Your first ski day in Colorado is mostly logistics. The mountain will do its part — the snow is there, the lifts run, the views are what people write home about. What usually goes wrong happens before you ever clip in: a late start, the wrong layers, gear rented at the wrong end of the drive.
These are the ten mistakes we see most often at the Maison de Ski counter in Idaho Springs. None of them are expensive to fix. Most are solved the night before.
1. Booking the trip at the last minute
Colorado ski weekends sell out, and rental fleets are finite. If you are traveling during a holiday week, book lodging and lift tickets early, then reserve your rentals at least 24 hours ahead so the right boot sizes are set aside.
A reservation also tells the shop who is skiing: heights, weights, shoe sizes and ability levels. That is the difference between a quick fitting and twenty minutes of guessing at the counter.
2. Leaving Denver too late
Denver looks close to the mountains on a map. On a Saturday morning in January, I-70 west is one long brake light, and a 7 AM departure can turn into a 9:30 arrival at the base area.
Leaving before dawn is not fun, but it is the single biggest change you can make to your first day. Check COtrip for closures and chain laws before you start the car, and fill up before the climb.
3. Renting gear at the resort instead of on the way
Resort rental desks are busy exactly when you want to be skiing. Renting in a town on the way up — Idaho Springs sits at I-70 Exit 241 — means your gear is fitted and tuned before you reach the parking lot.
The other advantage is price. Resort rentals cost more, and a family of four can save real money by renting before the last stretch of highway. Maison de Ski has rented gear in Idaho Springs since 1970, and kids' packages start at $25 a day with a helmet included.
Renting gear for this trip?
Maison de Ski fits skis, snowboards and snowshoes at I-70 Exit 241 in Idaho Springs, 25 miles from Loveland and on the way to every major I-70 resort. Early pickup is free after 2 PM the day before.
4. Wearing cotton
Cotton holds moisture and stops insulating the moment you sweat. A cotton t-shirt under a jacket is the fastest way to spend a ski day cold.
Wear a synthetic or wool base layer, a mid layer for warmth, and a waterproof shell on top. If you forget the shell or the snow pants, they can be rented at the shop for $15 a day each, which is cheaper than buying something you will wear twice.
5. Skipping sunscreen and goggles
Snow reflects most of the sunlight that hits it. First-timers burn their faces and wind up with sore eyes by lunch because they treated a ski day like a cloudy afternoon in the city.
Put on sunscreen before you leave the car, including under your chin and on your ears. Wear goggles rather than sunglasses on the hill — they stay on in a fall and keep snow out of your eyes. Goggles rent for $12.
6. Buying gear before renting it
Nobody knows what kind of skier they are after one day. Buying boots and skis before your first trip usually means buying the wrong boots and skis.
Rent first. Try a few shapes. If you fall in love with a particular ski, the demo fleet at Maison de Ski lets you ride a model for a day before you commit — Elan, Rossignol and Black Crows are all on the rack.
7. Picking up gear on the morning of
Pickup is free after 2:00 PM the day before your rental starts. That one habit removes the most stressful hour of a ski trip: standing in a rental line while the mountain is open.
Collect gear the afternoon you arrive, get boots fitted properly, and spend the evening adjusting to the altitude instead of queuing. If you are skiing that same evening, pick up on your way through instead.
8. Ignoring boot fit
Boots are the most important piece of gear you will touch, and the least forgiving. A boot that is one size too big lets your foot slide, which makes every turn harder and leaves your shins sore.
At the shop, staff check shell length, heel hold and stance before you leave the counter. Tell them if anything pinches. A five-minute adjustment at 3 PM the day before saves a whole day of misery at 12,000 feet.
9. Forgetting the drive home
The return trip is where first-timers run out of energy. Sunday afternoon traffic out of Summit County is heavy, and rental gear has to be back at the shop by 7:00 PM.
Plan the return before you plan the day. Leave the mountain with time to spare, keep water and a snack in the car, and if a closure holds you up, call the shop on 303-567-2044 so a late return can be arranged.
10. Trying to ski everything on day one
Colorado resorts are big, and the altitude is real. First-timers who chase every lift by 2 PM are usually done by 3 PM and sore for two days.
Take a lesson in the morning, ski the easier terrain until your legs understand what is being asked of them, and stop while you still like it. The mountain is not going anywhere, and the second day is always better than the first.
Common questions
What should a first-time skier rent in Colorado?
Rent a complete package: skis, boots, poles and bindings fitted to your height, weight and ability. Beginners are usually best served by a Sport package, which has tip rocker and forgiving bindings, and kids' packages include a helmet.
How early should I leave Denver for a ski day?
Leave before 6:30 AM on weekends and holidays if you want to be skiing by opening. I-70 west backs up quickly, and checking COtrip for closures before you leave can save an hour.
Can I pick up rentals the day before I ski?
Yes. Early pickup is free after 2:00 PM the day before your rental starts at Maison de Ski in Idaho Springs. It is not available if you are skiing that same evening.
