Loveland Ski Area

Loveland Ski Area
View from above the Eisenhower Tunnel
Loveland Ski Area Location in the United States
Location	Arapahoe National Forest Clear Creek County, Colorado, U.S.
Nearest city	Silver Plume, 10 miles
Coordinates	39°40′48″N 105°53′49″W / 39.680°N 105.897°W / 39.680; -105.897Coordinates: 39°40′48″N 105°53′49″W / 39.680°N 105.897°W / 39.680; -105.897
Vertical	2,210 ft (674 m) (Basin)      850 ft (259 m) (Valley)
Top elevation	13,010 ft (3,965 m) (Basin) 11,250 ft (3,429 m) (Valley)
Base elevation	10,800 ft (3,292 m) (Basin) 10,400 ft (3,170 m) (Valley)
Skiable area	1,800 acres (7.3 km2)
Runs	94 total - 13% beginner - 41% intermediate - 46% advanced/expert
Longest run	2 miles (3 km)
Lift system	10 total - 3 quad chairs - 4 triple chairs - 2 double chairs - 2 surface lifts
Lift capacity	14,293 / hour
Terrain parks	1 - Love Park
Snowfall	422 inches (1,070 cm)
Snowmaking	160 acres (0.65 km2)
Night skiing	none
Website	skiloveland.com

Loveland Ski Area is a ski area in the western United States, located near the town of Georgetown, Colorado. Located at the eastern portal of the Eisenhower Tunnel, Loveland is within the Arapahoe National Forest. It is one of the closest ski areas to the Denver metropolitan area and Front Range corridor, making it popular with locals.

The company is operated by Virginia Lee Upham of Mineral Wells, Texas, widow of previous owner Chet Upham.

The Loveland Ski Area is the combination of two separate areas - Loveland Basin and Loveland Valley. The two areas, formerly connected by a double chairlift, are now served by bus. The area is one of Colorado’s highest ski areas with a summit of 13,010 ft (3,965 m) and the second highest lift-served areas in North America at 12,697 ft (3,870 m). The ski area takes its name from adjacent Loveland Pass, which separates it from the nearby Arapahoe Basin ski area, on the west side of the Divide via U.S. Route 6.

The ski area is situated on the east side of the Eisenhower Tunnel, through which I-70 crosses the Continental Divide. Because of its lofty elevation, Loveland is typically one of the first ski areas to open; the earliest opening record on October 7, 2009. It also has the most "first" victories (five and one tie) in recent years. It is generally regarded as the closest major ski area open to the Denver market. Due to its lack of on-site lodging, Loveland often has shorter lift lines and less-expensive lift tickets, particularly midweek.

Loveland Basin is the windiest of the two areas that compose Loveland Ski Area.