Outdoor recreation in Colorado contributes substantially to the state’s tourism industry. Skiing and snowboarding are a big part of the west Colorado economy, but there is virtually no skiing in east Colorado. There are, however, several ski resorts on the eastern edge of central Colorado, and those ski areas are easily accessible to residents of East Colorado who love skiing. In particular, Echo Mountain and Eldora are east Colorado skiing destinations that will thrill any skier or snowboarder.

Echo Mountain Park

Echo Mountain Park’s main attraction is its proximity to Denver. Located just 35 miles from downtown Denver, Echo Mountain Park offers east Colorado residents an exciting skiing adventure without having to drive all day.

Echo Mountain Park bills itself as the “newest, closest, and cheapest” skiing resort in east Colorado. The park closes at 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday nights, but the park is well lit and open for night skiing Wednesday through Saturday. The park is closed on Tuesday for maintenance.

Echo Mountain appeals to the city crowd, with music blasting across the slopes. The lounge offers wireless internet access and gaming for riders who want to take a break between runs. Residents of East Colorado who like skiing and want to spend the night at Echo Mountain Park will enjoy spacious rooms in Echo Mountain and Quality Suites at Evergreen Parkway, with spectacular views, flat-screen TVs, and outdoor hot tubs.

Eldora Mountain Resort

Eldora is the second main option for east Colorado skiing, since it is located just an hour’s drive northwest of Denver – easily reachable by east Colorado skiing enthusiasts. Eldora has twelve fun lifts that serve a combination of green, blue, and black runs.

Riders love Eldora, with its four terrain parks. Sundance has two beginner and three intermediate jumps and one beginner and six intermediate jibs. Quickway is perfect for beginners, with four beginner jumps. Corkscrew, with its two expert jibs, and trick Ditch, with its one beginner jib, appeals to both experienced and inexperienced riders. The last terrain park, Foxtail, is a beginner’s dream, with two beginner jumps, two beginner burms, and three beginner rollers.

Eldora also has an incredible Nordic center with 40 km of trails for cross country skiers and snowshoers. Cross-country ski trails are noted for their quiet settings in peaceful forests. Telemark skiing lessons and equipment rentals are available at the Eldora Nordic Center, which also sells drinks, snacks, sunglasses, hats, and gloves.