Downhill Skiing
Is there downhill resort skiing in Estes Park? No, but Eldora Ski Resort is a beautiful 47 mile drive to the south on Hwy 7 – the Peak to Peak National Scenic Byway. It’s about an hour and 15 minutes drive from Estes. IKON Season Pass holders get unlimited access at Eldora. The mountain caters to families and kids with ski rentals, lessons, groomed slopes and lighting for night skiing. When you visit Estes Park and ski at Eldora, you can avoid the I-70 ski traffic and ski with the locals! Eldorado also offers 40 kilometers of trails dedicated to cross country skiing at their Nordic Center.
It is definitely worth checking out, but if you’re willing to earn your turns there are endless options right near Estes…
Cross Country Skiing
On the East Side of the Park, the high scenic trails we hike in the summer are used by backcountry skiers in the winter. Sprague Lake and Bear Lake areas in Rocky Mountain National Park are the easiest & most popular winter trails. The Sprague Lake Loop in particular is great for new skiers or families with young children.
Another great option is Trail Ridge Road. When the road closes to car traffic, it opens for skiers. Enjoy stunning views as you traverse this iconic winding road at 10,000+ elevation.
On the West Side of the Park and the Kawuneechee Valley is generally flatter with more snow, and thus often offers better conditions. Chart your own course or check out RMNP’s ranger-led ski tours to explore this part of the park.
Alpine Touring or Backcountry Skiing
Ready for a new winter challenge? Whether you are an expert heading out on your own, or new to backcountry skiing and want to book a guided trip, Rocky Mountain National Park is known worldwide for some of the best and most authentic backcountry skiing and boarding available.
Flattop Mountain, accessed from the Bear Lake Parking Lot, offers some mellow high alpine terrain in the Banana Bowls, perfect for sunny days when the avalanche danger is too high for steep terrain.
For the adventurous skier looking for hard lines, the Bear Lake area has classics like Dragon Tail Couloir, Dead Elk Couloir, Ptarmigan Fingers, and Notchtop Couloir.
Find spring skiing fun on the north side of Sundance Mountain or on Andrews Glacier.
Rocky Mountain National Park is BIG, and options for backcountry skiing and mountaineering are even bigger! BUT there is no avalanche control and no ski patrol, so you need the proper gear & knowledge to stay safe. Consider taking a safety class and/or guided trip through Colorado Mountain School.
Hidden Valley – the ex-ski resort
Did you know that from 1955-1991 Hidden Valley was a ski resort operated inside Rocky Mountain National Park? The Park Service removed the lifts, nature is slowly taking over, but what is left are runs for knowledgeable backcountry skiers.
The area offers well established skin tracks, open tree cuts and the ability to lap runs until your legs give out. Additionally, in January 2017 a self-service Avalanche Beacon Training Park was added at so skiers can practice their beacon locating skills for self-rescue before heading out. Although no skiing is allowed in the tubing/sledding area at Hidden Valley, AT skiers can pass through on their way up. And, there is ample parking, restrooms, and a warming hut at Hidden Valley.
Trail Ridge Road, that lets you drive over the 12,000 ft Continental Divide in the summer, cuts through the middle of the old area. The lower area below Trail Ridge Road has beginner/intermediate terrain, and above is the steeper terrain. Base elevation = 9,500 ft…vertical is about 2,000 ft.