Planning a ski trip to Colorado

[TTA89]

I want to plan a trip to go skiing somewhere in Colorado from Feb 15th to 20th skiing for 4 days/5 nights.

I can figure out how to get there and rent a car but now the tough choice is to pick where to go skiing!

There seems to be tons of places, we are looking for a big mountain with varied terrain, we want to avoid places like Aspen as that seems to be where everyone goes and it's $$$. How about something like Telluride or Breckenridge? It's hard to really tell which one is better than the other from everyones websites.

Where have you gone and really liked it?

We went to Mammoth a few years back and loved that place but want to try something different this time.

 

[ghall]

I would highly suggest SteamBoat Springs.I went a couple years ago and it was outstanding.Huge facilities,beautiful surroundings,wasn't very crowded all week long.Overall it was a terrific experience.I don't know what you consider expensive as far as lift tickets go--but if you buy ahead of time the package for the entire time you will ski--i remember it was reasonable.

Geoff

 

[Scott231]

The only "problem" with going to Steamboat for 5 days is just that...you are skiing the same place for 5 days. I would suggest you stay somewhere in Summitt county, close to Keystone. From there it is an easy, under 1-hour drive, to a half-dozen ski resort mountains including:

Vail (HUGE back bowls)
Breckenridge (4 different peaks to ski from),
Keystone (go to Northwoods - as close to "backcountry skiing" as you can get),
Arapahoe Basin (just take a look at the East Wall!),
Copper Mountain (breathtaking view from the top of a peak that you have to take a tow rope to get to) and
Winter Park (Home of 'Mary Jane' - "If your skis are not as tall as you, do not descend this trail")

If you are a "bonzai" rider on the slopes (like me ) and are one of the first ones on the mountain and one of the last ones off at the end of the day, a-mountain-a-day is to my liking!

Going to the stuff labeled "Expert" you'll find the stuff that the riff-raff stays away from.

 

[IrvJr]

We went to Breckenridge 2 years ago. My wife got real bad altitude sickness from being there,we stayed right on the mountain. I was only able to ski 3 of the 6 days. I was so weak after a lift ride at Copper Mtn i had to stop and rest after it. Then stop every 300 ft or so on the way down. I also got food poisoning from one of the mountain cafes.
Sounds fun, huh.
We had to take about 4 of us to a Oxygen bar. Another guy in our party fell over on the mountain and his eyes rolled back in his head. I didnt feel like it was worth it, just a tad to high for my wife and i.

Scott

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

my senior year in highschool i went to snowmass in colorado-

its been almost 10 years HOLY JESUS ITS BEEN TEN YEARS ALREADY!!!!

anyway, we went to breckenridge, keystone, snowmass, and visited the town of aspen... its beautiful there, and take alot of pictures cause it could be 10 years till you make it back-

i think we went to copper mountain twice, they had some good powder and double black diamonds to ski on -

loved every bit of it, take lots of water and vitamins
BW

 

[suprbuick7]

I 've been to Vail, Steamboat ( hot springs w/ naked ladies is a +), Copper, Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin. A- basin is cool; lots of locals, Steamboat was also killer much varied terrain. Stay somewhere central (Frisco) so you can ski several properties

 

[bigz]

I'm biased as I used to live there but Winter Park/Mary Jane is a great ski area. It's not as crowded as Summit County but their is a wide variety of terrain. Steamboat is also nice they have had the best snow in the state over the last couple of years.


Mike

 

[snistrgn]

I give a big thumbs up to all the Vail resorts for sure. (Keystone breck, copper are the best) But if your looking towards a more economical trip check out Sunlight mountain in Glenwood Springs. It has short lines and the rates are very reasonable. It's about 100 miles north west of Denver.

 

[jmidolo]

Mike, my buddy goes out to Breckenridge every year. He's got a 38ft 5th wheel and lives out there for 3 months. Every yr a group of my buddies head out there for a wk and tear it up, I've never gone for one reason or another but am planning on going this year. Not sure what the dates are but it would be cool if it were the same time you're planning. Are you set on those dates for any reason or it doesn't matter?

