Why Every Aussie Needs a Colorado Ski Adventure (& How to Do it on a Budget)

‘Happiness makes you live longer! I’m going to be laughing as I go through the pearly gates’, bellowed an eccentric woman a few rows behind me, loud enough to interrupt the pre-flight safety briefing.

Draped in enough jewellery to qualify as carry-on luggage, she looked like she’d walked straight out of a Vegas slot room. Only, her vice wasn’t gambling – it was skiing. As the plane hurtled down Denver’s runway bound for Heathrow, her infectious optimism became the perfect, surreal bookend to my Colorado winter safari.

Like most Aussies, the prospect of skiing in Colorado initially had me sweating exchange rates and jet lag. I’ve chased snow from Europe to New Zealand, even dodged moral police on Iranian slopes, but Colorado seemed like a wallet-busting mirage.

Well, buckle your boots, because I’ve now finally tasted the Rockies and I’m here to preach: Colorado isn’t just worth it, it’s a non-negotiable adventure every Aussie should experience at least once in their lives.

Colorado: Facing the Competition & Embracing the Epic

Let’s address the snow-covered elephant in the room first: Japan and New Zealand are serious contenders for Australian snow chasers. Japan’s powder is legendary (and especially true this year), it’s closer, cheaper, and a cultural playground that comes with far less jet lag. New Zealand’s slopes might be variable, but with only a 3-4 hour flight and attractive exchange rates, it’s hard to ignore.

But let me tell you two key reasons why Colorado should still win your heart:

First up: the world-class skiing terrain. Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, Telluride, and Steamboat Springs – these aren’t just names, they’re legends that twinkle in the eyes of anyone who’s dreamt of big mountain skiing. From pristine groomers and forgiving beginner slopes to backcountry bowls, mogul fields, and terrain parks, Colorado quite literally has it all, and it’s arguably in a league of its own.

Secondly, the reliability of the snow. Colorado’s powder – dry, fluffy, abundant – is consistently outstanding. Coupled with more than 300 days of sunshine annually, you get perfect skiing conditions nearly guaranteed. I must say, when I was there, we could’ve done with a fresh dump, but despite it being unseasonably down, there was still an unending web of slopes to run.

The Plan of Attack

My plan over the seven days was, in all fairness, rather ridiculous. I was ripping through the Rockies with two other journalists from Canada and Ireland to experience four of the main resorts on offer; a whistle stop magical mystery tour through Winter Park, Vail, Aspen, and Telluride.

Whilst we barely touched the sides, I threw everything I had at the skiing and apres. Yes, it’s far to travel for a week. Yes, I’m a jammy git for being looked after by the Colorado Tourism Office. Yes, jet lag hit harder than a tequila hangover. But the truth is that none of that mattered once I landed.

So allow me to dish out some budget hacks and highlight how Colorado skiing is more accessible than you might think.

Winter Park: Finding Your Feet in Authentic Americana

The journey began aboard the Winter Park Express from Denver’s Union Station – a bargain at $19USD. Two coffees later, and suddenly the ski fields appeared outside my window like a caffeinated hallucination.

Hellllooo ski fields! | Photo by Winter Park Resort

Winter Park, originally ‘West Portal’, was built as Denver’s very own mountain playground. Here, the Panoramic Express lifts you higher than any six-seater in North America, an impressive stat that nearly distracted me from our absurdly tall, ridiculously charming train conductor. This guy had the charisma to start a cult.

No car needed, skis slung over shoulders, Winter Park felt surprisingly accessible, and with over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, there was plenty here to give my 40-year-old knees a wake-up wobble. These runs offer a superb blend of terrain: from reliable, rock-free skiing on Runaway/Trestle and crowd-escaping challenges of Upper Arrowhead Loop/Rainbow Cut, to the deep powder solitude of Belle Fourche.

After checking into the Zephyr Mountain Lodge, we headed for a slap up dinner at Deno’s Bistro, where I overheard an Aussie dad express horror at the cost of beer before promptly buying another round, laughing as he accepted financial defeat.

