You do NOT need chains and rental companies will not provide them. Second, unless you have experience driving 4 wheel drive under adverse conditions, skip the 4 wheel drive. You are safer without it. If the roads are so bad that you would need chains or even the 4 wheel, you should not be on the road.

Breck is an easy drive. Get there and start having fun. It will be a cute town for Christmas week.
Agree totally about chains--and with front wheel drive cars they are not recommended I think. If it's that bad, stay put.
An SUV could be fine--the thing to remember about them is that while they can be great for enabling you to go forward, they do nothing to help you stop (any more than any other). The mindset of some SUVers on the road totally ignore that, in my experience, and I drive one.
It can be your decision,but watch the size (a Jeep may or may not be big enough for you all and luggage, for example).

Thanks fmpden--I knew you all had addressed the chains before.

Maybe Colorado has drier snow or you all just do a better job clearing your roads. Just going up to the Cascades for a day, we have gotten stuck more easily with a mini-van in the parking lot from new snow, and even when we had dug it out, it was he** getting it out every time. Just could not get enough traction with only two wheels doing the work. We like our van, but if we were avid skiers going regularly we would trade it in a heartbeat.

Thanks, we did plan to rent an SUV anyway. No experience with snow driving, we are from Queensland. We only drive 4 wheel drives here (we are farmers). Thanks for the advice. I have chosen Breck and am now searching through accommodations. Any recommendations? I want a 2 bedroom condo, preferrably with twin beds in second room for kids and close to main street. Does not have to be ski in/ski out. I am a bit overwhelmed by the choices on vrbo but the more I look the better idea I am getting!

Actually I lie, we did drive through the rocky mountain NP a few years back but the roads were cleared. We rented an SUV then and had no problems.

Sorry just to add another question. How does Frisco compare to Breckenridge??

Ok forget that last comment, I am sold on Breckenridge, now to find the perfect condo...

I made an acct just to ask you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not drive from Denver to Durango in the winter with your family. I cannot believe no one else told you the severity of driving over these narrow, shoulder free, dangerous mountain passes in the winter! I live in Durango, and can tell you to fly here and stay here. There is plenty to do and everything is walkable and gorgeous and perfect for Christmas. The ski resort has a lift to take you if you decide to check it out. But for God's sake, please don't make a drive to Breck, Grand Junction, Denver, Vail, anywhere in the winter. The Rocky Mountains are no joke and once you're in them there's no turning back. You must push forward, pray for less snow and ice and more sight, and you must hope your snow tires and four wheel drive do the job because there is no railing...anywhere. Choose a destination, and stay there. You will have a blast! Be safe! <3 another caring adventurous mom.

Hi, Dorothy,
The Original Poster, Kelsta has not been active on a thread on Fodor's for some time. She has made her plans. I believe she is driving from Denver to Breckenridge (not from Durango to Breck).

Wow !!! What caused that hysteria??? The reason that "no one else told you the severity of driving over these narrow, shoulder free, dangerous mountain passes in the winter!" is because it is very minimal risk. The roads in Colorado including the passes are very well maintained. And it doesn't snow everyday or even every other day. The road connecting Denver, Breck,Vail, Grand Junction is a modern, major interstate highway - four lanes with wide shoulders with railing everywhere and aggressive maintained in winter. Obviously you don't want to be driving in a blizzard but thousands of people drive our mountains everyday in winter with no problems especially the I-70 corridor. We have lived in the mountains for 32 years with no problems.

Suggesting that you cannot drive safely in our mountains in the winter is ludicrous. And a disservice to potential visitors.

You're right, of course, but we probably both are wasting our time typing anything at all. I almost didn't post back because I'd be surprised if Dorothy came back here to read it. We'll see.

Well, I am going to have to say that while driving I70 may be ok, the roads around Durango heading north to Grand Junction and the Denver area are not the same as I 70. They are as Dorothy mentioned, narrow, twisting, turning, with drop offs and no guardrails in most places. They close them if they get really bad, but still it isn't fun driving for someone not used to driving in those conditions on those kinds of roads. It was even featured on " IRT: Deadliest Roads" [IRT= Ice Road Travelers]

A few years ago we stayed at the Mountain Thunder Lodge and loved it. The location was great being right across the street from a gondola and bus center, and was an easy 2 block walk to Main St.. The property had nice amenities including underground parking. I would suggest looking at VRBO.com, make note of some properties that interest you, and report back on this forum to get feedback.

Sorry. Posted without stating that Mt. Thunder Lodge is in Breckenridge.

Check out the link below to get a visual of lodging locations in Breckenridge.
http://www.snowpak.com/snowpak/resor...ckenridge.html

Sorry, only just returned and saw the later comments here. We have no intention of driving too much anyway, if we chose Durango it would be flying in! Thank you for that link on lodging locations, I will check it out.

We stayed at Riverbend condo's last weekend in Breck and the second bedroom had twin beds (which DH and I got stuck with) but it was a really nice condo. I also liked Mountain Thunder Lodge or even Grand Tiber lodge.

The variety of options must be daunting. Have a great time planning your trip!