With jaw-dropping backdrops everywhere you look, spectacular photo opportunities abound at Colorado’s resorts. But in some ways, snapping a truly spectacular photo isn’t always easy: you have to take your gloves off, expose your hands to the winter air, and position yourself just right.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a professional photographer hanging out to get great shots of your ski day? At Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, and Keystone Resorts, you’ll have just that. Sign up for a free EpicMix account, and then once you’re on the mountain, photographers will scan your season pass or day pass before snapping top-notch photos, enabling you to access them through your account. You’ll even find photographers out on trails and in the bowls for action shots. Did we mention that they’re free? And because they’re connected to your ticket or pass, you can immediately see your photos online and easily share them on social media.
With as many stunning panoramas as there are here, let us steer you toward the handful of truly scenic spots.
© Vail Resorts
Vail
1. Simonton Deck
Walk or ski directly across from the summit of the Eagle Bahn Gondola and find the lookout deck with one of the best views around of the Mount of the Holy Cross in the Sawatch Range.
2. Adventure Ridge
If you’re not trying to capture (or focus on) Mount of the Holy Cross, frame up a shot of your kids catching serious air on the bungee trampoline with the Gore peaks filling the backdrop.
3. Top of Avanti Chair
From atop the sweeping ridgeline that spans between Chairs 2 and 3, look to the east and take in the craggy Gore Mountain Range stabbing the horizon above Vail Pass.
4. Lover’s Leap in the Blue Sky Basin
Directly underneath the cornice is a prime spot for an impressive action shot as you and your buddies drop (or fly) in. Recommended for expert skiers and riders only.
© Vail Resorts
Beaver Creek
5. Top of Red Buffalo
From this vantage point, you’ll see the Rockies stretching from the Gore Mountains in the east to the high desert in the west. The world below looks miniature, and if you squint you can see the tiny line of Interstate 70 far below.
6. Golden Eagle
This steep run is often groomed and makes for a spectacular action shot for expert skiers and riders who know how to cut a deep carve. It is also part of the men’s World Cup Birds of Prey downhill course, so if you’re not up for the action shot, grab a portrait next to the race marker.
7. McCoy Park
Whether it’s an action shot tromping through the powder on snowshoes or gliding through the woods on cross-country skis, McCoy Park sums up the peaceful side of the Colorado mountain experience. If you frame it toward the southwest, you also might capture Gold Dust Peak in the background.
Keystone
8. Summit House
From here, you’ll capture one of the most stunning panoramas around, with the towering trio of peaks that comprise Keystone’s bowls to the south and the Continental Divide to the east. There are always plenty of EpicMix photographers ready to grab a pro shot here.
9. A51 Terrain Park
You don’t have to be able to throw a 1080 off of a huge kicker on Main Street to make for a great photo. This park is divided into terrain features separated by ability level, starting with the super low and flat, non-intimidating boxes and rails on Easy Street, progressing up to the slightly larger features on I-70, then to the big skills needed for on the advanced Park Lane to the pro-level monster hits of Main Street.
10. The Outback
From the top of the Outback Express lift at nearly 12,000 feet, you can see the ski trails of Breckenridge as well as the mighty Bald Mountain and Mount Guyot in the distance.
© Vail Resorts
Breckenridge
11. Ten Mile Station
Not only is this a sunny spot ideal for sipping a Bloody Mary and catching some rays, but the sight of Mount Baldy and Boreas Mountain beyond the Station is perfect for a fun group photo. Hit up an EpicMix photographer for this one—they’re always here.
12. Top of Imperial Express
In addition to the bragging rights that inevitably come with getting your picture in front of the sign at 12,840 feet on the highest chairlift in North America, there’s also the sheer amount of photo-worthy terrain below. The dizzying sight of Whale’s Tail reaching out across the ridgeline toward Peak 7 makes for a particularly impressive shot.
13. Sevens Deck
There’s no question that the high alpine, treeless white terrain that makes up Peaks 7 and 8 is magical, but it is especially beautiful from here, where you can see the white monstrosity of the high peaks towering over the lower, tree-lined trails.
14. Top of Carter Park
Carter Park is located across from the ski area, but it’s from here that you can truly take in the one-of-a-kind, five-mountain landscape of Breckenridge Ski Resort. The full picture of the striking features like Horseshoe Bowl and Whale’s Tail can only be appreciated when you can see it all from here.
EpicMix isn’t just for photos—keep track of the weather and collection pins for achievements on the mountain. Learn more *her*e.
Originally written by RootsRated for Rent Skis.
Featured image provided by © Vail Resorts
