Colorado is home to names synonymous with skiing — the likes of Vail, Aspen, Steamboat and Telluride known around the world.

But the greatest showcase of skiing in the state? We propose a locale that can’t be defined by one name, but four.

Yes, it’s quadruple the fun in Summit County.

However close in proximity, the county’s ski areas separate themselves in terms of terrain and vibe. Altogether, they paint a colorful picture of the industry that helped put Colorado on the global map.

ARAPAHOE BASIN

The story: Colorado’s ski industry is rooted in the 10th Mountain Division, the World War II unit that trained on skis at Camp Hale near Leadville in preparation for alpine battle in Europe. After the war, soldiers went on to establish some of the state’s premier ski areas. A-Basin was the first among them, opened in 1946. It was the dream of Larry Jump and Sandy Schauffler, who after their service saw the perfect place for skiing in this steep, snow-packed basin off Loveland Pass.

The draw: The pioneering history partly lends to A-Basin’s nickname. “The Legend” also refers to the long season here — the altitude and snow that Jump and Schauffler prophetically scouted. A-Basin typically opens before any other North American ski area and has been known to host skiers on July 4. But most know “The Legend” for the terrain. East Wall and Montezuma Bowl have molded generations of experts.

What else: A-Basin has kept its focus on skiing rather than expanding upon the unrelated frills that sweep the industry. The skiing, indeed, is the claim to fame. But another claim was made in 2022: the highest restaurant on the continent. That’s the claim of Il Rifugio, meaning “the refuge” — in this case a refuge of wine and charcuterie at 12,456 feet.

BRECKENRIDGE

The story: The resort was the byproduct of a man in charge of a lumber company and men who picked up a job building his lumberyard while they also worked and skied in Aspen. This was in 1960. The man in charge was Bill Rounds. Two of the free-spirited others were Sigurd Rockne and Trygve Berge, ski racing friends going back to Norway. They drove up Peak 8 to survey Rounds’ idea for a ski area. They liked what they saw — going on to carve runs that would span to four more peaks.

The draw: Breck occupies Peaks 6 through 10 on the Tenmile Range. Devoted passholders could spend months exploring from the base areas situated at Peaks 7, 8 and 9. Beginners might take to one of the original trails, a classic cruiser called Springmeier. One might then progress to the intermediate, high-alpine slopes of Peak 6, picking up speed on Peak 7. And then there’s the double-black diamond bowls and hike-to chutes high on Peaks 8 and 9.

What else: No trip to Breckenridge is complete without a visit to the town’s 15-foot wooden troll. That’s Isak Heartstone, who sits at the end of a short trail through the snowy woods.

KEYSTONE

The story: In 1970, Keystone was Summit County’s next ski resort. Max and Edna Dercum envisioned a family-friendly destination — a vision carried out by the resort’s first president, Bill Bergman. He’s the namesake of Bergman Bowl — just one go-to area that emerged as Keystone expanded across three mountains. From early snowmaking in 1972 and lights for night skiing the next decade to terrain parks and luxury lodging, shopping, dining and offseason golfing, Keystone helped set the standard for broader industry development.

The draw: True to the Dercums’ dream, Keystone proudly welcomes first-timers with “dynamic” terrain. And probably beyond the couple’s dream, it offers families much more than skiing. Along with tubing and ice skating, the resort in recent years has added a mountaintop “snow fort” of sculptures. Keystone has made additions for serious skiers as well, including a lift to Bergman Bowl, which previously was reached only by foot. Others head to the trees of The Windows. The Outback is similarly cherished for hike-to powder.

What else: GOAT Soup and Whiskey Tavern is close to River Run Village but seemingly a world away. For nearly 30 years, the local hangout has rebelled against apres glamour with cheap eats and drinks in a divey atmosphere. Bands get the party started.

COPPER MOUNTAIN

The story: As Interstate 70 expanded through the mountains west of Denver, a world-class ski resort would rise to meet a new wave of travelers. When it opened in 1972, Copper Mountain’s location seemed ideal for that reason. But the mountain was seen as ideal long before then. A U.S. Forest Service ranger identified the ski terrain in the 1950s, according to a history compiled by Tim Nicklas. The ranger recommended the site again for Denver’s bid to host the 1976 Winter Olympics. Copper’s reputation as “The Athlete’s Mountain” was born.

The draw: “The Athlete’s Mountain” is home to the U.S. Ski Team Speed Center and Woodward Copper, another training facility composed of a series of terrain parks. The reputation is also for the mountain’s convenient layout. Green-, blue- and black-rated slopes are naturally divided for joes and pros. Beginners start around the West Village, intermediates around the Center Village and regulars embark from the East Village. Tucker Mountain and Resolution Bowl are the high-altitude gems.

What else: For a wind-in-the-face thrill, one doesn’t have to be on skis. A seat awaits on Rocky Mountain Coaster, what the resort calls the second longest alpine coaster in North America — zooming more than a mile through the forest.