Are you looking for an affordable, family-friendly ski resort with good vibes and terrain for all abilities? Loveland Ski Resort is the perfect destination.
From the moment you step onto the slopes at Loveland Ski Resort, you will experience some of the best local vibes and terrain CO offers at a budget-friendly price point. Forget the expensive mega-resorts with large crowds and frothing locals racing to get the best lines on the mountain.
Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland that offers a unique rustic experience you won’t find anywhere else. Loveland Ski Resort offers old-school ski vibes with terrain that will have you hooting all day.
As a Colorado local, I’ve spent countless days working and riding at Loveland Ski Resort. I’m here to share what makes this place a local favorite.
Why Choose Loveland Ski Resort?
Loveland Ski Resort offers rad vibes, affordability, a dedicated beginners’ mountain, and a variety of terrain for the advanced skier or snowboarder.
Loveland caters to the no-frills skier or snowboarder looking for a ski or snowboard-centric experience. With 1,800 acres of skiable terrain, two base areas, and a FREE snowcat, the mountain has plenty of fun.
This family-owned mountain may be smaller than its competitors, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for with uncrowded slopes and fresh lines all day. Who doesn’t like uncrowded slopes with powder runs all to yourself?
A weekday at Loveland Ski Resort looks like empty chairs and powder turns with just you and your friends. If you are looking for a ski resort that doesn’t get tracked out in 30 minutes, this is it. You can literately find fresh powder turns all day at Loveland Ski Resort.
The Vibe
Loveland Ski Resort is a hidden gem, hiding in plain sight off the I70 freeway. Nestled in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, just 53 miles west of Denver, it is known for its laid-back, locals-friendly vibe.
The rustic and authentic mountain lodge is filled with die-hard locals who have been skiing Loveland since its inception. Stories of seasons gone by and mountain adventures echo through the room, filling the air with laughter and excitement. People of all ages come together, sharing good times that bridge generations and create lasting memories.
The Rathskeller Bar in Loveland evokes a nostalgic journey to decades past, capturing the timeless spirit of an era when it was all about the pure joy of skiing.
Because Loveland Ski Resort isn’t included on the mega-resort passes, it often gets overlooked in favor of larger, busier resorts that cater to the masses with upscale, ski-in/ski-out experiences. While those resorts offer a more all-inclusive ski vacation, Loveland is strictly about the mountain experience.
There are no fancy shops, fine dining, or posh lounges—just pure, unpretentious access to the slopes, where the focus is on the skiing and the stunning alpine surroundings.
Lift Tickets
Loveland Ski Resort offers an incredible bang for the buck! While other mega-resorts charge more than double the price for lift tickets, Loveland is a budget-friendly alternative.
Loveland Ski Resort consists of two main mountain base areas:
Loveland Basin
Loveland Basin is the main mountain base area, with facilities including a bar and restaurant, food court, bathrooms, lockers, rentals, a tune shop, and a gift shop. The large parking lot at the base of Loveland Basin offers free parking.
Lift tickets for Loveland Basin include access to the beginners area Loveland Valley. Tickets start at less than half the price of mega-resort competitors, making Loveland Ski Resort a killer deal.
Tickets can be purchased in discounted four-packs online prior to the winter season.
These four-pack lift tickets offer a 40-50% discount versus what you would pay for daily window lift ticket pricing. They typically stop selling four-packs after November.
Loveland Basin offers terrain for all abilities, however the dedicated beginners area is located at Loveland Valley. There is shuttle service that runs between the two mountains all day making it easy to get where you need to be.
The views from the top of Loveland Basin are spectacular.
Loveland Valley
Loveland Valley is a dedicated beginners’ area with a mountain all to itself! The Valley has a rustic lodge, bar and restaurant, rental shop, children’s ski school center, and free parking lot.
Lift tickets for Loveland Valley start at $50 a day, making it the best deal in Colorado for beginners and kids just learning the sport. Loveland Valley tickets do not include access to Loveland Basin.
Affordable group and private lessons are available at Loveland Ski Resort, with low-cost rental package options.
