Loveland Ski Area is Known For Having a Really Fun Terrain Park | Photo Mike Hardaker Mountain Weekly News
In a nutshell, Colorado is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, and camping are just a few of the epic things to take part in during mud season and the summer. That said, when someone mentions Colorado, ski season is what comes to mind for most people who have been lucky enough to experience the state during the colder months.
Two things that the state isn’t in short supply of are top-tier ski resorts and big snow storms during the winter and spring. Among all of the big corporate-owned resorts lies a hidden gem known as Loveland Ski Area. This mid-size mountain is the last of a dying breed in the sense that it still has that small mountain town feel yet there is enough terrain to spread skiers out, minimizing lift lines and maximizing the number of turns you can get in – win-win.
About The Mountain
Loveland Ski Area is a unique place to ski because the resort is split into two different areas, the valley and the basin. It is the perfect setup for everyone from beginners to those who prefer to get the adrenaline pumping immediately.
Loveland Ski Area Trail Map
Loveland Valley
The valley is a beginner area that features 2 lifts, a lodge with a full bar, ski school, rentals, and sport shop for souvenirs. This is where you will find most of your first-time skier-friendly amenities like magic carpet lifts and shorter runs including the bunny hill. If you are new to the sport then the valley is a great place to start.
The other lift at the valley, Lift 3, is a nice step up for those that have a few days on the snow under their belt. You can find some intermediate terrain off of this lift that offers a little taste of what the big side of the mountain has to offer.
Loveland Basin
The basin is the big side of the mountain, in acreage, intensity, and diversity of runs in comparison to the valley. It has 7 lifts that serve predominantly intermediate and expert terrain. It has its own lodge with two bars, rental shop, ski school, and sport shop. Both areas offer everything you could ask for including plenty of fresh snow all season long, but this is where most skiers will be spending the majority of their time.
Lift 9 will get you up to the Continental Divide, as long as the wind isn’t blowing 100MPH, which is where Loveland’s most famous terrain lies. If you had to find a downside to this resort, it would be the wind factor. Since it sits at such a high elevation you are going to have more windy days than not over the course of the season.
What’s really cool about Loveland’s layout is how easy it is to access more technical terrain. It’s not uncommon for resorts to have their steepest and deepest in some secluded corner of the resort (Mirkwood at Monarch for example), but at Loveland it’s sprinkled all over the place. Even if you are new to the area, you really don’t have to venture out of your way much to find something that will put your skills to the test.
As someone who grew up skiing at Loveland, Lifts 4 and 8 are the best of both worlds at Loveland. They do take a little work to get to since they are off to one side of the mountain, but that keeps a good percentage of the masses away from them. Plus, they don’t take you to the top of the Continental Divide so can get some shelter from the wind many days. Personally, it’s my favorite part of the mountain because less people and wind mean more fresh snow later into the day.
Mountain Stats, Uphill Access, And Backcountry Gates
There are 94 trails across 1,800 lift-served acres to shred with an additional 100 hikeable acres for those of you AT heads who like to slap your skins on and earn your turns.
As far as skinning goes at Loveland these days, they have one route up to the top of Ptarmigan Lift. That said, you can access quite a bit of terrain from where you rip skins and drop in. You are welcome to skin anytime before the lifts open or after they close. It’s always a great day when you can skin up before sunrise and drop your final turns after the sun has set.
| Skiable Acres | 1,800 |
| Hikeable Acres | 100 |
| Trails | 94 |
| Base Elevation | 10,800 ft. |
| Summit Elevation | 13,010 ft. |
| Vertical Drop | 2,210 ft. |
| Lifts | 9 |
| Longest Run | 2 mi |
| Slopes | 13% Beginner
41% Intermediate 46% Advanced |
| Average Snowfall | 422 in. |
| Snowmaking Capability | 240 acres |
Loveland also has a couple of backcountry gates for those who are in the know. They are an easy way to access some unmanicured terrain during your day if you feel like getting out of bounds for a few hours. This access to Loveland Pass at one end and Mt. Trelease/Dry Gulch at the other can be difference between a great day and a truly epic one. Yes, you would still need to buy a lift ticket to access the gates and bring your backcountry gear with you, but it’s always nice to have the option to escape on a busy day.
