The Rocky Mountains boast a vast array of ski resorts, offering diverse terrain and experiences for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. There are 132 ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains, encompassing approximately 6,028 kilometers of slopes served by 924 ski lifts [1]. Another source indicates there are 75 ski resorts covered in the Rockies [2].

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Some of the most prominent and highly-rated ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains include [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]:

• Big Sky Resort, Montana: Ranked highly with 4.7 out of 5 stars, offering up to 250 kilometers of slopes and known for its size and diverse terrain [1] [3].
• Park City, Utah: One of the largest ski resorts with up to 250 kilometers of slopes, known for its Utah powder and family-friendly options like the Kids Signature Ski Program [1] [2] [4].
• Breckenridge, Colorado: Reaching an altitude of 3,914 meters, it's one of the highest ski resorts in the Rockies. It's a historic mining town with Victorian charm and offers diverse terrain across five peaks [1] [2] [6].
• Vail, Colorado: An iconic Colorado destination with over 5,000 acres of skiable terrain, known for its vast bowls, diverse shops, restaurants, and breathtaking views [2] [4] [6].
• Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Highly rated for its extremely demanding terrain, snow quality, and breathtaking scenery, though it has limited beginner and low intermediate terrain [2] [3].
• Alta, Utah: Known for top-tier snow quality and accumulation, breathtaking mountain aesthetic, and terrain diversity. Snowboarding is prohibited here [3].
• Snowbird, Utah: Offers top-tier snow quality, diverse and extremely demanding expert runs, and innovative mountain logistics [3].
• Banff Sunshine Village, Alberta, Canada: Features consistent snow, top-tier views, diverse terrain for all abilities, and an extraordinarily long season [3].
• Snowmass, Colorado: The largest resort in the Aspen complex, offering diverse terrain on over 3,000 acres, suitable for all abilities, and a great ski school for kids [2] [3].
• Telluride, Colorado: Nestled in the San Juan Mountains, it offers rugged terrain, stunning peaks, and diverse terrain for all ability levels [3] [4].
• Sun Valley, Idaho: Considered a glamorous and family-friendly resort with 100 runs, 70% of which are beginner and intermediate, and excellent grooming [2] [3].
• Steamboat, Colorado: Known for its cowboy flavor, distinctive glade terrain, and lively local town [2] [3].
• Keystone, Colorado: Offers over 2,500 acres of open terrain, family-friendly activities, and night skiing [4] [6].
• Winter Park, Colorado: The closest major mountain destination to Denver, offering endless adventures and unparalleled Colorado experiences [3] [6].

The Rocky Mountain ski season typically begins in mid-to-late October, with Arapahoe Basin and Loveland often competing to open first [2]. Many resorts open before Thanksgiving and into early December, with virtually all resorts open during the holidays [2]. The season can extend well into May for some resorts [2].

For those planning a trip, several passes are available, such as the Epic Pass, which provides access to resorts like Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Park City, Keystone, and Crested Butte [4]. The Indy Pass also offers access to independent, off-the-beaten-path destinations [5].

When considering accessibility, resorts around Salt Lake City, Utah, are particularly convenient, with the international airport being close enough to allow skiing or riding by lunchtime on arrival day [2]. Most resorts are within an hour's drive of the airport [2]. Denver, Colorado, also serves as a gateway, with resorts like Winter Park about 1.5 hours away and I-70 resorts around a two-hour drive [2] [6].