I am planning to go ski Colorado for the first time over MLK weekend. My ski buddy and I are planning on taking Friday, Tuesday, and Wednesday off in order to go out there for 5 consecutive days. We are intermediate skiers and never skied Colorado before, though we have some experiences skiing out West (Alta, Solitude, Snowbird, Jackson Hole). While I would like to ski everything a mountain has to offer, realistically, we'll probably stick mostly to groomers but would like to try some glade skiing for the first time.
I recently bought a Snowshoe season pass (took advantage of their $199.99 deal last season) so we're looking forward to going to Snowshoe as often as we can this season. They also have a "Colorado Boost" option that allows me to purchase a 5-day lift ticket to Winter Park. How does that resort sound for what we're looking for? Unfortunately, my buddy doesn't have a Snowshoe season pass, is there anyway to score cheap lift tickets (other than Liftopia)?
If we were to rent a car, are there any nearby resorts (~1 hour drive) that we can check out if we want variety? I see that Loveland is kind of close to Winter Park...are there any other ones I'm missing? We're also looking into checking in at the Iron Horse. Any skiers here that can vouch or suggest a better lodging situation?
Thanks in advance! I am hoping for a great season!
Darwin
It's been many years since I've been to Winter Park, but I think that's a fine choice. It's the closest major resort to Denver (I can't think of any other "big" ski areas nearby; most of the I-70 ones like Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Vail, etc. would probably be at least a couple hours away from Winter Park). Winter Park has a lot of terrain and plenty of intermediate options. I remember having fun skiing down from Parsenn Bowl into the trees; that provided some accessible glade skiing for intermediates. I do recall Winter Park having some annoying "run outs" where you might end up cross-country skiing if you don't plan your routes carefully or keep your speed up. I stayed at Iron Horse Resort which was one of the few ski-in, ski-out properties (at least at the time). I thought it was nice, but I can't vouch for how it's aged over the years -- this was over a dozen years ago, I'm afraid. Winter Park wasn't really "built up" like some of the other Colorado ski resorts, which was good and bad. It doesn't have the "character" or heart of a place like Steamboat Springs, but it does have a big mountain with lots of skiing and generally excellent ski conditions. On a weekend it could get crowded with lots of visitors from Denver, since Denver is so close.
Long time since I skied Winter Park. I recall:
- the road there went over the Continental Divide and was a bit of a challenge
- lot of long blue groomers
- plenty of tree skiing
-way too many moguls for me in Mary Jane terrain area
- pleasant base area
Of the CO areas my favorite is Vail, albeit very expensive (esp lift tickets). Some reasonable accommodations exist such as Holiday Inn. Great bus system to get you to slopes and around the town. Great groomed tree skiing in Blue Skye Bowl, you name it and Vail surely has it including the Back Bowls. Van service from airport to town, won't need a car. Reminder to keep tabs on weather no matter what area you choose as a snowstorm can cause massive delays on routes to the ski areas and can result in missed flights. Flying directly to CO ski areas can be more costly than via Denver. CO is not Utah when it comes to airport-to-ski slopes convenience. Consider flying in Thursday evening & staying in inexpensive motel that night, helps with altitude acclimation.
The Colonel
J
For me, I
Winter Park should work well for your plans. Besides Liftopia, I think Shell gas stations in CO offer vouchers for buy one-get one free tickets at WP with $10 gas purchase, but double check me on that. Loveland is only ~15 mile detour at about the halfway point on the route from Denver to WP so it might be good to hit on first or last day. If you use the DCSki search box for "holiday fun Colorado" you'll find a ten year old trip report I did that discusses both ski areas.
Let me know if you see any good airfare sales to Denver or SLC. Rates seem to be steeper than a Mary Jane mogul run this fall:-)
Thanks for the advice. I read both Scott's and Jim's awesome trip reports. Loveland sounds like a cool place. If we have time, we'll definitely check it out!
The cheapest airfare I've found so far is $350.00 over MLK weekend on Southwest. Not exactly cheap, but airfare hasn't been dropping lately :(
I'll be sure to post a trip report once we get back from the trip.
Darwin
Hey Darwin, based on what you said, Winter Park would be a good choice. It has a nice variety of terrain. If you feel that you are skiing well, jump ofver to the Mary Jane side for a challenge. I won't elaborate further because others already have.
The drive from Winter Park to Loveland is a little over an hour -- if the roads are clear. If the roads are snow covered -- well you're going to cross Berthoud Pass -- going down hill. Be ready for the challenge. Perhaps a better option would be Eldora, which from Winter Park, is the opposite direction. It is closer to Winter Park and easier to get to. Both Loveland and Eldora are not "name" areas so they are liekly to be a bit less crowded.
Winter Park and Eldora do offer a "4 Pacs" that gives you 4 days of skiing for $159 and $149 respectively, but I think you already have to have had one to buy one on line. Loveland offers one, too.
http://www.skicolorado.com/four-pass.aspx
http://www.eldora.com/tickets.4pass2013.html
Local Denver food stores (Saleway, King Soopers) normally have discount lift tickets for sale. I'll be at Keystone for it's opening on Friday, and, after I get back, I'll post what I see at the stores in terms of what lift tickets they have to offer.________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Update:
I arrived in Denver yesterday, and checked a King Soopers. The store had not yet posted any of it's lift ticket deals. I'll check again around Thanksgiving.
So we just booked our trip over MLK weekend. We're flying in on Saturday and then flying out on Wednesday. We're trying to get acclimated to the altitude on Saturday, when it'll most likely be busy, and then ski Sunday - Wednesday morning. We're looking into catching a shutte to and from DIA so we won't be renting a car.
Bob - Thanks for looking out for cheap tickets. Have fun at Keystone! I heard it's a great resort with pretty good slopeside options available!
