Wolf Creek Offers World Class Skiing and Riding in Colorado | Photo Travis McCullough Mountain Weekly NewsDespite its best efforts, Wolf Creek still manages to stay off the radar of most front-range skiers. This and the epic amount of snow they receive every year are what makes the mountain so special. Any resort that boasts a 430” average snowfall would normally be swarming with locals and tourists alike – but not Wolf Creek. It’s more of a snow sanctuary that lies just far enough from any major city so that only the true heads are willing to make the trek. If you don’t mind making a 4-5 hour drive from Denver to the southwestern corner of the state, you will most likely find yourself a new favorite ski area.
The 2023-2024 ski season has been lackluster for plenty of resorts across the nation, but even so, Wolf Creek is still sitting pretty with a 90”-95” base and over 300” of snowfall for the year.
Regardless of how good the snow is during any given season, the carefree vibe and culture that surrounds the mountain is what sets this resort apart from others. Wolf Creek Ski Area is independently owned and operated by the Pitcher family who has been involved with the mountain for many decades. Unfortunately, this is becoming more and more of a rarity as every ski season passes, but it’s the lifeblood and livelihood that makes Wolf Creek a must-ski resort.
The argument over what happens to a resort when big corporations get involved is a debate for another day, but it’s this family feel that keeps tons of us coming back year after year. When I say family, I don’t mean it in the sense that you need to be married with children to get the most out of Wolf Creek. I mean that no matter where you are from the staff and locals are going to make you feel like you’re just long-lost relatives, connecting for the first time.
Getting to Wolf Creek
If you feel like making the journey to the promised land, it’s going to take a little more planning than getting to the resorts that are closer to Denver International Airport, but like we mentioned earlier it’s well worth it. Wolf Creek Ski Area is smack dab in the middle of South Fork and Pagosa Springs, both of which make a solid place to lodge for a long weekend of skiing this spring.
Though it’s a long haul from Denver and Colorado’s front range, Wolf Creek Ski Area is in the heart of plenty of other (not-so) well-known ski towns. South Fork (18mi), Pagosa Springs (23mi), Alamosa (65mi), and Durango (80mi) are going to be your best bets for finding a place to lay your head at night. All four options are incredible in their own right, and if you can manage to play hookie for long enough you would do well to explore each and every one of them.
Resort Terrain, Layout, & Amenities
Wolf Creek has a little bit of something for everyone, but it really shines in the technical terrain it has. Ya, it has a solid little beginner area, but almost half the mountain is designated as either advanced or expert terrain which is why veteran powderhounds love to flock here during spring dumps. This isn’t to say that you should ever pass on a chance to ski at Wolf Creek, even if you are new to the sport (other than the fact that you will be forever spoiled). Deep snow breeds good skiers after all, but long-time skiers and riders are probably going to be able to appreciate the mountain for what it is even better.
Skiing along Colorado’s front range can be an exercise in patience during big storms and holidays with the massive size of crowds to swim through, but skiing at Wolf Creek is the exact opposite. It’s a home away from home for anyone in the know.
Wolf Creek Statistics
- Skiable Acres 1,600
- Vertical Drop (ft) 1,604
- Base Elevation (ft) 10,300
- Summit Elevation (ft) 11,904
- Longest Run (mi) 2
- Average Snowfall (in) 430
- Number Of Trails 133
- Terrain 20% Beginner
- 35%Intermediate
- 25% Advanced
- 20% Expert
- Lifts 11
As I mentioned earlier, springtime in Colorado is usually when you will get to ski most of your deep days during the year. This goes double for southwestern Colorado and Wolf Creek in particular. You can count on consistent snowfall throughout the year, but from February on is when you are going to see a considerable uptick in skiers howling through their frozen and powder-caked beards.
Exhilarating hardly does runs like 52° Trees and the Waterfall Gates any justice. If you’re considering naming your firstborn children Steep and Deep, Wolf Creek is the mountain for you. If anything under a 40° aspect bores you, Wolf Creek is the mountain for you. If you are an adrenaline junkie, welcome home friend.
I’ve blown out more cores and edges at Wolf Creek over the years than I care to count, but it’s always worth it. Skis are replaceable, lifelong memories aren’t. Plus, chicks dig guys that have a graveyard of broken skis littered about their property – right?
Other Cool Things To Do In The Area
Southwestern Colorado is the picturesque stereotype that comes to mind when most people think of the state. This part of the state has produced its fair share of postcards and picture-perfect mountain masterpieces. Small two-lane highways that snake their way through even smaller mining towns that all have one thing in common – a love of the outdoors and living the quiet life.
If you had to find one downside to navigating southwestern Colorado, it would be that it’s slow-going to get anywhere in the region. As the crow flies, everything worth checking out is pretty darn close to each other, but the mountainous terrain makes for a ton of seemingly unending twisting and winding mountain roads. A lot of these roads can get sketchy (to say the least) during storms, so do yourself and everyone else in the area a favor and put someone behind the wheel who is comfortable traversing snow-packed mountain passes during blizzard conditions. That said, the mindblowing landscapes that surround you transform every drive into a jaw-dropping journey into one of the most beautiful areas in the United States.
Hot Springs
This part of Colorado is littered with natural hot springs that make for a perfect way to unwind after a long day of face-shots and dropping massive cliffs. If you’ve ever had a soak in Strawberry Hot Springs after skiing Steamboat, then you know what I’m talking about. At the west end of Wolf Creek Pass lies Pagosa Springs, a small town that is famous for its natural hot springs…and a C.W. McCall song about crashing an 18-wheeler full of chickens into the local feed store, of course. Pagosa also has ample lodging options that make it a one-stop shop for relaxation after the lifts close.
Coming from the other direction on CO-HWY 160, you can find Wagon Wheel Hot Springs in Creede, CO. Already a popular fly fishing area during the warmer months, it’s a must-see spot during the winter and early spring.
For the sake of not completely spoiling all of the best-kept secrets in the area, you will have to do your own research if you want to find some even more unique options for soaking. After all, that’s what Colorado is all about, getting lost and discovering what the state has to offer outside of major tourist attractions.
Final Thoughts
It’s a wonder how Wolf Creek isn’t one of the busiest and most popular ski areas in the world, but thank Ullr it isn’t. Wolf Creek Ski Area is off the beaten path, but that’s what makes it so unique. You’ve still got plenty of time this season to get some turns in at your new favorite resort, so get it while the getting is good. You can thank us later.
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