YWimmer

Hi,

We are a young newly married Australian couple planning our honeymoon to ski in Colorado in Jan/Feb 2013. Our aim is to purchase the Epic Pass and ski the various resorts (and maybe even venture to Tahoe for a bit at the end). We are looking to stay in one place for 6 weeks, and are being pulled between (1) Avon (2) East/West Vail (3) Breckenridge.

We want to be accessible to nightlife, so we don't get too bored on non ski days. We will have a car, but prefer to be without at nights.

My husband is a boarder, and I ski. Both of us are intermediates and not the most confident!

Can anyone recommend where would be best? From what I understand Avon has some stuff around, but very quiet, but great access to BC. East/West Vail is very quiet, but 8-10 minutes from Vail Village. Breckenridge appears more accessible?

Cheers!

Tomsd

While I like Avon - you might have more options at "The Summit" with 4 ski areas there (Breckinridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain and more challenging Arapaho Basin - A Basin) - and Vail/Avon/Beaver Creek are just 20 minutes down the valley.

There is good bus service at The Summit - and Breckinridge has other stuff going on - but our favorite little town is Frisco - and the B & B - Frisco Lodge http://www.friscolodge.com/ - but you can probably get a better rental deal in a condo somewhere.

It really depends on what you find that works for you. The Summit has bus service, as does Vail - and I think there is also bus service to/from Avon - which is more or less right at the base of Beaver Creek - another great skiing area, but more upscale - so check out the prices/what works for you.

Don't think you can go wrong with any of them - and if you have six weeks - you might split it up - month here - couple weeks, there, etc - and do try to get over to Aspen for a couple of days - a couple of hours away by car. 4 mountains there to choose from.

And if you can get over to Lake Tahoe for a few days at the end - that would really be maxing out your trip/honeymoon. Lake Tahoe is just beautiful - and you can see it from the top of Heaveny Valley (on the south shore), or from Squaw Valley and also from Alpine Meadows - on the north shore.

Gretchen

Breckenridge is a cute little town all on its own. It would be more my choice with your "circumstance". It has restaurants and shops.
I will also say what I always do--take some lessons and your skills will improve by leaps and bounds and you will really enjoy your time on the mountain.
You may want to ski some of the other areas also like Keystone near Breck.
All six weeks in Breck might be a lot--you might want to go two places. There is also Snowmass for great intermediate skiing with Aspen nearby for nightlife.

fmpden

Given your choices I think you would find Breckenridge to be a better option for an extended stay. It would be more reasonable in cost than Vail and would have more options. I cannot address the "night life" issues but believe Breck would be better. Breck has an extensive bus for getting around while the Vail bus system tends to only serve the center part of Vail. Breck has a lot of ski in lodging and some in and out. Very little at Vail and none at Avon. While I really like the BC area, it is best if you could stay on the mountain but it is very expensive by my standards. More so than Vail.

I have never heard that area referred to as "The Summit." Maybe the tourists do and may have seen some advertising using "The Summit." The locals simply call it Summit County area because that is the name of the county and includes the ski areas of Breck, Keystone, Copper Mt., and Arapahoe Basin. Those areas are interconnected via the Summit Cty free bus. By staying in Breck you would easily access all ski areas. Copper is not a part of the Epic pass and, I think, A Basin is not included, also.

Avon is nothing. Simply a bedroom community below Beaver Creek and along I-70. And getting to BC from Avon is not easy if driving and only marginally better if staying in Avon. You could ski Vail from Breck but it would be most of an hour getting to the slopes and an 30 mins for BC.

For your reported level of skiing you would find Breck more than adequate with low crowds during that period with the exception of Martin Luther King weekend in Jan and the same for President's weekend in February. Good days to rest and go shopping.

2dogs

not really a skier myself but have spent falls in Vail area one hint is that Avon is just 15 minutes west of Vail on I 70 interstate .. seeing you are spending a good period of time, I surmise you will be renting a condo .. in that aspect, Avon is was way cheaper to buy food and supplies at than Vail .. the Super Walmart is very easy to get to .. we like Vail for the various nite life and other things to do

fmpden

I use the Epic Local pass. Just checked it and A Basin is included. Copper is not. Copper is aligned with Winter Park. There are some 4-packs you can buy for Copper/ WP that you might want to try since you are staying so long. Copper is between Breck and Vail and WP is about and hour and half towards Denver or over another mountain pass.

PeaceOut

Six weeks is a long time to stay in one place, especially a busy tourist spot. You don't want to split it up and stay two weeks in three places?

In any event, we like Aspen much better than Summit County areas. Just like its setting and its vibe better. There are four mountains to choose from, but probably Snowmass would be best and Aspen mountain not good.

I'd dedicate a week to Lake Tahoe. If you like to drive, you could stop in Park City for a week, between Colorado and Lake Tahoe.

Gretchen

I so agree with Peaceout about staying more than one place--and I would make the Aspen area one of them for sure.

sf7307

And I agree with PeaceOut and Gretchen as well! Having been to/stayed at Aspen/Snowmass, Breckenridge, Vail Village, Park City and all of Lake Tahoe, I'd choose two or three and stay for 2 weeks each.

