Winter Van Life: Loveland Ski Area
When We Visited: May 2019, December 2022, May 2023
Upon first seeing Loveland years ago, I was turned off by their proximity to I-70. I had no desire to see or hear highway traffic while I ski.
However, a friend who lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, said Loveland was one of his favorite ski resorts in his home state, so we were excited to become season pass holders for the first time during the 2019/20 season and again in 2022/23. It’s a beautiful mountain that doesn’t experience the noise pollution you might expect at its location above the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel.
What We Love About Loveland
Their season pass offers amazing value! Loveland participates in Powder Alliance. During the 2022/23 season, this means pass holders (not Midweek) get 60 free days of skiing and riding at 20 other ski areas. Also this season, Loveland has partnered with 18 other ski areas to offer another 51 days of free skiing/riding. We bought our Loveland passes when they first went on sale in April 2022, so we paid $499 each for over 110 days at other ski resorts. That’s enough to keep us busy all season and about half the price of a top-tier Epic or Ikon pass.
Loveland doesn’t feel overcrowded, even when the parking lot is full. We’ve never had to wait in a lift line, and I’ve never felt like other skiers and riders are brushing by me as I ski trails.
The mountain is easy to navigate and scope out your lines. I try to challenge myself, but I don’t explore expert terrain without knowing the commitment I’m making before doing it, especially when I’m alone.
Loveland is laid back and seems to have maintained an old-school ski culture. There’s nothing fluffy about the experience. It’s all about the skiing.
They generally have one of the longest ski seasons in Colorado – October to May. They still had a crazy amount of snow during their closing weekend in May 2019. It was hard to accept the season was officially coming to an end when they still had full coverage.
Loveland is the fastest ski area to get to if you’re driving I-70 from Denver. You’ll have a lot more traffic to sit in the farther you go past Loveland.
Free snowcat skiing on Loveland’s Ridge Cat. We haven’t had a chance to do this yet, but we’re excited for a future opportunity.
Plan Your RV/Van Life Road Trip to Loveland
skiloveland.com
(303) 571-5580
(800) 736-3SKI
loveland@skiloveland.com
Pass affiliations:
Location: 53 miles west of Denver (just before the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel) and 12 miles east of Summit County on I-70 at Exit 216
Hours of operation: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm on weekends and designated holidays. See Loveland’s Hours & Directions page for more information.
Mountain Stats
- Average snowfall: 422 inches
- Lift-served skiable terrain: 1,800 acres
- Hikeable terrain: 100 acres
- Vertical drop: 2,210 feet
Driving to Loveland
I-70 between Denver and the ski areas is one of my least favorite places to travel during winter. I don’t think we’ve ever driven that stretch of I-70 without delay due to accidents, winter conditions, avalanches, and semi fires. Go prepared to sit in place for hours. Avoid weekends if you can, and don’t drive during inclement weather. Wait for it to clear up. Also, watch for potholes and ruts that can damage your vehicle and knock you off course.
Our first time riding at Loveland in May 2019, we couldn’t get “home” to our reserved campsite because I-70 was shut down for hours due to a semi fire at Georgetown.
If you don’t wish to drive to Loveland, there are a few transportation options to consider.
Parking at Loveland
When you exit I-70, there will be signs pointing to Loveland Basin and Loveland Valley. Loveland Basin is the main base area where you will likely want to spend most of your time. However, if you’re a beginner or an out-of-practice intermediate, Loveland Valley is a great place to start and also home to Loveland’s ski school. You cannot ski between Basin and Valley. However, Loveland has a shuttle that runs every 5-10 minutes. You can read more about Basin vs. Valley on Loveland’s website.
The parking lot at Loveland Basin filled up by mid-morning on the Friday and Saturday of their closing weekend in May 2019. During our visit in December 2022 (before the holidays), it never reached full capacity, but it was close.
We’ve had varied experiences parking our van at Loveland. In December 2022, there were parking lot attendants guiding people where to park on the two days we visited. On the first day, the attendants immediately looked at our van’s size (20-foot length) and decided they shouldn’t cram us in with everybody else, because we might not be able to get out. So they instructed us to park near a lift tower in front of a resort maintenance area where we had little chance of getting blocked in. This worked out great.
Upon our second visit, a different parking attendant didn’t seem to share the same concern. However, we politely asked to park elsewhere, so he instructed us to back in at the furthest end of the parking lot next to a snow berm. There was a plow grooming the area at the time as they just received snow. Instead of getting in the way of the plow, we decided to park in the same spot next to the lift tower as instructed a different day. This made the parking attendant very unhappy. He walked a fair distance shaking his head to tell us we had to move because it was employee parking. The area was not marked as employee parking (and later that day, other skiers would park in the same place he asked us to vacate). We explained that we didn’t want to get in the way of the plow and would move over to the rear of the parking lot when the plow’s work was done. He still seemed very irritated with us but oh well. We moved to the back of the parking lot where we enjoyed being next to other van-goers and dog people. In the future, we will just park in the rear as it’s really not a far walk to the lifts from there. We’ve also seen trailers and large RVs parked along the rear snow berm.
