 Poster: A snowHead
|
So flights booked for the (UK) half-term holiday week and now need advice as to which resort to go to.
We are a family of 4. My x2 daughters (aged 12 and 16) have been skiing since very young and are very competent skiers; they are now starting to explore offpiste etc. My wife is a nervous skier having hurt her knee a few years ago and enjoys snow shoeing more than skiing. We like staying in self-catering accommodation as you get more space than a hotel plus have flexibility to eat in or out etc. Generally we like to stay close to the slopes as I hate carrying skis around and waiting for buses etc.
Which resort would  recommend?
The obvious choice would be Breckenridge as it’s large, near to Denver and is big enough to have lots to do in evenings etc... However there may be smaller resorts that I am not aware of or are better suited to a family of 3 mad keen skiers and a wife/mother who is far less fussed about skiing.
Advice and ideas greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
I’ve just returned from Aspen. If you want us crowded skiing in a wonderful part of the Rockies then look no further. February is the perfect month to go to Colorado as the base base built up and snowfall is still highly likely.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Aspen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
I've just reread your post, sbooker.
Do you mean uncrowded? 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aspen is a cut above for terrain and fewer crowds being further from Denver. Slopeside is possible at Snowmass most obviously although everything is served by an excellent free bus service. It's the most socialist place in the US in that respect. You'll need Ikon passes probably though
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bergmeister wrote: |
I've just reread your post, sbooker.
Do you mean uncrowded? |
Yes. Sorry.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
Aspen/Snowmass is a great place to ski and relax.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I am in Breckenridge at the moment, staying at Main Street Station. The units are spacious and I cook every night without any issues. We are here for a month- it’s less than a five minute walk to the bottom of the Quicksilver Chair and it’s very close to shops and Main Street. Will you have a car? Getting around is a lot easier with one. There are (free) buses to Frisco and Keystone, but Vail and Beaver Creek require a car. There aren’t even any private shuttles.
The accommodation at Main Street Station is good, but the organisation of the place leaves a bit to be desired if I’m honest. Still, this is our third time here.
Feel free to ask me any specific questions...
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
@lynnecha, thanks for the advice.
I notice that many of the condos in Colorado resorts are a bus journey to the slopes (or a 5/10 min walk). I have never liked walking with all gear on so in Europe have always stayed in ski-in/out accommodation or right next to a lift or hired a locker in the lift complex so I don’t need to lug my skis/boots back every day. Do they have lockers in Breck/other resorts? Are the buses somehow better than in the Europe (I doubt it... you still need to wait and then walk...)
And before I’m trolled on here, I appreciate that some people don’t mind the 5/10 minute walk and recognise it’s not the biggest inconvenience in the world, I would just prefer not to....
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
@lynnecha, we will have a SUV.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I found the accomodation in US ski resorts is much bigger than you get in Europe, larger rooms, bathrooms, entertaining areas. I stayed in Breckenridge and also skied in Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone due to having a hire car from Denver and the lift pass allowed it. Night skiing in Keystone....
Was there for 10 days rather than 7, so more time to try out different resorts.
I do not recall walking much with skis, but that might be because of the car.
February should be a better time than I went in December, when the snow level was not fully up. It is quite high altitude there, so beware of altitude sickness (try not to drink too much and get de-hydrated)
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
@1556garyt, re ski in ski out- you have to let go of that in North America. It’s just a different system. With a vehicle you will need to park in the car park and walk/shuttle bus to the lifts. It is really not a problem- you just have to approach life with a different expectation. The walk from our apartment to the lift is out the door, around the building, up a flight of steps and about 200 meters to the bottom of the lift. It is very easy. Re lockers- most hotels have ski valet services where they put your boots and skis away in the evening so lockers not really needed. I haven’t seen any.
If you stay in Beaver Creek, the hotels take your skis off you at the bottom of the lift and take you and your gear back. No carrying anything. Then again, there are escalators up to the snow front, so no walking up stairs either. It is obviously pricy to stay there....but fab skiing! It’s on the Epic pass.
Accommodation is generally bigger- our one bedroom unit is 75sq meters. We are not short in space for two people!
Any other info feel free to ask. We’re here for another two weeks. That is if we can get home... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Thanks @lynnecha.
I appreciate all apartments cannot be immediately on the slopes but some certainly are and if you can find something suitable that is slopeside, then that for me is much preferable to being a block or 2 away. I also accept that being slopeside sometimes means that you are further from the town centre bars/restaurants but that is a compromise I am willing to make.
As I say, it’s just a personal preference. I have found suitable slopeside accommodation in Breck and Steamboat (resorts under consideration although currently think we will probably go to Steamboat).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Ski in/out is at a large premium in US resorts compared to equivalent accomodation anywhere else. Most locals do the park/shuttle thing. Unless you have very young kids hence a need to return for nap time etc I'd find it hard to justify the delta. Plus of course there just isn't as mich going on in the evenings immediately adjacent to the slopes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
I do not really understand this US/Europe travel ban and why it excludes UK. Maybe it will be extended to UK eventually?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
Because we are not part of the Schengen area is the reason given. And I`m assuming that any EU national trying to fly first to the UK, may get interrogated, sorry, questioned when arriving in the US. I`ve been told not advisable to attempt it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@1556garyt, ok, two pieces of good news. There is overnight equipment storage offered at the guest services kiosks at the bottom of the main lifts- e.g. Quicksilver on Peak 9. I never noticed it before as I haven’t had any need of it, but I had a look today and saw the sign.
Secondly, check out The Village at Peak 9. It is slopeside, again very central at Quicksilver lift. Christie Sports in The Village complex offer overnight equipment storage. We walk past it every day but I never notice the sign there either...
Also, there is slope side accommodation at Peak 7 but I couldn’t see a name on the building. No doubt an internet search will point you in the right direction. I rode up in a lift today with someone staying in a condo at The Cedars. Again, slope side, Peak 9. He said it was good, maybe a bit dated but excellent access onto the piste.
And Beaver Run also has slopeside accommodation.
It’s amazing what you see when you look for it!
I will confine to chat up people on the lifts to see if there are any more recommendations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@lynnecha, thanks. Did you suffer effects of the altitude on arrival?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| 1556garyt wrote: |
| @lynnecha, thanks. Did you suffer effects of the altitude on arrival? |
I’ve stayed in vail a few times, twice as a teenager and once a couple of years ago. Each time I’ve noticed the altitude (I’m a healthy 30 something) our hotel provided a humidifier which really helped but personally I really noticed how dry the air was. My lips and the insides of my nose got very dry and sore but lanolin really helped. I do think the altitude makes it harder to get over the jet lag too and my dad mentioned he got short of breath quicker than he would normally.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@1556garyt, hasn’t been a problem for us. I’m 63, my husband is 71. May have noticed it when climbing stairs quickly, but not generally. I lived in Colorado when I was a teenager and people say it makes a difference if you live at altitude when you are young but hubby’s Yorkshire born and bred so who knows. Not a problem day to day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@lynnecha, should be an opportunity to try out cannabis oils and other items for muscle relaxation after skiing. Are there any cannabis shops in resorts now? (the law was different when I was there)
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
I actually subconsciously read the title as 'Colorer'.
I'll get my coat...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1556garyt
Check your mailbox
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
The US has included UK and Ireland in travel ban!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
