 Poster: A snowHead
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Looking to book family trip to Colorado. Only been to Europe so far. 4 mad teenage snowboarders/2 cautious 40 something skiers. Restricted to early January. Winter Park looks interesting. Have ruled out Canada cos of cold? Right decision? Please help! 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Can't really help much with Colorado; I only have experience of Breckenridge, which I think you'd probably like, but it's very high and you don't need to go that high at that time, and of Aspen, which has something for more or less everyone (and a very little experience of Vail which looked great for skiing, but is one of the most hideous towns I've ever seen). Canada can be a bit parky in January, but I wouldn't let that put you off. You can always wrap up warm, and I don't know whether Whistler gets quite as chilly as the inland resorts. I've skied in Feb in Banff/LL, no problem at all, although it certianly got pretty nippy.
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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?
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Thanks for that. Had some reports of altitude sickness at Breckenridge. Aspen seems to tick most boxes. Could be pricey though?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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janeb, it has that reputation. I went 14 years ago, can't remember the cost, but it can't have been too bad or I wouldn't have done it (I used air miles for the flight, though, so that helped). We stayed in a very comfortable apartment in a joint called the Gant, I remember, which seemed to sleep 7 of us very happily, and a good time was had by all. I had accidentally packed the OL's maternity nightie, which I wore anyway, much to the concern of my Australian room mate (they seem to find that sort of thing worrying in Oz), but cross dressing is not compulsory there, SFAIK.
There seemed to be lots of runs of all standards; I was in a very mixed group from lowish intermediates to expert telemarkers, and we were able to move around the resort together most of the time, everyone finding runs to suit them.
There's a hotel called the Limelight (IIRC) which was regarded as particularly reasonable then, may be worth a look, if it still exists. We ate out almost every night (although the kitchen in the apartment was good), and I don't remember any dificulty in finding affordable places; it was (just) pre kids, so my standards may have been different, but it can't have been too bad.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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janeb, welcome to 
I'd echo richmond's comments...
Breckenridge, Vail, Winter Park or Aspen.
My preference would be Aspen or Winter Park.
WP: Fly to Denver, under 2 hours to the resort. Quiet through the week, not too many cat tracks. Lots of tree skiing and bump runs.
Aspen: Fly to Denver, 4 hour transfer or fly to Aspen and you'll be there in 15 minutes. 4 seperate mountains. Snowmass is probably the cheapest to stay at, with free buses to the other areas. Snowmass is also the biggest of the four.
Vail: Fly to Denver, 2-3 hour transfer. Big resort, but reminds me of La Daille in terms of architecture. Can get quite busy by American standards.
Breck: similar times to Vail. Possibly the most popular with Brits.
How long were you thinking of going for?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Short of reliable info re: Winter Park, I think Aspen might get the vote. Did you fly into Eagle or straight to Aspen via Chicago?
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janeb, straight to Aspen from Chicago. I haven't been to Winter Park in 7 or 8 years. I was in Aspen about 5 weeks ago! (there's a thread on here somewhere about my trip)
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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.
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I flew to Denver via Houston (there were no direct flights London to Denver then), stayed the night there and drove to Aspen. It was an easy enough drive, just along some Interstate and turn left, I think, although a bit snowy and slippery at times. Got to be better to fly to Aspen though; the airport is practically in the town centre.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Wed 27-02-08 12:04; edited 1 time in total
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United will fly into Chicago then onto Aspen. Seems the most 'user friendly' option with all the teenage boys travelling. Dont fancy a 4 hour drive. Do you think Winter Park has enough gentle runs for cautious skiing. Im not worried about the boys, they seem to have fun wherever they go. Also does Winter Park have a central town/village so the boys can be independant? - we intend to go for about 10/11 nights. 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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If United are a good flight bet, look at United Vacations; they have good deals on accomodation in US resorts, with United flights.
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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.
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Wear The Fox Hat,
The photos look fab.
