universitylad

Hi fellow Fodorites:
I'll be attending a conference in Denver the first week of March. I will have a few mornings and afternoons off and also would like to take a trip out to the mountains, perhaps on a weekend day.

I would like love to try skiing and would likely rent equipment, but could I rent ski clothing as well such as snow pants?

I've read about the Ski Train that leaves from Denver..is there enough time to get equipment rented and ski and get back to Denver in one day?

What would renting a car be like and driving in the winter?

What restaurants and activities do you enjoy in Denver? So far I am thinking about attending the Denver Mint....are there good museums or historical homes you recommend touring?

sylvia3

ARt Museum, Museum of Nature and Science, History Museum, Molly Brown HOuse ( I think the Mint is boring, but that's just MO).
Ski Train to Winter Park would leave you time to rent equipment at the area and ski (that's the idea, after all).
Driving a car: could be bone-dry roads and sunshine, could be horrible blizzard!
Lots of restaurants, movies, shopping, bars, clubs etc. in pedestrian mall (16th Street)(just east of Convention Center and extending for many blocks--free bus) and Lodo environs (a few blocks south of center).
Renting ski clothes? Not a clue!

universitylad

What other outdoor stuff is there to do in Winter Park? I read about snowshowing. Shopping?

fmpden

The Winter Park runs only on the weekend -- goes early in the AM and returns late PM. I think during March it goes to a more frequent schedule but goggle Denver Ski Train for exact schedule.

It is difficult for a rank beginner to try skiing for one day. My recommendation is that you need at least a day and half of lessons just to get started. I not aware of anyplace that rents ski clothing. You don't need a lot of specialized clothing to start. You can by with what you probably have unless your are coming from Florida. March weather is generally mild. That is why we call it Spring Skiing.

Dress in light layers if can. Long under, maybe sweat pants, an over pants like a nylon jog gear. Pretreat with a water repellant would be useful. A sweater, sweat shift and a wind breaker with stocking cap and groves should handle it. If you want to give it a try, use Loveland at the base of Eisenhower tunnel. It is an hour west of Denver, easy drive, and a small ski area. In the mid of the week they will be glad to see you and give you all kinds of attention. It is more convenient, cheaper, and easier to use than driving further into the mountains. And that taste of skiing will be exactly the same as driving all the way to Vail.

The vast majority of the time roads in March are clear and dry with no problems. Just watch the weather reports. We could have a half dozen days when travel is marginal but it just the luck of the draw. Don't worry about it,

If you have never been to a mint, the mint is interesting. If staying at a downtown hotel for your conference you will not need a car until you decided to drive to the mountains. All of the downtown attractions can be reached by free public transportation and a little walking.

With over 70 restaurants in the LoDo (Lower Downtown) area it difficult to make a recommendation with more information. Most are good, a few terrific. Depends on what you like and the size of your wallet.

At that time year you also could rent a bike and take advantage of the many miles of trails lacing through the downtown area.

If that generates for question, ask 'em.

universitylad

Thanks for the information so far. We're not superbeginner skiers having skied on the hills in the midwest for years, so I think we'd be fine on the beginner/intermediate hills for a day. I think I'll pack some ski pants along and try to dress in layers. I think we may rent a car or try the ski train if it has openings on the days we can go.

Any information on great independent (non-Starbucks) coffee houses would be great too. A coffee-loving friend is attending as well.

As for restaurants, I'd say I go for "foodie" type places, but I don't have a huge wallet. I'd prefer to spend about 20-40 per person without drinks, though maybe splurge one night or two. Places with creative type foods with an emphasis on fresh/local ingredients would be great. A taste of what the locals like to eat would be great too.

fmpden

The Ski Train is running Fri, Sat and Sun and on March 6th, Thursday is added to the schedule till the end of March. Thur and Fri are pretty light so you could catch either day. The web site is http://www.skitrain.com/winter.html.

If you want a quick ski hit and no lessons, I still suggestion Loveland for one day, midweek. After I would suggest Copper Mt. It has better and little easier set up for day skiers. Keystone and Breakenridge would also be a possibility but the resorts are bigger and bit more complicated for day skiers. I am sure someone will argue how wrong I am.

As far as local food goes, about the only thing truly local is Rocky Mt oysters and Lamp Chops. The Buckhorn Exchange does have oysters along with a wild game menu. It is our oldest restaurant in Denver, has a colorful history and we often take out of door visitors there just for the history. I like the Wazee Supper Club for a very good and inexpensive meal -- great pizza there. The Capital Grill and Elway's are the premier steak house with prices to match. I think Capital is better but others will argue for Elway's. An Elway's has recently opened in the LoDo area. Rioja and Panzano are excellent Italian. Vesta Dipping Grill is great place and a little different. Limes is a nice Mexican restaurant and Crocs is fun Mexican, almost sports bar. The above are all in the downtown area. A little further away is Sushi Sasa if you are into Japanese and sushi -- none better --- anywhere -- period !! A short cab ride out of the downtown area is 20+ year institution -- Strings !!!! If you have that car or are coming back from skiing, the Fort is great restaurants with a view to match overlooking the city.

I am sure others will have some suggestions and disagreements. Good luck

sylvia3

Loveland is a very good option, if you drive (free parking, cheaper tickets). The ski train is very expensive, but Winter Park is a good intermediate/beginner area.

universitylad

Thanks for all the advice:

For restaurants:
I did enjoy the Mexican restaurant LIME on Larimer. While their mexican fare was standard, I found their complimentary tortilla chips and salsa to be some of the best I've tasted.

I would recommend the paired restaurants of Mizuna
and Luca d'Italia. Check out their changing menus onlne. They are about a five dollar cab ride or 6-8 block walk from the Marriott. Both worthwhile.

Osteria Marco on Larimer serves great italian style (thin) individual pizzas and great meats and cheeses. I actually ate there twice...once for lunch and once for dinner.

My friend really liked Aix restaurant. I liked Mizuna better but he felt the opposite.

universitylad

The Marriott City Center worked well location wise. It was 3.5 blocks from the Convention center. They have nice bedding with down comforters and high thread count sheets. They have the Bath and Body works ammenities but did not provide mouthwash. The fitness facility is nice with a lot of cardio equipment. There is a pool with coed whirlpool, sauna, and steam. However, both the pool and whirlpool where very shallow. It was little hard to swim laps.

One feature I really enjoyed was a large jug of ice water packed with citrus slices that was placed in the lobby on many days.

One can print boarding passes for free in the lobby.

universitylad

Denver International Airport (DIA) has free wirless internet!

fmpden

Universitylad, I am glad you enjoyed your stay and things worked out to your satisfaction. I am always a little surprised at what people like and dislike. In all of my years of travel, I have never paid any attention to thread count. Not sure I could recognize a high thread count sheet .

Did you ski? I just came back from a week in Utah.

universitylad

Where did you ski in Utah?

No, I did not ski while in Denver. I ended up getting a cold while at the conference and didn't feel up to it on the weekend.

I did take the Bus to Boulder on Saturday. It was nice city to walk around in for a few hours.

fmpden

I have a group of friends, associates, etc., that have skied together during the first week of March for 29 years. For the past six years it has been Park City/Deer Valley but I think we will go to Jackson Hole next year. Generally not a big fan of Park City area but it was very good this year with a ton snow. Too bad about your cold. Our conditions in Colorado this year has been excellent.