Grassshopper

But their Epic Pass isn't going to do them any good in Aspen, Park City or Lake Tahoe. I think Breckenridge most suits your requirements. Or Frisco, Dillon or Silverthorne if you want to save money on your accommodation. Staying closer to the mountain is always going to be more expensive.

Gretchen

So, the pass doesn't work. Go buy a week pass for the Aspen area. 6 weeks in the Breck area will get old, in my opinion. The towns are small, and not really "towns" except for Breck. I don't know how much the pass costs, but do the math for getting other combos. Or go to the Aspen area for a while and come back to the Breck area for a change of scenery.

Gretchen

I think budget must not be a question if they are spending 6 weeks in the prime ski areas of the west.

PeaceOut

The OP has not purchased the Epic Pass yet, according to the post.

YWimmer

Hi!
We haven't purchased the Epic Pass yet, but thought that would be the best option if we are moving around!
We do have a bit of a budget Trying to spend as much time in the snow as possible over that time, and some places in East Vail have quoted around $3,500-4,000 per month for accom which is in our range.
We may go to Aspen for a few days at the end before moving to Tahoe? Just to spoil ourselves a bit!

Anyone have thoughts about staying in East or West Vail?

Cheers!

Tomsd

I have stayed 3 different places in Vail - and get confused about east-west - but if east is down the valley a bit - it's almost a little resort area by itself with some restaurants, etc - while I think west is more for locals/resident housing.

With the time you have I would second starting in Breckenridge, getting a good deal there for at least a couple of weeks - and maybe see what kind of deal they have for a week of ski lessons. What I would do is spend a couple days getting to your top form - and then take lessons, maybe also consider every other day in the morning - and then go practice.

After you feel like you are really cruising/handling one type of run (maybe low to mid intermediate - blue) try a harder one - and even if you get lunched - don't get discouraged.

Go back to the next lesson and ask the instructor to help you on the more challenging run - and after a week - you will be amazed how much you have improved.

When I started skiing - it was with advanced skiers - and they always said - oh sure - you can handle this run - and sometimes yes, sometimes not - but the more you pushed yourself - the faster you improved.

Finally - after a couple of years - I would haul arse by them on groomed/steep runs - as I weighed more - and had long GS skis - and that sure felt good. Double

Also - just love Utah for skiing - and Park City is a huge mountain, Deer Valley has some great high speed crusing runs for us now older gents - and if you want to try light powder, the next valley over at Alta/Snowbird - is many times as good as it gets.

And then if you finshed off with Lake Tahoe - it would truly be an epic honeymoon/ski adventure to remember. Triple

Tomsd

Oops - didn't quite fully register your last post. Getting a place for month in East Vail could be great - and if it has a kitchen - you could save a ton of money by making a big pot of spaghetti sauce, whatever, etc etc etc.

Not sure how the prices compare with Breck - but Vail is one big mountain - which could easily keep you busy for a couple of weeks - and if you have a car - you could get over to Beaver Creek - which also has some great skiing - and up to The Summit (a term I have heard for years) quite easily.

Whatever works best for ye.

Tomsd

Actually - if you had East Vail as a base for a month - you could easily drive over to Aspen during that time and stay there a night or two also, and then come back, whatever.

fmpden

East Vail is up valley and west Vail is down valley towards Avon and Beaver Creek. East Vail is all residential and very quiet Some of the older parts of Vail.

For you non-skiers and non-residents offering advice. The Epic pass is about $600 this year and will pay for itself the first week. A 7 day ticket at Aspen is over $700. If you are coming for six weeks of skiing and not playing tourist, it is a very good deal. I think the Epic local at $450 is ever better deal but only ten days at Vail and two blackout weekends. But those are weekends I would not ski anyway.

If it was my decision given your limits it would be Breck. It you would want to save a little you might consider Frisco. Frisco provides a nice central location for Summit county. I have skied in Colorado since 63 and leather boots. I spend a week in Park City each year with friends.. It is very different skiing. The runs are much shorter and you spend more time on the lifts.

malbec

I live near Aspen in Basalt and we used to ski all the time in Summit County (I also have never heard it called The Summit). While the skiing of the four mountains near Aspen is incredible, it is also incredibly expensive (even for locals who can get early season deals). Breckenrige was where I thought you should head quarter and branch out from there. Like others have said Copper mountain is affiliated with Winter Park but a 4 pack shouldn't be too expensive, also there is a small but fun ski area near Copper of Ski Cooper if you want a taste of how skiing was before the resorts.

Vail doesn't have a town per se, just a village area- Haven't skied there but it is supposed to be one of the best in the country.

If you can look on-line and get a great deal on lodging and a great pass. Then Aspen is the way to go. At least plan on a week there just for the experience.

aliciaNzg

I live in Aspen and also have an office in Breckenridge which is a great option for you. There are plenty of options for nightlife and other activities off the mountain. An Epic pass gives unlimited access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, and Arapahoe Basin with no blackout dates and offers plenty of varied mountain terrain for all skill levels. You can find economical accommodations in the Frisco/Dillon area and free transportation on Summit Stage and Breck Connect make it easy to to ski any given resort in Summit County except Copper Mountain. Since you will have a car, it will also be a short drive to Vail. Feel free to contact me if you need any specific info or advice.