Nelson

Natalie, thanks for the kind words. I think downtown Grand Lake is OK, but there is a lot of destruction in the surrounding area. Estes Park seems to have escaped without any damage.

Good news: no satellite new hot spots overnight! The satellites have been passing over around 2:00-3:00 AM and there would be red stars if they were detected. This is the first time I've not seen any hot spots since the Cameron Peak fire started in August. The wind forecast is not too bad for the coming week. More snow would be helpful but hopefully getting to the end of these fires!

fmpden

Finally, it was official announced last week that all forest fires are contained. Still some smoke from tiny hot spots but of no threat. The snows will continue to bury the area. Come Spring we will see the extent of the damage. It is huge. We do need a wet and heavy snow fall this winter --- but not in any long range forecast -- so that we don't repeat next summer.

tomfuller

Firefighter Jason Phillips is back home in Washington state. While fighting fire on the Cameron Peak fire he came down with Covid 19 symptoms. He spent more than 5 weeks on a ventilator in Colorado Springs. He was told when he went on the ventilator, that he had a 50/50 chance of surviving. He is considered to be part of the USFS "family".

Gretchen

He is lucky indeed because I think the stats of when going on a ventilator are worse than that. I'm sure his physicality must have helped him too. Glad it is OK for now.

nataliejones8992

I'm probably going to post in a new thread as well. But you all were so helpful with our trip in Sept I thought I'd ask here first.
I asked my boys what they wanted for Xmas and it was just 1 thing each that I already got them. They had mentioned months ago they would luv to go boarding someday. So you know I checked flights and they are even cheaper then they were in Sept . I think I'm going to surprise them with a Thurs-Sun trip. But I havent skied in 40 yrs. My kids snowboard but that's only once a year when we go to visit family in Pa.

I'm on a budget so no Aspen and nothing crazy as far as us being inexperienced. We thought Winter Park looked nice when we passed by among our travels in Sept. Plus you can take a train from Union Station( save$$$ on rental car) Also saw Eldora Mountain Resort . You can take a bus from Boulder. Then I saw Copper Mountain Resort . We can take a shuttle directly from Den(DIA) (again no rental) And I also saw you can take a shuttle to Breckinridge if we wanted to shop etc. I'd like to go tubing, cross country sking???

Any advice? Thx in advance.
Natalie

Dont know why my name changed from dolfannat? Lol!

Melnq8

Be sure to check the website of each ski area that interests you as most of them have restrictions this year due to COVID. Some so strict in fact that my skiing husband can't be bothered to go.

tomfuller

All of the ski resorts in Oregon are now open. The two on Mt. Hood are within an hour of PDX. The higher elevations will be getting some more snow in the coming week.

nataliejones8992

Thx...I didn't check everything but I did see shuttles are half capacity. Airfare from Atlanta is so low I wouldn't even mind to come and sightsee.🙂

nataliejones8992

Thx...havent checked flights to PDX🤔 Ive been to Portland a few times already but only once to Colorado.

Melnq8

More importantly than shuttles are restrictions regarding tickets - for example, in Steamboat Springs lift tickets must be purchased in advance, they are not selling walk up lift tickets in person. Single day lift tickets can't be purchased between December 23 and Jan 2.

Monarch is not allowing food that has not been prepared by Monarch Mountain to be brought into the lodge (and their food is horrible). Sack lunches have to be eaten outdoors or in one's vehicle (brrrrr). Nor can visitors use the changing rooms, which is a major headache for local visitors just driving up for the day. Not fun to sit in a car for two hours in one's ski suit. Changing clothes can only be done at home, in a hotel room or in a vehicle.

These restrictions aren't insurmountable, but just be aware that they exist and know the new rules for each ski area you might visit.

nataliejones8992

Thx...again being a silly eastcoast girl I didn think of "ski wear" Sure we have gone tubing etc. and watching Steelers in 12° weather...but nothing we would be uncomfortable in to and from etc on a shuttle. Plus ski rental etc? I'm going to have to add it all up. Lol!May be cheap to get there but dont want to spend a fortune on everything else.