Also, you're planning on driving out there or flying??

 

[TTA89]

Originally posted by jmidolo
Mike, my buddy goes out to Breckenridge every year. He's got a 38ft 5th wheel and lives out there for 3 months. Every yr a group of my buddies head out there for a wk and tear it up, I've never gone for one reason or another but am planning on going this year. Not sure what the dates are but it would be cool if it were the same time you're planning. Are you set on those dates for any reason or it doesn't matter?

Also, you're planning on driving out there or flying??

Yeah I have to go on those dates, My brother is a Senior in HS and that is the Feb break. We are flying out there, I don't mind the lift ticket prices and such but don't want to spend 300 bucks a night for a condo.

I would like to go somewhere that doesnt have major lift lines and isn't full of overpaid actors (Aspen). I'll check out Steamboat and look into staying somewhere thats an hours drive from a few of them.

 

[jmidolo]

AH, that sucks. I think you're gonna hit everything you'd want to avoid....higher condo prices, higher lift ticket prices, longer lift lines etc during school break for sure.

 

[TTA89]

They don't have school break during that time on the West Coast, thats one of those wierd East Coast things.

I just checked and all the resorts Consider Holiday and the "January Rush" from like Dec 22nd to Feb 12th so everything is actually cheaper when I want to go.

I just found round trip tickets from Boston to Denver for $153 bucks. Heh, wanna go? I'm gonna book them today.

I think Steamboat Springs looks pretty good and we are going to plan for that. Its a bit of a drive from Denver. I plan to rent a 4WD SUV, does Colorado require chains or with 4WD work? I know going to Mammoth a couple times we had to use Chains and 4WD they were turning back 2wd cars with chains because of all the snow.

I can't wait! Now to go buy all new equipment this year! weeee

 

[jmidolo]

I'd love to, but Think 1 colorado trip will be enough this year...with the M3 on order, I'll have to slide this trip in carefully
I got new boots last yr and a pair of K2 Mod Xs the yr before, it's like night and day in my skiing...

 

[bigz]

Originally posted by TTA89

I think Steamboat Springs looks pretty good and we are going to plan for that. Its a bit of a drive from Denver. I plan to rent a 4WD SUV, does Colorado require chains or with 4WD work? I know going to Mammoth a couple times we had to use Chains and 4WD they were turning back 2wd cars with chains because of all the snow.

I can't wait! Now to go buy all new equipment this year! weeee

You'll be fine with a four wheel drive. If it get's so bad that passenger vehicles need chains to get through the snow they will usually close the road. The state actually does a very good job of keeping the roads clear in the moutains during the winter time the ski business is big money for this state so they make acess to them a priority. I wish the same could be said for the cities not in the mountains Have Fun!


Z

 

[jmidolo]

Originally posted by bigz
You'll be fine with a four wheel drive. If it get's so bad that passenger vehicles need chains to get through the snow they will usually close the road.

I flew into Denver last yr and had to drive to Wyoming. There's a Hertz right at the airport, they had TONS of AWD Outbacks with ski racks. I would go with one of them if for nothing else than the fun factor

 

[TTA89]

I was wondering if the cars came with ski racks

Its not like I am from California or Florida and run inside crying when it starts to rain but I know some of the states in the West require chains (Babies ) to even drive through the mountains.

I booked the Airline tickets, looking for a hotel and car now

 

[86brick]

Originally posted by TTA89

Its not like I am from California or Florida and run inside crying when it starts to rain

No, you just run inside crying when it's a little too hot out.........

 

[jmidolo]

Originally posted by TTA89
I was wondering if the cars came with ski racks

Its not like I am from California or Florida and run inside crying when it starts to rain but I know some of the states in the West require chains (Babies ) to even drive through the mountains.

I booked the Airline tickets, looking for a hotel and car now

Damn, was gonna suggest looking on expedia or travelocity for a ski package trip and get it all in one stop..air, lift tiix hotel etc.