Tips for Skiing/Riding Loveland
See Loveland’s Trail Map to follow along.
Beginners will want to start at Loveland Valley since it’s an area designed just for you. However, if you do choose Loveland Basin, there are still plenty of green runs.
Intermediates will likely feel comfortable on all chairlifts. However, if you’re afraid of heights or don’t feel comfortable in ungroomed terrain, the easiest way down from Chair 9 might not be for you. Otherwise, this chair is primarily for advanced skiers and riders. If you’re up for the challenge, there is a great view of Copper Mountain and Breckenridge from the top.
Loveland’s advanced and expert terrain is truly advanced and expert. Jump turns and catching air is required in certain places. Chet’s Dream and Chair 9 are my favorites. Chair 9 offers hiking options if you want to earn your turns.
If you want to take the The Face from the bottom of Chair 8 through the Access Tunnel to return to Loveland’s base area, you should know that I’ve never seen The Face groomed. It’s bumped out, narrow, and could have exposed natural obstacles. I also find it terrifying to walk through the tunnel when it’s icy. Just a heads up!
Where to Sleep in Your Van/RV
Loveland Ski Area – Apparently, overnight RV camping used to be allowed at Loveland Ski Area. When I inquired at Guest Services in May 2019, it is no longer permitted.
Tiger Run Resort – 21 miles / 30 minutes in Breckenridge – We have not stayed here yet because it is the most expensive RV park we’ve encountered near a ski resort. However, it is in a central location to many ski areas, most especially Epic Pass resorts, and according to reviews, it’s a beautiful property with clean facilities.
Denver West / Central City KOA Holiday – 34.5 miles / 40 minutes in Central City – Here is a helpful notice from their home page during winter 2022/23:
There were a lot of sites to choose from in December 2022 (before the holidays), and there was one loop that was completely empty during our stay. Many sites had panoramic views and the sunsets and sunrises were gorgeous. Due to their mountaintop location, it does get windy. You might want to select a site that doesn’t oppose the wind.
It was very easy to pay for our site by filling out an envelope provided at the night registration box (as described in the screenshot above) with our credit card information and dropping it in a lock box. They offer monthly rates if you want to use this KOA as a home base for exploring several ski areas nearby. (See “Neighboring Ski Resorts in Colorado” below.) You just have to call a number provided on the main door of the KOA’s building when you arrive to make arrangements.
To use the restrooms, showers, and laundry room, you need a code to enter the building. Instructions are posted on the building about how to call/text to obtain the code. I was excited for the showers as KOA showers are generally clean even if they are dated. However, I’m pretty sure the showers at this location weren’t cleaned during the three nights we stayed over a one-week period. I kept seeing the same hairs. Aside from the cleanliness, the showers were nice and hot. We didn’t use the washers and dryers but each cost $2.00 per load and were available 24 hours.
Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon – 42.6 miles / 50 minutes in Black Hawk – We stayed here in May 2019. The showers were clean and hot. However, the roads to get up to Base Camp are windy and steep once you leave I-70. It takes time in a heavy rig.
Red Mountain RV Park – 49.6 miles / 1 hour in Kremmling – We have not actually stayed here, but we checked it out as we were traveling from Granby Ranch to Loveland Ski Area in December 2022. They have cheaper rates than other RV parks near Colorado ski areas, and their reviews indicate they have clean showers and friendly owners. Their location keeps you out of I-70’s Denver traffic, so it’s a place we would consider in the future. Red Mountain also participates in Harvest Host’s new CampersCard.
Chatfield State Park – 63.2 miles / 1 hour in Littleton – If you want to be in the Denver area, this state park is a great option. Depending on the day, you might be able to enjoy temperatures above freezing. There are a lot of dog-friendly hiking, walking, and biking trails if you’re in the mood for some movement that isn’t skiing or snowboarding. There is also a dog park (additional fee required).
Reservations are required for the campground, but we showed up without booking first in December 2022. Since we had never been there before, we wanted to see if we could check out the sites before committing to anything. It was very easy to go online to see what was available and drive around the campground to pick out our desired spot. However, the reservation site was very buggy, so I couldn’t complete our reservation. I tried from my iPhone and my Mac with no luck. Fortunately, the woman at the check-in office was able to complete my reservation. We paid $36 for one night.
C Loop is the only loop open during winter with electric only sites. A dump station with potable water is available.
Note: Before going to the campground, you must pay to enter the state park. We paid $10 for a day use pass that was good until noon the next day. You must pay for entry even if you have already paid for camping.
Showers weren’t the cleanest but not the worst and cost 50 cents for three minutes. At least they were hot. There was a laundry room that was actively being used when we were there. However, there was a huge puddle of water. It seemed one of the washers malfunctioned, so we skipped doing laundry there.