Pro Tip: Make friends in the parking lot. Most guests who ski at Loveland Basin have season passes. All season pass holders can access one daily discounted buddy pass lift ticket for $99. Most locals will happily give you their buddy pass discount for the day if you ask! Save money by making friends!!
Check the Loveland events calendar for event dates and details. Loveland Ski Resort offers free demo days throughout the season. Never Summer, Outdoor Divas, and Grass Sticks are just a few of the demo events scheduled for the season.
Loveland Ski Resort Terrain
The terrain at Loveland Ski Resort is fantastic, offering a mix of groomed, off-piste, park, and tree skiing.
Loveland Ski Resort offers 1 magic carpet, 9 Lifts, and a Free Snowcat, ensuring something for everyone.
True beginners should stay at Loveland Valley and use the vast area to hone their skills, taking advantage of a $50 wallet-friendly lift ticket.
Loveland Valley has multiple runs suited for beginners to learn in a comfortable environment away from experienced skiers. Parents can view children’s ski school from the large windows inside the Valley Lodge or enjoy a cocktail at the bar.
Ready to level up? If you can link turns and grasp the basics, you are prepared to hit the Basin. The best place to start for beginners at the Basin is Chair #2. It’s the shortest lift with easy trails that lead back to the base. There are multiple chairlifts at the Basin suited for beginners, with green trails leading down the mountain.
Intermediates can easily explore most of Loveland Ski Resort. Our favorite intermediate areas are off of Chairlifts: Ptarmigan, Chair #4, and Chair #8.
When riding the Ptarmigan Lift, look right at the trees midway up the lift and see if you can spot a family of porcupines that sunbathe and hang out on the branches. It’s a pretty cool sight. They blend in like camouflage, so keep your eyes peeled.
Skiers or snowboarders who adventure over to Chair #8, be prepared for a slight trek back to the Loveland Basin base area. The bottom of Chair #8 is also the area you will end up after riding the Free Snowcat.
Intermediates should not attempt to return via “The Face” from the bottom of Chair #8 to the Loveland Basin base area. The Face trail allows for a shortcut to the Basin base area by way of a black diamond run, through a tunnel, under I70. Depending on the snowpack, The Face can be sketchy, even for experts. Expect ungroomed terrain, exposed rocks, ice, and narrow bumps along the route down The Face.
Park riders can explore the terrain park off chair #6. The terrain park is small with limited features, usually consisting of a few rails, boxes and a couple of small jumps. Loveland isn’t known for its terrain park, if you are a die hard park rider, this probably isn’t the mountain for you.
The best terrain for advanced skiers or snowboarders is found off Chair #9. The trail descends off of Chair #9 and offers challenging extreme terrain, hikeable zones, and an option that leads to the Free Snowcat loading area.
The Ridge Snowcat will transport you to a powder haven. You can hike the ridge from the unloading zone or drop immediately for effortless fresh turns. This zone is incredible on a powder day.
The only downside of the Ridge Cat is that you can’t lap it. You must take multiple chairlifts to get back to its loading zone.
It’s best to lap chair #9 a couple of times to get the goods before heading to the Ridge Cat because returning to that area takes time and effort. Blue bird powder days and empty runs are why we can’t get enough of Loveland Ski Resort!
The Gnar
Loveland Ski Resort is home to one of the steepest runs in Colorado, “Wild Child.” This trail will get your heart racing with a more than 50-degree pitch. Go full send off the cornice or enter the easier option to the left; regardless, it’s a serious rush.
To get to this thrilling descent, you must take chair #9 to the peak and traverse skiers right to the “Super Bowl” trail. Take off your skis at the entrance to Super Bowl and hike the ridge about 10 minutes to the Wild Child cornice.
No matter which of the trails you descend, Loveland Ski Resort delivers smiles and hoots all day. Loveland is known for its quality snow, but significant snow comes with cold and windy conditions.