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janeb, WP has gentle runs, but whether you'd be happy on them for 10 days is doubtful (although maybe you'll push yourselves onto some of it's more challenging terrain). The town of Winter Park is a short bus ride from the slopes. I'm sure there's been a lot of development in the last few years, but it used to be quite a quiet place in the evening.
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You know it makes sense.
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Wear The Fox Hat,
Where did you stay in Winter Park. Fancy the look of Zephyr Mountain Lodge but confused with mixed reviews on other sites.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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janeb, it's a long time ago, but I think it was the Beaver Lodge. (a bit youth-hostel like, but they have condos as well). Zephyr is great for its location, and should be pretty good quality, but I've not stayed in it.
Most of the photos in my review are from Snowmass, and some from Aspen Highlands. If you go in late January, you can catch the X-games at Buttermilk - which might appeal to the teenagers.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Wear The Fox Hat, richmond,
Thanks for you advice so far. What a great site this is. Cant believe I havent found it before now. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Steamboat.
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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?
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Don't know if they still have a marketing tie-up but Aspen & Winter Park used to promote a 2 centre stay, travelling by train when changing resorts.
For ten days I'd be tempted to hire an SUV, stay in more cost-effective Frisco and take in lots of different areas. If I had to pick just one though it would be Vail.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| janeb wrote: |
| Looking to book family trip to Colorado. Only been to Europe so far. 4 mad teenage snowboarders/2 cautious 40 something skiers. Restricted to early January. Winter Park looks interesting. Have ruled out Canada cos of cold? Right decision? Please help! |
Coldest I've been this year was a Steamboat - well below -30C in mid-January. Banff area had similar temps the following week, but only mad Europeans and the odd Aussie (my mates, in fact) go there in January as it can be dastardly cold and it hardly ever snows (wait til March for the latter). Still can be fun, but there's a reason it's cheap ...
Whistler and interior BC resorts rarely get to Banff cold levels, so certainly an option? Overall I suspect Colorado is pretty much as cold as these places in January due to altitude.
See my blog at http://gortonator.spaces.live.com for report/pics on Steamboat last month. I really enjoyed it.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Alastair Pink,
What a good website. Thanks. Possibly going to do a comlpete U-turn, Steamboat looks great. Had'nt considered that before. IAs you say, I am sure we will have a great time in any of the resorts.
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janeb,
I went to WP at the beginning of January about 3 years ago. There's a trip report posted in the trip reports section (http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewpost.php?p=89575). I stayed at the Winter Park Mountain Lodge, which I found pretty good, but which has also more recently received more negaticve comments (it has its own microbrewery, though, which makes a pretty good product).
The skiing was very good, and I'd definitely recommend it.
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Just back from Winter Park and now suffering withdrawal symptoms....
Here's a review from another site (at the bottom of the page on the following link) to save repeating myself:-
http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Winter-Park
At the slopes there is a small, pedestrianised village (including Zephyr Lodge) with limited restaurants and bars.
We stayed at the Viking Lodge in downtown Winter Park. It's a cheap and cheerful lodge with ensuite rooms and a light breakfast included in the bargain price. Rustic, but clean and very friendly accommodation.
From downtown it's a 10 minute (free) bus ride to the slopes, with a frequent and reliable bus service. There is a great selection of restaurants in the town, all within walking distance, although the overall atmosphere is quiet and relaxed.
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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.
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John Crawford,
Good report, thanks. Beginning to wonder if WP is wasted on two 40+ cautious intermediates, although the kids, all mad teenage snowboarders will love it. Have'nt got to grips with serious moguls yet, please tell me that there is something for us, dont mean to sound like a girly wimp, but dont want to be confined to nursery slopes either. 
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Perfect opportunity to take some mogul lessons!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| abc wrote: |
| Perfect opportunity to take some mogul lessons! |
In my experience, life can get quite limiting in many North American resorts unless you're prepared to tackle moguls. It's common to find that even blue runs are left ungroomed, and blacks, which form the bulk of runs in many places, are almost always heavily mogulled.
abc is right. It's time to get learning. It should only take a couple of lessons for you to feel confident - although it might be a lifetime before you look any good!
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