Hack #1

Make use of the Winter Park Express.

Sure, flying from Australia to Colorado isn’t exactly like zipping up to Thredbo, and jet lag will knock you for six, especially if you’ve got little ones in tow. But Winter Park’s unmatched convenience and variety of terrain easily offset these hurdles.

Skip costly car hires and airport transfers by jumping straight on the Winter Park Express from downtown Denver – it’s only $19USD, takes less than two hours and drops you right in the action, making the distance seem trivial.

Vail: The Disneyland of Skiing (But Worth Every Cent)

Next stop: Vail, where I was gobsmacked by the peaks and prices in equal measure. But dear lord, the bowls, the famous Back Bowls.

That’s one stoked skiier!

It was like skiing on clouds sprinkled with magic dust. Claire from Vail Resorts took us under her wing, whisking us past lift queues like VIPs – probably the closest I’ll ever get to celebrity status. In just one morning, I don’t think I’ve ever skied such a ridiculous variety of runs and experienced so much in one resort.

We pin-balled and zig-zagged from one mountain to the next: Slot Run, Sun Down Bowl, Over Yonder, Red Zinger, Genghis Khan, Cloud9, Grand Review, Whiskey Jack, Flapjack….it was wonderful to be a complete tourist, where all I had to focus on was having an amazing time.

One of my favourite Hunter S Thompson quotes sprung to mind as I plopped myself down for lunch at The 10th restaurant above Gondola One, ‘Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming Wow! What a ride!’. Hear hear H-dog.

Wandering Vail Village later that day, it felt vaguely European, albeit slightly manufactured, and unashamedly expensive. My wallet winced, but my stoke soared, especially after stumbling across the original snowboard James Bond used in the unreal chase in A View to a Kill.

Hack #2

Get yourself an Epic or Ikon Pass.

Yes, the Aussie dollar hurts against the USD, especially in places like Vail. But the extraordinary skiing terrain justifies the splurge. Purchasing an Epic Pass or Ikon Pass early gives you access to multiple world-renowned resorts, dramatically reducing lift ticket prices compared to buying day passes.

The Epic Pass, especially, despite recent controversies around dynamic pricing and reservation systems, remains invaluable for Aussies, providing flexibility, convenience, and significant savings across top-tier Colorado resorts and beyond. Buying early locks in lower prices, offering certainty against fluctuating exchange rates, and making it a must-have for Australians chasing powder.

Aspen Snowmass: Beyond the Glamour

Then came Aspen, the Hollywood of ski towns. Expectations of fur coats and A-list sightings weren’t entirely misplaced, but quickly balanced by its other, rowdier side. Aspen is famously a place of contrast, home equally to Beyoncé-style luxury and boisterous ski-bum culture.

Yes, you’ll spot designer boutiques selling alligator belts for $2k, but you’ll also see locals cheering on buck-wild bar games in crowded pubs. I probably spent too much time in one such bar, watching a young seasonaire achieve his personal best for inebriation, eventually being carried out to friendly applause.

We skied at Snowmass, the dedicated ski resort in the Aspen cluster. Quieter, laid-back, and family-friendly, Snowmass contrasts nicely with Aspen Mountain’s glamorous mining town history, luxury après-ski scene, and spots like the iconic Belly Up nightclub.

Meanwhile, Highlands – nicknamed the ‘locals’ mountain’ – demands adventurous hikes up to heart-racing double diamond runs. Buttermilk, on the other hand, hosts the X Games whilst offering perfect beginner-friendly terrain.

Our Snowmass ski day was fiercely windy, yet we were safely guided by local legend and ski Jedi, Kelly Hayes. Skiing harder than a Brit sprinting for last orders, I could barely keep up with him. During gusty chair lift rides, Kelly shared stories of how the mountain culture had evolved over the years, stopping on one occasion to point out Roman Abramovich’s lodge in the distance.

