Easy Access to the Slopes: Closest Ski Resorts to Denver Airport
Are you wondering which are the closest ski resorts to Denver International Airport and how to get there?
With so many awesome ski resorts scattered throughout Colorado, deciding which one to pick for your ski vacation can be tough. Luckily, there are resorts clustered within less than a 2-hour drive from Denver Airport, making it super easy if you’re flying in. I grew up in Steamboat Springs, about a 3-hour drive from Denver, so I know firsthand the need for convenience for getting to the slopes.
Traffic & road conditions can also make the drive up to the mountain resorts longer, weekend traffic can be difficult at times so I would recommend arriving on a weekday during peak times if possible.
In this post, I have ranked the top resorts based not only on their distance from Denver Airport but also taking into consideration factors like shuttle convenience, price, lodging options, and overall popularity.
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1. Winter Park Resort
Winter Park is approximately a 90-minute to 2-hour drive from Denver Airport and one of the closest and most popular ski resorts to DIA. The most common route is to take I-70 West and then exit onto US-40 West, leading directly to Winter Park.
Winter Park is convenient because it offers a variety of lodging options, including hotels, condos, and vacation rentals. These choices provide easy access to the ski slopes and numerous amenities.
| Distance from Denver International Airport | 88 Miles |
| Links to Shuttle Services | –Winter Park Shuttle Services –Winter Park Express Train from Union Station in Denver |
2. Keystone Ski Resort
Keystone is one of the best and closest ski resorts to Denver Airport. Keystone Resort is about a 90-minute drive from DIA, but the travel time can increase in heavy traffic or icy road conditions. The most accessible route is to take I-70 West and exit onto US-6 towards Keystone in Summit County.
Keystone Ski Resort offers a diverse range of lodging options, including hotels and condos, right near the ski mountain.
| Distance from Denver International Airport | 96.8 miles |
| Links to Shuttle Services | –Denver Airport (DEN) to Keystone Resort – Arrival Private Transfer –Denver Airport (DEN) to Keystone Resort – Round-Trip Private Transfer –Epic Mountain Express |
3. Breckenridge Resort
Breckenridge is approximately a 2-hour drive from Denver International Airport. The most common route is to take I-70 West and then exit onto CO-9 South towards Breckenridge.
Breckenridge provides a range of lodging options right near the ski mountain with a charming downtown area with great shops and restaurants.
| Distance from Denver International Airport | 103 miles |
| Links to Shuttle Services | –Denver Airport APA to Breckenridge Ski Resort-Arrival Transfer –Breckenridge/Keystone/Copper Mountain to Denver Int Airport (DEN) –Peak 1 Express Airport Shuttle |
4. Vail Ski Resort
Vail is approximately a 2-hour drive from Denver Airport, though delays may occur due to traffic and snow conditions.
The town offers a myriad of lodging options, ranging from upscale resorts to charming vacation rentals, all set against the backdrop of a delightful village with a distinctly European feel.
| Distance from Denver International Airport | 120 miles |
| Links to Shuttle Services | –Private Car Service from Vail or Beaver Creek to Denver Int’l Airport (DEN) –Epic Mountain Express |
5. Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain is approximately a 1.5 to 2-hour drive from Denver International Airport. The most common route is to take I-70 West and then exit onto CO-91 South toward Copper Mountain.
Copper Mountain offers a diverse range of lodging options, from slope-side accommodations to vacation rentals.
| Distance from Denver International Airport | 100 miles |
| Links to Shuttle Services | –Breckenridge/Keystone/Copper Mountain to Denver Int Airport (DEN) –Summit Express |
6. Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek is approximately a 2-hour drive from Denver Airport. The most common route is to take I-70 West and then exit onto Avon Road towards Beaver Creek.
Beaver Creek is known for its luxury resorts, providing top-notch accommodations, spa facilities, fine dining, and personalized services. These resorts often offer ski-in/ski-out access, making them convenient for avid skiers.
| Distance from Denver International Airport | 131 miles |
| Links to Shuttle Services | –Denver Airport to Beaver Creek Private Shuttle –Epic Mountain Express |
7. Loveland Ski Area
Loveland Ski Resort, located near the Eisenhower Tunnel on Interstate 70, is about an hour’s drive from Denver Airport. Loveland is one of the more affordable ski resorts near Denver.
While Loveland Ski Resort doesn’t have on-site lodging, there are nearby towns that offer a variety of choices for visitors looking to stay in the area. The closest towns for lodging are Georgetown which is about 17 miles east of Loveland Ski Resort and Silverthorne in Summit County about 11 miles west.
Shuttle services from Denver Airport to Loveland Ski Resort are not as common as for larger resorts, but private transportation options and rental cars are available for those seeking flexibility. Also, if you are staying in Summit County there are shuttles available to get you to your hotel first.
| Distance from Denver International Airport | 79.8 miles |
| Links to Shuttle Service to Summit County | – Summit Express –Epic Mountain Express |
8. Arapahoe Basin
Arapahoe Basin is about a 1.5 to 2-hour drive from Denver Airport. The most common route is to take I-70 West and then exit onto US-6 East toward Arapahoe Basin.
Arapahoe Basin is in Summit County and the closest lodging is in Keystone, Silverthorne, Dillon, or Frisco. Shuttle service can take you to your lodging in Summit County from Denver Airport.
A-Basin stays open longer than any other resort in Colorado so if you want to do some extended spring skiing, this is the place to go.
| Distance from Denver International Airport | 87.3 miles |
| Links to Shuttle Service to Summit County | – Summit Express – Epic Mountain Express |
9. Grandby Ranch
Granby Ranch is approximately a 2-hour drive from Denver Airport. The most common route is to take I-70 West, then head north on US-40 towards Granby. The town is near Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park.
The nearby town of Grandby has a number of lodging options which include hotels, vacation rentals and motels.
| Distance from Denver International Airport | 109 miles |
| Links to Shuttles to Grandby Ranch | – Home James Transportation Service |
10. Eldora Ski Resort
Eldora Ski Resort is approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Denver Airport and located in the town of Nederland which is about 22 miles from Boulder, Colorado.
Eldora is primarily a day-use ski area, and it does not offer on-site lodging, however, there are lodging options available in nearby towns and cities, like Nederland and Boulder, providing visitors with choices for overnight stays.
| Distance from Denver International Airport | 66.5 |
| Links to Shuttles to Eldora | Bus or Car Options |
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