It’s finally the season we wait patiently for each year: ski season. The cool weather has snuck in and the snow has begun to fall, covering our wondrous mountains with a blanket of white. As we wait for the snow to continue to accumulate and that fresh powder to make its appearance, it’s not too early to start planning your weekend winter getaway to ski the best resorts in Summit County this season.

With so many great spots to ski in Colorado, it’s hard to get a chance to ski them all. But, Frisco is your best bet for getting a head start on local resorts with several of the best in our own backyard. Make the Inn your home base this winter and check out some of Colorado’s best.

Keystone Resort

Keystone is one of the closer resorts to Frisco and the Inn. Located only 10 miles away, Keystone offers unbelievable mountains and a huge and varied terrain made up of over 3,000 skiable acres, 20 lifts and two gondolas. Whether you’re a new or experienced skier, or looking to hit the rails in the terrain park, Keystone is a great resort for all ages and ability levels.

Copper Mountain Resort

Copper Mountain is a favorite of our guests and is just a quick hop outside of Frisco. The Summit Stage is a free shuttle that will take you to the resort in just a short 10-minute drive. Copper mountain is another great resort for all ski levels with a peak height of 12,313, 126 runs, 22 lifts and 2,465 skiable acres. It’s a wonderful resort for families or individuals with varied terrain to meet the needs of all skill levels.

Breckenridge Resort

Breckenridge is one of Colorado’s more well-known resorts and there are many reasons why. Notable for being one of Summit County’s most popular resorts, Breckenridge is spread out across five peaks that make up the southern half of the Ten Mile Range. A great place to ride for skiers and snowboarders, the mountain has one of North America’s highest lifts, the Independence Chair which at the top stands at 13,000 feet. The resort also has 34 lifts and can easily handle 46,800 people per hour. With 26 acres of terrain parks, along with 187 trails to ski, Breckenridge has something for everyone. And, it’s a quick 8 miles south from the Inn, which is about a 15-minute drive.

Vail Resort

Even though the trip to Vail is a little longer than the previous mentioned resorts, it’s worth the drive for a day of world class skiing. Vail is 25 minutes from Frisco and is the largest resort in the United States with 5,289 acres of the most expansive skiing in the world. The mountain is accessed by three base areas: Lionshead, Vail Village and Golden Peak. Lionshead is home to the Eagle Bahn Gondola and Born Free Express (Chair 8). Mountain access out of Vail Village is currently the Vista Bahn (Chair 16), which in 2012/2013 will be replaced by Vail’s new state of the art gondola. Golden Peak is home to the Riva Bahn Express (Chair 6), accessing the terrain park and Northwoods Chair 11, and the racecourse. Also at Golden Peak is Chair 12, the Gopher Hill Ski School beginner lift. With a total of 32 ski lifts, 3 terrain parks and 139 runs, you’ll be sure to have the best skiing experience in your life.

Keystone, Copper Mountain and Breckenridge are predicted to open by November 7, depending on the snowfall. Vail plans to open by November 21. Other resorts in the area will also be opening in November, and you can find the full list of resort information here.

Don’t forget: guests at the Inn also receive a discount at Pioneer Sports for anyone looking to rent skis or snowboards. As we’ve already mentioned, the Inn is a great place to warm up with a cup of hot chocolate after a long day of skiing the slopes. If you have any questions as far as directions, ski rentals or local events and activities, our staff is always here to help. Book your winter getaway with us today!