Where to snowboard in Colorado with a beginner and intermediate
Jun 11th, 2013, 09:42 AM
#1
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Where to snowboard in Colorado with a beginner and intermediate
My wife and I are heading to Colorado this winter for a 6 week snowboarding adventure. She is a definite beginner and I am an intermediate snowboarder. She has only snowboarded on the east coast and feels comfortable with very basic carving (she has learned to carve quite nicely on the east coast ICE so I keep telling her the Colorado powder will be amazing). I've snowboarded Tahoe all my life and spent a season in Jackson Hole. Haven't been out west in 5 years though.
We have found some houses in Winterpark, Breck, and Steamboat that we like but can't decide on a location.
We have heard the following about each but don't know what to believe:
Winterpark is best for advanced skiiers. Easy to get to from Denver but can be boring.
Breckenridge is good for all because its big, but can be scary for beginners because of the big crowds on the slopes, easy to get to and lots to do when you aren't skiing.
Steamboat is great for beginners, can be boring for the more advanced but is the hardest destination to get to.
ANY AND ALL ADVICE WOULD BE GREAT!!
We have found some houses in Winterpark, Breck, and Steamboat that we like but can't decide on a location.
We have heard the following about each but don't know what to believe:
Winterpark is best for advanced skiiers. Easy to get to from Denver but can be boring.
Breckenridge is good for all because its big, but can be scary for beginners because of the big crowds on the slopes, easy to get to and lots to do when you aren't skiing.
Steamboat is great for beginners, can be boring for the more advanced but is the hardest destination to get to.
ANY AND ALL ADVICE WOULD BE GREAT!!
Jun 11th, 2013, 12:52 PM
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For 6 weeks, I'd recommend staying in Frisco and getting the Epic local pass, which will allow unlimited boarding at Breck, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin, along with 10 days at a combination of Vail and Braver Creek. That's what we did for our 5 week trip last year and are going to do this coming winter for 6 weeks.
To me, any single area would get boring if I skied only there for weeks at a time.
To me, any single area would get boring if I skied only there for weeks at a time.
Jun 12th, 2013, 08:02 AM
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Abram's suggestion is solid. Not sure where you are getting your information but it is lacking.
Have never thought of Winter Park as being best for advance skiers. Just the opposite if I have to pick one. There is some decent advance terrain but lots of beginner stuff. The drawback is that it is kind of by itself and a long drive to any other slopes.
Breckenridge is a big mountain offering a wide range of terrain. It can be crowded on weekends, especially in March, but it handles crowds pretty well. If you are going to be there six weeks, use the weekends for relaxing. Weekday crowds, other than mid March, are very small. Breck has the advantage of being connected via free bus to Copper and Keystone. Keystone is an excellent large area with some good advance areas.
The Breckenridge/Frisco area is about 30 minutes from Vail and 45 mins from the Beaver Creek complex which provides a wide range of skiing opportunities and activities.
A lot of people rave about Steamboat but I am not one. The ski is very good but it is really off by itself. I would consider the Aspen/Snowmass area before Steamboat. Don't know if Aspen has lifted their ban on snowboarding on Ajax. I believe they have but it needs to be double checked.
What is your time frame?
If I was going to park for six weeks it would be Breckenridge or perhaps Frisco.
Have never thought of Winter Park as being best for advance skiers. Just the opposite if I have to pick one. There is some decent advance terrain but lots of beginner stuff. The drawback is that it is kind of by itself and a long drive to any other slopes.
Breckenridge is a big mountain offering a wide range of terrain. It can be crowded on weekends, especially in March, but it handles crowds pretty well. If you are going to be there six weeks, use the weekends for relaxing. Weekday crowds, other than mid March, are very small. Breck has the advantage of being connected via free bus to Copper and Keystone. Keystone is an excellent large area with some good advance areas.
The Breckenridge/Frisco area is about 30 minutes from Vail and 45 mins from the Beaver Creek complex which provides a wide range of skiing opportunities and activities.
A lot of people rave about Steamboat but I am not one. The ski is very good but it is really off by itself. I would consider the Aspen/Snowmass area before Steamboat. Don't know if Aspen has lifted their ban on snowboarding on Ajax. I believe they have but it needs to be double checked.
What is your time frame?
If I was going to park for six weeks it would be Breckenridge or perhaps Frisco.
Jun 12th, 2013, 08:37 AM
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And as I am sure you know, the snow will be MUCH different here than back East. I suggest your wife take some lessons when here, as 36" + of powder is quite unlike the icy conditions she may be used to in the East.
Jun 12th, 2013, 09:12 AM
#7
I think Aspen has it all including lessons and beginner slopes.
http://www.aspensnowmass.com/en/the-power-of-four
For getting there, I like riding the California Zephyr to Glenwood Springs. There is a good bus service between Glenwood Springs and Aspen.
http://www.aspensnowmass.com/en/the-power-of-four
For getting there, I like riding the California Zephyr to Glenwood Springs. There is a good bus service between Glenwood Springs and Aspen.
