Colorado skiing ? Best Place ??

Since your party consists of non-skiers you will want to go to a town that has skiing like Aspen, Telluride, or to a lesser extent, Breckenridge. A lesser extent because Breckenridge has one main street with several side streets compared to Aspen which has several main streets and many side streets. I can't comment on the skiing at Aspen or Telluride because I've never skied there but Breckenridge is a nice mountain with a good variety of runs and some bowls. Coming from the east coast you won't be disappointed.

Vail has a small town and a faux village at the base but your non-skier friends will likely be bored after one day.

So with all that I recommend Aspen. It will require an extra flight, likely from Denver. But it has the most to offer for everyone.

BTW, if you were going with all skiers my recommendation would shift to Vail.

-F

 

I am flying directly into Aspen from LAX

ASE is the aspen airport code

 

Aspen has so much to do there isn't time to do it all.

4 mountains from easy to too hard.

 

Make sure that the weather is decent in Aspen. Too many people have gotten killed going into that place, the instrument approach is basically junk, and the commuter planes that fly in are driven by kids working their way up the aviation food chain. I've always gone into Denver, then driven.

Here is a link that shows the approach: http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0802/05889LDE.PDF

As you can see, the approach doesn't get the plane very close to the runway, and if there is weather, it is very difficult. More than a few planes have crashed on the way in, because of the difficulty n the appraoch.

Art

 

Telluride is beautiful for skiing and the town is incredible. I go there in the winter and summer and each time of year has something different to offer. Telluride is my favorite city in Colorado.

 

I do take exception to some of the things furmano says about Vail. There are plenty of other things to do other than ski. We've had a full schedule of entertainment here this season in addition to superb snow (334" season to date according to TV8 this am). Esquire's "humor on the slopes" is set to begin next week in Beaver Creek, too. It's somewhat difficult to list the activities, but have a look at vail.snow.com.

CW

 

Telluride is nice but a PITA to get to. I think there is plenty to do for non skiers in either Vail or Aspen. If I'm leaning more toward the hanging out side of the spectrum I'd go to Aspen.

Good point about the thrills of flying into Aspen. I sometimes feel I've used up my quota of close calls there. Another alternative airport with pretty good service is Eagle/Vail. About 30 minutes to Vail and 90 minutes to Aspen.

Have a blast, the snow is as good as I've seen it everywhere and it is late enough in the season you're going to have warm conditions.

 

True Telluride is a pain to get to, but I think that's why I like it so much I've been to Aspen dozens of times and flown in about 4 times (once in the jumpseat of my uncle's G-V, AWESOME!) but Telluride takes me so much longer to get to and is a beautiful drive, makes it more special to me. But of course that's just me! I believe there's an airport close by Telluride. Aspen is very fun for non-skiers (me) and they will not get bored there.

 

Vail. Period.

 

Can't remember the last time we had a plane crash here. 20 years?

it takes a real man to fly into Aspen. Sissies go to Vail

Telluride is beautiful. Sits in a box canyon. there were not many restaurants and bars. Aspen has about 2 dozen places to eat and drink and most of them are world class. Aspen caters to people from all over the world and is the closest thing to Europe in the US.

 

TOP 10 REASONS BETTER TO LIVE IN ASPEN THAN VAIL

10. Aspen has more women and they are better looking too.
9. You don't have to listen to the trucks on I70 or anywhere else for that matter.
8. Gore Creek is in Vail. What's next, Hillary Clinton Creek?
7. Crista and Ryan live in Vail.
6. Lift tickets are cheaper in Aspen. And no lift lines.
5. Lodging and real estate is more expensive in Aspen to keep the deadbeats out.
4. No hordes of people from Denver every weekend like in Vail.
3. The John Denver Festival every October.
2. Woody Creek Racetrack and more Ferraris in Aspen.

And the number one reason Aspen is a better place to live than Vail...



























VAIL is a four letter word.

 

There was this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avjet_Aspen_Crash

I remember flying in a couple days after that happened from Jeffco and the wreckage was still there. Creepy! I believe then-Governor Owens was in the plane behind it and saw the flames and wreckage.

 

Plus, Aspen had a close call about two months ago:
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20071227/NEWS/27569632&SearchID=7331012061793

 

Phil,

You're going to have to get some new material.

334" season to date in Vail.

CW

 

We lost a Houston Ms. Rockwear in a private crash up that way, years ago...not sure of actual destination, the whole crew tested "positive' though, when they ran the remains......

Man, ya'll have had a GREAT Year!!!

 

I know. But I don't have time. Too much skiing and partying. LOL

 

Could not agree more!
+1111111....
Flying to ASE is safe if you have experienced crew and a good plane,if weather turns suddenly bad ,you just divert to Eagle or Rifle if necessary.
Made a couple dozen trips over the years and never had a scary moment,was diverted though about 20% of time.

 

BTW, whoever said it was cold in Colorado should know it was 47 degrees yesterday in Vail.

Golfing in Evergreen in shirtsleeves. 75 degrees.

Looks like another blue sky day here with a more snow expected Sunday night.

CW

 

Yes. A few people were skiing in shorts and t-shirts in Aspen yesterday. Awesome.

 

Aspen. A destination in itself. And, if the ski bums need variety, Snowmass is Great (and it's right there too).

 

Heard you picked Steamboat. I'm going with my daughter in 2 weeks. She and I both love it there. 400 inches of champagne powder snow! Great kids programs if you are interested. Mine loves the huge mountains and will ski my butt off. Town is nice, food good, very casual and laid back people. Been there many times and still go back for more!

 

The town is about a mile from the ski area. You have to drive into town which is all streched out on the highway/main road thru town. Have to drive from one end to another. You will need to rent a car or take cabs to get around.