Eldora's stats are misleading: This skis and rides like a bigger mountain and draws significant crowds from Denver, Boulder and the Midwest states. Actually four mountains, the area is laid out nicely according to ability level. In the back, experts and advanced skiers head for Corona Bowl's black- and double-black-diamond terrain. Runs like the West Ridge are definitely challenging, and the chutes and glades are for experienced skiers only. Indian Peaks and Challenge Mountain are laced with wide-open cruisers such as everyone's favorite first run, Hornblower, while Little Hawk Mountain is the beginner and family skiing and riding zone. Tricksters can play in a terrain park with rails, rollers, table jumps and boxes.

Because this is the closest skiing to Denver, weekends can get crowded. But then, you won't have to drive crowded I-70 to get to Eldora—a fact that balances out the occasional lift lines. The resort has excellent kids' and family programs and the most popular Nordic trail system in the state. The 16,000-square-foot lodge, built of logs and natural indigenous rock, is centrally located and houses the rental shop, ski school registration and dining services.

Here's a larger, more detailed trail map.

Lift tickets (2006/07 prices): Adult, $56; juniors (6–15), $36; seniors (65–74), $36; kids 5 and younger, and seniors 75 and older, $5.

Distance from Denver: 65 miles from DIA. 45 miles from Denver via U.S. highway 36 and state highway 119. 21 miles from Boulder. Eldora is the only ski resort with scheduled bus service seven days a week via the Regional Transportation District, (303) 299-6000.

Lodging information: Accommodations are in the historic mining town of Nederland, plus Boulder and Denver; www.eldora.com/mountaininfo/lodging.cfm