About an hour west of Denver is Loveland ski area. A local favorite for years, Loveland is convenient to the city, not crowded, and lacks the ‘resort’ feel of places like Breckenridge or Keystone.
To get to Loveland, take I-70 from Denver and exit 216, just before the tunnel and continental divide. That means less driving in the snow and ice! If you are visiting during peak season, try to stay West of Loveland in nearby Dillon because the traffic to and from Denver can be horrendous, especially on the weekends.
Loveland is right off the highway- in fact some of the lifts are visible from I-70. But don’t worry, the slopes are pristine and you won’t notice the nearby highway.
Loveland has a full service ski and snowboard rental shop, a gear store and large cafeteria. Ski rentals are priced competitively and even the gear shop isn’t terribly expensive. If you have your own skis or board it’s easy to pull up to the front, right next to the main lifts, drop off your stuff and park your car. On less busy days you can actually ski to your car from the lift! In addition to normal amenities, Loveland has several small lodges scattered on the mountains where the brave souls who are out in the biting cold can warm up. They are nothing more than a wooden building with a wood fired stove, but it seems like a 4 star hotel!
The only warning I have about Loveland? It’s is COLD. Known for being windy, especially in the afternoons, Loveland is the coldest place to ski in the area. During our January trip the wind chill reached -30F (no, that isn’t a typo), and since all lifts are open chairs, the cold can be brutal while you work your way up the hill. Dress warm. Warmer than you think you need. And don’t take lift two- it is a grueling 10 minute ride to the top of lift 2, and lift 1 works just as well to get you to the same areas. Mornings at Loveland are less windy and therefore warmer, so try that if you are there on a chilly day.
The crowd at Loveland is more local than at most Colorado resorts, and if you ski alone you will find yourself in a chair next to a Loveland season pass holder often. These weathered locals are there for the wonderful powder, empty mountain and convenient trip from the city. It doesn’t hurt that tickets are relatively inexpensive too- $46 gets you an afternoon during the high season, and $42 gets you an all day ticket for active duty military- just show your ID card! Even normal tickets are a reasonable $59 at a time when Vail and Breckenridge have broken the $100 mark for a days lift ticket.
For those who value great snow conditions, nice open runs and cheap lift tickets, Loveland is paradise.
Practical Travel 
