There are nine resorts in Colorado that are referred to as Gems: Arapahoe Basin, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Loveland Ski Area, Monarch Mountain, Powderhorn Resort, Ski Cooper, SolVista Basin, and Sunlight Mountain Resort. As the name Gems implies, these resorts are Colorado’s hidden treasures. They’re off-the-beaten-path, somewhat hidden from the mainstream, and they offer great value which can be found in the “less is more” mantra, visible from the moment you arrive.

Go here to sign up for a GEMS card and receive free lift tickets and deep discounts:

Less Is More: WaIt Time
At GEMS resorts, guests can typically park directly at the base area, allowing
quick and easy foot access to ticket windows, lifts, and base area facilities. For
those with children, this makes herding the troops all the easier. Guests find fewer skiers and riders, which equate to shorter lift lines. When lift lines are short and skiers and riders are few, you can lay down more runs with more fresh tracks. Resorts like Monarch, Powderhorn, and SolVista have one base area to which all runs flow. Because each of Colorado’s Gems resorts require only a handful of lifts to access the entire ski area, keeping track of friends and family is a breeze.

Less Is More: TerraIn
GEMS resorts may be small, but they ski big. You’ll find some of the best glades, bumps, bowls, terrain parks, and abovetreeline skiing in Colorado. The features are endless at Echo Mountain, where boxes, hits, and rails abound. Arapahoe Basin boasts some of the highest skiable terrain in North America with a summit elevation of 13,050 feet, and at Loveland, you can “ride the divide” above the Eisenhower Tunnel.

Less Is More: Pace
Each GEMS resort has its own unique, down-to-earth vibe. Skiers and riders will
be endeared by the character in the rustic lodges, the fixed grip lifts, and the locals who can tell you the history of the ski area or point you in the direction of the best hole-in-the-wall for après food and drinks. Whether it’s the first or last day of the ski season, guests will find a great mix of both beginner and expert skiers at the nine Gems resorts. There are always people willing to lend a helping hand, especially if you’re a beginner, as Gems like Eldora are known for having some of the best ski school programs in Colorado.

Less Is More: The Colorado Gems Card
Colorado’s GEMS are known for offering big bang for your buck. A great way to
start your off-the-beaten-path adventure is by signing up for the 2008-09 Colorado Gems Card. This card offers its holder deals on lift tickets at some Gems resorts and even a free day of skiing or riding at both Arapahoe Basin and SolVista Basin (restrictions apply). Visit www.ColoradoGems.com to sign-up for your Gems card and head to any of Colorado’s nine Gems resorts this winter to take advantage of affordable lift ticket prices, lodging, and the same great snow that falls throughout the rest of the state. Enter a higher state, visit Colorado’s hidden gems resorts, and discover how less is truly more.

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