Gretchen

Our Denver family skis and boards at Copper almost exclusively because they have a house in Frisco. It is a good area for "beginners" because the more advance areas of the mountain are separate from beginnenrs. You will also REALLY want to add in some lessons to maximize your short period of time on the mountain--AND because skiing in Colorado is REALLY different from the East.. Look into an all inclusive lesson/rental'/lift ticket possibility at Copper (or anywhere, but Copper is super easy to get to). Taking a lesson will also get them on the lifts ahead of a long line.
If they have boarding stuff for PA they are fine.
You should have enough clothes living in Atlanta even. Just make sure the gloves and goggles are good.
Look for lodging in Frisco or Copper. There are buses for transportation. Maybe even Dillon.
Also do the math and shop about taking a shuttle from DIA to Copper vis a vis a car rental. I think you are 3 people? You might rent a car cheaper, but there is a shuttle bus all around Summit County--Breck, etc.

nataliejones8992

.
Thx so much! Yes I've decided on Copper...if we go. Still have to see if my sons can even get away from college. Our rental just for a sedan in Sept was as much as a shuttle rt for 3 people. So I'll definitely do that. I've driven in snow in Pa but... Colorado ? Remember I was the one freaking out driving TRR and up to Pikes Peak!

I just remembered my sons friends family go to Vail every winter break. Maybe they can borrow stuff. I saw there are places that rent pants, jacket, goggles, helmet, gloves for $35 a day. Would be cheaper for me then buying unless I can borrow too lol! I looked in my closet. I dont have anything ski worthy. We have lived in Georgia for 25 years now and rarely gets below the 30's.

Everything is adding up☹ I'll look into an all inclusive. I think I'm gooo with skiing one day,(with lesson) tubing another and hanging out the rest. One of the biggest reasons I like Copper is because of the shuttle. We'll be able to get to Break etc and I won't have to worry about driving

Thx again. A friend of mine says she'll go with me if I want to go in Feb. Prices are still $97 rt from Atlanta and would definitely be able to so more splitting lodging .

Other then that I'll have to wait and put money towards our Colorado 2021 Summer trip.

Gretchen

For tubing make your reservation early. Even in normal times they fill up.
Check your thrift stores for ski stuff. We live in NC and in visiting in recent times I haven't needed any other warmth than I have. Skiing IS different but layers count. Shop Lands End TODAY for their big sale--or if you arn't going until later then after Christmas sales. You can use a puffer jacket even in Atlanta.
Watch February for increassed prices with Presidens' Day, etc.
You really probably should start a new thread with what you want to do. There are people who can really answer real time questions.
And for your one day of skiing you need to pay attention to the altitude effects.

Melnq8

I just ran across this thread on the TA Colorado forum that has been ongoing since October. It provides near daily updates on what's going on at specific ski areas. It looks pretty grim, you might want to reconsider.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...-Colorado.html

dolfannat22

I've had Colorado on my brain since our visit, but you are right. In fact I finally started putting it all down on paper. Sure flight is only $97 rt....but add this and that ×3 is getting too much .Especially with restrictions. Just the shuttle is $390 rt vs $260 for SUV. But then I have to drive. While I was born and raised in Pa I've driven in snow but have been down south for awhile now . TRR and drive up Pikes Peak was .scary enough in nice weather. Plus lodging, equipment rentals etc Getting stuff online doesn't bother me but uncertainty of weather,which day to get tix etc. Going this past Sept was more certainly economical. Like I said... I just want to go back to Co...I wasnt thinking about what's it's like now.

I've decided if I really want to do this we should go to a ski resort not too far from Atlanta and look fwd to our trip in July hopefully with less restrictions that we can stay with friends in different parts of Co and just have expense of lodging etc when we go to somewhere else too.
Thx as always,
Natalie

Gretchen

Skiing is not a cheap sport but it is SO fun. And taking kids from the east to COlorado to ski is the most fun of all. But you want it with all the bells and whistles AND when you can do some things that cut down on the cost--like bringing your own food, etc. I love Colorado also--and skiing was the times we had the most fun. Do it "sometime", just not during a pandemic when there are a LOT of restrictions and inability to economize.

Melnq8

Good decision Natalie. We Coloradans thank you for being responsible. We'll still be here when this nightmare is over.

I recently cancelled a 17 night trip to Utah that I had optimistically planned several months ago. It's just not the right time to travel.

Healthy Holidays to you and your family.

dolfannat22

Yep... sometime. After this years summer trip I'll start saving for a winter trip🙂

Have you ever gone to Beech Mountain since you live in Nc? It's a 5hr drive from me

dolfannat22

Same to you. Yes my whole family in Pa cancelled our usual huge gatherings at Thxg and Xmas and just stayed with our individual families.

Our trip in Sept was mostly by ourselves and when we were around people it was far apart, masks etc. Pf course it was warmer and everything we did was outside. I will just look fwd to future trips " someday"

I checked Salt Lake and flights were almost $300 rt but again the craziness we are living in. Cant wait for everyone to get vaccinated...that's another bag of worms. But having family members in the medical /scientific field who I trust inexplicably. We will get it...

Happy Holidays
Natalie