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Colorado’s big three ski resorts

Where to ski, stay and play in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains as voted by Travelplan Ski.

Home to 58 mountain peaks, 26 ski resorts, heavy snowfall (762 centimetres on average), 1803 snow trails and more than 300 days of sunshine each year, it’s easy to see why the Centennial State is known as ‘Ski Country’. Whether you’re an expert at the back bowls, still perfecting your plough or more interested in the après-ski options, Colorado has a resort to suit any traveller. It’s this overwhelming bounty of options that makes deciding where to go the hard part. We asked Travelplan Ski, Australia’s leading operator of snow holidays to the world’s best ski resorts, for the big three.

Breckenridge skier
Choose from 58 mountain peaks and 1803 snow trails.

Beaver Creek

The world’s number one luxury family resort, Beaver Creek, is a vacation spot you’ll remember forever. Here, even the smallest details have been considered; heated walkways and escalators shuttle you from one village to the next, staff hand out warm chocolate chip cookies each afternoon in the alpine village, a mountaintop adventure area has activities for the whole family to enjoy, and dedicated attendants help weary guests carry their gear. Add in scrupulously groomed runs, few crowds, glitzy accommodation and fine dining to boot, and Beaver Creek is a place you’ll want to come back to year after year. Take a sleigh-ride to dinner at Beano’s Cabin or time your visit to catch the Winter Culinary Weekend to take your trip to the next level.

 

Mountain information: Hit 150 runs via 23 lifts with the longest run a cool 4.43 kilometres.

 

Average snowfall: 852 centimetres.

 

Known for: Hosting the who’s who of the ski world with upscale accommodation and some of the best corduroy in the state.

 

Where to stay: Indulge at The Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch, The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, The Pines Lodge, Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa, St. James Place or The Osprey.

 

Where to eat and drink: Think world-class restaurants and laidback bars in a charming alpine setting. The open sleigh ride to the award-winning Beano’s Cabin for prime game cuts prepared over an open flame grill is a must.

 

Travelplan Ski deals: Stay five nights and save 10%, seven nights save you up to 15%, or go for 10 nights or more and save 20%. Book here.

Beaver Creek ice rink
Ice-skating at Beaver Creek is an activity the whole family can enjoy.

Vail Mountain

An epic mountain backdrop, varied terrain and beautiful backcountry has warranted Vail’s status as one of not only Colorado’s but the world’s premier mountain resorts. The tree-ridden trails of Blue Sky Basin and the legendary Back Bowls will lure you in for your first trip, but it’s the cute cobblestone streets, central clock towers and idyllic restaurants, bars and taverns of Vail Village that will keep you coming back again and again.

 

Mountain information: Choose from 195 runs across 11 kilometres and three distinct ski areas; Back Bowls, Blue Sky Basin, and the Front Side.

 

Average snowfall: 899 centimetres.

 

Known for: Being Colorado’s biggest (and possibly most picturesque) resort with the most impressive terrain variety and interesting villages.

 

Where to stay: Vail Valley is dotted with places to stay. Try the Arrabelle at Vail Square in the heart of Lionshead, The Lodge at Vail or The Sebastian Vail, or – for the ultimate in luxury – the Solaris Residences, the Four Seasons Vail or the Ritz-Carlton Residences.

 

Where to eat and drink: From ski-in/ski-out fine dining, European chalets and alpine-inspired local fare, the dining options in Vail are as varied as the mountain’s terrain.

 

Travelplan Ski deals: Stay four nights and save up to 15%. Book here.

Skiier on Vail mountain
Experience Vail’s epic mountain backdrop and beautiful backcountry.

Breckenridge

Five huge peaks, 1,200 hectares of skiable terrain or 167 kilometres of piste, four terrain parks, a 6.7-metre Superpipe, the highest chairlift in North America, a world-class ski and snowboard school, magic carpets, monster mogul runs, steep chutes, gentle green runs, ‘Kid Adventure Zones’, and we could go on. If you’re travelling with a family, then Breckenridge – or ‘Breck’ as it’s known – likely fits the bill. With over 250 historic buildings, including some that have stood for over 100 years, it’s one of the largest historical districts in Colorado with an authentic (and pretty hip) mountain spirit making it a fun place to enjoy a few non-ski activities, too.

 

Mountain information: 187 runs, four terrain parks and a 22-inch Superpipe accessed via 34 lifts. Need we say more?

 

Average snowfall: 889 centimetres or an average of more than seven meters of snow annually.

 

Known for: High-alpine skiing, family-friendly terrain and small town charm at one of Colorado’s most welcoming and authentic resorts.

