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Winter guide
Summit County Resorts
Breck is home, but five resorts sit within an hour of Main Street. Here is which pass gets you where, how long the drive is, and when each one is worth the trip.
Summit County right now
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Which resort, which pass
| Resort | Pass | From Breck | Known for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breckenridge | Epic | Home | Five peaks, hike-to bowls, Freeway park and superpipe. Opens Nov 6. | Directions |
| Keystone | Epic | ~25 min | Usually one of the first to open. Night riding and a big park scene. | Directions |
| Copper Mountain | Ikon | ~25 min | Naturally split terrain, big parks and Woodward Copper. Opens Nov 6. | Directions |
| Arapahoe Basin | Ikon | ~35 min | High, steep and local. The Pali, the East Wall and the longest spring season around. 80th anniversary weekend Dec 4 to 6. | Directions |
| Loveland | Own pass | ~45 min | Old-school vibe, a cheaper season pass and no lodging scene. I-70 exit 216. | Directions |
When to go where
- Early season: Keystone and A-Basin usually open first, often in October. Check their sites for this year's date.
- Powder days: Breck and Copper both pick up storms well. Get there early either way.
- Spring: A-Basin's season usually runs well past the others, and the parking lot scene is part of the fun.
- Weekends: I-70 eastbound on Sunday afternoon is rough. Stay late, ride Breck, or head home early.
Know before you go
- Breck and Keystone are Epic. A-Basin and Copper are Ikon. Loveland is on neither.
- Drive times assume dry roads and no I-70 traffic. Check COtrip before you leave.
- The Summit Stage bus is free and connects Breck, Frisco, Keystone and Copper.
- The traction law is in effect on I-70 from Sept 1 to May 31.
Asked at the counter
Local questions
What ski resorts are near Breckenridge?
Keystone and Copper Mountain are about 25 minutes away, Arapahoe Basin about 35 minutes and Loveland about 45 minutes, depending on roads and traffic.
Which pass do I need for Summit County resorts?
Breckenridge and Keystone are on the Epic Pass. Arapahoe Basin and Copper Mountain are on the Ikon Pass. Loveland sells its own pass and is on neither.
Which Summit County resort opens first?
Keystone and Arapahoe Basin usually open first, often in October. Breckenridge and Copper open November 6, 2026.
Keep exploring
Checked October 2026 against the sources linked on this page. Rules, dates and conditions change, so confirm before you go, or stop by the shop at 320 S Main St for the latest.