River Dance – 80.7 miles / 1 hour 15 minutes in Gypsum – We stayed here on our way to Loveland from Idaho in May 2019. It was the closest RV park I could find open year-round on the west side of Loveland, aside from Tiger Run Resort. The showers were hot and clean.
Working Remotely
I had no problem texting, emailing, and streaming entertainment from the following locations using AT&T. While I didn’t try a Zoom call, I feel confident it would’ve worked at all three places.
- Loveland Basin’s parking lot
- Denver West / Central City KOA Holiday
- Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon
- Chatfield State Park
- River Dance
Where to Eat Near Loveland
- Main Street Restaurant – 24.3 miles / 25 minutes in Idaho Springs – When we still lived in Tahoe, it was almost tradition to stop here during our annual trips to Breckenridge when we would fly in and out of Denver. We love their freshly baked, toasted bread with breakfast and always take a loaf to go.
- Briar Rose Chophouse & Saloon – 24.9 miles 35 minutes in Breckenridge – They serve one of the best petit filets I’ve ever had! If you go, be prepared to blow your budget. Make reservations.
- Downstairs at Eric’s – 24.9 miles / 35 minutes in Breckenridge – If you’re seeking a bar and pizza, go here. Show up early if you don’t want to wait for a seat, especially on game days.
- Empire Burger – 25.5 miles / 35 minutes in Breckenridge – They satisfy my craving for a cheeseburger after a day of riding.
Conveniences Near Loveland
I personally like grocery shopping in Frisco, 20 minutes from Loveland, at Safeway (Summit Blvd), Whole Foods Market, and Natural Grocers. However, there are many other options depending on where you are staying.
If the mountain communities closest to Loveland don’t have a service that you need, head to Denver about an hour away.
If you need service, parts, or supplies for your Sprinter van, here are locations with a Sprinter tech:
- Mercedes-Benz of Littleton – 63.9 miles / 1 hour in Littleton
- Mercedes-Benz of Westminster – 64.8 miles / 1 hour in Westminster
- Mercedes-Benz of Loveland – 102 miles/1.5 hours in Loveland – A note of gratitude to the Westminster location for their help when our Winnebago Revel/Sprinter van was overheating.
Where to Find the Cheapest Diesel Fuel
In the five winter seasons we’ve been on the road, diesel has been the most expensive for us during the 2022/23 winter season. It’s actually been quite painful. We found the cheapest diesel at the following locations. It’s hard to say if they will be the cheapest during your travels.
- Sinclair – 18.7 miles / 20 minutes in Downieville – We paid $3.89/gallon in December 2022.
- Shell (190 US Hwy 6) – 12.3 miles / 20 minutes in Silverthorne – The diesel here was more than a dollar cheaper than other fuel stations around Vail, Frisco, Silverthorne, and Dillon at $3.85/gallon in May 2023.
- Costco Wholesale (Gypsum Warehouse) – membership required – 75.2 miles / 75 minutes in Gypsum – If you’re traveling west of Loveland and have a membership, diesel fuel was $3.89 upon checking in May 2023.
- Costco Wholesale (Timnath Warehouse) – membership required – 108 miles / 1 hour 45 minutes in Timnath – While this is very far from Loveland, I’m noting this here in case you travel through this area north of Denver off I-25. It seemed Timnath had some of the cheapest fuel in the Denver area in December 2022, not just at this Costco.
Note: Not all Costcos have diesel fuel if you’re looking to fuel up at a different Costco, so you make sure you check the Costco location’s website.
Ski Resorts Within One Hour of Loveland
Times provided are best-case scenario. Traffic and winter conditions can significantly increase the driving time.
- Arapahoe Basin (Ikon Pass 2024/25, Mountain Collective 2024/25, Monarch Mountain 2024/25) – 7.8 miles / 20 minutes in Summit County – If Loveland Pass (US-6) is closed between Loveland Ski Area and A-Basin, the alternate drive through Silverthorne is 24.6 miles / 35 minutes.
- Keystone (Epic Pass 2024/25) – 12.8 miles / 25 minutes in Keystone – If Loveland Pass (US-6) is closed between Loveland Ski Area and A-Basin, the alternate drive through Silverthorne is 19.9 miles / 30 minutes.
- Copper Mountain (Ikon Pass 2024/25, Monarch Mountain 2023/24) – 23 miles / 25 minutes in Frisco
- Breckenridge (Epic Pass 2024/25) – 24.7 miles / 30 minutes in Breckenridge
- Winter Park (Ikon Pass 2024/25) – 41.7 miles / 50 minutes in Winter Park
- Vail (Epic Pass 2024/25) – 42 miles / 45 minutes in Vail
- Beaver Creek (Epic Pass 2024/25) – 51 miles / 50 minutes in Beaver Creek
Other Winter Activities
I like to wander Breckenridge, Frisco, and Vail and sample food and drinks at different establishments.
Events
- Ice Racing at Georgetown Lake – 13 miles in Georgetown
- International Snow Sculpture Championships – 25 miles in Breckenridge
