Sunlight Mountain Resort
Sunlight Mountain Resort is a beautiful, unspoiled ski resort residing at the northern end of the Elk Mountains between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. The summit of Compass Mountain in the White River National Forest, overlooks majestic Mount Sopris. Here at Sunlight, you will find hundreds of acres of mild green cruisers, intermediate slopes and black diamond thrills which will accommodate skiers and boarders of all ability levels. Sunlight Mountain Resort is home to one of the steepest runs in the state, and one of the longest. Sunlight has hundreds of acres for skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing. There are guided tours available in the back-country and some of the best tree skiing in Colorado with many aspen groves with pristine new snowfall to try out.
More Resort Facts
Nearest Town: Glenwood Springs, Colorado
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| Base Elevation: 7,885 ft. (2,403 m) |
Top Elevation: 9,895 ft. (3,016 m) |
Latitude: 39.399806
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Longitude: -107.339278 |
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| Total Runs: 67 |
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 20% Beginner |
 55% Intermediate |
 20% Advanced |
 5% Expert |
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| Terrain Parks: 1 |
| Pump Haus Park- 10 features total. The CRYSTAL RIVER SPAS 24 foot rainbow box is set at the top of the terrain park. The DIGITAL DIMENSIONS 22 foot flat-down-flat box. The 20ft flat box is in the middle of the terrain park. There is a 20ft table and a 22? table and there is also a transfer. There is a 22? step-up, a gap to flat down rail, c-rail and a battleship rail. Thanks to the lifties, ski patrolers and instructors who helped with the Pump Haus Terrain Park! |
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Total Lifts: 3
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| 1 Triple, 2 Doubles |
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| Average Snowfall: 250 inches/year |
Snowmaking: none |
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The Sunlight Ranch Company opened for business on December 16, 1966 on 420 acres of private land and 2081 acres of U.S. Forest Service (U.S.F.S.) land, under a 30-year U.S.F.S. special use permit. Run on a very tight budget, the ski area was cared for by part-timers and volunteers. Only one chair lift was available until a second chair was installed in 1973. In 1987 improvements were made to the Primo chairlift and the Tercero lift was installed which doubled the capacity for skiers to access the mountain. In 1993 Sunlight Extreme – including 12 new advanced and expert trails – was added to the ski area, and a new 40-year ski area term special use permit was signed with the U.S.F.S. In 1996, snowmaking was installed on the lower lift trails from midway to the base area, and the ski area wanted to encourage year round visitors so it was renamed Sunlight Mountain Resort.
For an affordable and fun family vacation, remember that kids 12 and under will receive a free lift ticket with the purchase of an adult full-day lift ticket when you stay at one of our participating hotels. One of the best off-mountain features we have is the world’s largest hot springs pool in Glenwood Springs which has 
swimming, diving, waterslides and a kiddie pool in addition to the therapy pool. The natural hot springs mineral water is cooled to 90 degrees F and to 104 degrees F in the therapy pool. When you finish your ski day, you can relax in the over sized whirlpool, steam room or sauna or enjoy a massage. The kids may never want to get out of the pool! Glenwood Springs has so much to offer, you’ll never be wanting for something to do. Come bring your family and enjoy the unique Colorado experience that includes Sunlight Mountain Resort.
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Sunlight Ski Area News and Event Posts
Sunlight Mountain Resort is a beautiful, unspoiled ski resort residing at the northern end of the Elk Mountains between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. The summit of Compass Mountain in the White River National Forest, overlooks majestic Mount Sopris. Here at Sunlight, you will find hundreds of acres of mild green cruisers, intermediate slopes and black diamond thrills which will accommodate skiers and boarders of all ability levels. Sunlight Mountain Resort is home to one of the steepest runs in the state, and one of the longest. Sunlight has hundreds of acres for skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing. There are guided tours available in the back-country and some of the best tree skiing in Colorado with many aspen groves with pristine new snowfall to try out.
The Sunlight Ranch Company opened for business on December 16, 1966 on 420 acres of private land and 2081 acres of U.S. Forest Service (U.S.F.S.) land, under a 30-year U.S.F.S. special use permit. Run on a very tight budget, the ski area was cared for by part-timers and volunteers. Only one chair lift was available until a second chair was installed in 1973. In 1987 improvements were made to the Primo chairlift and the Tercero lift was installed which doubled the capacity for skiers to access the mountain. In 1993 Sunlight Extreme – including 12 new advanced and expert trails – was added to the ski area, and a new 40-year ski area term special use permit was signed with the U.S.F.S. In 1996, snowmaking was installed on the lower lift trails from midway to the base area, and the ski area wanted to encourage year round visitors so it was renamed Sunlight Mountain Resort.
For an affordable and fun family vacation, remember that kids 12 and under will receive a free lift ticket with the purchase of an adult full-day lift ticket when you stay at one of our participating hotels. One of the best off-mountain features we have is the world’s largest hot springs pool in Glenwood Springs which has 
swimming, diving, waterslides and a kiddie pool in addition to the therapy pool. The natural hot springs mineral water is cooled to 90 degrees F and to 104 degrees F in the therapy pool. When you finish your ski day, you can relax in the over sized whirlpool, steam room or sauna or enjoy a massage. The kids may never want to get out of the pool! Glenwood Springs has so much to offer, you’ll never be wanting for something to do. Come bring your family and enjoy the unique Colorado experience that includes Sunlight Mountain Resort.
