Sunlight Mountain Resort would rather you didn’t tell too many people about it. It sits about ten miles south of Glenwood Springs, has free parking a short walk from the lifts, very few queues and powder that tends to hang around for days. Every one of its 70-plus trails leads back to a single base lodge, which makes it a very easy place to ski as a family. And when the lifts close, some of the best hot springs in Colorado are just down the road.
Sunlight Mountain Resort at a glance
- Location: About ten miles south of Glenwood Springs
- Terrain: Around 730 acres and more than 70 trails
- Best for: Families, value, quiet slopes, hot springs après
- Lift passes: Sunlight’s own tickets and passes
- Nearest airports: Eagle County and Aspen, around an hour
New Lifts
Sunlight has just completed the largest investment in its history. The old Segundo double, the oldest operating chairlift in Colorado and originally built for Aspen in the 1950s, has been replaced by a triple chair, and Primo has been replaced by a new quad with safety bars and footrests. Both keep their original names, which feels right for a place that values tradition. Passholders also get 8.30am early access on powder days.
The Skiing
Sunlight has around 730 acres. There are plenty of gentle runs and cruisers for beginners and intermediates, while The Extreme, on the east side of the mountain, has some of the steepest in-bounds tree skiing in the state. It is a good-value extra day on a trip to Aspen Snowmass, about an hour away.
Getting There
Glenwood Springs is on I-70 about two and a half to three hours west of Denver, and it is on the Amtrak California Zephyr route. Sunlight is a 20-minute drive south of town. Eagle County and Aspen airports are both around an hour away.
For more information visit sunlightmtn.com.
Sunlight Mountain Resort: Your Questions Answered
What is new at Sunlight Mountain Resort?
Sunlight has replaced its two main chairlifts, Segundo and Primo, with a triple and a new quad, the largest project in its history. Passholders also get 8.30am early access on powder days.
Is Sunlight good for beginners?
Yes. There is plenty of gentle terrain, very few queues, and all the trails lead back to one base lodge, which makes it easy for families and newer skiers.
How far is Sunlight from Aspen?
Sunlight is about an hour’s drive from Aspen, so it makes a good-value extra day on an Aspen Snowmass trip.