 

Where to stay: Experience the ‘real’ Breck at Mountain Thunder Lodge, Gravity Haus, One Ski Hill Place or The Village at Breckenridge.

 

Where to eat and drink: Grab a crepe in a cardboard sleeve at Crepes a la Cart (if there isn’t a line that is) or get cosy at Hearthstone – a romantic restaurant located off Main Street in a historic Victorian home with views of the town and the slopes.

 

Travelplan Ski deals: Seize the season rates* start from $139 per night at Village at Breck Studio, the River Mountain Lodge will set you back $119 per night, Mountain Thunder Lodge is $175 per night, while Crystal Peak Lodge and One Ski Hill Place are $199 and $225 per night respectively. Book here.

Breckenridge village at night
Stroll the quaint village streets at Breckenridge.

 

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

For more information or to book your next Colorado ski holiday, visit Travelplan Ski or call 1300 754 754.
*Sale starts 1 October 2019.

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12 grand journeys throughout North America

    Continue
    Discover North America’s epic adventures — from Route 66 and Alaska cruises to Hawai‘i road trips, NYC culture, Mexico trails and more.

    1. Route 66, the Main Street of America

    Travelling with: Ricky French

    Sunset on Route 66 in the California Mojave Desert.
    Hit the open road and trace America’s legendary highway. (Image: Getty/Der_Thomasa)

    Dubbed the Main Street of America, Route 66 radiates serious main character energy, cemented into popular culture through everything from John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath to the Disney Pixar film Cars. Spanning nearly 4000 kilometres from Chicago to Los Angeles, the historic highway celebrates its centenary next year, a timely invitation to take the mother of all road trips along the Mother Road. Allow two to three weeks to tackle the full length, or bite off a smaller chunk at either end, cruising the dramatic deserts of California or the more pastoral landscapes of Illinois, lined with neon-lit diners, retro gas stations and quirky roadside attractions.

    2. Mexico’s Día de los Muertos

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    emblematic catrina of mexico with flowers and necklace with sempasuchil flowers
    Celebrate life and honour loved ones in vibrant style. (Image: Getty/Fabian Pacheco)

    You might know Oaxaca as the birthplace of mole and mezcal. But the state in southern Mexico is also where the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) began. Time your visit to coincide with the colourful holiday, on 1–2 November, which honours and celebrates loved ones who have passed away. Oaxaca is also Mexico’s Michelin-starred culinary capital, with 18 restaurants and a humble taco stand listed in the 2025 guide.

    3. Museum-hop in New York City

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    The Guggenheim Museum’s iconic spiralling exterior, a highlight of North America Epic Adventures.
    Step inside and marvel at bold, world-class art. (Image: Damiano Fiore)

    Your map app will look like it’s been scattered with confetti after you’ve dropped pins on all the museums you want to visit in New York City. Must-sees are the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art aka the Met, and the Museum of Modern Art. The American Museum of Natural History is also a draw. It’s also worth venturing into the boroughs to browse institutions such as the Brooklyn Museum, which has a huge permanent collection categorised by culture.

    4. The USA’s music scene

    Travelling with: Elizabeth Whitehead

    The Seattle skyline at night, aglow with city lights on North America Epic Adventures.
    Soak up skyline views and dive into the city’s coffee culture. (Image: Abigail Boone)

    If you’re a muso, chances are you’ve wanted to make a pilgrimage to the United States, the epicentre of so many beloved genres. Whether you’re head-banging your way around the Grunge Circuit in Seattle, chasing the twang of the pedal steel through Tennessee or bouncing between blues bars in the Mississippi Delta, the USA’s rich music culture has something that’ll strike a chord.

    5. Road-tripping Hawai‘i

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    A woman surfing in Hawaii, gliding across turquoise waves on North America Epic Adventures.
    Catch the waves and ride Hawaii’s iconic swells. (Image: Ben Ono)

    Hawai‘i is one of the most diverse US states to road trip around. Of the six major islands to visit, the Island of Hawai‘i packs in everything from the snowy summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa to black-sand beaches and lava fields frozen in the act of flowing forward. Change down a few gears on the island of O‘ahu, too, where you can find your own patch of sand on Waimanalo Beach. Visit poi and pineapple plantations. And hang ten on beginner-friendly waves on the North Shore.

    6. Cruising Alaska

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Explora Journeys ship cruising in Alaska.
    Sail past glaciers and spot whales in pristine waters.

    Seeing Alaska from the sea allows you to cover a lot of distance quickly. This immersive frontier now beckons more than ever before with Explora Journeys adding the American state to its global destination portfolio. Best of all are the pre-and post-journey immersions that connect the luxury of a cruise onboard Explora III with the rugged grandeur of the Alaskan interior. UnCruise Adventures also weaves in access to remote national parks, legendary wildlife corridors and authentic cultural experiences on its Alaskan itineraries.

