Denver/Breckenridge/Summit County

Old Nov 28th, 2015, 08:16 PM
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Denver/Breckenridge/Summit County

We are a family of 4 with 2kids aged 7 and 8 and fly into denver stay 1night, head out to Breckenridge the next day (friday)and fly out Sunday night. We are staying in Summit County on Friday night.

Any suggestions for things to do while there in December? Is Summit county a good choice to stay when we plan to go skiing and tubing in Breckenridge? Should we venture Denver Downtown?
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 03:55 AM
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Breckenridge IS in Summit County. Where are you staying Friday night, if not Breck. And where Thursday night?
Are you all good skieers?
All in all it might be better to go on to the mountains when you fly in.
"Venture" into downtown Denver? Nothing wrong with that.
You have a VERY short time.
Check for having to make reservations for tubing--I assume Breck has it.
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 05:19 AM
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With such a short stay, I'd drive to Summit County Thursday evening.
Where are you staying?
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 08:03 AM
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What are you dates? The big tubing hill is at Copper Mountain. You don't need reservations for tubing. I do not recall any tubing at Breckenridge. From the airport you are two solid hours to Breckenridge with reasonable traffic. However, Sunday afternoon traffic back to Denver from the mountains can easily double that time and,a little snow, will make it longer. With you very short time and travel times it is either Denver or Breckenridge.

We need more details to make sense of your travel plans. What exactly are plans relative to skiing, tubing, etc.
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 08:12 AM
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I meant to add. Unless it is very late arrival on Thursday, the smart thing to do would be going to Breckenridge. If you go up on Friday AM you will be lucky to get a half day at Breck. If you stay anywhere near the airport you will have a traffic problem in the morning getting across Denver on I-70. Then when you get to Breck, mostly likely you will be unable to checkin till the afternoon so don't know where you would change to ski clothes unless you do it before you leave Denver. It will take time to fit and rent boots and skis because I assume you are not bring your own skis.

Reserving skis on line is a good idea to speed up the process. If you go the night before, traffic will be lighter, easier to check in, and pick up you gear so you are ready to roll in the morning.
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 09:13 AM
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Have you considered flying in to Salt Lake City for such a short trip? It's a 30 min drive from the airport to any of 7 major ski areas. Might be a lot easier for a long weekend.
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 10:10 AM
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But, it will be more expensive and a longer flight coming from the east or southern part of the US. So SLC might not be a better option.
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 04:07 PM
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How can you possibly guarantee it would be more expensive?
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 04:38 PM
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Simple, unless there is a promotion or strange routing it generally costs more to fly the further your fly direct.

For example - mid-Jan, lowest direct flights

Difference NY to Den or SLC is $119, from Miami $106, and from Atlanta $267. I would call that more expensive plus the additional time.
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 07:46 PM
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Our flight arrives on thursday to denver at 11:30pm so thats why we are heading out to Summit city Friday morning. we are not great skiiers. For the kids it will be their first time. We are staying at a hotel in Summit city so are open to any of the ski resorts. Would like to take kids to ski and tubing and make snowmen. Which ski resort would you recommend when our hotel is in summit city? We are not bringing our own skis and plan to rent. Our flight leaves out from Denver on Sunday night at 9pm.
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 08:19 PM
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There is no Summit City. It's Summit County. So where exactly are you staying?
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 08:34 PM
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i must of mistyped. We are staying at Comfort suites in dillon,colorado.
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Old Nov 30th, 2015, 03:05 AM
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For one real day, skiing is not really a time or cost effective situation for any of you.
Dillon is in the sort of middle of Summit County ski areas. You could go on to Copper Mountain (maybe 20 minutes) and do some tubing.
Keystone ski area is 15 minutes from Dillon and there is a cross country ski area there that perhaps the kids could build some snow men.
Where are you coming from?
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Old Nov 30th, 2015, 06:31 AM
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Boy, that is a quick trip. Really consider staying in one of the ski towns/resorts, particularly if you are compelled to ski. Each town/resort has its own charm and most offer walkability, while Dillon is more of a modern town. That said, Dillon has a nice brewery and the Silverthorne outlet mall across the highway.

