kelsta78

I am following up from my previous post about a Christmas destination for my family next year and would just like some opinions on my options.

I have been shopping around for a condo to rent. I have found one in Breckenridge that I really like (after searching through ALOT of them). I have just had a look at condos in Steamboat. Basically we can save $1000 on accommodation by staying in Steamboat (not a ski in/out property obviously but still a nice condo convenient to everything). So here are the pros and cons for me. We will be taking the airport shuttle to either of these destinations, not hiring a car (no snow driving experience), and the price is not much different to get to either place. Another thing to note is we will probably only ski 1 or 2 of the days we are there, we are not going just to ski but to experience a white Christmas. Our kids are young 3 and 6.

Breckenridge

Pros - Easy to get to from Denver
Great shopping and restaurants downtown
We can day trip to other areas and outlet shops in Silverthorne (shopping very appealing)
Cons - altitude (have had altitude sickness before - not nice), very busy

Steamboat

Pros - altitude, laid back atmosphere, hot springs, seems very family friendly, cheaper accommodation
Cons - getting there will take longer

Anything else I should consider between these two destinations?

Thanks!

happytrailstoyou

I've visited both places during summer months and I recall Steamboat as being more appealing. I hope others have more specific details.

HTtY

HappyTrvlr

I lke both areas and you really can't wrong with either one..However...Steamboat's downtown has a more western feeling to it but as you mentioned, it's a longer drive.
Breckenridge is attractive with many more options nearby. With little kids, I would choose Breckenridge.

padams421

I might have recommended Breck, but given that it's a Christmas trip, definitely Steamboat. Steamboat will have less day skier traffic from the Denver area. breck will be more crowded. Steamboat also usually has some of the best early season snowfall of any resort. Breck won't have as much of its terrain open. Finally, my kids had a great ski school experience at Steamboat. Have a great trip.

kelsta78

We are going mostly the week before Christmas, departing on the 26th if that changes anything?

musicfan

If this helps...the city of Steamboat runs a free city bus service about 20 hours a day. We were there a couple of years ago without a car and were able to get pretty much anywhere we wanted to go. I also like the more laid-back atmosphere there. And it's gorgeous and I think they get fabulous snow.

fmpden

Are you sure you want to spend about four hours with a 3 and 6 years old in an airport shuttle van getting to Steamboat. And longer if weather is bad. You have to go over at least one mountain pass. Breck is pretty dead during the run up to Christmas. With Christmas on Tues the crowd will not show up till the weekend before so the first few days would be very low. If you are not skiing then the ski traffic will not any difference to you.

fmpden

I was a little surprised by your comment about equal cost to Breck and Steamboat given the differences in distances and the use of an airport shuttle to Steamboat since I was unaware of any shuttle service to Steamboat. But assume you had better information.

I just check Colorado Mountain Express which is the main shuttle service to Summit Cty and even as far as Aspen. No shuttle to Steamboat. So who are you using?

musicfan

Yes, there is a shuttle service from the Denver airport to Steamboat--we used it for our trip a couple of years ago. I don't know if this is who the OP is using, but this is who we used:

http://goalpine.com/

fmpden

You are correct. Since I rarely go to Steamboat, a shuttle was not high on my list. With four departures the schedule is limited and it is still a four hour ride. Breck would still be my choice. If the cost difference is important and you don't plan to ski a lot, I would consider something in Frisco. It is the hub of the county free bus system and you would still have good access to Breckenridge, Copper, and Keystone without a car. And there is a low cost bus service to Vail which is very pretty at that time of year.

biny

You can't go wrong with either destination. Yes, Steamboat is a longer drive from Denver, but the reward is a less busy mountain. Not sure where you are flying from, but you might also compare flights to Steamboat (Hayden) as well.

PeaceOut

I would choose Steamboat, hands down. Because I don't enjoy Summit County and its over-development and fake 'mountain suburban' feeling. Blech.

Steamboat is more an authentic Colorado town, with real residents, in a gorgeous wide open setting. Since your kids are so young, you really don't need a lot of activities besides snow and a hill. No outlet mall there (thank goodness).

musicfan

Our trip to Steamboat two years ago was my only experience there, but I loved the town--PeaceOut pretty much nails my impression of it.

happytrailstoyou

Agree with PeaceOut 100% and the drive to Steamboat is spectacular, too.

HTtY

mrssparky

I too agree with PeaceOut. I would choose Steamboat.

Barblab

Funny, I just assumed the OP was flying into Hayden if going to Steamboat. We did that on a direct flight and the airport shuttle was a snap.

Both are great but based solely on the fact you have had altitude sickness I would pick Steamboat. If you do choose Breck then be sure to ask what the altitude is at the place you are staying. I went to Breck several times with a group of friends, staying at one of their homes that was at 11,500 feet. Someone got altitude sickness every year. No fun for them!

Skiing is such a great family vacation, have fun!

kelsta78

Flights into Hayden just seem really expensive. But I will price them again in the new year when they are released as maybe the cheaper flights have already been booked out. i looked at this years prices and it was very expensive (add at least $1000 to our budget). When you are flying 4 people it's never cheap to fly. Whereas the shuttle service is only about $100 extra. The extra time in a bus doesn't bother me at all, my kids are used to big drives now.

The biggest draw to Steamboat for me was saving the $$$ on accommodation and the western vibe of the town.

And I am concerned about altitude sickness. I got sick when we went to Estes Park and RMNP a few years back. But in one day we drove from the middle of Kansas straight up there. But I was also pregnant at the time which wouldn't have helped. It didn't affect my husband at all. So I don't want to NOT go to Breckenridge only because of altitude. And thinking back I was only sick for 24 hours or so. This time we would be smarter and stay in Denver a couple of nights to adjust. I love the look of Breckenridge, especially how pretty it is done up at Christmas time. I did price a nice condo in Frisco also that could save us alot of money. Just thinking I would be dissappointed if we stayed there and not in Breckenridge itself.

It's a hard decision but I appreciate all your opinions as it all helps!!!

happytrailstoyou

I love the look of Breckenridge, especially how pretty it is done up at Christmas time.

Perhaps the glitter is there to confuse you. 

HTtY

PeaceOut

Steamboat will be 'done up' at Christmas time, too.

BTW, some doctors I know cringe at the idea of skiing at Breckenridge. It has a reputation in medical circles, for significant skier injuries, even deaths. Probably because it gets lots of inexperienced skiers on crowded runs.

musicfan

Our trip to Steamboat was right after Christmas (January 5th-10th) and yes, it was beautiful, especially near the ski runs--there were little white lights everywhere. It snowed several times during our stay--so pretty!