Last weekend, we packed up the truck and headed to Snowy Range Ski Area in Wyoming for a quick day trip. I’d never been before, but I’d heard good things—affordable, close to home, and a great little mountain for a full day of skiing. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
Super Quick Drive from Fort Collins
One of the biggest perks of Snowy Range is how easy it is to get to from Fort Collins. From our house, it was about two hours, but if you’re in North Fort Collins, it’s even quicker—around 90 minutes. Compared to the long, slow crawl to some of the bigger Colorado resorts, this drive was a breeze.
Affordable for a Full Ski Day
Skiing can get ridiculously expensive, but Snowy Range is a steal. Lift tickets for four people were just around $200, which is pretty unheard of these days. You won’t find those prices at any of the big-name mountains in Colorado!
Parking & My Footwear Fail
Okay, parking wasn’t the best part of the experience, but it wasn’t terrible either. We got there early, but the lot still filled up quickly. They do have a shuttle service when the parking gets too far back, but we were close enough to walk. Unfortunately, I made a rookie mistake… DO NOT WEAR CROCS. Big mistake on my part. Snow + Crocs = bad time. Lesson learned.
Plenty of Lifts & Runs for a Full Day of Fun
There are five lifts (four chairlifts and one magic carpet) serving 33 runs, and the layout makes it super easy to explore without getting bored. The runs are long enough to feel like you’re getting a solid ride in, and even though the place was packed, we never waited in line for more than 10 minutes. That’s pretty amazing, considering how long lift lines can be at bigger resorts.
Watch Out for Wind!
Multiple people told us that if it’s windy, Snowy Range can be brutal, so definitely check the weather before heading up. We got lucky with great conditions, but I can see how strong winds could make it a rough day.
One-Day Ski Trip? Totally Doable
We left the house at 7 AM, got to the mountain, skied all day, and were back home by 5 PM. That’s a full day of skiing, no expensive overnight stays, and plenty of runs to feel like we got our money’s worth.
Lodge Vibes & Overpriced Food (No Surprise There)
The lodge is pretty decent—big enough, comfortable, and a nice place to warm up. The food? Pretty standard ski resort pricing (a.k.a. expensive). Three burgers, chicken fingers, a salad, three drinks, and two chips cost us $65. Not the worst I’ve seen, but definitely not a budget meal. If you want to save money, maybe pack some snacks.
They also have day lockers for $5, which is nice if you want to stash your shoes or extra gear instead of lugging it around.
Final Thoughts: Snowy Range is a Hidden Gem
Overall, we had a blast. It’s cheap, close, and fun, with friendly people and well-maintained runs. If you’re looking for a quick ski trip without the hassle and cost of bigger resorts, Snowy Range is 100% worth checking out.
Next time, though, I’m bringing better shoes for the walk from the parking lot. 😆
