Snowy Range Ski Area — Attraction in Elk Mountain

Snowy Range is a hidden gem. It's the perfect ski area for beginners. The mountain is relatively short and the terrain is easy (all categories). If you're an experienced intermediate or advanced skier/boarder, you might find the terrain a bit easy. However, regardless of this, the resort is still fun. Here are some of the pros/cons I experienced during my visit.

Pros: No I-70! (This should be enough to convince anyone to go there, especially if you're from WY or Northern Colorado)

Cheap Lift Tix (actually RFID Tix - easy to use and easy to move through the lines)

Super friendly across the board!

Good and consistent snow (granted, I'm writing this in 2023 which is one of the best seasons on record in the west)

Easy drive, very little traffic

Super affordable lunch/bar menu (compared to other ski areas).

Beautiful terrain (even if the runs are a bit shorter)

Super friendly staff...from "lifties" to bar staff!

Cons: Easy Mountain (this might be a pro if you're a beginner or just want an easy day)

Slower lifts (because there are a lot of families and new skiers, the lifts stop frequently for loading and unloading)

Windy (it's Wyoming...it's always windy - this may cause some exposed terrain to become windblown and crusty in spots).

I hear it gets very busy in peak season... (haven't experienced a busy day, but could imagine it would be a bit rough with long lines and slow lifts)

Overall Thoughts: I like this mountain. It doesn't try to be anything it isn't and succeeds in what it is...which is a great place for families, new skiers, and those just wanting a fun day in the slopes. Would I go back, heck yeah... especially for the price of a full day ticket... especially with some of my laid back friends! Snowy Range seems to not take itself too seriously and in return, gives that fun and relaxed vibe to the people who visit. If you're a family new to skiing, I would actually recommend this place as a potential destination location. Get yourself a place in Laramie (30 min drive) and spend a few days at a resort where you don't need to take out a second mortgage to have fun with the whole family on the slopes!

Hope this review helped! Enjoy. And remember, even a bad day if skiing beats a good...

I've only skied a handful of times, and only here, so I can't compare to other places. However, I know it is beyond affordable, especially for students or newbies. With the student discount, a pass and equipment was $65. Employees are very nice and helpful, when I was having issues with my boots fitting me, the guy who gives you your skis told me to ask for a different type of boot and it was a lifesaver. Also, when I fell pretty bad getting off a lift, the lift operator immediately stopped it and made sure I was ok, then went out of his way to help me back on my feet. Another skiier also stopped to help me. There's no snobbiness from anyone like I've heard you might experience at the bigger, more expensive ski areas.

Be aware that Pioneer run will be packed and you'll have to dodge beginner snowboarders who sit down constantly. The only thing I don't like is that a lot of the green and blue runs are sloped to the side and into the trees. Mind you I am not good at skiing but I had to move like I was turning one way the whole time while going downhill just to avoid going off into the trees, and my legs were not happy with that. Nothing that they can really do about the landscape though, and I'm sure more experienced skiiers would have no problem, but something to be aware of.

Also be aware that it is Wyoming and it will likely be windy when you go, there was 10-20 mph winds the last time I went but butnestly it wasn't that bad most of the time.

It's only a few hours from Fort Collins, it's pretty cheap, you don't have to deal with I-70 traffic, and really...

This is a locals and beginner's resort hands down. For my friend's who have no or limited ski experience, I would bring them here first. There's no need to make them pay for the more expensive Vail and Ikon resorts when they lack the skill and experience to take advantage of them. Road can be kind of sketch for the last few miles, so if you're uncomfortable driving in snowy/icy conditions, make sure you have that AWD/4WD ready.

For my more experienced skiiers, I would pass on Snowy Range, but more due to the lack of runs and overall size of the mountain.

So why the three stars? It's actually because of the lesson my friend got. She had a horrid instructor who brought them up to the top of the mountain on her first day skiing and neglected to show them good technique. I had to show her how to ski properly so that she didn't develop bad habits this early on. I don't want to issue a blanket statement and say that all their instructors are bad. Instead I'll say it's hit and miss (for now). So minus two stars for that. If I had known the instruction was going to be so bad, I could've saved her a few bucks and taught her myself in the morning.

Bottom line: Would I come back? Only if my more inexperienced friends wanted to go skiing. Expecting someone who goes only once a year to spend $200 at Vail is ridiculous in my opinion. For situations like that, I'm glad for resorts like Snowy Range. For all other trips though, I'm glad I have my Epic/Ikon Pass to take care of the great terrain in this part of...