Hi there,
If everything works out, my husband & I will get to go to Denver Dec. 26 and stay until Jan. 1. We will be going to see our son, but we want to do touristy things since we have never been west. We go to Europe once a year, but have put off traveling in the U.S. until we "get older". Well, I think that we have gotten older pretty quick. We are in our early sixties and are from the deep south. I want to play in the snow (which I have never seen, except for a light dusting).
I am thinking 3 nights in Breckenridge and 3 nights somewhere else.
If I get the tickets, we will arrive at 6:30 p.m. on the 26th and fly out at 1:00 p.m. on the 1st.
Any suggestions of what to do and where to stay will be appreciated.
Our son will stay with us while we are there. I've already asked him for suggestions and am still waiting.
I'm afraid that it will be December and I'll still be waiting for his suggestions.
Thanks,
Theresa

You are walking into IT. The Christmas/New Years period the most crowded period in the ski areas. Even the locals stay out of the mountains at that time. I doubt if you will find much available for three days. Most places will demand and get a full week rental. You might try VRBO.com. You need to start looking yesterday. Since you are not interested in skiing, try Frisco, Dillon, and Silverthorne. Denver, itself, could have snow at that time or not -- just depends.

Denver has a big downtown celebration -- fireworks at 9AM and midnight, etc. on New Years eve. A horse carriage ride to see the lights on the state government building is a terrific experience but that needs to be reserved in advance. Denver has a lot of tourist things from museums to mansions to visit. And at the time of year they are will decorated. The zoo light at the zoo are fun.

I could go on but give me some idea of what you like.

Sorry, I've been so busy at work that I didn't get to check back on the computer.
Actually, we like scenery & nature.
What do you think about Estes Park for a couple of days?

I had thought Breck because that was where everyone said to go, but if we could just as easily go to another area for 2 or 3 days that had snow and maybe guided tours for snowmobiles or some other form of touristy stuff, that would be fine also.

This is the first trip that I've planned that I really don't have a clue what I'm doing. so feel free to offer any advise that you want.

Thanks,
Theresa

The lights at the Botanic Gardens are especially nice, I kinda like it better then the zoo ones. There is also a Christmas Concert at the center for preforming arts with the symphony and chorale. It is great fun but you will need to get tickets ahead of time.

Estes Park would suit you just fine, should be less crowded then the ski areas - but I'd still look to reserve something sooner rather than later. They will have all the other winter activities available there. I agree with the other posters that downtown Denver or Cherry Creek (close to downtown) would be a good choice to stay as well, especially over New Years.

Just what do you want to do? Estes Park may be a little less crowded but not much. You need to be looking for reservations --- NOW.

As others have said, reservations will be difficult in the ski areas for only 3 days PLUS it will be a week-end. there is plenty to do in the city of Denver for at least some of your stay.
You might enjoy Boulder.
You could take day trips to the mountains--see Georgetown, Idaho Springs,etc.
You might have a better chance of finding short term accomodations in a large place like Vail than Breckenridge.
Another possibility might be a hotel/motel somewhere like Silverthorne (just a crossroad on I70 near ski areas) and then go to Breckenridge, Keystone, even Vail for the day. Vail, of course, has a lot of restaurants, shops, etc. to enjoy, as well as a gondola that you could take to the top of the mountain with restaurants up there.
Again, time is of the essence!!
Where does your son live?

The ski resorts themselves will be the most crowded that week, but look at the small towns adjacent to them; Dillon, Frisco and Silverthorne. They are just a stones throw from the resort areas and are smack in the middle of the mountains so just as beautiful.

Keep in mind, it's also the most expensive time of year.

And those surrounding areas will be just as packed during that time period. There is no escaping the crowds at that time of year.

I agree too about the crowding in ski country, but a bigger place like Vail--or a plain pipe rack place like Silverthorne "might" have a slender chance. But it will be SO crowded.
Maybe they should think about just going to Georgetown or such if all they want to do is play in the snow. Maybe even Kremmeling and take a day trip to Steamboat or something.
Boulder?

Someone suggested Boulder. Is there a place to play in the snow there?
I looked on-line at Frisco. There seems to still be hotel rooms there.
That would suit us just fine. We wanted to be able to do the sleigh ride with dinner and also a guided snowmobile tour.
Does anyone have any experience with High County Tours?
There are also places to stay in Estes Park.
BTW, our son has an apt. about 20 minutes outside Golden. He works for a computer company in Golden.
So far, the only thing that he wants us to see is the Red Rocks ampitheater.
Thanks for your advise.
Theresa

Playing the the snow is still a little vague. I don't what is around Estes in the winter. It slows down some.

If you can get something in Frisco, maybe you should grab it. I do know you have sleigh rides out of Breck and Vail. I think Vail even has dog sleds. I know Beaver Creek does. Vail has a very high end restaurant this only access via sleigh or cross cty skis. Someone else will have the name. AspenGlow at the top of a 11,000 foot mountain in Keystone is another very high end restaurant that you access by riding two gondolas from the village. It is fixed price meau and last year at Thanksgiving it was $99/person plus wine. And is worth it. Don't know what it would be at Christmas. Both Copper and Vail have a recreation area where you can go tubing and do other non-ski snow activities.

The two mentioned restaurants need advance reservations soon.