| Loveland is Colorado's closest major ski area to Denver,
located on the Continental Divide and just short of the Eisenhower Tunnel in
the Arapaho National Forest. Loveland is the 10th largest ski resort in Colorado.
You get 1,365 acres of crisp, Rocky Mountain snow with 70 runs to choose from
and nine lifts whisking you up to the top. On-mountain improvements include
upgraded snowmaking and grooming with the addition of six new fan guns, four
new Piston Bully grooming machines and a winch cat. To get the lay of the land,
take a complimentary, 90-minute mountain tour. Meet at the top of Chair #1 at
10:30 a.m. every day. Loveland is actually two ski areas connected by a long,
horizontal lift and a shuttle bus. Loveland Basin, with terrain for all abilities,
has five chairs and a Poma lift serving 901 acres.
Loveland Valley, which caters to beginners, has two lifts
serving just 67 acres. Even good skiers, however, should investigate the Valley
on windy days. Its tree-sheltered runs can harbor excellent snow when the Basin's
slopes grow firm. If you ski as if you're on fire and you aren't afraid of heights,
Loveland is your dream come true. Checkout this blizzard of heart-pumping black
diamonds: Avalanche Bowl, Cat's Meow, Holy Cat, Tiger's Tail, Zoom and The Plunge.
If you're an intermediate skier, you don't have to look for a great place to
ski any longer. Half of Loveland's terrain is just for you with prime powder,
well-groomed runs and bowls. Chairlift #4 will whisk you to 12,280 feet and
opens up to Splashdown and Sunburst chutes. At Loveland your children will have
fun and you'll be able to get in a couple of runs yourself. Loveland is one
of the most complete family ski areas around. There's a day care facility at
the Basin for the littlest ones. There are gentle slopes and intermediate runs
at the Valley.
The Ski School instructors are PSIA-certified and use the ATM method.
Here's a quick look at the principal courses. Ski School for children 4 - 14.
Kids enjoy their own learning area at the Valley with all-day supervision, lesson,
goody bags, lunch and a progress card. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (children
must check in 30 minutes prior to the lesson). In addition to kids programs,
adults can choose from a host of different downhill and snowboard programs.
There is even a WomanSki offering special seminars for intermediate skiers and
above on Tuesdays. Groups can also arrange to set up their own special training
sessions.
Besides super skiing and short lift lines, there is a professionally-staffed
day care center (for kids 1 to 12), a sport shop with the latest skis and clothing
and convenient restaurants with tasty, reasonable meals. Lodging can be found
in Georgetown, Dillon, Idaho Springs or Denver. Georgetown is a quaint old mining
town with affordable lodging and restaurants. For shopping enthusiasts, a plethora
of factory outlet stores can be found off I-70 in Silverthorne, about 20 minutes
away. Tickets are reasonable, and you can get a better deal if you purchase
them at Front Range outlets like King Soopers and Safeway supermarkets, Gart
Brothers, ski shops and Breeze Ski Rentals. Loveland is 56 miles west of Denver,
81 miles west of Denver International Airport and 12 miles east of Dillon (Summit
County) on I-70 (exit 216). |
