Echo Mountain is the name of a small ski resort located just 35 miles west of Denver. No other ski resorts in Colorado are closer to Denver, making the Echo Mountain Ski Area a fine place to escape to for a while when you need a quick break from the urban side of things. While not a large resort, Echo Mountain is growing, and you might be interested to know that the lift tickets are among the cheapest around. This is just one more reason to consider adding it to the agenda when looking for things to do on a cold weather visit to the Denver area.

Echo Mountain hails itself as "Denver's backyard ski and snowboard area" due to its proximity to the Mile High City. Before the resort opened in 2006, the Eldora Ski Area was the closest to Denver at 45 miles away. In general, the Echo Mountain Ski Area caters mostly to younger skiers and snowboarders with its low rates and its terrain park feel. Some have gone as far as to call the resort one giant terrain park, as there are plenty of rails and jumps in place for the more adventurous tricksters to take on. During the 2007-2008 season, Echo Mountain expanded, adding 30 percent more terrain to explore, and plans are in the works to keep expanding. New glades and freestyle wooded areas are among the things that you just might encounter on your next visit.

The Echo Mountain ski area sits at an elevation of 10,050 feet and has a summit of approximately 10,650 feet. Gladed runs, a variety of terrain parks, and a couple of learning areas that cater to beginners comprise most of the overall terrain. A few lifts that were purchased from other resorts can be used to get where you need to go. Much of the terrain can be illuminated, with night skiing being an option Wednesday through Saturday. As far as the facilities are concerned, they include a café and a bar. Wireless Internet access is available in the modern lodge buildings should you be interested.

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When you're hitting the slopes at larger Colorado ski resorts such as Loveland and Vail, zipping down the slopes and hitting a few jumps at the smaller Echo Mountain Ski Area can be a blast. The resort offers lessons and rentals for those who need them. Among the lesson options are freestyle lessons that put an emphasis on learning new moves. As for Echo Mountain Park lodging, there aren't any hotels at the resort itself. That being said, the Denver hotels are relatively close. You could also consider staying at a B&B in nearby Idaho Springs if you are looking for Echo Mountain Park lodging, and there are any other number of accommodations options in the general region. Many of the regional hotels, including the Ameristar Casino Resort and Spa Black Hawk and the Quality Suites at Evergreen Parkway, offer lodging packages that include lift tickets for Echo Mountain.

Should you be interested in adding to your Echo Mountain Park lodging options, you can always consider booking a vacation rental. A cabin with a fireplace and a kitchen that is close to the park can make for an excellent alternative to the hotel scene. Regardless of what you have in mind when it comes to places to stay, you will want to take into account the fact that early December through early May is the skiing and riding season for Echo Mountain.