I think your seven year old sons will do just fine in ski school. They'll probably be better than you at the end of the day!

Breckenridge is beautiful, too, but I agree with the advice to fly someplace other than Denver, to avoid the congestion. Breck can get very, very crowded.

We love Crested Butte, for its Victorian setting, a town which sits relatively isolated. We loved the horse-drawn sleighs going through the town. We also love Telluride. But both are probably not practical suggestions for you, though.

Aspen is amazing. You have four ski mountains to choose from, to please any skiers. And the town is charming, probably expensive over the holidays, though, unless you stay at Snowmass.

Finally, I'd recommend Steamboat. Probably the most practical of my ideas. As mentioned above, you could fly there, and it's a beautiful area that has its own personality. No day-trippers there.
:)>-

Googling my fingers to the bone and considering my options!

This dialogue has been so helpful and insightful and I appreciate everyone's input so much.

Now it's down to the town's charm. Breckenridge is still in the lead and I'm still researching the above mentioned towns.

Thanks!!!

Given that they are non-skiers, limited time -- four nights -- and want to give their 7 year old twin boys as taste of sking and it sounds like they don't want to spend a huge fortune, Breck is still a good choice. The day skiers and more crowded slopes will not be a problem if they are not sking. There is a good range of activities from sleigh, snow-cats, dog sleds, to cross country sking in that area. Someone suggested avoiding the Denver airport. Actually it functions very well and weather can be problem anywhere. The small mountain airports especially Aspen are subjected to more weather delays than Denver is. More people have died trying to fly into Aspen than DIA. And they can easily taken in Keystone and Vail.

I agree with fmp. Breck is still a really good choice.

About the altitude in Breck.....9000 feet is really high. If you want to spend the first few days with a splitting headache, that's the one to pick. Not everyone is affected by altitude, but if you are, it is a miserable couple of days.
Steamboat is 7000 feet and is re-doing its entire lower mountain beginner area. They also have a new high-speed six-pack to service the area.
I vote The 'Boat.

beckster - Many thoughts have been expressed here on various issues. My Mother(86) & aunt come up from Houston(actually Tomball) every summer for 2 weeks in Breck. They always stay with us in Denver a couple of days & they think that it helps them with the altitude. Obviously, this is anecdotal evidence but you might think about staying in Denver on the way up, there are fun things for 7 yr old twin boys. I have 12 yr old twin boys so if you need ideas, let me know. We like Breck & go there frequently but I agree with those that said you don't need ski in/ski out. Definitely do ski school, I would do both days. The boys won't learn to ski like experts but they will get a taste, decide if they like it or not. What else. Christmas will be the most expensive time to go so keep that in mind. Breck will be crowded, get to restaurants early. Also, I would talk to friends & neighbors about this, there are so many people from Houston that come up here!!! Also, you may be able to borrow ski gear that would really help reduce the cost. There may be resale places in Houston where you can get ski clothes? Let us know what you decide. Betsy (graduated from Lamar High School in 1971)

A few contrary comments on altitude sickness. It should not be an overriding concerning. If you are going to have problems a thousand or two feet will not make much difference. The cause and treatment is very poorly understood. Most people do not any problems and a few may have a minor headache. A person can have no problems for three trips and a lots of problems the fourth time. Spending a day or two in Denver is of marginal value but may be a psychological advantage. On average you need one day of adjustment for every thousand feet gained. Staying well hydrated with min or no alcohol is always good advice.

Born and raised in Hawaii (that is definitely sea level) we always went to Breckenridge and as long as we drank water and didn't overdo it the first day we were all fine. We loved Breckenridge as kids (and also our now grown kids feel the same way). It has character and was a real town before it became a ski mecca (which is the same for the towns of Aspen and Steamboat).
But one can never go wrong with the Aspen area or Steamboat! (Unless you fly in, driving to these 2 areas is quite a bit longer than Breckenridge.)

Your boys will have a ball on the slopes--they are at the perfect age to start skiing. We put both of our kids on skis when they were three years old and they took to it better than a teen or adult ever could.

Ski schools are experienced in dealing with newbie youngsters--believe me, they won't be skiing the entire day! They'll alternate skiing with snack time, lunch and maybe a little bit of craft and rest time. At that age, it's all about getting them comfortable being on skis and learning the basics. Well worth the time and effort, IMO.

Breck is a wonderful, magical town--what a great place to spend Christmas. I would suggest getting your 'altitude legs' the first day or so and not ski. As long as you all drink plenty of water, you should be fine. We live at an altitude of 3900 ft. and I actually had problems one time in Vail. Luckily it didn't last long but it was nasty.

Sorry for not responding...I had password problems.

I'm happy to report the trip is on and we've rented a condo through VRBO at the Timbernest Complex in Breck. Wow...you guys weren't kidding....it's not cheap but we had a very nice owner that offered a bit of a discount as incentive.
Money well spent for us to be in a place that really feels like Christmas rather than the potential for 80 degree weather and kids running around in shorts, which often happens in Houston.

I'm trying to let go of my concern over the altitude. Sometimes you just gotta go with the flow. WE'll handle whatever comes us. Staying in Denver a couple of days is not an option as we have limited time and limited funds.

If anyone is using this thread for researching Summit County for Christmas, please note that there are tons and tons of condos in Breckenridg listed on VRBO. I also looked at condos in Frisco which is about 10 miles away and more affordable. Also the week of Christmas is absolute peak time and the rates are at least double for that time. I am excited to see how affordable lodging is in the summer and this could now be a destination for us during the hottest time of the year for us. Many many condos that would accomodate our small family of 4 for less than $75. per night during the summer.
I appreciate the advice so many of you have shared.
If only I could get Contintal Airlines to open up some seats for my reward points!!
Beckster

My 2 cents: 1)Your kids will learn to ski very quickly and easily.
2)The altitude WILL affect you. We go to Vail many times during the year and the altitude affects us all every time. Breckenridge is higher and we all experienced differing effects of the altitude there. Take it easy and do not start skiing on the first day. Drink lots of water for the week before you go and while you are there. Stay away from alcohol for the first few days at least.

beckster,

Our entire flatland family - 14 of us - went to Breckenridge a few years ago for Christmas. Our ages ranged from 10 to 80 and we had a blast. One of the things we all enjoyed the most was the snow tubing. (Well, except my 80 year-old mom who only watched.)

Also, most of us didn't suffer from any problems with the altitude. Of the two who did, one refused to cut back on his alcohol and caffeine intake before and during the trip. The other, my sister, has severe allergies. Have no idea if that had anything at all to do with her being affected or not. Also, her symptoms didn't hit until the second day we were there and were gone within 24 hours after that. She's gone out there several times and this is the pattern for her. And they were the only ones who drove from Florida. The rest of us flew.

Last, I was told not only to cut out booze ahead of time, but caffeine as well. DH and I have taken several trips to areas of this, or higher altitude, and we've never had a problem. We do cut out, or nearly so, the caffeine. Alcohol isn't an issue for us. And we do drink tons of water and juices.

Have a great time. Your boys will never forget their first "snowy Christmas."


Fran