you’re in Durango, it’s a solid option for beginners. Where Chapman Hill really shines, though, is in its extra activities, like ice skating, which add to its appeal as a fun day out.

9. Kendall Mountain

Kendall Mountain is another tiny ski resort in Colorado, with just 16 skiable acres, one chairlift, and an average of 200 inches of snow each year. What I love about this mountain is that despite its size, it still offers a good variety of terrain: 50% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 10% advanced. 

Located in Silverton, Colorado, it’s a great spot to visit for its local vibe if you’re in the area or staying nearby.

10. Silverton Mountain

Silverton Mountain stands out from any other “ski resort” on this list. It’s truly unique, featuring just one double chair lift, with terrain exclusively for advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders. While there’s only one lift, the mountain offers access to a massive 26,819 skiable acres, which might not seem to fit the small resort category, but I had to include it for its uniqueness and lesser-known status. 

Silverton gets over 400 inches of snowfall annually, and depending on the season, you can explore the mountain either with a guide or on your own. However, avalanche gear is always required when using the lift.

What’s Your Favorite Small Ski Resort In Colorado?

Let us know in the comments!