Location
Loveland sits 53 miles west of Denver on the Continental Divide. Other than Echo Mountain Resort, Loveland is the closest resort to Denver. It’s a straight shot up I-70 from the city so if you play your cards right it’s definitely possible to land at DIA and throw yourself off big cornices atop Lift 9 in the same day. Traffic can turn into a bit of a nightmare during the holidays and when big storms are on the horizon, but that’s just par for the course in states with major cities and a significant ski tourism industry.
Regardless of traffic, this section of the I-70 corridor is something that any outdoor enthusiast can appreciate, especially in the winter. The topography on the drive from Denver to the western edge of Clear Creek County is one littered with quaint mountain towns, sightseeing opportunities, and sprawling ecosystems filled with aspen, fir, and pine trees as far as the eye can see. It’s really a testament to what the area has to offer in the form of outdoor recreation.
As you would imagine Loveland is a high-elevation resort, even among Colorado’s standards, as it sits along the Continental Divide. The parking lot of the basin sits at 10,800’, so you more than double in elevation in the 50 short miles from the capital. If you are flying in from sea level, easy does it, it’s going to take some time to get used to the lack of oxygen up high. Maybe substitute a few of those beers for water until you get your feet under you because altitude sickness is the real deal.
Getting to Loveland Ski Area
If driving from the city to the mountains isn’t your bag, fear not. The City Of Denver offers the RTD Snowstang, a bus that takes you to and from the mountain for a mere $25. No need to worry about navigating weekend traffic in uncharted territory because the Snowstang has you covered. Plus it’s another safe option for those of us who like to enjoy a beer or two with lunch on a powder day.
There are also plenty of companies that will shuttle you and your group to and from the mountain every day if you don’t feel like taking public transportation. A simple Google search will connect you with someone who can chauffeur you to the snow.
All of the parking at Loveland is 100% free, which is another little perk that is becoming rarer by the season. Both the valley and basin have their own parking lots, plus an overflow lot for those busy holidays. The early bird gets the fresh snow, but you don’t have to worry about getting a parking spot even if you hit the snooze button on your alarm a few times after a long night.
If you are lucky, you can get back to your home base using a rideshare option like Uber or Lyft, but definitely don’t count on it. It’s basically luck of the draw if you will be able to snag someone that is headed from the resorts to the west back to the city or vice versa. In my time working at Loveland other employees and I gave more than a few customers a ride back to civilization because they found a ride to the mountain, but couldn’t find one back.
If I had to take one thing out of this article to help paint a picture of what Loveland is like it would be this fact. This is that small mountain town, family feel that Loveland is known for. While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend relying on a stranger to unknowingly give you a ride home at the end of the day, most locals wouldn’t think twice about packing you into their beat-up Suburu to get you home safely if you are throwing a thumb up in the parking lot after the lifts shut down. A lot of places advertise this type of tight-knit camaraderie, but Loveland Ski Area is a place where you actually find it being engrained into the culture.
Lodging
Because of Loveland’s location on the I-70 corridor, they don’t offer any lodging on-site. Luckily, the neighboring towns of Idaho Springs and Georgetown offer a couple of hotels, so you can find a place to lodge if you don’t have a couch to crash on or feel like making the journey back down to Denver.
Ride The Divide
The real gem of Loveland is Lift 9 which takes you all the way up to the Continental Divide which offers some of the best views out of any ski resort in Colorado – and that’s saying something. After hopping off the lift you have the option of dropping in under the lift on the famous Primer Bowl or Patrol Bowl, or venturing out on the divide to an even higher elevation. The higher you go, the more turns you can get in!
If you are all about earning your turns you are more than welcome to hike anywhere along the ridge (within boundaries) to the north or south to find the perfect spot to drop in.
Ridge Cat
If hiking at almost 13,000 feet isn’t your thing, no worries. Loveland offers the Ridge Cat which will take you to any of the gates along the top of the divide so you can save your energy for bombing down the seriously steep terrain that the area offers. It is completely free as long as you have a season pass or valid lift ticket for the day, so no need to worry about breaking the bank here. Keep in mind, this terrain isn’t for the faint of heart, if you play your cards right you can descend 2,210 ft from the summit at Golden Bear (13,010 ft) over 2 miles to the base of the mountain in a truly exhilarating experience.
Check out the Ridge Cat Snowcat Skiing
Overall Impression
Loveland is among a shrinking number of smaller resorts that pack a big punch. What it lacks in size it makes up for in technical terrain, deep snow, and a culture of camaraderie. If you are tired of the cookie cutter nature of resorts owned by Vail and Alterra, Loveland should be on top of your list of places to ski next.
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