10 Free Activities at Colorado Ski Resorts

Who says a winter vacation has to be expensive? Here are 10 free activities to enjoy at Colorado ski resorts this winter.

Snowcat rides at Copper Mountain
Score a backcountry experience without the half-day hike. Take advantage of Copper’s free Snowcat rides to Tucker Mountain and sink your skis (or boards) into Copper’s best alpine back bowls. You can catch a ride Friday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. just by showing a lift ticket or season pass.

Hot cocoa at Copper Mountain
Also at Copper, you can stop by the Patrol Headquarters or the Timberline Patrol Station during January to snag a cup of hot chocolate as part of National Safety Month. Take the opportunity to learn about mountain safety, find out what ski patrol does, and maybe even meet an avalanche rescue dog.

Free snowshoe tours at Vail
A snowshoeing adventure is the perfect way for non-skiers to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of snow-covered mountains. Vail offers two free tours – one at 2 p.m. and another at 5:30 p.m. – from the Nature Discovery Center at the Top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Snowshoes are provided, and you’ll learn about native animals and wilderness on the one-hour guided tour.

Early bird access at Aspen Snowmass
Love those early morning freshies? Sign up free of charge for the First Tracks Program to be first on the mountain at Snowmass or Aspen. Space is limited, so guests must sign up in advance if they want to join the mountain staff on those freshly groomed runs.

Mountain tours on Crested Butte
Want to feel like a local when you’re cruising Crested Butte? No problem. Take a free two-hour tour of the lifts, trails, and best blue and green runs on the mountain. The resort offers tours from the base area every day at 10 a.m. to help guests get to know the mountain and maybe even make some ski buddies in the process.

Night skiing at Steamboat
Thanks to a new offer from Steamboat, anyone who flies into the local airport (Steamboat/Hayden) can ski free the night they arrive. Present a boarding pass at the ticket window, and you’ll be skiing under the stars within hours of arriving – even before you buy your first lift ticket.

Ridge Cat skiing at Loveland
Get your off-terrain fix for free. Loveland is offering free Ridge Cat passes to guests who show a valid lift ticket or season pass at the Loveland Basin Ticket Office. This vehicle will take you straight to the top of the mountain’s most exciting ridgelines where you can hit the back country without the hassle.

Free lift ticket on Tuesdays at Cooper
This killer deal is enough reason to make the trip to Cooper Mountain in Leadville. In January and February, guests who purchase a lift ticket on Tuesdays can get a second pass for absolutely nothing. The 2fer Tuesday offer means you and a friend can hit the slopes for just $26 – $52 each. Now all you need is a midweek day off!

Explore the world’s largest snow fort
Keystone Mountain boasts the world’s largest snow fort, and it’s accessible to all lift-ticket holders for free. Explore the mazes, take a turn on the snow slides, or spend a couple of hours enjoying many other activities happening every day at Kidtopia on the top of Dercum Mountain.

Demo days at A-Basin
Ditch your old equipment, and spend a day using cutting-edge ski and snowboard gear during free demo days at A-Basin. This winter, top brands will be setting up shop at the base of the mountain and letting guests take their latest designs for a test run. It’s the perfect excuse to try out that board you’ve been eyeing all season long.

Between these free activities, discounted lift tickets and deals on season passes, you can do more for less this winter sports season. Browse the Skier Deals site for Skier Deals that’ll help defray your vacation costs at many of North America’s top ski resorts this winter.

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