THE Kelly Hayes & I

Despite his modesty and deflection, it was clear Kelly was cool AF and likely had a knapsack full of stories to share. My hunch proved correct when I discovered a Sports Illustrated article about ‘Malibu Kelly’ later that day – a veteran NFL spotter who’s quietly enriched American football broadcasts for over 45 years. With his shock of hair and legendary reputation, he’s arguably NFL broadcasting’s most intriguing hidden figure.

Whilst rambling through Aspen town later that day, we stumbled across a Hunter S Thompson art gallery. The gallery’s curator, Daniel Joseph Watkins, enthusiastically guided us through two spectacular spaces dedicated to Hunter’s rebellious genius, Ralph Steadman’s illustrative anarchy, and political activist Thomas W Benton’s provocative prints. Hunter’s irreverent spirit still permeates Aspen, offering a sharp counterpoint to the town’s glitzy consumerist facade.

Another gem: the new Stranahan’s whiskey bar, a tribute to local icon George Stranahan. Aspen, you complicated beauty, you had me at whiskey.

Fear & Loathing in Aspen

Hack #3

Stay in Snowmass, visit Aspen.

Yes, Aspen is expensive. But its unique blend of terrain, rebellious culture, and authenticity is unmatched. Staying in Snowmass, just minutes away, offers substantial savings without sacrificing the Aspen vibe.

Telluride: Colorado’s Ultimate Hidden Treasure

The final leg led us to Telluride, driving past Ralph Lauren’s ranch beneath towering Mt Sneffels, AKA the iconic Coors beer mountain.

Checking into our ski-in lodge felt surreal, but we barely had time to drop our bags before jumping straight into a wild snowmobile adventure, ripping through pristine backcountry powder at 3,400m.

Telluride feels like a closely guarded secret, hidden away by mountains and accessible by a single, dramatic road. It brims with genuine charm and boasts a musical pedigree – Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan once serenaded its miners. But above all, it’s the skiing that makes Telluride truly unforgettable. Our guide, an unapologetically larger-than-life ledgebag known affectionately as ‘Telluride Tom’, effortlessly steered us across the resort with stories as tall as the peaks around us, his laughter echoing across the mountain.

Telluride town is uniquely detached from the mountain village, connected only by a stunning, completely free (yes, zero dollar!) 12-minute gondola ride. Dropping into town is a literal 360-degree panoramic mind-f**k; seeing the twinkling town lights nestled beneath the backdrop of San Juan Mountains is something I won’t forget anytime soon.

We swapped skis for boots and swaggered into the New Sheridan Bar – 130 years old, decorated with cowboy mirrors and still bearing the buzzers once used to summon nocturnal entertainment. If Vail is Disneyland, Telluride is indisputably the Wild West.

Hack #4

Rent a shared house with family and friends.

Getting to Telluride involves extra logistics – internal flights, car rentals, or lengthy transfers, making it trickier and potentially costly. But this remoteness is exactly what makes Telluride magical – less crowded slopes, spectacular backcountry, and an authentic town vibe that’s unlike anywhere else I saw on the trip.

Rent a shared condo or house with friends or family; communal cooking and shared expenses will dramatically lower costs, keeping your adventure affordable.

Last Call on the Mountain

Colorado converted my skepticism into total devotion. Yes, jet lag stings, and your bank might call in a panic, but the rewards dwarf the hurdles. This isn’t merely skiing – it’s an immersion in vibrant communities against landscapes that defy description.

It’s a place I’ve dreamed of visiting ever since attending Warren Miller film festivals in Sydney. Colorado is a cultural hub for adventure lifestyles, synonymous with mountain culture and good vibes, and I’m stoked I finally experienced it firsthand.

It’s the trip every Australian skier secretly dreams of but rarely dares to take. So try to make it happen, dear Explorers, because one day, laughing all the way to the pearly gates, you’ll remember: it was always worth it.

Henry was a guest of Colorado State Tourism for this adventure.