Crested Butte Mountain Resort is about a 45-minute drive from the ranch. The ski resort has 16 lifts that give skiers access to 121 runs, including the 2.6 mile Peak-to-Treasury run. It is especially known for freestyle and expert skiing, with the largest number of lift-accessed expert runs in North America.

Powder snow is the best! There's lots of it at Mount Crested Butte

Powder snow is the best! There’s lots of it at Mount Crested Butte

Most of the terrain is intermediate but there is plenty of off-piste skiing and a terrain park for the freestylers.The mountain gets 300 inches of snow a year and just in case, the resort has snowmaking equipment. Besides the restaurants on the mountain, you can visit Uley’s Cabin Ice Bar on your way down… or take a sleigh ride there one evening.

snowboardguides flickr 29 nov 12

Monarch Mountain ski resort is an hour east of the ranch and provides uncrowded skiing and endless views.