iluv2travel

Can someone comment on how Breckenridge and Keystone compare. We are interested in Skiing, tubing, sleigh rides, ice skating, shopping, retaurants etc. Also, can anyone comment the Marriott Mountain Valley Lodge in Breck? We have reservations in March and just want to make sure we have made the right decision. There will be two adults who are intermediate - advanced skiiers and one six yr. old child who is a beginner skiier. Any help would be appreciated.

Julie

I stayed at the Marriott Mountain Valley Lodge last year and was quite happy with it. The rooms were comfortable. I think they all have kitchenettes, so you can cook some of your meals in if you want to.

The location is good. You're within easy walking distance to Main St. in Breckenridge for shopping and dining. It's also just a couple of minutes walk from the rear of the lodge over to the Peak 9 base area (if you're going to ski at Breck), and the Village. The ski school also has a location there.
You can also walk to catch the shuttle or the Summitt Stage just across from the Village area.

Belinda

Breckenridge is a town. Keystone is a resort. I own a vacation home in Keystone, so obviously it's my preference. I find Breck too crowded for my taste. I would say that both places have all of the things you are lookng for. Keystone does have the biggest zamboni groomed ice skating rink in North America (5 acres).

Whichever you choose, do yourself a favor and look into condo rental. In my experience, it can be more cost effective than hotels or lodges.

Coskier

Prety Much what Belinda said. Myself I would never take a child to Breck, way to many outta control skiers IMHO.

Just got back this morn from a weekend at keystone, lots of snow and snow in the forecast all week!

If your are truly an advanced skier....
my fav route/runs

to get to the outback I take Diamond Back, not Motzart. Motzart gets to busy with all levels of skiers. Off the lift hard right to Cat Dancer, back up to Spillway to the outback, right to Big Horn its on the left watch for the sign, past Pitka, great warm up bumps, back up the lift far left to Timber Wolf, some trees then more bumps. These runs are for advanced skiers.

For the blue/green skiers we avoid Schoolmarm, again to crowded and opt for
Springdipper, blue at the very start then green rare that anyone is on it.

Keystone does offer tubing and the best outdoor skating in Summit County.

As to eats, well depends on what your looking for, In River Run I think the Great Northern has the best food. Sunday- Wednesday early eve we like the Snake River Saloon in the bar. Before 6:00 you get a burger and fries for 6.00, not crowded at that time you could bring the little one later in the night I would not.

Oh just saw that you already made res for Breck, why ask then? If you have a car it is an easy drive over Swan Mtn rd for skiing, and there is a free bus called Ski Kab as well.

Breckboy

Breckenridge has way more in the way of apres-ski than Keystone does. Keystone is much like Copper Mountain in that it is an isolated resort, without a true "town" around it. Breckenridge has a great kids program. Contrary to what Coskier says, Keystone is a much more dangerous place as evidenced by the four deaths there so far this season, the most of any Colorado ski area, and that doesn't count the employee deaths. In addition, Keystone has suffered greatly under the management of Vail Resorts. It is truly in need of a tremendous amount of attention and upgrading.

My favorite places to ski in Summit County, in order, are Copper, Breck, A-Basin and Keystone. Sorry I can't help with lodging, I live here so I don't use any of the rentals.

Come to Breckenridge, and don't be afraid to ride the T-Bar and ski the north bowls. The higher you go, the better the snow!!

lenleigh

Breckboy, your reply could make a tourist really think twice about Keystone. In reality, most/ALL resorts have out of control skiers and the right conditions for accidents to occur in. Breck is also owned by Vail, at least that was my impression so I don't see how they have neglected Keystone anymore than Breck. I agree that they don't have a real town like breckenridge does but on my last trip there, they seemed to be doing a nice job of sprucing up the village (nice, new, rustic condos, outdoor fire pits, little coffee shops... Personally I love Breck's town and the skiing is on my higher list but I have tended to lean towards Keystone more and I definitly prefer Keystone than Copper. The great thing about Breck and Keystone is that you can visit both since they are so close.

milkeway4

I was at Breckenridge in December and thought it was too busy and too many out of control skiers. It seemed as if there was always someone being taken off the mountain on a cart/sled thing. (Too early, can't think of the right word, sorry.

Gretchen

We have just come back from a week of skiing in that area. We were staying at a friend's cabin so not right on the mountains. Our adult kids skiied at all but A-Basin using discount coupons available at local City Markets (in Dillon). There was also a "buy2 get one three special for 3 days for $105" in the Summit newspaper. I took our 4 year old granddaughter to ski school at both Breckenridge and Keystone. The ski schools have excellent methods of moving the kids along up the "ladder" of learning to ski--I highly recommend ski school. It is an investment that pays dividends for life. Our children felt that Keystone was a more difficult mountain than Breckenridge (they are black diamond skiiers). Copper has a good mix of terrain as I recall. The snow is getting really really good, thank heaven. They really need it. It is also far less than crowded due to all the facets of economy and terrorism.
Allow plenty of time to check in in Denver airport.

Breckboy

Keystone lost it's CEO early this season. It is now being managed by the CEO of Breck, who has 2 resorts to run. A number of local businesses have been hurt by early season lift and building closures. It's no secret in Summit County that Keystone has problems. I expect that VR will fix them, but with two resorts being managed by one individual who knows how long it's going to take.

Keystone has always had a dangerous reputation with the locals because of the amount of beginner skiers that ski there. We stopped night skiing there years ago because there were too many out of control, and some drunk, skiers.

It's the truth about skier deaths, I didn't make that up. If someone thinks about it, yes, that may change their mind. I think about it. I don't want to get hurt skiing, and I don't want to see anyone else get hurt, either.

Blacks are definitely the safest runs when it comes to avoiding out of control skiers and boarders.

All of the ski areas in Summit County are too crowded. Over Presidents Weekend Breck wasn't too bad, but Copper got slammed. Go figure.