Colorado Skiing - Help
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Colorado Skiing - Help
We would like to take our 2 kids to Colorado skiing over Christmas Break. I have been looking around at various websites and the information is overwhelming.
This will be our first time skiing so we are looking at maybe a smaller resort. Any advice on what or where I should be looking? Does anyone have any recommendations on a good resort? TIA for your help/advice.
Moooo ha ha ha... I checked the board on a great topic. I grew up in Colorado and skied almost every weekend of my life.  Although, I don't know prices, etc. We always bought season passes that paid themselves off in 6 days.
Winter Park, Copper, Vail - Known for a LOT of great family programs.
Winter Park- Pros- Best family programs from the ultra beginner to advanced. You can take the train from Denver so you don't even have to drive. 1.25 hour drive from Denver
Cons- If you do drive, you have to drive over Berthoud pass. Although, they keep it well maintained and you are just fine in a front wheel drive car.
Copper- Pros- Has good family programs as well and is a bit smaller than Winter Park
Cons- Everyone I know has been hit by a snowboarder there. They are everywhere and often out of control. 1.25 hours from Denver.
Vail- Pros- Perfect weather almost all the time. Also has great learning programs. You can also buy a pass that lets you ski at Breckenridge, A Basin, and other places.
Cons- Typically more expensive
My dad's side of the family has a cabin close to Breckenridge if you choose to ski at Vail. (I don't ever recommend Breckenridge because the weather is ALWAYS frigid.) Vail is a half hour drive from the cabin. I can look into some rates for you? They rent it out and it can house up to 30 people (it's pretty big but cheaper than most small places).
h e i d i h e n k e l at h o t ma i l dotcom
if you have any other questions.
PS_ I also recommend that you rent your equipment AT the ski area. You might not fit the boots or skis and have to exchange them, etc.
Wow, Heidi's the expert! Too bad I'm too scared to ski, now! LOL! I have gone a few times in my life, and thought it was fun. Now, I would worry too much about falling and breaking something!
My sister works for Vail Resorts, so I sent her your question. Here is her response:
Keystone is a great family resort - although it is not a small resort like she's looking for. The resort has 3 mountains that are very easy to navigate (even for someone directionally challenged like me) and it has a great ski school. Check out www.snow.com for information on Keystone. Keystone also has a great terrain park (depending on the age of her kids) and they have night skiing which is nice so you don't have to hurry off the mountain at 3 or 4' o'clock.
There are lots of lodging options available in Summit County (Keystone, Dillon, Frisco, Silverthorne, or Breckenridge). Have her check out www.vrbo.com for rentals in the area (the site has rentals across the country). The rentals listed on the site are privately owned, you rent directly from the owner of the property and can usually find homes/townhomes/condos for rent which is a really great alternative for a family.
Dh just went with a bunch of guys in March, they stayed in some little town that was close to 3 mountains and they rented a condo through VRBO (I think).
IMHO...Personally, I would not do Keystone...lots of ice and they can't take care of the mountain due to its night skiing. (That's when most ski areas have their ground crews do maintenance, thus keeping it safe for skiers during the day. They have night skiing for one sole reason...money...and it hurts the quality of the snow.) And, it tends to be colder than Winter Park and Vail.
If I were you, I would ski at Winter Park. They also have frequent buses that go to and from the condominiums/city of Winter Park.
Sad to say we've lived here almost 6 years and we've never been skiing.  I've actually never been (or the kids). Dh has--years ago before we met! He'd probably break something! lol If you end up near the Springs let me know.
We want to go skiing at the end of January. We have been talking about it and doing a little research. But I am like you. I was just getting overwhelmed with all of the info and wanted somebody who's BTDT to give their opinion. I am so glad you started this thread.
Thanks for the info, Heidi. I wondered if you were checking in and would see the thread. I am going to look into the Winter Park area. I am sure I will have a ton more questions for you.
Melanie - thank you and your sister. I have been looking around VRBO. Lots of choices.
Debbie - as I find information, I'll post it in case it will help you.
Anyone else who has BTDT, feel free to give me your opinions. TIA.
Tayjar- I agree with Heidi- skip Keystone. It's awful skiing!!! (atleast it was for our family) Last time rocks were sticking up. I have been there 3 times. The first time my dh hit a tree/rock and was in the ER for the rest of the day having cat scans, etc... The other 2 times it was icy. Which is not good for beginners at all!
We love Breckenridge- but have only had good experiences there. Also thoroughly enjoyed Winter Park (i actually took my 3 kids there by myself one year and we just used the shuttle and my youngest really loved the ski school) and Beaver Creek!!! Beaver Creek is *my* favorite. I like the escalator, the warm cookies served in the line, etc... lol We skiied there but actually stayed in Silverthorne which was quite a drive- so I wouldnt recommend that.
Oh- I almost forgot our newest fave!!!! WOLF CREEK!! Great prices and great skiing there. ;) We will certainly go there again. It is not in Summit Cty. It is in Southern CO near Pagosa Springs.
Have fun!!
Conni
Oh, yes, Conni! Beaver Creek is great too. Expensive like Vail though. Fun shopping too in case you want to fake an injury and max your credit card. *wink* JK
I also heard Wolf creek is good too and is much smaller. (I haven't ever skied there myself that I can remember.) I haven't heard anything about their ski lessons or family programs but they DO have great snow from what I hear. I can ask around for you if you want!
Conni - I looked into Wolf Creek and that looks like what we are looking for. Where did you stay when you were there?
Heidi - if you get a chance, that would be great if you could ask around. See what is in that area and any tips or hints I should know about. I know you just moved and have a ton of things on your plate.
This is so great. Thanks so much ladies. You've turned an overwhelming task into one that is fun. I can't believe I'm this excited for winter.
hmmm, I wish I had thought to fake an injury!!! LOL
We stayed in a condo in Pagosa Springs and then drove over the pass everyday to the ski area... My neighbors in Arkansas did a timeshare swap and had enough room for us to stay with them. Because I didn't make the reservations or have to research it- I don't remember what the condos were called. It was a large, very nice complex though!! I will send her an email and ask the name. They have hot springs in this town as well. We ate at a major hole in the wall one night and they had great fish tacos! Can't remember the name of that place either.
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