Colorado, also known as "The Rocky Mountain State" is virtually a wonderland for those who like to ski or have an interest in skiing. Whether a person is a novice, amateur, or professional skier, there is a resort or ski slope waiting for them. Colorado has over 54 peaks that are more than 14,000 feet high, at least 18 resorts, and an average of about 300 sunny days per year. Each year more than 300 inches of snow covers its peaks, hills, mountains, and valleys. It is truly skiing at its finest. There is a myriad of resorts in Colorado from mom-and-pop resorts to swanky, mini-metropolis resorts to brewpubs. A Colorado ski roundup revealed the following resorts: Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Breckenridge, Buttermilk, Copper Mountain, Sunlight Mountain, Durango, Eldora Mountain, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Monarch, Snowmass, Loveland, Tulluride, Winter Park, Vail, Steamboat, and Crested Butte.

This ski roundup will provide descriptions of these resorts and give you an idea of what Colorado has to offer those who desire to sail across the slopes, taste icy-cold snow, and breath the fresh, crisp winter air.

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area has one of the longest seasons in North America

Depending on snowfall and temperatures Arapahoe sometimes opens in October and attempts to provide good skiing until the Fourth of July. This resort is the hideaway that locals visit when the tourist season hits its peak. It encompasses Colorado's laid back reputation and has some pretty tough terrain as well as a number of entertaining events.

Aspen/Snowmass Resort has the steepest vertical drop in Colorado

If you are looking for a variety of ski terrain and activities in one resort, then the Aspen/Snowmass is the resort area for you. It has two towns and four mountains: Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. It contains 4,993 acres, 42 lifts, and 335 trails.

Aspen Highlands is located a mere three miles from downtown Aspen and is accessible via free shuttle. It boasts spectacular views of the world-renowned Maroon Bells.

Learn to Ski at Buttermilk Resort

Buttermilk is one of the four mountains that make up the Aspen/Snowmass resort area. Each night most of Buttermilk's 420 acres are groomed to make the terrain easier to maneuver and nearly three-quarters of its ski and snowboard terrain is rated beginner or intermediate. Thus, it is a great area for beginning skiers to learn the sport.

Vail is consistently ranked the number one ski resort in North America

No ski roundup of Colorado would be complete without mentioning the world-famous Vail, Colorado. The resort's size and terrain make it America's premier destination for skiing and winter time fun. Vail has the largest single mountain in North America and 5,289 acres of ski-worthy terrain. It has an enormous variety of trails at every level. One of Vail's most well known features is the Back Bowls – 2,966 acres of open ski terrain.

There are many places to ski. However, Colorado with its beautiful peaks and mountains provides skiers from novices to professionals with terrain that will challenge and excite. This brief ski roundup of Colorado gives a basic idea of what the state has to offer.