This review is for the kid's Trek program. I can't recommend it. Although the teachers are super, and the day to day folks running the program are nice if very disorganized, the class size is getting larger. Their policy of no make-up days even when the mountain is closed is a travesty. This year (2015) they closed the mountain on Sunday due to high wind and trees down (although by no means a unique weather event.) Honestly I got the impression they decided to close the mountain was because everyone wanted to go watch the playoff game and the Director of Programs (JP Chavelier) said as much. I probably talked to JP for over an hour the first time trying to convince him that it was in his best interest to try to make amends for the canceled program, but the best they would do was a 1/2 price voucher for a day lesson. He explained this was 'industry practice.' Well, look online, and you'll quickly find Winter Park will reschedule if the pass is closed (and that also probably means if they can't start lifts do to high winds). JP said 'this will happen again' and also said next time they won't be handing out vouchers. I suspect he knows it will happen again as they aren't properly taking care of their forests in order to save costs (they clearly and cutting costs everywhere they can) and wind will cause it unsafe to ski there.So, if you don't mind paying higher prices than Winter park (7 week program, so although the total is slightly higher, the per-lesson is quite a bit less) for larger class size and the risk that you won't get one of the 6 lessons, then go for it.Otherwise go somewhere else. We'll be going to winter park were the skiing is better for us, and if the lessons are canceled at least they will reschedule, and not just say 'Sorry!'Eldora is clearly NOT the local's mountains. It's the 'how much money can we make this season' mountain.
This is a great place for a family ski vacation. We stayed in Boulder, only a 25 minute drive to the moutain, so we also had access to great restaurants and shopping. This resort is a local gem and very affordable.
For many of us "front range" Colorado natives, Eldora has been the 'go to' local ski resort for years. Even Arapahoe Basin, Winter Park, or Loveland (traditional day ski destinations) have been badly impacted by the I70 insane traffic snarls. This ski mountain west of Boulder is an easy driving alternative to the I70 nightmare which has become such a drag on any hope of day skiing. From our home, just south of Denver, it is a pleasant <90 minute drive without dealing with the I70 traffic snarl. The mountain offers some fine black diamond runs, a good number of blues and greens which makes it a great place for families. This resort has stayed "modest" in pricing for lifts and food compared to the soaring costs in the bigger mountain resorts. The lift capability is fine, with little wait time. My wife and daughter (both fine skiers) often will head up for a day of bashing after a good snow storm and return happy and without having battled traffic for hours on I70.
Had a wonderful day at Eldora. Could have been much better if they provided good rentals. I payed $45 to get horrible boots, that hurt my feet the whole day causing blisters eventually. Ski's were ok at most.When complaining they were nice and said I could pay $10 more to get better equipment. However one assumes that for $45 a day the equipment should be good. Rent elsewhere Ski there.
I've skied at Eldora several times and kept waiting/hoping for things to improve, they haven't, so here's what I've experienced. Please train your staff on customer relations. Yesterday the very first guy directing traffic was rude and disrespectful. Yes, it can be a stressful job, but don't take one customers behavior out on every car behind them. The nordic trails need to be leveled, too much sidehill in too many places. Widening the nordic trails a meter or so would reduce the chance of crashes and more comfortably allow skating and classic lanes. Reduce the price or start a half-day pass. $27 per day for a Nordic trail pass is too much. The rental shop needs more space. Put up a yurt or an addition on the shop. Separate the rental shop from the retail and trail pass sales. Eldora has potential, but until some investments are made they will just be average.
While the skiing was good, and no lift lines, but the locals were rude and never said thanks, held a door or even said on left as they fly by, almost cutting you off.I heard that lift lines are really bad during the weekend. The lifts are all slow, non detachable lifts.The terrain was decent for blue and black skiers, but getting from the greens to the rest of the mountain requires a shuttle or lots of poling over the flats.Parking was free and a shuttle came to the north lot. We rented from the mountain and they charged $10 for poles when we rented skis with our own boots.
Eldora is a great place to learn. Close to Boulder and not as far as the typical places like Vail, etc. The staff is friendly and ready to answer questions, especially for first time skiers. Bring some food and hot chocolate. Be sure to bring snow pants and a ski mask or similar face protection, especially on windy days. Get there early so you can park close to the lodge. A good way to see how the family likes skiing without committing to a typical further away resort along I-70.
First, the drive up Rt. 7 was nothing less than breathtaking. I visited the resort in February, on a Sunday. It was crowded, but perfectly manageable. Less than 1 minute wait on the lifts. I was with a friend who had never skied; the instructor was great, the price was reasonable, and it was a great beginner run. The staff was very helpful as well. I have absolutely no complaints about this resort - can't wait to go back!
Eldora's attributes run much deeper than being so close to Boulder. The Corona lift features steep tree lined trails and the groomers are well maintained. This year the snow has been better here than the Central Mountains. People are friendlier here. But bring a sandwich because the food at the base is pretty marginal.
If your focus is a day, or just part of a day of skiing, Eldora should be your destination. Some reviewers said it was too crowded or the runs too short. There are a lot of people there on weekends but fresh snow during the week brings people who can leave home, drive to Eldora, spend several hours with few other skiers, and drive home before you could get through the traffic to Vail.... and at half the price. Better off, stay overnight in the area and find steeply discounted lift tickets and a five minute drive.