Loveland

The praise is for the snow: the area ranks among the snowiest in Colorado, and its high alpine bowls are within reach of a wide range of abilities. Prices are called the most reasonable in the state, and lines stay short even over spring break. The view from the top of Chair 9 across the Continental Divide comes up again and again, and reviewers like the self-contained Loveland Valley beginner area.

Wind is the biggest gripe: the mountain sits on the east side of the pass, so a couple of days without fresh snow leaves the bowls crusty and thin, with Chairs 8 and 9 badly exposed. The lifts are old and slow, with only one detachable. Groomed blues are scarce and mogul up fast, and reaching the upper terrain can take three indirect rides. There is no lodging or apres-ski on site, weekend parking fills early and I-70 clogs up. Short staffing that slows terrain openings is a further complaint.