Skiing.... lil help

Bring the rock skis!

Seriously, depending on the natural snowfall, you're kind of limited when you're looking for early season skiing. By Thanksgiving, you might (and I say that with a wince) be alright. However, the consistent early opener is Keystone (otherwise known as "Skistones"). They can be consistent because they blow so much snow. Essentially, they open one or maybe only two runs (and there's lots of debris coming through). Skistones is usually open by the end of October.

At least some of the other resort areas will likely have something open by Thanksgiving, too. Your comment about the airport is a red herring, though. First, I assume that you're talking about Eagle Vail and not DIA (as DIA isn't small). However, they fly 767s into Eagle. Eagle has full instrumentation. I'd say Aspen is really more of a "small" mountain airport. It's dangerous, too, and many pilots don't like to fly in there. They're puddlehoppers or private jets mostly going in and out of there.

You should consider Vail or Beaver Creek, too. It's easier access from Eagle/Vail airport 25 minutes, or so. Better restaurants. Possibly more for the kids and family to do (assuming there will be some and the snow's not so good). You can fly through Chicago (United and American, I think) on a 767. It's more expensive than Breck or the other Summit County resorts, but it may be worth it.

If you need any recommendations, please let us know.

CW

 

Well, it's kind of a long trip no matter how you do it, unless you're going private. However, probably the shortest time period from the time you leave your door on the EC to being in your hotel room (or on the slopes), given the direct to DIA, is probably the puddle jumper to Eagle Vail and you drive back only as far as Beaver Creek. Understand that assumes that there's not much of a layover in DIA waiting for the puddle jumper and that the weather cooperates. That said, I fly into DIA and have our houseman pick me up. Longer drive to Vail (90 miles from Denver, not DIA, to Vail by car, and I've been in a 30+ car pile up), but it's not too bad (usually under 2 hours. The Summit exits off I70 are about 30 minutes closer to Denver on I70 (but then you'll have to get off on county roads to get to Breck or Keystone). If driving from DIA, you might consider Copper, as it's not as far as Vail on I70. More convenient to I70, but beyond Breck and Keystone. Copper doesn't really have the world class amenities and restaurants that you'd probably appreciate and is more of a Denver day skier destination.

That said, Beav is probably a better choice than Vail due to all the construction in Vail. Much of the town is torn up. The Sonnenalp is still open, as is the Lodge. Both are well regarded, but Vail is a mess. Lionshead, too. The Beav may be less annoying in that regard, but I think the majority of the Vail Associates' resources are directed at Vail.

CW

 

Why would you fly out of DIA into Eagle, then drive to Breckenridge? That makes no sense and adds about 2 hours to your day. Fly into DIA, rent a car, drive to Breck. It's an easy drive out I-70, and is about 70 miles DIA to Breck. If you go ahead and fly into Eagle, just stay in Vail. It's still about a 20 mile drive from there though.

Get out a map, take a look.

 

For Thanksgiving...Utah is the only choice that makes sense....furthermore there are 7 resorts within 35 min of the airport.

you really ought to come check out the best snow on earth.

ccr

 

I was thinking of posting almost the same thing as I was scrolling down the thread. Utah typically gets snow at Thanksgiving time.

 

I would recommend skipping Breckenridge. Even though it is owned by Vail Resorts, there snow making abilities are not nearly on par with Vail and Beaver Creek. At the time of the year you are looking at coming, snow making ability is crucial.

Snow conditions will be good above 9200 ft at least. Water reserves are massive thanks to the record amounts of snow that we had last year. The only thing that might hamper the snow making is if temperature does not maintain, and it stays to warm/could for the blowers to work efficiently.

You could luck out and end up flying in to the freak snow we had last year, the whole front side of the mountain was open, and I'm pretty sure Game Creek Bowel was even open by mid November.

Vail/Lionshead do look like a mess right now. If part of the reason your family is coming is to walk around and gawk, then do stay at the Beav. If you're only coming to ski, just stay it Vail. Who cares what the skyline looks like, you'll have fist chair, which is the only thing that ever really matters.

The easiest thing would be to fly in to DIA and take a privet plane to the Eagle County Air Port. After that, its a half hour drive to the Beav or Vail (the Beav is only about five minutes away on I70 from Vail) or you might, maybe, it could be worth looking in to, be able to schedule a helo to take you from the ECAP to the Vail Medical center (the only helo pad in the valley). If they even let you do it, it will not be cheap.

Utah has been said, and while I do think it has the best back country/helo drop skiing in the lower forty eight, I'm not a fan of the resorts themselves. I'm picky, I grew up on Vail champagne powder, its hard to go to anything else after.

 

I stayed at Copper Mountain. It was really nice, and also stayed in Keystone and went to Abasin & Loveland. I spent the most time at Loveland. You can ski at all three if your in the area.

 

I think Copper has a great village, its nice to be at a resort that has a real street plan, I hate it when I have a reservation for dinner and can't even find the street that the restaurant is on.

The mountain there is fun, but isn't very challenging, and can get very very clustered by people that don't know what the hell they are doing (which is why I refuse to ever go back to Aspen).

You're with in driving distance of a lot of other resorts as well, and if you're going to be out here for two weeks or more, that's a great asset. Even if you're staying some place that is all inclusive, it gets pretty boring fast. Its good to have options.

 

Whatever you decide, stay off of I70 around any winter weekend or holiday. You will sit in traffic for hours. Try to come early and stay late over a holiday weekend, or drive up midweek on a normal weekend.

