Snowboarders buy over 25 percent of lift tickets at this Colorado resort, the highest ratio of any Colorado ski/snowboard area, confirming that local riders prioritize convenience (and great terrain parks, of course) when they pick a resort. The closest ski area to Denver, Loveland Resort is split over both sides of interstate I-70 and actually is comprised of two ski areas, Loveland Basin and Loveland Valley, connected by a horizontal lift and shuttle bus. The slopes loom over the interstate as you head west from Denver, offering solid beginner and intermediate options and exciting expert and advanced terrain. In keeping with the "love" theme, the special "Marry Me, Ski Free" promotion might be surprising for those not expecting to see veiled, bouquet-carrying skiers whooshing down the slopes on Valentines Day.
Loveland Valley is best for beginners and intermediates, free from intimidating terrain and expert skiers zooming down slopes. It is serviced by two lifts. The Basin is appropriate for all skill levels, but is packed with expert and advanced terrain full of above-treeline chutes and bowls. Thrilling black diamonds will get the blood pumping: try Avalanche Bowl, Cat's Meow, Holy Cat, Tiger's Tail, Zoom, and The Plunge. The terrain also includes well-groomed intermediate runs and long cruisers. For bumps and chutes, advanced skiers should make their way to Chair 1. A mix of wilderness bowls are accessible via Chairs 4 and 8. Lifts include three quad chairs, two triples, four doubles, one surface lift and one tow. Loveland's Airwalk sponsored terrain park, appropriately named "Love Park," serves up natural half-pipes, powder-filled bowls and a number or rails, boxes, and jumps – explaining why snowboarders make Loveland a top pick.
11 lifts including 2 surface lifts and 9 chair lifts.
$$ (Moderately Priced)70 runs - 17% beginner, 42% intermediate, 41% expert. Longest run is 10,560 feet.
8 km of Cross Country trails.
Mountain Statistics: 2,410 feet vertical drop, 13,010 feet summit elevation, 1,365 acres, average annual accumulation 400 inches.
It's a spur of the moment snowboarding trip with great friends, great fun and great food without a great big drive before and after. It's a celebration of snow that lasts as long as you want an hour, a day, or all season long.