Gems of the Rockies

Here's the thing about gems. They don't have to be sparkling monstrosities to be valuable. Take, for example, the state's eight smallest ski resorts.

In a state with the Hope Diamond of resorts, Vail, sprawling over more than 5,000 glittering acres, it's hard to compete. Still, these ski areas that calls themselves the Gems -- Arapahoe Basin, Loveland, Ski Cooper, Monarch, Eldora, Powderhorn, Ski Sunlight and SolVista -- manage to survive without high-speed six-person chairlifts, valet parking or art galleries and boutiques in the base lodge.

What else is conspicuously missing at a Gem? Lift lines so long you can work up a sweat waiting your turn; a parking space that costs you a cool $20; a maze of trails so complicated you can't leave your kids for fear you'll never see them again; and a fashion standard that can make even the most confident discount-ski-shop fan feel small.

We're not saying that Vail and Breckenridge and Copper aren't worth the effort.

But sometimes, it's worth sacrificing a few thousand acres and a few dozen fewer trails for these things: A ski area that seems like your personal playground on a weekday under a bluebird sky; a mountain where you can make your legs burn if you want, because the only rest you get is on the ride back up; a lift ticket that doesn't cost much more than dinner and a movie.

That's what drew Alvin R. Williams IV to Monarch last week. Williams, from Colorado Springs, has been skiing at Monarch for 14 years, since he moved to Colorado.

"Monarch isn't crowded," he says simply.

His favorite trail, Skywalker, "is perfect," he says.

"You can burn your thighs up, and catch steeps off the main trail on the way down."

At Eldora on Monday, Steve Poulsen took a break in the lodge. It was 12:30 -- lunchtime -- and Poulsen was one of just seven people relaxing over bowls of chili and cups of coffee.

Poulsen lives in Nederland, just down the road from Eldora, and skis frequently at the resort.

"I like it because the different levels of terrain are on separate parts of the mountain. You can ski blues and not worry about finding yourself on a black. Or you can ski blacks and not have to ski any greens on your way down.

"It's the perfect setup."

A LOOK AT THE GEMS

Arapahoe Basin

Best feature: Pallavicini, one of Colorado's longest and steepest trails; free child's ticket with purchase of adult ticket

Mood: A locals' favorite, where people come to ski and be seen

Look for: The spring beach scene, where tailgating is the thing

Details: $54 lift ticket; arapahoebasin.com

Suitable for day trip: Yes; 115 miles from Colorado Springs

Eldora

Best feature: Its proximity to Boulder (21 miles)

Mood: College student central

Look for: Great snow this year

Details: $56 lift ticket; eldora.com

Day trip: Yes; 118 miles from Colorado Springs

Loveland

Best feature: Abundant snow without the mountain drive

Mood: Casual and fun-loving (evidence: the annual Valentine's Day mass marriage ceremony at the top of the mountain)

Look for: Breathtaking views atop the Continental Divide

Details: $52 lift ticket; skiloveland.com

Day trip: Yes; 123 miles from Colorado Springs

Monarch

Best feature: Its location means lots of snow and it's all natural

Mood: Mix of Texans in baseball hats and no-nonsense locals

Look for: Its boulder-studded, ungroomed runs that offer thrills without the long lift rides

Details: $49 lift ticket, skimonarch.com

Day trip: Yes; 120 miles from Colorado Springs

Ski Cooper

Best Feature: Great natural snow

Look for: All your friends from Colorado Springs

Details: $37 lift ticket; skicooper.com

Day trip: Yes; 129 miles from Colorado Springs

SolVista

Best feature: Guaranteed learn-to-ski or -snowboard program for $99 (includes a season pass)

Mood: Casual; lots of large groups

Look for: Surprising variety of terrain on two mountains

Details: $46 lift ticket; http://granbyranch.com

Day trip: On the edge; 150 miles from Colorado Springs

Ski Sunlight

Best feature: In Glenwood Springs, a great hot-springs destination that offers ski-swim-stay deals

Mood: A destination resort with a small-town feel

Look for: 24 Hours of Sunlight, an endurance race where skiers and boarders hike up Sunlight Mountain and ride down, non-stop, for 24 hours (it's this weekend)

Details: $45 lift ticket; sunlightmtn.com

Day trip: Unlikely; 214 miles from Colorado Springs

Powderhorn

Best feature: Its location on the Grand Mesa, the world's largest flat-top mountain

Mood: Western Slope locals feel at home here

Look for: Surprisingly abundant powder

Details: $48 lift ticket; powderhorn.com

Day trip: No; 287 miles from Colorado Springs

Other details:

Look in fundraising entertainment books for discounts at Arapahoe Basin, Eldora, Sunlight, Monarch, Loveland and SolVista.

If you don't have a Gems card, make a note to get one for next season -- it offers a $10 discount at most of the Gems.