We got a great deal on airfare on SW to Denver, and a ski trip is in order. We have plenty of time (4+ hours) to get to a resort - so where should we go? I like powder, tree skiing (boarding), and dislike lift lines, but I've never been to any resort in Colorado, so I'm looking for help here.
I live in Colorado and just went skiing today in fact. But first, WHEN are you going? because that would make a difference. But, I always recommend Breckenridge. Why? Because it has the best ski town BY FAR. The skiing in all the areas are great, but for instance, I was at Keystone today. I cannot imagine staying there over night. Breckenridge provides great skiing (trees, bowls, parks, etc.), plus a lot of stuff to do in the evening that is not offered by the other towns.
It has been decriminalized here and Boulder and also in Denver for a while now. Breckenridge is the place that just legalized it.
I 2nd what rhino17 said. I've been to Breckenridge 4 or 5 times and have always enjoyed it. Not sure if they still do it but before my lift ticket at Breckenridge was good at Keystone & one other resort. Skied at both Breckenridge & Keystone on the same day twice.
To keep it a little vague, I'm going after Christmas and before Valentine's day weekend. Our current focus of research is Steamboat.
haven't skiied in a moon's age but will be going to telluride in february... i'll prob spend more time drinking in the lodge but im okay w that
I've been to Winter Park three times, and it was great. I think it's more family-oriented (I was like 17 the last time I went), but I believe they have more trails than any other park. Just make sure you ride snow mobiles. Way more fun than skiing.
oh, ok, I was just makin sure it was not in the enxt couple weeks. Late January is when I used to go every year, but not I live in CO. That is a great time to go. Breck has the Uller fest in January, you should look into that. I have not been to Steamboat, but I hear good things. I think it is more similar to Breck than the ret/
Favorite Colorado mountain is Keystone, staying in Breckenridge (which is also a good ski mountain). From the old Denver airport, it was about a 90 minute ride to Breckenridge. Last two times though, I have gone to Steamboat. Steamboat is one of the best family skiing mountains. We like the kids' ski school and the fact that you get a direct flight to Hayden/Steamboat. Like Breckenridge, Vail and Aspen both have kick ass ski villages at the base of their mountains.
Winter Park sucks because the coal trains run all night. Breckenridge decriminalized possession of less than 1 ounce and is coincidently a central spot to get a condo and go to a couple of good ski areas, Copper Keystone maybe even Vail. But ski-out ski-in is probably thee way to go as a lightweight Texan. If you ski all day you will fall asleep in your dinner plate, especially with a little alkyhol.
Breckenridge is rather good so long as you are not trying to ski during spring break. It has a nice selection of restaurants and bars that don't really have ski town prices. For terrain you get a bit of everything but the lower part of the mountain near the lodge can get annoying at times (crowds and long, flat run-outs near the bottom). Breck is also a pretty convenient location that will allow you to hit up several mountains if you don't mind making a short drive. Keystone is very close with Vail and Beaver Creek around 30-45 minutes down I-70. All four of these ski areas as well as Arapaho Basin (a great local mountain) are affiliated with one another and you can buy multi-day passes that work at Keyston, A Basin and Break and will give you a day or two at Vail/Beaver Creek. If you like powder the back bowls at Vail are pretty tough to beat for the area.
I actually don't like Vail's town so much. It's ok, and certainly better than Keystone, but nothing special imo and pretty small.