Breckenridge has been the most popular ski resort in North America for the past few years. In the 2007-2008, it boasted an astounding 1.63 million skier visits, making it the most popular ski area in North America. Breckenridge is also highly favored among out-of-state and international travelers. Breckenridge was named one of the top five ski locations in the world by the BBC in October 2006 and was ranked as the ninth best resort in the U.S. by SKI Magazine in 2008. Peak 10 is the southernmost part of Breckenridge, servicing mainly difficult and a substantial amount of intermediate terrain. Peak 9 services mostly intermediate terrain, with a significant number of beginners runs on the lower part of the mountain, though it can also access expert runs such as Devil's crotch and the Windows hike to terrain that leads down to E-chair on the north side of Peak 9. Peak 8 is accessed from the Colorado Super-Chair, Rocky Mountain Super-Chair and the Peak 8 Super-Connect. The lower part of Peak 8 accesses mostly intermediate runs with some advanced runs. The back bowl on Peak 8 can be accessed via chair 6 or the T-Bar, both can be used to access the Imperial Express lift and the northernmost (Peak 7) and westernmost bowls (Lake Chutes), which include some very difficult terrain with slopes up to 55 degrees. The lower part of Peak 7 can also be accessed from the Independence Super-Chair which accesses intermediate terrain.

On August 2, 2005, construction began on the Imperial Express Super-chair, which opened in time for the 2005-2006 ski season. It is the highest lift in North America, reaching a peak elevation of 12,840 feet (3,910 m) It can be accessed from lift 6 and the T-Bar. Hiking from the top of the Imperial lift allows access to the peak of Breckenridge (Peak 8) and some of the best terrain on the mountain, including some cornices with very nice, soft landings. It gets very windy and cold at the top, and in poor visibility conditions the peak will usually be closed. The Lake Chutes, a series of small chutes with an incline of up to 55 degrees is reachable from the top of Peak 8. The chutes are some of the steepest terrain in the region, however they only run for about 400 vertical feet.

Construction of a new 8-person gondola was announced on March 12, 2006 and the grand opening was January 18, 2007. The eight passenger gondola runs from the downtown Breckenridge transportation center to a mid-station at Shock Hill, through the Cucumber Gulch Preserve, to a mid-station at the Peak 7 base area and ends at the Peak 8 base area. It serves as a base transportation system designed to reduce dependence on buses to get between the town and the northern two peaks. The lift has a maximum hourly capacity of 3,000 people and takes 7 and a half minutes to reach the Peak 7 base area from the transportation center and another 2 and a half minutes to reach the Peak 8 base area. On September 13, 2006, the town and ski resort announced the name and logo of the new gondola as the BRECKConnect Today, the Breckenridge lift system now includes several renowned lifts such as having the sole double-loading lift in North America and the highest lift in North America

Keystone is the home of the Keystone Resort. Originally constructed in the 1970s by the Ralston Purina Company, it is now owned by Vail Resorts. The Keystone Resort ski area occupies 3 separate mountains. The resort has several summer and winter outdoor activities. The winter activities include skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating, cross-country skiing, dog sleigh, and snowmobiling. The summer activities include hiking, biking, fishing, and trail running.

Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin or simply, the Basin) is a renowned Ski area for alpine skiing high in White River National Forest of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Arapahoe Basin is also known for its especially long season - staying open until at least early June, whereas most other northern ski areas close in early May. A-Basin is located on the west side of Loveland Pass on US 6 highway in Summit County. A-Basin has three 'lodges'. At the base is a full cafeteria, bar, and coffee bar. There is also a grill outside for warm days. At the peak of the Norway and Lenawee lifts is the Snow Plume refuge, a warming hut that sells drinks, snacks, and hot soup. At the top of the Exhibition lift, Black Mountain Lodge sits, serving an Alpine Bistro style menu. Though it is mostly known for advanced and expert terrain, A-Basin also has runs for the novice and intermediate skier, as well as a children's program. The Exhibition, Molly Hogan, and Molly's Magic Carpet lifts service easy runs. The Molly Hogan is a slow lift running over the bunny slope, for use by those just learning to ski. Exhibition services greens, blues, and two blacks: one named for the lift, and The Gulch which runs parallel to Exhibition. The aptly named Exhibition run features bumps, steep terrain, and a fair number of jumps. The Pallavicini lift services mostly black and double black terrain on the west side of the mountain, though it is possible to take some difficult blues back to the base. The Pallavicini face itself, a group of very steep and seemingly endless mogul runs, is rated double black diamond extreme. The Lenawee and Norway lifts take skiers to the top of the mountain, where they can access blues, blacks, and the East Wall. Opposite of the East Wall there is a blue called Cornice Run where skiers can take leaps from windblown cornices, though sometimes visibility can be a deterrent. Arapahoe Basin opened Zuma lift during the 2007-2008 season which services blue, black and double black trails over the backside of Arapahoe Basin in Montezuma Bowl. The largest terrain expansion in the nation for the 2007-2008 season marks an 80% increase in terrain for Arapahoe Basin. Montezuma Bowl offers everything from groomed intermediate runs to advanced cornice runs. The East Wall contains the most difficult terrain at A-Basin. The Lower East Wall is rated black diamond and can be reached without hiking. Open primarily in late winter and spring, the Upper East Wall is rated double black diamond extreme and is only accessible on foot. A hike of approximately 30 minutes will take you to the North Pole, a very steep descent through rocky terrain over avalanche-blasted territory. Along the ridge prior to the North Pole is a group of chutes accessed through notches in the cliff band. One chute actually requires some rock downclimbing to reach skiable snow, an interesting experience in ski boots while holding a pair of skis. These chutes are often only a couple of ski widths wide and require mountaineering skiing ability. Most of the terrain is prone to avalanches and is regularly blasted by the ski patrol before they declare the wall open. The Lower and Upper East Wall is bisected by the East Wall Traverse which is quite long and accesses a lot of difficult-to-reach territory from above and below, leaving prime snow conditions available for those willing to make the trek. The entire East Wall is not groomed and should not be taken lightly since evacuation by the ski patrol in this area is a difficult undertaking.