The I70 traffic is why we now ski Steamboat Springs.

ps - Steamboat has direct flights to Hayden Airport(a short shuttle drive from the ski area/town)

Mark

 

Come to Utah, drop by Harris Imports on the way back from the airport...only 5 minutes and then stay at The Cliff Lodge at Snowbird. Everything is first rate if not plush. The skiing is incredible...people often can't believe the terrain accessible from the TRAM. Just up the road five minutes is one of the purest skiing experiences one can have conveniently...ALTA. You can even grad a PowderBirds day of heliskiing right from snowbird.

One day you can drop over to the other canyon and ski Deer Valley (this is the nicest place to stay...if food, convenience and accomodations, and groomed runs are your priorities) or Park City. Over Thanksgiving...the world cup has its season opening usually at Park City and it's fun to see the races and partake in some of the celebrations.

If you come...and the weather is nice...i'll come get you and we'll take a spin in the stradale or carrera gt up and down Little Cottonwood Canyon where Snowbird is....it's one of the greatest roads around...our middle of the night playrun.

After going to Vail a couple of times and making that drive from Denver...I can't understand why anyone goes there over Utah.
ccr

 

Copper is a great place to ski for a family. I take mine there pretty much every year. The mountain is basically divided into 3 different areas based on terrain. The East side has the most difficult stuff, the middle is mostly blue runs, and the West is the bunny mountain. There are different varieties of runs on each hill, but you can look at a trail map and see what I'm talking about. It's great for me because I can drop my kids on the East side, head to the bowls, and still hook up with them for less challenging runs.

If you like the restaurants and nightlife, Vail would be a much better bet with Breckenridge next in line.

I grew up in CO and spent countless days at Breck, so I still have a soft spot for the place, but I don't ski there much any more. I guess I vote with my wallet.

 

If you want to go a bit further away for some skiing........

Try Tamarack Resort in Idaho, about 2 hours north of Boise. I've skiied (spell check) many places around Montana/Idaho (BigSky,Moonlight,BogusBasin,SunValley,Brundage,Tamarack, others) and this place is my favorite, the runs are well planned and breathtaking. There are some amazing terrain parks as well.
It has one the the best rafting rivers in the world right next door for the summer, as well as a brand new golf course. Also if you're looking into a good property venture, it's a great opportunity. Don't take my word for it though, my parents bought a piece of property up there two years ago and it's more than doubled in value.
visit the website. It's a brand new resort (four years old since the first lift was running.)

http://www.tamarackidaho.com

 

How about Red Lodge Montana (fly into Billings) and about a two hour drive? Or maybe Park City / Deer Valley Utah (about 45 minutes from Salt Lake City Airport)? It is a little less rocky in Utah so early season skiing may be less prone to debris.
BT

 

Opens Thanksgiving Day.
Airport 5 min away.
World class restaurants and nightlife.
That's why I live here.

 

All these mts have anual snowfall reports you can look at and make your decision. Mammoth mtn Cali is always my first Tgiving trip. 90% of the time great snow fresh but never powder. Utah salt lake resorts have always been a consistent producer by Tgiving. Colo is iffy. But if you are renting skiis who cares. For me I've always had the best times in co. late jan early feb.

 

Tahoe rocks

 

LetsJet

If you're still thinking Colorado for T-Day, you may be in luck. It's been snowing like crazy already in the high-country. Looking out my window this morning at the solid white peaks on the divide now.

Board member told me last night she was up in Summit county and it is all white and they're already hiking and skiing Loveland pass and A-basin.

Options & quick comments:
Skiing all depends on you're skiing ability and the families ability. eating and night life. Condos are condos just about anywhere you go. They're all nice. Taking second flight to resort is choice made on timing. Not a lot of heli's in/out of mountains for travel. Sight seeing yes, but I've not heard from my pilot friends much about helis.

Copper - good all round mountain. Has "some" tough terrain, but as was mentioned, good for all levels. Close drive and could stay in Summit country rather than at mountain. Not a lot of night-life. Frisco - small quaint town, decent restaraunts, no night life. The "other" ski resorts, Keystone, Breck, A-basin etc... are usually not ready for T-day skiing, lots of rocks. A-basin is difficult terrain this time of year, no resort, have to drive. Breck, could be okay, but it's a freezer no matter time of year. Okay terrain, some tough stuff. Summit is best area for driving from DIA, but stay away on Sat mornings and especially Sunday evenings. Drive Fri night and Mond morn or any other weekday in/out.

Vail - awesome terrain, great back-bowls, good night life, decent all round. 3 to 4 hour drive from DIA depending on weather. Good weather, it's a great drive and you go right by Copper. Could even take a day at Copper from Vail if desire. Eagle county flight with lay-over about the same really. Driving gets you in the mountains and great sites. Small airport and still 45 minutes west of Vail. Small rental car area. If you drive, same applies. Avoid weekend traffic.

Aspen - the best all-round with many resorts in the roaring forks valley besides just Aspen mountain. Great airport and 5 minutes from town. Has everything, night life, eats, great boutique hotels to high-rise condos. Expect to spend lots of $$$.

Steamboat, no way to drive from DIA, long boring drive. Fly in, but it adds to travel time. Drawback, not a lot of great views. It's "okay", but nothing like rest of CO. However, it has awesome skiing. Powder, terrain etc... if you don't care about views, SB is your place. Very country town feel. Okay nightlife and great resorts. Skiers resort.

My recommendation. Consider in order. Vail, Aspen, Copper(Summit) and lastly, Steamboat.

Hope this helps.
Shane (PS... I'm Pres of Board of SKI team and reports are coming in every day on snow and what a great potential season this could be.)

 

As long as there is a good snow base, on top of which they will be blowing man made snow, Breckenridge is a good, even great place to go. I think of it as a mini Vail. Lot's of different types of terain and the town is kind of fun.

Depending on how long you are there, you should have no need to go anywhere else, but as you stated, there are several other ski areas within 15-20 minutes of Breck.

You should have a great time. Just pray for snow.

-F