Winter Park is the one major resort on this side of the divide that you reach without staying on I-70 the whole way. From Idaho Springs you take I-70 west and then US-40 over Berthoud Pass, 35 miles in total. The pass is the part that decides your morning, and it is the reason to have your gear sorted before you start climbing.
Maison de Ski sits at Exit 241 in Idaho Springs, right where that route begins. Renting here means you leave town fitted, skip the resort rental counter, and have one less stop on a day when the road can be slow.
35 miles and one mountain pass
Winter Park Resort is 35 miles from the shop over Berthoud Pass via US-40. The resort covers 3,000+ acres, with the Mary Jane territory known for moguls, plus bowls, groomers, and learning areas. That range of terrain is why the right ski matters more here than at a small hill.
Berthoud Pass climbs high and takes weather seriously. Winter conditions can slow traffic or close the road in a storm. Check the forecast and road conditions before you leave Idaho Springs, and give yourself more time than the mileage suggests.
If the pass looks bad, there is no shame in changing plans. Loveland is 25 miles west on I-70 at Exit 216, and Keystone is 38 miles, both straight down I-70 rather than over US-40. Ask at the counter and staff will help you pick a backup for the day.
Why gear up before the pass
Once you are over Berthoud Pass, turning around for a boot problem is a two-hour mistake. Fitting boots and setting bindings in Idaho Springs takes minutes, and you drive the pass knowing everything works. If something is off, you are still near the shop and can swap it.
There is also the parking question. Arriving early with gear already on your feet means you walk from the car to the lift instead of standing in a rental line while the good snow gets tracked out. That head start matters most on weekends, when lots near the base fill early.
Families with young kids benefit most. A child in rental boots that fit at 7:30 AM is a child who will still be skiing at noon. Fitting at the shop also means you can leave extra layers and snacks in the car instead of carrying them through a rental line.
Matching gear to Winter Park terrain
Mary Jane's moguls reward a ski with some stiffness and edge grip. The Performance Ski Rental from $45 uses an Elan Element-type ski for intermediate and advanced skiers and accepts Grip Walk boots. Beginners heading for the learning areas will do fine on the Sport package from $40, which takes standard alpine boot soles.
If you want to try something different, demo skis start at $55 and include Elan, Rossignol, and Black Crows models. Demo inventory can be swapped mid-rental, so a specific model may not be on the rack at pickup. Call ahead if you have your heart set on one.
If you are unsure between Performance and Demo, think about how many days you will ski. Demo makes sense for a long weekend or for a skier who wants to try several shapes, while Performance is the better value for a single day or a steady intermediate.
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.
Return procedure
Return gear to the same Idaho Springs shop on your way home. We are open 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day, and the shop sits right off I-70. If you are staying in Grand County and coming back later, call 303-567-2044 to arrange a late return.
We charge only for the days you actually ski. If Berthoud Pass closes and you cannot get back, call the shop. Gear held an extra day because of a road closure is handled with a phone call, not a bill for days you never skied.
If you are heading back to Denver the same evening, the shop is directly off the exit, so the stop adds only a few minutes to the drive. Drop the gear, change out of your boots, and you are back on the road before the worst of the traffic.
Booking timeline
Reserve at least 24 hours ahead, sign the waiver online, and pick up free after 2:00 PM the day before. That sequence keeps the morning simple, and it leaves room for a boot swap if something does not feel right.
The shop opens at 7:00 AM, which gives an early start over the pass without a 6:00 AM alarm. Bring the whole group to pickup if you can, so every boot gets fitted on the right foot the first time.
Before a Winter Park day
- Reserve online at least 24 hours ahead
- Sign the waiver online; a parent can sign for a minor
- Pick up after 2:00 PM the day before
- Check the pass forecast the night before
- Leave Idaho Springs with time to spare
Common questions
How far is Winter Park from Maison de Ski?
Winter Park Resort is 35 miles from Maison de Ski at I-70 Exit 241 in Idaho Springs, via US-40 over Berthoud Pass. The route includes a mountain pass, so check conditions and allow extra time in storms.
Can I rent skis in Idaho Springs and ski Winter Park?
Yes. Pick up Performance or Demo skis at Exit 241, drive over Berthoud Pass, and ski Winter Park with gear already fitted. Return to the same Idaho Springs shop on your way home; it is open until 7:00 PM daily.
What if Berthoud Pass closes while I have rentals?
Call Maison de Ski at 303-567-2044. The shop handles road closures with a phone call and charges only for the days you actually ski, so a closed pass does not turn into an extra rental day.