Glenwood Springs residents skied the big mountain on the west side of town for years before WWII, and they skied Lookout Mountain to the east of town too. Later, they skied at the top of Red Mountain at Glenwood Mountain Park. You can read about how they constructed the “ski courses” and Glenwood Mountain Park in Lost Ski Areas of Colorado’s Central and Southern Mountains.
The Red Mountain run was long, narrow and pretty steep. The Glenwood Mountain Park runs were at the top of the Red Mountain run and more gentle, but you had to brave the drive to get there.
Red Mountain is a place you can easily hike during the warm months. Unlike many lost areas, you do not have to ask permission to go there; in fact, an established trail exists. It’s a moderately difficult hike and you may see pieces of the last chairlift that existed (orange metal). You will get to see nice views and a few wildflowers. For directions to the trailhead go to: Red Mountain Trailhead | COTREX (colorado.gov).
A write up about the trail says the ski hill started in 1941. Our research indicated it started in the late 1930s.
