Jayneann

First, I'd like to thank so many of you for sharing your thoughts and experiences about these areas with us! Especially BarbaraS!!!!

I have been posting college questions for my son who would love to go to school out West. Unfortunately, we can't possibly visit all the wonderful recommendations, so he has narrowed his interests to U of Co Boulder, U of Denver, U of Utah and Westminster in Utah. Accessible flying to/from Providence/Boston played a huge role in his decision making!!!

I think I have put together a good plan to combine both skiing and college visits when we visit these two areas in February. First, we will fly from Providence to Denver, probably stay somewhere very cheap overnight in Boulder ( maybe do priceline or hotwire, and spend the day at U of Co in Boulder. He's already signed up for a day tour there.

Then, drive to Breckenridge for 3 nights Feb 15-18,to ski/snowboard and stay at Park Place. I just booked a condo on VRBO that looks great. On Monday, Feb 18, we will leave and drive to Denver, visiting U of Denver that day. The college has not emailed me yet, but I think that day is available for college tours. Kind of weird for this New Englander, as colleges here are closed on President's day. That night, we will fly to Utah, hopefully on Southwest Air, although they are not yet open for Feb.

Drive to Park City, well, actually I'm in the process of booking Newpark Resort, staying for 4 nights. Hopefully, we'll get to ski 2 days and visit Westminster and U of Utah on the other days.

My question is, providing the weather cooperates, does this all sound feasible?? How often does the weather make it impossible to drive or fly during February??? I'd like to put a back-up plan in place. Thanks in advance!!!

BarbaraS

Thanks - I don't know about Colorado, but I rarely hear about flights being canceled into/out of the Salt Lake airport any time of the year - of course it happens, but not frequently enough that I would worry about it, and I-80 from Salt Lake to Park City is a major road and is rarely closed. I wouldn't worry about that part of the plan.

FYI - Westminister and the U of U are less than 15 min. apart. I would plan to visit them both on the same day.

fmpden

I would suggest that you arrange your schedule so that you are NOT skiing over Presidents Weekend. Presidents Weekend is THE busiest ski period evn exceeding Christmas/New Years. If you cannot avoid it, then be prepared for big crowds and long lines.

tekwriter

Winter weather in Denver and the mountains is very quirky; we just had the worst weather snow-wise last year and there were road and airport closures. Some years, there are long stretches without any snow. That said, the highway department here does a marvelous job keeping the interstates open, so it's not an unreasonable bet that you'll get back and forth to Denver and be able to fly in and out without incident. I'm not sure what other alternate plans you could make; when things are closed, not much anyone can do about it. Just keep informed of the weather forecast for the travel days.

Sure, President's Day is crowded on the slopes, but Breckenridge is built to handle them and it certainly won't be impossible to ski, particularly if you concentrate on the higher lifts.

A couple of tips for the college names here: Univ. of Colorado = CU, Univ. of Denver = DU. Just so you don't sound like you're tourist! LOL Good luck with your trip plans; your son is a luckly kid to have a ski trip/college visit trip like this! If he likes skiing, don't be surprised if he picks a Colorado school!

Jayneann

Thanks Barbara! I will definitely try to schedule tours on the same day. You have been so helpful!!

fmpden,
Thanks for the input! Unfortunately, in order to pull all of this off, we will have to ski President's weekend. No college tours (at these colleges anyway)on Saturday and Sunday, so that leaves these days free to ski. We're used to it though, lots of crowds at the NE ski areas also during that week!

tekwriter,
Thanks for the post, especially the reminder about CU and DU! I am definitely a tourist when it comes to these states!!! We're all very excited to visit though, so not only is my son lucky, DH and I are too!!!

Now, hopefully the weather will cooperate..........

Dayle

Hi Jayneann,

The Newpark condo/hotel is in Kimball Junction, near I-80 and is only currently under construction. Nowhere near finished right now. As far as it being called a "resort", I would not agree! It's in the middle of a very heavily developed commercial shopping center area and with a few new 4 story office buildings. Just so you know not to expect a ski resort atmosphere!

I would ask them for a written guarantee of specific alternative lodging if for some reason it isn't done by the time of your visit - especially since you are coming during the busiest time of year and other lodging may be impossible to find.

Jayneann

Hi Dayle,

I'm confused about Newpark! The condos we're thinking about booking state they have been completed since 2005. Are we talking about the same place?

Thanks for your help!!

Dayle

Jayneann,

Yes, there are so other condos with nearly the same name, in the same area, by the same developer. The new high rise/condo/hotel is right across the street from the condos that were finished a couple years ago.

I have not been in them, but they are supposed to be nice and border the Swaner Nature Preserve and trail system.

Still, don't expect a resort or ski atmosphere. They are in a heavy traffic, master planned commercial/residential area about 10 minutes away from Main Street.

Jayneann

Dayle,

Do you have any suggestions on an area closer to Park City that is reasonably priced? I'm hoping to spend around 300-325 per night with 2 bedrooms for 4 nights. Many of the condos close to the town and mountain are over 400 per night with a minimum of 5 nights. Thanks!!

BarbaraS

Jayneann - as long as you're not expecting a quiet rural stay in the mountains, where you can ski in and out, I don't think where you've chosen is a bad location. But I'm more of a city girl and Dayle loves nature.

Jayneann

Thanks Barbara!!! I don't want to pay the expensive ski in/ ski out prices, this is supposed to be a college visit after all, lol!

I was told we could still use the bus system to get to the ski areas and Main St, eliminating the parking, congestion, etc. Is this true?

MaureenB

We just passed through Park City and spent one night at the Holiday Inn Express. It is quite nice, and well-located. Really reasonably priced, especially this far in advance, I'd guess.

Your son will love Boulder! It's the most beautiful campus setting and architecture, great kids there, a great school. It's big, though. DU, also is nice.

We live in Denver, so both our college kids chose to move away to school on the coasts. My husband and I lived in Boulder a long time ago. I got my Masters there, he finished pre-Med there. Boulder is a great place to live, if you can afford it!
>-

BarbaraS

I have never used the bus/shuttle system in Park City. Although I have heard it is quite good. But since you'll have a car, try it and if you don't like it, use your car. All the resorts seem to have tons of parking - Main Street is a little tougher.

Dayle

Hi again Jayneann (and Barbara!),

Yes, you can use the free shuttle buses from the Newpark condos. It's a nice enough location, close to restaurants, movies, retail, grocery stores (regular and Wild Oats).

If you do use the shuttle bus system, you will want to get to the resorts early enough to rent a ski locker or the basket service so you don't have to walk around in your boots.

Have fun!

Jayneann

Thanks for the replies Barbara and Dayle! I do think we are leaning towards Newpark.

MaureenB,
The Holiday Inn Express does seem very affordable, but since we're staying 4-5 nights, I think we would prefer a condo!

We're also looking forward to visiting Boulder and Denver! Thanks for responding!!