Located about three hours from Denver and just outside Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Sunlight Mountain Resort is our pick for most family friendly place to go skiing in Colorado. If you haven’t been there, here’s why you must go to Sunlight Mountain for you next ski vacation!

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Last year, my family took an amazing spring break to Colorado. One of the best things we did on that trip was take our kids skiing as the guests of Sunlight Mountain. Not only were they able to take their first ski lesson, but we enjoyed exploring the mountain for three great days of skiing. Thank you to Sunlight Mountain for hosting my family. Almost a year later, the kids still talk fondly about their skiing adventures in Colorado.

photo courtesy of Troy Hawks, Sunlight Mountain Resort

Fun, Affordable Family Skiing in Colorado at Sunlight Mountain Resort

At first glance, Sunlight Mountain might not seem like that much when compared to some of the mega resorts. With only three chair lifts, the resort is not ritzy when compared to the giant resorts in Colorado. But don’t let that stop you from exploring all it has to offer. Free parking, no waiting, small crowds, powder all day, and over 700 skiable acres are just a few of the reasons Sunlight Mountain is perfect for skiers and riders.

Affordable Family Skiing

For about half the cost of other Colorado ski resorts, you don’t have to break the bank to take your kids on a family ski trip. With four kids, we’re always looking for ways to save when we take our kids on vacation. While we want to save money, we definitely don’t want to sacrifice fun. Luckily, you won’t have to sacrifice anything at Sunlight Mountain!!

Small Crowds & Short Lift Lines

Crowded slopes and long lift lines are often the worst parts of skiing. And crowds with kids is just a real disaster as far as I’m concerned. It’s so much nicer when you don’t have to worry about people crashing into you, or your kids crashing into other people, or losing your kids in a crowd. Luckily, we didn’t have to worry about any of that, and if we had wait to wait more than two minutes for a lift at Sunlight, that was a long time!

Great Ski School For Kids and Adults

I grew up skiing in Europe and when I was young, my parents enrolled me and my sister in week long ski lessons almost every time we went. Not only did they enroll us, but they took lessons as well. Lessons were pretty much the norm in Europe, but I don’t really see that same emphasis on lessons here in the States. 

Personally, I think the best thing you can do for your kids (and even yourself) is take ski lessons whenever possible. I need to take some more myself.

Since this was the first Colorado mountain experience for our kids, it was important to me that they have a lesson from someone other than myself. We enrolled each of our four kids in one lesson and they loved it. 

My eldest daughter had a panic attack the first time she got off the lift and the instructor was not only able to get her down the mountain, but he also gave her the confidence she needed to go back up. I can’t wait to put them back in ski lessons! They really enjoyed the lesson and the confidence they gained from it.

Sunlight Mountain Ski school offers one of the best values for first time skiers, called the Learn to Shine program. With 3 half day lessons, ski rental, and lift tickets –  plus you get an additional 5 full day lift ticket,once completed. For just $450 for the 2020 / 2021 ski season, this is a real steal!

Runs for Advanced Skiers Too

While Sunlight Mountain is a great resort for beginners, they also have a lot of slopes that more advanced skiers enjoy too. With 67 trails through 700 acres, there really is something there for everyone. And the views of Mt. Sopris and beyond are simply stunning!

Ski, Swim, Stay Package Vacations

The great thing about skiing at Sunlight is there is more than just skiing. Located Western  Colorado near the White River National Forest, Glenwood Springs is known for its amazing hot springs after all! Take advantage of Sunlight’s Children’s Center and snowmobile tours at Sunlight and so much more.

Book a Ski, Swim, Stay vacation and enjoy everything that Glenwood Springs and Sunlight Mountain Resort have to offer! With beautiful hotel partners in Glenwood Springs, relaxing natural springs, lovely restaurants, local shops and more, your family will enjoy any vacation you book!

Make sure to watch the progress of their East Ridge expansion project which will add a new lift and 100 acres of additional ski trails!

Do you enjoy skiing in Colorado? Where have you been and what did you love??

For more of our fun family adventures, check out these posts:

Our Amazing Colorado Spring Break

Fun Family Weekend in La Crosse, Wi

Heidelberg Germany – my childhood home 

Custer State Park, South Dakota

Mother – Daughter Teen Vacation in Panama City Beach

Family Fun at the Grove Resort Orlando