Echo Mountain Resort

The great: All employees were incredibly helpful and friendly, good vibes from everyone as you could tell they enjoyed what they do! Went on a weekday so we basically got 1 – 1 instruction (they said weekends can get pretty crowded), our instructor took us off the bunny slope on our request and continued to give us tips/​advice. Price couldn’t be compared to any place around and was perfect for first timers, well worth it! No wait for lift chair, however, just 2 long runs to conquer going down but it suited us
The nice to know’s: Due to being a fairly new ski destination, the bunny slope is very small and there isn’t a very good transition from bunny slope to «green”/ easy slopes (to be partially acceptable due to Echo previously open to just ski racing)
Ski conditions began to get pretty icy once the sun went down, but the weather was relatively warm both days we went.
DONT take Old Little Bear Creek Rd back to Idaho Springs! Dangerous winter conditions without warning!

One of the most beautiful small ski areas we have been to. But not a good place for kids, beginners, or a nice relaxing day of skiing! You need to know what you are doing or you are going to get hurt here. Have to ski a pretty intimidating blue to even get to the bottom of the lift. And there is not much of a «slow down area» at the bottom you come in to fast and can’t stop you are probably going off the mountain. My wife and I are both experienced skiers and there were some spots that made me very uncomfortable! The area at the bottom at the lift was the worst for me! I wouldn’t let our kids out of my sight here. My suggestion go on up a little further and ski Loveland!

I believe this place would be great if you’ve had experience skiing before, but for a first time skier (as myself) I do not recommend. The staff was great and the lady giving our lesson was friendly and very helpful (lessons were very basic).
The lessons are given in a very small area with a bunny slope. There is only one ski lift at this resort and to get to it you have to go down a steep slope «blue». There are portions I could ski (wedge) down, but we had to take our skis off and walk down the majority of the slope because my wife and I were not comfortable trying to ski down these areas. At the top of the ski lift there is a green area (which is still a little intimidating). My wife actually got hurt (blew out her knee) on first time around at this area and she was done for the day. I went through the course a second time and did worse than my first time around, so decided to quit before I got injured.
We made a total of 3 trips to the ski resort. 1. Just to check it out and know where we were headed the following day, 2. Ski Day, and 3. To pick up my DL that I forgot to get back when I turned in my ski rentals.
Scenery up the mountain and at the resort was amazing. The combination of the white snow, the green trees, and bright blue ski was breathe taking. (I’ve never seen so many trees in my life)
Cost of Skiing for the day, lessons, and gear rental (for two) was $ 192.00 (or $ 96 ea.). That was a great value. I would have given this place 5 stars if it had a larger area for beginners (green).
So if you have some experience skiing this place would be great, but if its going to be your first time I recommend going elsewhere

This ski resort so close to Denver but a world away! Fantastic snow and stunning views make this the perfect place to go when we want to avoid the traffic on I-​70. The fact that they have evening hours a couple days a week makes it so we can get the kids from school and head 30 minutes west to get a couple hours on the slopes, even on a school day!

Echo Lake is a beautiful and natural mountain lake formed by the remainder of a glacier. The lake and surrounding Echo Lake Park are included in the Denver Mountain Park system and it has at least one shelter built by the WPA in the 1930’s. Before our hike a thunder cloud with lightening was coming toward the lake and we stopped in there. If the fireplace could talk, it would have many stories to tell of workmen and hikers who have warmed up on a cold day or cooked hot dogs or s’mores over the fire. The weather changes so quickly this high in the mountains that the storm blew past the lake within 15 minutes. The walk around the lake is mainly thorough groves of evergreen trees with pine needles cushioning the ground, and there is no rise in elevation. My husband was glad he had purchased a can of the oxygen, but the hike was easier than he expected. We could see remnants of glaciers on the 14,000 FT. High mountains, and it was very peaceful beside the lake. You can take some good photos here.

Echo Lake is very pretty. There are plenty of picnic tables to sit down for a meal and a trail which runs the perimeter. It isn’t quite hiking, but it’s a nice walk through a lovely landscape. I would come back often if it wasn’t so far from Denver. The walk reminded me a lot of the woods in the Czech Republic. It is 90% shaded with tall trees and a view of the lake and (hopefully) blue sky.