Keep in mind that it will take a little time to get your skis fitted. If the kids haven't skied before, you'll also need to make ski school arrangements. That means a very early Friday a.m., or one day of skiing (Sat.).
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Old Nov 30th, 2015, 07:12 AM
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Comfort Suites is just off I-70 in the Dillon/Silverthorne area. Again, what are your dates???? This could have big impact on your plans. And again --- I agree with Gretchen for the most part you are looking at one day of skiing - on a Saturday that tends to be fairly crowded. You are going to a lot of effort and expense for a day.

Dillon/Silverthorne/Frisco are center to three ski areas - Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper. My recommendation to beginner skiers, especially young kids, is a min of 2.5 days of lessons. The first day you don't learn much more than learning how to get up once you fall down, putting skis on and off, and a very little bit of snowplow. The second day you might get off the bunny slope but probably not. One day in ski or even a day and half will not accomplish much.

But, if you are determined, I would recommended Copper for beginning lessons. They have an excellent ski school program. It is a little smaller area that makes it easier to get around. Rent your skis there. Access off of I-70 is easier but don't miss the exit. The next turn around is 25 miles later in Vail. (I missed it once).

With a 9pm departure you will need to leave the ski area no later than 3 pm just to anticipate traffic congestion on Sunday. And if there is any snow, leave at noon.

Good luck.
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Old Nov 30th, 2015, 07:39 AM
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Meant to add. Staying in Dillon makes you a day skier. There is free bus service from the Dillon area to all the ski areas except that it is a little slow. With your time limits, I would drive. At Copper the parking is free in the outlaying lots and the shuttle is frequent and fairly quick. The pay lots closer in fill up fairly quickly. The only free parking at Breckenridge is the old airport - far away. It has been several years since I skied at Keystone so don't know if all the free lots are still free. You can walk a long ways at Keystone. There has been a trend at the ski areas to convert free parking to paid parking.
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Old Nov 30th, 2015, 09:19 AM
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I agree that this is a drive-by visit to Colorado, with practically no time to relax, much less to ski.

Your kids are so young, that I doubt it will be much fun for them, or for you.

And, I'd never stay at housing like that, right off I-70. Where's the mountain charm in that?

Please re-consider. Come out when you have a week off, and/or when your kids are older.

Just MHO.
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Old Nov 30th, 2015, 10:10 AM
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While the short stay is certainly not ideal, there may be reasons for it. So, if plans are made and not cancellable make the best of it. Copper. Mt. Is probably you're best option. Follow fmpden's advice. Even a day of skiing can be fun. Kids usually pick up on it faster and better than adults. Most kids have a great time even if they don't learn all the basics, or just do the tubing.....a lot less expensive than ski rentals and lessons. BTW. make sure you get a very early start up to Summit County. Traffic can be ( usually is ) horrendous.
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Old Nov 30th, 2015, 11:02 AM
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As fmpden indicated and ht said, Sunday afternoon travel from ski areas to Denver is AWFUL. You cannot underestimate this. Think of every stereotype you've heard about NYC, LA, Houston or similar traffic hells and then consider crawling about at that pace for 4-5 hours. It is horrendous. Made that mistake once, worst and most excruciating drive of my life even though the weather was good (yes, far worse than the drive from DEN to Breck in a blizzard in a rented Altima fitted out with just all-weather tires). If you'd have popped on this board before planning this trip, you'd have been advised to leave on Monday, school for the hobbits be da*ned.
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Old Nov 30th, 2015, 11:46 AM
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It may be slightly better this year. CDOT substantially reworked I-70 from Georgetown to Idaho Springs. The shoulder has been removed and a third toll lane installed. It is a variable pricing toll and have no idea how it will work. There have been rumors that the toll could be as high as $13. The toll lane is not separated so assume a lot of signage so that people do not accidentally get into the toll lane. That section of the road can be a real problem on Sunday pm.

However, for the OP - going up on Friday am should not be a problem once pass Denver.
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