
Colorado has 34 ski resorts, according to the National Ski Areas Association. Many of those are world-renowned destination spots that skiers dream about visiting. Although some of these resorts have massive terrain and numerous trails, they are also known for being overcrowded and having long lines. However, there are some resorts in Colorado that skiers can go to that offer great terrain with wide open spaces.
Devil’s Thumb Ranch is located in the mountains of Ranch Valley Creek, Colorado, and offers ski-in and ski-out options on 75 miles of private Nordic trails. The ranch was named a top 10 resort in Colorado in the 2024 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and covers a total of 6,500 acres. This season, Devil’s Thumb Ranch now offers 400 acres of available terrain for the guided backcountry skiing experience via cat skiing. The Ranch has been consistently ranked as one of the best places to cross-country ski in North America, but guests still have the option to downhill ski as well. Last year, it was ranked number one on the 10 Best Cross-Country Ski Resorts in the United States by USA Today.
It now boasts 12 trails and a 1,300-foot vertical drop, up from seven trails and a 600-foot drop last year. Skiers chasing powdered slopes can get a personal guide for $600 per person. The five-hour trip includes lunch, drinks, and rentals. It only offers this opportunity only to its lodge guests, allowing skiers to hit the slopes free of crowds that received 325 to 350 inches of powder last year.
This hidden gem is located 75 miles West of Denver and 15 minutes from Winter Park. Besides fantastic skiing adventures, guests receive authentic ranch adventures, from horseback riding, fly fishing, and cross-country skiing to fat-tire mountain biking and zip lining. The resort offers a spa, acclaimed restaurants, elegant lodge accommodations, and private rustic cabins.
If you want a resort with fantastic terrain, luxury amenities, and great experiences, Devil’s Thumb Ranch has everything a skier could want. The Ranch offers grand views of the Rocky Mountains, no crowds, and fresh powder, making it difficult for other ski resorts to compete. Now that Devil’s Thumb Ranch has doubled its cat-skiing terrain, it is the perfect time to plan a ski vacation to the Ranch.
For more information, visit Devil’s Thumb Ranch’s website.