Wolf Creek, CO, Report: Sun & Powder at a Unique Family Resort

Alberta Peak in the Wolf Creek ski area. | Credit: Kevin Bruce / Wolf Creek

Report from end of January 27 & 28

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of exploring one of the last independent resorts in Colorado, Wolf Creek ski area. In a state where the mega-passes began, this mountain shows a refreshing contrast to corporate mountain culture. Between the towns of South Fork and Pagosa Springs near the top of Wolf Creek Pass, this little Colorado resort is a welcome contrast to the corporate behemoth along the I-70 corridor. While much of the mountain is relatively flat, the ridge top, part of the continental divide, is sure to excite any skier or boarder. For the experienced skier, the knife ridge hike provides everything one could ask for. There are plenty of steep chutes, cliffs, and tree runs to choose from making it feel like there is always powder hiding somewhere. This mountain has something for all riders and boasts a vertical drop of 1,604 feet and 1,600 skiable acres.

The feel of a family resort is alive and well and Wolf Creek. There are regularly complimentary shuttles to take guests to and from their cars. All their food is homemade and they have a variety of outdoor seating. With affordable lift tickets starting at only $89 for adults, this resort is a “hotspot for powder hounds, families, and new skiers alike.”

Even with a series of freeride events, the resort still had a local feel. During my time there, Wolf Creek hosted a Junior IFSA competition as well as an adult freeride competition on the Alberta Peak run. While the lines may have been longer than normal for a local rider, they were minuscule compared to a weekend in the front-range resorts. Even though it had been a few days since any significant snowfall, the mountain still held powder, which made for fun spectating in the competitions.

Wolf Creek Knife Ridge Hike. | Credit: Spencer Davies

Where to stay

On this particular weekend, I stayed in the town of South Fork. This quiet rural town sits on the banks of the Rio Grande and is about a 30-minute drive from the resort. There are a few options for food in town but we did not stop at any during our stay. Another option for visitors would be the town of Pagosa Springs, which sits on the southwest side of the Wolf Creek pass. Here, one could find more tourist attractions although slightly farther from the resort itself, like the world’s deepest geothermal hot springs.