    7. The Wixárika Route in Mexico

    Travelling with: Elizabeth Whitehead

    People journeying through the Wixarika Route.
    Journey deep into sacred Huichol traditions and art.

    For generations, the Indigenous Wixárika People of Mexico have walked a sacred path known as Tatehuarí Huajuyé, or ‘The Path of Our Grandfather Fire’. The annual pilgrimage route spans 500 kilometres, taking in significant sites in Wixárika spirituality and cosmology. The route passes through the deserts, mountains and forests of northern Mexico before reaching Wirikuta, believed to be the place the sun first emerged. The route is a living cultural landscape of Indigenous culture pre-Columbian influence and, in July this year, was formally inscribed into UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

    8. Drive the Iceberg Coast in Canada

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Iceberg off the east coast of Canada
    Chase icebergs along Expedition 51 on Canada’s east coast. (Image: Canadian Tourism Commission/ Chris Hendrickson)

    Download the icebergfinder.com map to better plan your road trip along Canada’s Iceberg Coast. The new highway, which has been nearly 25 years and CAD$1.1 billion in the making, threads through the country’s pleated coastlines around Quebec, Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick before looping in the French islands of St Pierre and Miquelon. As well as chasing icebergs along Expedition 51, travellers will have the opportunity to engage with cultures that have thrived in the pristine provinces for thousands of years.

    9. A foodie tour of Nova Scotia

    Travelling with: Katie Carlin

    Lunenberg Nova Scotia
    Try lobster rolls in Lunenburg on the east coast of Canada in Nova Scotia. (Image: Natalia Kvitovska/ Unsplash)

    World-famous for its lobster, Nova Scotia is a Canadian province best savoured through its culinary clout shaped by sea and terroir. Bite into lobster rolls at historic Lunenburg’s Salt Shaker Deli & Inn and sip maple rum at Ironworks Distillery. Winery-hop around Wolfville’s rising vineyards (don’t miss Lightfoot & Wolfville). Take a maple syrup tour at Sugar Moon Farm near Earltown. And pull up a seat at waterfront Bar Sofia in Halifax, where Nova Scotia oysters aguachile arrive bright with cucumber, lime and pickled onion.

    10. Soak up the sun in the Caribbean

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Overwater bungalows off a beach in the Caribbean
    Experience the white-sand beaches and cerulean seas of the Caribbean on board a cruise.

    The Caribbean is on the radar for seasoned cruisers. And it’s easy to see why, with white-sand beaches, cerulean seas and swaying palms so picture-perfect they look AI-generated. Cruise with Windstar, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity on its inaugural Xcel season to the Caribbean to enjoy action-packed excursions such as snorkelling coral reefs and shopping for local trinkets. And those sea days? Spectacular.

    11. Red Chair Hikes of Canada

    Travelling with: Kassia Byrnes

    Red Adirondack chairs overlooking Lake Minnewanka in Canada
    Take a seat at Lake Minnewanka, one of more than 400 red Adirondack chairs scattered across Canada’s hiking routes. (Image: Getty Images/ Autumn Sky Photography)

    No one appreciates the great outdoors more than Canadians, emerging from snow-covered winters to tread glacial rivers and snowshoe through forests, or to hike mighty mountains and wildflower-strewn valleys come spring. Along popular hikes around the country, more than 400 red Adirondack chairs have been placed in peaceful, breathtaking locations. What started as a social media contest now sees hikers soaking in classic Canadian lake and mountain vistas, overlooking historic sites or gazing down on the mountainous path they just travelled.

    12. Ride the Rocky Mountaineer from Denver to Moab, USA

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Sweeping views from the Rocky Mountaineer.
    The Rocky Mountaineer will continue as the Canyon Spirit in 2026, seen here carving through Ruby Canyon.

    Sighting wild animals is one of many incredible thrills along the two-day luxury Rockies to the Red Rocks route onboard the Rocky Mountaineer across America’s Southwest between mid-April and mid-October. In addition to the lone bear, we spot bighorn sheep, elk, beavers, pronghorn antelope, bald eagles and ospreys. Riding the rails onboard the luxury train, which was founded in Canada in 1990 and has been awarded the prestigious World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train several times, has never been about just getting from A to B. Ride the train from Denver to Moab and you will see the scenery change from snow-capped peaks to meadows, red-rock canyons and soaring cliffs that resemble ornate Gaudí-esque cathedrals. But it’s not until you get off the train that you can produce the ultimate Venn diagram, with nature and adventure in the intersecting spheres.