Lorenky

Thanks, I think I found good lodging at all the places we are staying, Mountain Chalet at Aspen, Sitzmark at Vail, Marriott at Breckenridge and Castle Mountain at Estes Park. They all seem to have good cancellation policies and have sitting areas that we were looking for, and are generally wihin our price range. But I haven't booked yet so if anyone has opinions on these places let me know.

nancythenice

There are several hotel/motel options in the Frisco area. We have stayed at the Holiday Inn a couple of times, and while not rustic or anything, found it perfectly adequate. It has a large indoor pool, hottub area, and is right near Dillon lake. We have a cabin across Hoosier pass (south of Breck) and frequently drive through Breck and over to Frisco for lunch at the Butterhorn cafe, and maybe some shopping or a movie. Thus, you can explore that whole area (Breck-Keystone-Dillon-Silverthorne-Copper)from one place. In fact, when we are there in the summer, we take day trips to all the locations you mention, even to drive Trail Ridge Road, and Estes Park, or to drive Independence Pass to Aspen. I am just suggesting that you probably don't need to change lodging as often as you think. You could rent a nice cabin or condo through VRBO for a week and use it as a base camp for doing most of your itinerary. Whatever you decide, I hope you love it as much as we do. We never tire of Colorado in the summer.

Lorenky1

Hi, yes, I am definitely re-thinking things since everyone is pretty insistent on Frisco and on not moving around quite so much. I looked at the drive times today and realized Breck really doesn't make sense as much as Frisco. The thing is we were wanting to stay in Vail one night, it just seemed fun. We are even thinking of Vail for those three nights and driving back and forth to Frisco, or as many have recommended, giving up Vail and staying in Frisco all three nights. It's only a half hour drive between the two, correct? We are going to move around some, because we want to stay in Aspen a few nights. Looking more throughly into Frisco lodging, the Best Western looked okay, as did the Galena Inn. I'll look into the others. We liked the look of the Sitzmark in Vail too. I guess I should read some Vail vs Frisco posts, or start my own

fmpden

It is 35 miles between Frisco and Vail -- more in the range of 45 minutes and you have to go over Vail pass everything which can be a little slow. Good thing it is not winter.

Lorenky1

Oh, thanks for letting me know that, Mapquest said 1/2 hour, they seem to so often be wrong. That makes a difference. If that's the case 3 nights in Vail is out, we'll either split it like we planned or spend all three nights in Frisco. Glad I've got some time to figure this out. I'll keep working on it. Thanks again.

Gretchen

Between Vail and Frisco, I'd choose Vail--and head on west for the scenery, as has also been suggested. We've been "through" Frisco and I'm not sure I consider it a "destingation" (except maybe for reasonable lodging. The ambience "on a mountain" is so much more fun for a vacation. And Breckenridge really fills that bill also.
I think there is a VERY good restaurant in Frisco--name anyone? Has a degustation menu?
But once you are at Frisco/Silverthorne, the mountains are all very available and distances/times are not great.
Altitude sickness, as someone said, is unpredictable--I have had the initial parts of trips spoiled (even in Denver) by going to bed with "flu-like symptoms" and others have just breezed through. The real real deal is WATER--drink drink drink--carry it with you--force it. And aspirin (for an easily obtained med). I get a boring headache. And of course, shortness of breath until you acclimate. Totally worth it for the beauty of Colorado!!

Gretchen

To be a bit more clear about what I was saying, and if I am wrong, I know folks will come correct me. Frisco is a little town just off the highway/interstate--good services, ski rentals, housing, etc. It is not a ski area, and if your house has a balcony you'll be looking at mountains "over there". I would choose it to save money on ski lodging--not for a "real" vacation.

fmpden

This discussion is getting a little prolonged and bit silly. With two threads on the same subject. it is hard to keep track of who said what. I don't think Gretchen lives here but does visit frequently.

Gretchen, I have no idea of the points you are trying to make with comments like, "mountains over there." "real vacation," etc. Frisco and Silverthorne are generally not viewed as being together since they are separated by five or six miles but Dillon/Silverthorne is a common reference. These three communities do rap around the northern end of the Dillon Lake. Dillon and Silverthorne are pretty ugly. Silverthorne is the old construction camp that never went away after the dam was built. The original Dillon will actually buried by the lake and the new Dillon was moved to the hillside above the lake. No history at either place.

Frisco is a small town but it a bit more than that. It is really the hub of Summit County. From there it is ten miles south to Breckenridge, ten miles east to Keystone, and ten miles west to Copper Mt. The Summit Cty bus system connects through Frisco to all of other areas. The bike trail system does the same. And a hundred years ago it was the rail hub. In fact, many of the bike paths follow some of the old railroad beds.

Since we were discussion a summer vacation and not ski vacation I recommended Frisco for the convenience since you were looking at a number of activities centered in Frisco.

Unfortunately the more modern hotels are location right on I-70 which is not very scenic. But there are a couple of old motels -- from the 50s -- right on main street And, of course, lots of condo. Some in very nice settings. I think you can have a real vacation in Frisco. I know we have on several occasions.

As far as Mapquest accuracy, it might depend on where Mapquest thinks that Vail is. Vail stretches along I-70 for a good eight to ten miles because it sits in a very narrow valley. Second, getting over Vail pass in the summer can be slow going because of the traffic, especially truck traffic, and tourists.

Lorenky1

I'm okay for ending this post since I've found satisfactory lodging in all the places I'm considering, and that was the original theme. It's really about the details of the itinerary now and there is another post current about that, so maybe we can just leave that one open and end this one. I've got tons of helpful information from you all, all the differing opinions can be confusing but it is also helpful to hear all the varied perspectives. I really appreciate the help thus far. Thanks.