So you’re looking for a winter ski vacation in the Rockies. Where do you go? You know all the big names — Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, Steamboat, and so on — but what about Sunlight?
Sunlight Mountain Ski Resort is tucked away in the mountains above Glenwood Springs, about an hour west of Vail. It’s a smaller mountain and doesn’t have the fame of the big guys. But just because it’s small doesn’t mean it’s not worth going. Here’s why your next ski weekend should be at Sunlight.
Your Whole Family Can Afford It
Skiing is an expensive hobby. Not only do you need all the warm clothes and equipment, but then you have to pay for lift tickets. A single-day adult lift ticket at Aspen-Snowmass is $139, and a child’s ticket is $92. At Vail, those tickets are $135 and $93. That means that your family of four, two adults and two kids, is paying over $450 per day to ski at one of the mega-resorts.
At Sunlight, that same family of two adults and two kids would pay just $220, less than half the cost of the big resorts. And with the Ski, Swim, and Soak package, you get discounted lodging, access to Glenwood Springs’ famous hot springs pool, and kids under 12 ski free. You can effectively double your vacation money!
Slopes For All Skill Levels
Sunlight’s 700 skiable acres might not compete with the mega-resorts on quantity, but they’ll more than make up for it with quality. On one end of the mountain is Ute, a two-mile beginner slope that gently winds down from the summit of the mountain to the base — perfect for casual skiers or those who want an easy warmup.
On the other side, Sunlight’s East Ridge offers the steepest lift-accessible terrain in the state. Its crown Jewel, the Heathen, drops at a breathtaking 52 degrees. And in between, Sunlight offers corduroy, moguls, and dense tree skiing among aspens and lodgepole pines that remain untracked for days after a big snowfall.
Best of all, all of Sunlight’s trails converge at the same lodge at the base, so it’s easy to rendezvous and keep track of friends and family.
Easy Access From Glenwood Springs
No rental car? No problem! Sunlight is only 13 miles outside of Glenwood Springs and offers a shuttle service from major Glenwood Springs hotels that runs once on weekdays and twice on weekends.
Service is only $5 per rider one-way, and gets you up to the mountain by 9:00 a.m., plenty of time for fresh tracks!
Fewer Crowds
If you’ve ever been to Aspen on a holiday weekend, you know that lift lines can stretch back hundreds of people. Get away from the glitz and luxury of the big resort towns and back to basics with Sunlight’s rustic atmosphere.
The lodge at the base has a simple cafeteria, complete with food, indoor and outdoor tables, boot warmers and a bar, and the crowds will never be as ridiculous as the big mountains.
So come see what Glenwood Springs has to offer! Great lodging, shopping, dining, outdoor activities, and Sunlight Mountain — Colorado’s hidden gem.