Loveland Ski Resort is situated in an area exposed to high winds, so it gets windy. Wind is the #1 complaint that skiers have when visiting Loveland. Keep this in mind when dressing for the day, a face mask or neck gaiter is essential to protect you from the wind.
Transportation and Lodging
When visiting Loveland Ski Resort, you will need a car to get to and from the resort. Loveland Ski Resort is a stand-alone ski area with no accommodations in the immediate vicinity.
There are two areas for lodging options: East or West of Loveland Ski Resort. Staying East of Loveland offers easy access to the resort, while staying West can provide more hotel and food options. However, staying West can present accessibility challenges due to Eisenhower Tunnel access and traffic.
We recommend staying in Georgetown, 12 miles East of Loveland Ski Resort. Georgetown is the most convenient place to stay when visiting Loveland Ski Resort.
We recommend staying at The Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham in Georgetown. The Microtel is the newest hotel in the area, with spacious, clean, and comfortable rooms. Free parking, and continental breakfast are included. Georgetown is a sleepy old mining town with very limited dining options. Bonus: They have a hot tub!
If you plan on staying in Georgetown, Idaho Springs is a close place to visit for more dining options. Idaho Springs is just 10 miles east of Georgetown. This old mining town has a few good restaurants, some breweries, and hot springs to enjoy. The motel options in Idaho Springs could be better, so we wouldn’t recommend staying there.
If you are looking for a lively location with more hotel options, restaurants, and nightlife, you will want to stay in the town of Silverthorne. Silverthorne is 12 miles West of Loveland Ski Resort, and getting to it from Loveland Ski Resort requires traveling through the Eisenhower Tunnel.
The Eisenhower Tunnel frequently shuts down for hazardous material vehicles. It is also a point of road closure during big storms, and traffic backs up at the tunnel entrances during periods of inclement weather.
Staying in Silverthorne presents some risk of being inaccessible to Loveland Ski Resort. However, if I70 closes at the tunnel, you can usually take an alternate route on Loveland Pass, a winding mountain road that travels around the mountain. While unlikely, this can add as much as an hour of travel to your trip.
Our favorite budget-friendly motel in Silverthorne is The Luxury Inn and Suites. It offers basic comfortable rooms, an indoor pool and hot tub, free parking, and continental breakfast. Silverthorne is also ideal for visiting other ski resorts, such as Keystone Ski Resort or Copper Mountain Ski Resort. Staying in Silverthorne is the best option on a multi-mountain ski trip.
There are plenty of other options for lodging up and down I70 in Colorado. If you are looking for a luxury stay, Silverthorne is the nearest town to enjoy luxury Airbnb’s. If you are looking for a posh ski experience, Loveland Ski Resort probably isn’t the best option. Loveland is best suited for a skier centric, no frills experience the whole family can enjoy.
Conclusion
Loveland Ski Resort offers an authentic, rustic mountain vibe that stands out in a world of sprawling, high-end resorts. With its budget-friendly prices and a welcoming atmosphere, Loveland keeps things simple and focused on what truly matters—great skiing. The quaint mountain feel, paired with a laid-back crowd of friendly locals, creates a unique and inviting environment where everyone feels at home.
Loveland Ski Resort is located just 53 miles west of Denver, making it easily accessible from Denver International Airport. Make sure to rent a car when traveling to Loveland Ski Resort, as it’s a stand-alone ski resort with no accommodations in the immediate vicinity. The town of Georgetown offers easy access and an affordable lodging option, while the town of Silverthorne, west of Loveland Ski Resort, offers a bustling ski town vibe with restaurants, bars, and shops.
Look elsewhere if you want an all-inclusive ski vacation with posh hotels, shopping, and winter activities.
Whether you’re a beginner enjoying the easy-access base area or an expert tackling the challenging terrain, Loveland delivers an experience that’s both accessible and exhilarating without the crowds and chaos of larger resorts. It’s where the mountain, the people, and the spirit of adventure come together. You should definitely check out Loveland Ski Resort!
For additional information on the best ski resorts in Colorado, please see our article “Best Ski Resorts In Colorado Top Tips And Local Advice.”
