Disappointing photos show what it's like to go skiing in Colorado

• Two winters ago was my first full season of skiing and snowboarding in Colorado.
• While there's much to love about the sport, there are also plenty of drawbacks.

Nothing compares to the feeling of cold snow hitting my face as I zoom down a mountain on a snowboard.

I'm not alone in loving the thrill of skiing and snowboarding. The Colorado Sun reported that more than 14 million people spent time on the state's slopes last year.

Skiing and snowboarding draw plenty of people, and for good reason: It's a way to stay active in the chilly winter months, view impressive mountain scenery, and spend time with friends.

But that doesn't mean the sport lacks disappointments. Take a look.

The largest disappointment, in my opinion, has been the massive crowds.

Crowds wait for a lift.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Those crowds impact ski trips before they've started. To avoid weekend traffic, I've heard stories of friends setting alarms as early as 4 a.m. — five hours before lifts start running at most Colorado mountains.

A screenshot of alarms the author has set for skiing.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The earliest I've woken up for snowboarding was 5:30 a.m. And even with early morning starts, I've still gotten stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

A long line of traffic on Colorado's I-70 highway.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Plus, those early mornings haven't guaranteed me the best parking spot. There have been times I've pulled into resorts and discovered the closest parking lots already full.

A sign indicates that a parking lot is full at a Colorado ski resort.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Luckily, all the resorts I've visited had free parking. The downside is that some lots are farther away from the slopes, so I relied on shuttle buses to take me to the mountains.

A screenshot of the transportation options to-and-from a parking lot at Copper Mountain and the resort.      Google Maps

While I appreciated the free shuttles, I experienced large, unorganized crowds waiting to squeeze onto the buses.

Crowds wait for shuttle buses at a ski resort in Colorado.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The hordes of people resulted in buses that felt like sardine tins. I've had unwanted elbows push past me, and I've squished between strangers to get to the slopes.

A crowded shuttle bus full of skiers and snowboarders.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I've waited up to 20 minutes for a ski lift. Some resorts, like Winter Park, have apps where skiers can check lift lines. At times, it felt reminiscent of visiting crowded theme parks like Disney World.

A screenshot shows a 20-minute line at a Winter Park Resort lift.      Winter Park Resort

In a statement sent to Business Insider, a representative for Winter Park Resort said that "there are a lot of variables that go into how long you wait or don't wait to get on a lift," like windy weather temporarily closing a lift.

A line to a get onto a ski lift.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Other times, I headed to the back of a single rider line and hoped it would move faster than it looked.

A single-rider lift line.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Back at the resort, there hasn't always been room on ski racks to store my snowboard for breaks, so I've left my gear scattered on the ground.

A full ski rack meant that some people left their gear on the ground.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

During these breaks, I've run into my fair share of long bathroom lines.

A line for the bathroom at a Colorado ski resort.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

And I've struggled to find open tables for lunch at restaurants and cafeterias.

A crowded restaurant at a ski resort in Colorado.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

It's not just the crowds that I've found disappointing about skiing and snowboarding. It's also the cost, since lift tickets, renting gear, and buying food can add up quickly.

A $40 burger at a restaurant at the base of a Colorado ski slope.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Day-of lift tickets can hover around $200 at many resorts in Colorado. Meanwhile, Epic and Ikon season passes, which give riders access to multiple mountains, cost $982 and $1,249 this 2024-2025 winter.

Lift ticket prices at Winter Park Resort in January 2023.      Winter Park Resort

Rental gear can also be expensive. In 2023, I paid $84 to rent a pair of boots and a snowboard at Winter Park Resort's official rental shop. In a statement sent to BI, a representative said its "gear rental prices are competitive with other resorts in Colorado."

The ski and snowboard rental rates at the Winter Park Resort.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

That's not where the expenses end. There have been times when I didn't pack a lunch and was stuck paying resort prices. In one case, that meant spending nearly $40 on a burger after taxes and tip.

Side-by-side images of a $40 burger and a bar's menu.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Another time, I shelled out $20 for three mushroom tacos. A representative for Winter Park said that "just like other food and beverage establishments, Winter Park Resort has had to adjust prices to keep up with the current economic climate."

Three street tacos cost the author nearly $20.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

After finishing my first full snowboarding season, I learned to expect crowds and expenses. But I've also picked up a few tricks to avoid these disappointments.

The author eats a packed lunch on a ski trip.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Independent ski resorts, which aren't on the Ikon or Epic passes, often have cheaper lift tickets. Arapahoe Ski Basin, for example, sells lift tickets starting at $63.

Arapahoe Ski Basin in Colorado.      Kyle Allingham/Getty Images

I've been told I can avoid road rage if I ski during weekdays instead of weekends.

The Winter Park Resort in Colorado.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

While I sometimes get frustrated when I get elbowed off a bus or pay too much for tacos, I happily make the decision to go to the slopes all winter long.

Business Insider's author in line for a ski lift.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Ultimately, I'm thankful to be one of the 14 million people eager to hit Colorado's impressive slopes. So, for future trips, I plan to explore independent ski resorts, pack PB&Js, and stay positive when traffic backs up.

The author snowboards down a mountain in Colorado.      Monica Humphries/Business Insider