Nothing in Colorado is as miserable as being stuck in Interstate 70 mountain traffic.

Why it matters: It happens often in the winter as weather, construction, the Eisenhower Tunnel and congestion combine to turn the interstate into a parking lot.

State of play: Looking at travel to five Colorado resorts shows January and February are the worst months along with March 18-29, according to an exclusive INRIX traffic analysis for Axios Denver.

• The busiest days of the week are easily Saturday and Sunday. 
• The day with the least traffic is Tuesday.

By the numbers: The bulk of the traffic congestion occurs on weekends between 11am and 4pm. Weekday traffic is similarly bad in the middle of the day.

Between the lines: The analysis examined traffic to Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, Winter Park and Steamboat.

• All resorts see crowds at similar times except Steamboat, where travelers tend to leave a day earlier — Friday — and the lightest traffic day is Sunday.

What they're saying: "Traffic is heaviest in January, especially around holidays and long weekends like Presidents Day," INRIX analyst Bob Pishue tells Axios. "And remember, these are not just skiers —it's employees, freight trucks, day-trippers and people just driving through."

• "The lightest days are almost at the tail end of the year when snow coverage is lighter, but diehards will stretch the season out as long as they can," added former Colorado ski bum turned INRIX spokesperson Mark Burfeind.

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If you need to wait for I-70 traffic to ease, whether in the mornings or evenings, you can find plenty of fun pit stops along the way.

Dig in: Colorado's mountain towns offer a bounty of restaurants, shops and sights to see. Here are some of our favorite places to stop.

Eats: The Craftsman Brew Co. in Edwards and its sister restaurant, il Mago Pizza, are two of the tastiest places for a bite to eat. 

• In Idaho Springs, the original Beau Jo's is always a great stop for Colorado-style pizza.

Coffee shops: It's not hard to find a good cup of coffee along the interstate, but Plume Coffee in Silver Plume, The Frothy Cup in Idaho Springs, and Mountain Dweller in Frisco are our favorites.

Breweries: A beer after a long day on the slopes hits the spot. And you can find some of Colorado's best breweries just off the interstate.

• Westbound & Down Brewing specializes in IPAs but offers all sorts of styles at its Idaho Springs taproom, which also is a restaurant.
• Outer Range Brewing's flagship brewery (its second location is in the Alps) is the place to get a hazy IPA with big flavor and little bite. Its partner restaurant, Bird Craft, sells Thai-spiced fried chicken.

Entertainment: Exit at Silverthorne for fun. If the kids need a break, visit the four-story indoor PlayGarten at Bluebird Market.

• Silverthorne's Recreation Center offers day passes to enjoy four indoor pools, three water slides, as well as a jacuzzi tub, sauna and steam room.

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From clothes and equipment to lift passes, winter sports can come with a hefty price tag.

Zoom in: The cost escalates quickly. So we compiled tips from experts and personal experience on how to save money at the slopes.

1. Rent gear. If you can't afford a set of boots and skis (or board), get a season-long rental package at your local retailer off the mountain. It's more cost-efficient and typically comes with free tuning and waxes.
2. Plan ahead. The most expensive lift passes are at the resort office, so plan ahead and look for deals online or at local retailers to avoid a markup.
3. Pack a snack. Food at ski resorts is exorbitant. Instead of a $25 cheeseburger, pack a pocket sandwich or stuff snacks in your jacket to keep you fueled.
4. Ski off the beaten path. Dozens of independent ski areas in the West offer lift tickets at more affordable rates than the ski giants. In addition, ski during the week for cheaper rates and passes.
5. Learn-to-ski deals. Several resorts offer packages with lessons and a lift pass. For example, Winter Park offers a learn-to-ski guarantee that promises a free fourth lesson if you can't ski green trails on the mountain. Other retailers offer free skiing programs for kids.

Send to a thrifty friend

⛄ 7 ways to enjoy Colorado winter without hitting the slopes

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🏂 Aspen looks to save skiing from climate change

🤩 The best luxury winter resorts in the West

🏔 How much climate change shortens the ski season 

🚠 Winter sports lead Colorado's outdoor recreation economy

😍 How SOS Outreach uses skiing to change young lives

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If you want to challenge yourself, Colorado offers some of the gnarliest runs in the U.S. that you can find on inbounds terrain.

Zoom in: Most ski resorts have a famous double-black diamond, experts-only ski run. But these Colorado resorts boast the toughest runs in the state, according to experts.

• Telluride's Senior's: You'll have to hike a narrow ridge line to the summit of the resort's highest point, Palmyra Peak at 13,320 feet, then ski a 52-degree gully down, one of North America's steepest inbounds runs.
• Arapahoe Basin's East Wall: When it's open — it needs plenty of snow — the hike to the ridge and ride down are only for the best skiers and riders.
• Crested Butte's Rambo: A 55-degree pitch that requires plenty of snow to cover the knee-high trees and sharp rocks.

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