Jun 12th, 2013, 10:11 AM
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Our extended family in CO has just bought a house in Frisco where we spent a week this winter. I am totally in love with that little town that has EVERYTHING and is an easy 10 minute drive on I70 to Copper Mountain--or you can ride the free shuttle bus between Frisco and Copper. It is also very near Breck, Keystone, and over the "hill" to Vail.
Our grands are all snowboarders (as is one DS when he goes with them) and the terrain seems great. While we were there there was a HUGE national snowboarder competition.
The mountain base is nice--and accessible without wearing yourself out getting places.
I would really recommend Frisco for that prolonged length of time for the variety of things and places you could go.
There are plenty of discount tickets available for Copper and their season pass would probably pay off for you--it goes on sale in the fall maybe?
I hope both OPs are planning on lessons!!
Our grands are all snowboarders (as is one DS when he goes with them) and the terrain seems great. While we were there there was a HUGE national snowboarder competition.
The mountain base is nice--and accessible without wearing yourself out getting places.
I would really recommend Frisco for that prolonged length of time for the variety of things and places you could go.
There are plenty of discount tickets available for Copper and their season pass would probably pay off for you--it goes on sale in the fall maybe?
I hope both OPs are planning on lessons!!
Jun 12th, 2013, 10:14 AM
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I guess clarifying one of my statements, I would not stay at a ski area (like Vail, Keystone, etc.)per se for that length of time--Breck is also a nice little town, but I think Frisco has more to offer for the period of time--exactly as Abram said.
I don't think Copper is on the Epic Pass, but definitely don't overlook it.
I don't think Copper is on the Epic Pass, but definitely don't overlook it.
Jun 13th, 2013, 10:20 AM
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You did not say where the property was in Breckenridge. Breckenridge has a lot of ski in properties that make it very convenient for skiing.
I am sure I would accept the argument that Frisco has more to offer in the winter. True, if year around with the bike trails and the dam but for winter I would stick with Breckenridge especially if you plan to ski most of your time at Breck. If you stay in Frisco, then it is either a bus ride or driving everyday to the ski area. The free parking at Breck is a super pain since you park at the airport and they bus you in. Very inconvenient and time consuming.
I am sure I would accept the argument that Frisco has more to offer in the winter. True, if year around with the bike trails and the dam but for winter I would stick with Breckenridge especially if you plan to ski most of your time at Breck. If you stay in Frisco, then it is either a bus ride or driving everyday to the ski area. The free parking at Breck is a super pain since you park at the airport and they bus you in. Very inconvenient and time consuming.
Jun 13th, 2013, 10:45 AM
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I'll just say again, yes, driving, but a truly easy short drive. One day we were picking up the kids at the slope but then said as we got there that they didn't need a ride--they got home on the bus in front of us at the same time.
Copper also has the center where the trick skiers train on trampolines and foam pits. fun to watch.
All the areas are close enough to dabble in all of them for that length of time.
Copper also has the center where the trick skiers train on trampolines and foam pits. fun to watch.
All the areas are close enough to dabble in all of them for that length of time.
Jun 13th, 2013, 10:45 AM
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I'll just say again, yes, driving, but a truly easy short drive. One day we were picking up the kids at the slope but then said as we got there that they didn't need a ride--they got home on the bus in front of us at the same time.
Copper also has the center where the trick skiers train on trampolines and foam pits. fun to watch.
All the areas are close enough to dabble in all of them for that length of time.
Copper also has the center where the trick skiers train on trampolines and foam pits. fun to watch.
All the areas are close enough to dabble in all of them for that length of time.
Jun 13th, 2013, 10:45 AM
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I'll just say again, yes, driving, but a truly easy short drive. One day we were picking up the kids at the slope but then said as we got there that they didn't need a ride--they got home on the bus in front of us at the same time.
Copper also has the center where the trick skiers train on trampolines and foam pits. fun to watch.
All the areas are close enough to dabble in all of them for that length of time.
Copper also has the center where the trick skiers train on trampolines and foam pits. fun to watch.
All the areas are close enough to dabble in all of them for that length of time.
Jun 13th, 2013, 12:35 PM
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If you stay ski in/ski out at Breck, you'll pay a premium for the privilege. We've done that when we're there for a week and only skiing Breck. To us, it isn't worth it when we plan to ski at multiple areas.
You can park right at the base of the gondola if you don't mind paying--$5 during the week.
We don't find the Airport Rd lot all that inconvenient.
We stayed in Frisco right near the intersection of Mwy 9 & I-70. We found that area extremely convenient--10 minutes to Copper, 15 to Breck, 20 to Keystone, 30 to Vail, 40 to Beaver Creek.
You can park right at the base of the gondola if you don't mind paying--$5 during the week.
We don't find the Airport Rd lot all that inconvenient.
We stayed in Frisco right near the intersection of Mwy 9 & I-70. We found that area extremely convenient--10 minutes to Copper, 15 to Breck, 20 to Keystone, 30 to Vail, 40 to Beaver Creek.
