Sunlight Mountain Deals & Info
Sunlight Mountain Resort is a smaller and more affordable resort located near Glenwood Springs, just northwest of Aspen. At this mountain you can get a full day of skiing in for about half of what you’ll pay at the big resorts. You won’t have to deal with lift lines either. With 73 trails and over 2,000 feet of vertical, Sunlight is not tiny by any means. It is a great place for skiers and families who want to avoid the aggravation of lift lines and traffic at bigger mountains.
Sunlight Mountain Highlights
Here is what skiers and snowboarders need to know about the Sunlight Mountain Ski Resort:
- Affordable lift tickets
- Lack of lift lines
- Just up the road from Aspen
Getting to Sunlight Mountain
From Denver, start out going west on I-70 to Glenwood Springs. Take Exit 116 and then turn right off of the exit. Head south on Rt. 82 until you get to 27th Street. Turn right onto 27th Street and use this to get over to South Midland Avenue (Rt. 117). Head south and follow this road until you hit Sunlight. Glenwood Springs to Sunlight Mountain is about a 13-mile drive.
Sunlight Mountain, CO FAQ
Some of the other activities that Sunlight offers are snowmobile tours and swimming in the nearby hot springs.
Sunlight offers a solid amount of challenging terrain, especially over on its East Ridge, which is specifically for experts.
Sunlight has a decent amount of beginner terrain, as well as cheaper lift tickets that may appeal to skiers that don’t plan to spend the whole day on the hill.
Yes. There is a limited amount of lodging at the Sunlight Mountain Inn and the Brettelberg Slopeside property.
Sunlight actually does allow fat tire bike riders to ascend to the top of the mountain and ride down. However, they only allow it on one specific route, which descends Ute ski run to the bottom.
Trail Maps
Main Trail Map
East Ridge
Full-size trail maps are available on Sunlight’s official website here.
Tips for Skiing & Riding Sunlight
Head to the top and start down Grizzly. Beginners will like this because it has a green circle rating with a gentle slope. It will also take you to some great tree skiing and the most difficult terrain on the mountain if that’s what you are looking for. There are patches of aspen trees throughout this route, and even beginners will find places where they can duck into the trees.
Experts should visit the East Ridge. This area offers surprisingly fun terrain for experts. If you don’t want to hike out, be sure to catch the early traverse back to the base.