Loveland Ski Area - Skiing & Snowboarding

Review

Intro

Loveland Ski Area is one of Colorado locals' favorite mountains. Only 53 miles away from Denver, Loveland offers a wide range of terrain from beginner to expert, without the headache of a crowded resort. Loveland is one of the first resorts to open every winter and typically one of the last to close, giving it a season from around October thru May.

What Makes It Great

Want more time on the mountain and less time in lift lines? Loveland is for you. Loveland sticks to its roots by providing excellent terrain without theexcesses (and the high prices) of other ski areas. It is the perfect place for those that just simply want to ski and ride. The quaint town of Georgetown is 13 miles away and offers a wide range of lodging and restaurants, so if you want to make a weekend of it, you are certainly able.

There are great shops to rent gear from and reasonable rates on lessons. Loveland even offers childcare for kids 12 months to 12 years old.

Much of Loveland Basin is above tree line and it is easy to get into the backcountry if solitude is your venture. The area is one of Colorado’s highest ski areas with a summit of 13,010' and is the second highest lift served area in North America at 12,697'. Free cat skiing is available off of chair 9—make sure to stop by the season pass office to sign a waiver and get a free ridgecat card in order to ride. The ridgecat typically runs Wednesday thru Sunday (weather permitting) from 10am- 2:30 pm. This terrain is only accessible by foot or cat.

Finally, a great addition to Loveland in the past few years is free access to uphill skinning and snowshoe traffic. You'll need to pick up a free uphill pass from the ski patrol office before heading up and you must stay on the assigned routes, but it's an excellent option for those who want to earn their turns.

Who is Going to Love It

Loveland Valley offers beginner terrain and lessons for those just learning to ski, while Loveland Basin offers everything from easy green runs to tons of accessible expert terrain. High above treeline, the gutsy bowls at 13,000' are perfect for experts who want to go big. There's an excellent mix of intermediate and beginner runs as well—laps off Chair 8 are perfect for those dialing in their skills. One more plus: Loveland is one of the very few ski areas in Colorado with reasonable food and drink prices at their cozy lodge.

Directions, Parking, & Regulations

Getting to Loveland is easy! From Denver, take I-70 west to Exit 216, just before the Eisenhower tunnel. Turn right off the exit to park at the main ski area (there is also a smaller lot for parking to the left for beginner terrain).