Echo Lake is beautiful! We stopped by here one weekend afternoon. The ride up was not as pleasant as it could have been, as there was some kind of bike race and a ton of bikers were trying to go up the mountain. Next time, we will check before we go, as we’d like to avoid running into that again. When we got to the lake, we parked on the side of the road, with everyone else. There were a lot of people at the lake, but it wasn’t too crowded. A family next to us had one of their kids catch a fish, which was fun to hear their excitement. We were able to relax here and everything enjoyed themselves. I’d recommend bringing an extra layer of clothes, as there can be a 20+ degree difference (cooler) between here and Denver, even in the summer.
We will definitely be back to fish and explore the area more.

Let me begin by saying I am learning to snowboard. I called the ski school and left a message, and my call was promptly returned. Matty was a super nice and helpful instructor. He was patient with my wife and I, and we ended up getting a private lesson at no extra cost after mentioning to the desk that this was for my wife’s birthday.
The following week we had a second lesson, and a few weeks after that the desk worker at the ski and ride school spotted my wife in Denver and she remembered our names.
The buildings were newer, their equipment rental was newer, unfortunately, they did not have any wide snowboards. I give this place 4 stars for the convince of being 30 minutes from Denver, the café has a microwave and they don’t care if you bring outside food, and it is really cheap for a place to learn to snowboard.
I will be buying a season pass for next season.

Solid little spot for some nice night snowboarding. About an hour from Downtown Denver.

Convenience: 4
Value: 4
Service: 3.5−4
Amenities: 3.5−4
Products: 3
Bottom Line: No frills. Just a great (small) place for a quick run for some park action. This is not a cruiser park. This is for jumping and jibbing. You have to be a park rat to really enjoy this. Though you can go around everything. But if you’re a parent just watching your kids it might get old fast.
Convenience: This is real close to Denver. Probably the closest the way the crow flies. Though i think you can get to Winterpark in the same amount of time even though it is farther. That’s because of the windy roads up to Echo. The roads are real curvy at times and not a ton of places to pass people. But it is a relatively easy drive.
Parking lot is tight. I don’t know how they fit all the cars on busy weekends. And the turn off is kind of small.
Value: 200 bones for a season pass? Just to get my park on?! That’s downright cheap. But you pay for it in size and variety. Dont get me wrong they pack a lot into the space but it forces you to get real creative after a few runs.
Service: Store staff were friendly and helpful. Most of the other staff were ok. I noticed that some of the lift ops were talking a lot of ish. I can deal with that. But when kids are around i don’t think it’s cool.
Amenities: This is a basic park. Two main levels of parking (that i saw). They have a basic shop and store that has the essentials. They didn’t have a part for my boa. But not many places will. There’s also food and one set of bathrooms (that’s all i saw)
There are two main runs that are about the size of one of the shorter runs at a big resort. But the runs are packed with tons of features and jumps. There’s something for everyone of all skill levels. The fact that it’s small is a good thing because you’re forced to be creative on the features to keep from getting bored. So it’s like having a park session with the frends because you really have no other option. Also, since it’s small they’re packed close together. So you keep moving. Which i liked. It kept me flowing and made it like a competition run. It’s not like a resort where there is a big space between everything and you can get your composure back or just throw some style before you get to the next feature.
Products: They have the basics you need for a day hitting the park.
Lastly, I can’t believe there wasn’t already a review for this place.

Serene and calm before the thunderstorm, Echo Lake Park is proof that no physical or even ideological construct of man can ever trumph the beauty of Mother Nature. Nothing.
Picnic, walk, fish, hike, bike or rather yet, just embrace the tranquility of Echo Lake Park.
A 3-​minute stroll may be enough for you to ask yourself, «Where am I?» You become lost in majestic evergreens and the peaceful aura of Echo Lake.
Logistics:
* No parking fee; park along the street.
* Abundant picnic areas
* Plenty of walking/​hiking trails
If it’s one word to describe Echo Lake Park, it’s…LUSH.

Nice little lake (park), gets kind of crowded. Looks really cool from the 5 on the way up to the top of Mount Evan. They do allow dogs but the most be on a leash at all times.
Seems like a really good date spot for a picnic and just to go relax and go for a walk.