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Sunlight Mountain Resort Ski Area

Formerly called Ski Sunlight

Sunlight Mountain Resort Area Profile
Winter Activities
Summer Activities
Après-ski
Transportation
Housing
Ski Sunlight Employment

Ski Sunlight Area Profile

Sunlight Mountain Resort sits at the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers, just ten miles outside Glenwood Springs. The area was discovered by the Ute Indians and also served as inspiration for the creation of the teddy bear. Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. President from 1901 to 1909, stayed in the resort during the early twentieth century. While hunting, he refused to shoot a cub, forever linking his name with children’s stuffed bears. The ski area is more affordable than its neighbors, Vail and Aspen, and is more family-oriented.

Winter Activities

As its name suggests, Sunlight has warm temperatures and more than its fair share of sunny days during the ski season. The runs at Sunlight are 20 percent beginner, 58 percent intermediate, and 22 percent expert. Fifty acres are set aside for tree and trail skiing at the expert level. The mountain has a vertical drop of 2,010 feet and thirty-seven trails. Cross-country skiers will also enjoy the thirty kilometers of set trails through scenery in Babbish Gulch.

Aside from skiing, Sunlight’s main attraction is the world’s largest outdoor hot springs pool located in Glenwood Springs. The pool is over two blocks long and is kept at a very comfortable ninety degrees. Another pool is heated to a toasty 104 degrees for those who wish to soak the soreness out of their muscles. Sunlight and Glenwood Springs host a Winter Carnival called the Ski Spree in February. Call (970) 945-7131 for schedules and cost. Cross-country skiers won’t be disappointed by the terrain they encounter here either. For trail information, call the White River National Forest Headquarters in Glenwood Springs at (970) 945-2521.

Summer Activities

Glenwood Springs attracts more visitors in summer than winter, and is a prime destination for whitewater rafting enthusiasts. The city sponsors popular jazz nights in city parks, and the hot springs attract visitors year-round. Sunlight Mountain Resort doesn’t run its lifts in the summer, but does maintain several excellent mountain bike trails, and rents in-line skates as well as bicycles. The resort also holds evening barbecues every Friday and Saturday throughout the summer. Employees who stay in the area for the summer often work as rafting guides or at Glenwood Spring’s many restaurants, taverns, and shops.

Après-ski

Only a few restaurants are located at the mountain base, but many more can be found in Glenwood Springs. There are fifteen bars and fifty restaurants to choose from, some offering swing dancing and live entertainment. Try The Bayou or Mother O’Leary’s for music and drinks.

Transportation

Most travelers to Sunlight Mountain Resort fly into Grand Junction or Aspen; there are direct flights into these cities from Denver and other major cities. Grand Junction is 103 miles west and Aspen is fifty miles south of the resort. Ground transportation from these two airports is available from Greyhound/Trailways, (970) 242-6012, and Amtrak, (800) 872-7245. Another option is to take Amtrak directly to Glenwood Springs; it is accessible from all points east and west. Glenwood Springs is ten miles southwest of the resort. A free shuttle bus runs daily from Sunlight to Glenwood Springs. Call (970) 945-7491 for more information.

Housing

Employees usually live in Glenwood Springs. Check the classified section of the local paper or call a realtor for rental information.

Sunlight Mountain Resort Employment

The ski resort hosts a hiring clinic at the beginning of each season. Call Sunlight Mountain Resort at (970) 945-7491 for the date and location. Look at the following listing for details on Ski Sunlight Incorporated, the largest employer in the area.

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