Every year my husband and I (plus a variety of friends) go on a snow trip in March. The first year we went to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and the area exceeded our expectations for what a ski town could offer. From the slopes to the hot springs, this place has something for everyone!
ACTIVITES
There are so many things to do here, so let's start with the main attraction—the ski area. The slopes near Pagosa Springs are located at Wolf Creek Ski Area which is about a 30 minute drive from town. The drive is beautiful and the roads are cleared every morning so don't worry about icy road conditions.
The trails at Wolf Creek vary from beginner (and I mean very beginner) to black diamond, so there is a trail for every level. I will warn you though, make sure you pay attention to which lift you are getting on because we went from a bunny slope to the top of the mountain and I ended up walking down crying because it was just too much. I won't get into the details, but if you want to hear the whole story let me know and I'm happy to share. Other than my traumatic experience (that was completely my own fault), we had an amazing time here; everyone else that snowboarded even came back for a second day.
If skiing isn't your thing, there is a lodge and base camp with food and tables where you can hang out while the rest of your party enjoys the slopes. If your idea of fun isn't stuck in a lodge with tons of sweaty snowboarders then I'd suggest checking out the following activities:
- Hot Springs
- Pagosa Springs Shops
- Coffee Shops
- Tubing/Sledding
This is definitely a family-friendly destination as there is something for everyone.
GETTING THERE
As Wolf Creek is one of the less crowded ski areas, it is also a farther distance from the main cities/airports. We flew into Colorado Springs airport and drove the 3 1/2 - 4 hours down to Pagosa Springs. It was not a bad drive at all and actually had some beautiful scenery as you drive through the mountains.
The Denver airport is another option, but that adds about an hour to your drive as Pagosa Springs is located in the southern part of Colorado. One more option is the Durango airport, which is only about an hour and a half from Pagosa Springs, but we found the flights to this airport were significantly greater than the other two options.
No matter which route you choose, you're guaranteed to have a good time once you get there!
EXTRA DETAILS
I would also suggest booking your ski/snowboard gear in advance if you plan to rent. You can rent directly from Wolf Creek and grab your gear once you get to the mountain or there are multiple rental gear shops in town. We rented from a local shop in Pagosa Springs and it worked perfect!
