My two cents: If you are all about the skiing - just want the most terrain and the best variety, go to Vail.

If you ara a little about the terrain and a little about the ambience, I agree Breck is good for you.

Be lucky you are doing this mid-week. I've been stuck in several traffic jams trying to get to the ski resorts on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings. It is so much fun, everyone wants to do it. And I mean everyone.

Sorry Gretchen but I get the idea you don't actually live here in Colorado. Your constant remarks about the conditions on I-70 are simply not accurate. "It can be slow but it still goes". Well not always! I-70 has been closed several times this year and today it was closed for almost 8 hours.

As I've already stated, every effort is made to keep the road open. Unfortunately, it's not always possible, and it is a bit disingenuous to suggest that the worst possible situation might be a 'slow go'.

In the High Country one should always be prepared for the worst scenario and plan accordingly.

He's there for a day. Anything is possible with weather in Colorado in any season of the year. Over a period of 30 years,we have gone skiing in Colorado. We have left Vail in what we in the East would say was a blizzard, went slow, slow, slow, and got to Stapleton and or DIA on time.
If the gentleman stays in touch with the weather, it should be fine. Our kids live in Denver. You would HAVE to say that this winter has been unusual!! And yes, I70 has been closed.
I do believe that I said earlier that HE SHOULD STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE WEATHER.

I'm with historytraveler. Colorado snow crews are good, but no better than other wintery states. If you get a good storm, things will get very slow for several hours.

The good thing is that you can usually see these storms coming for a good 24 hours, and can plan accordingly.

Historytraveler is correct. I don't think the conditions on I-70 are different or unusual this year than previous years. I-70 has been closed at the tunnel this morning several times for avalanche blasting. Both Berthoud and Vail passes are closed this morning. We cancelled our ski plans for today due to the highway closures.

Most likely DrNo will have no problem getting to the mountains, but it is very important to be prepared for the potential for adverse conditions. I know because there have been times when I've sat in my car on I-70 for hours.

DrNo, hope it works out for you!

Just for the non-native --- Vail Pass is I-70. I hope we haven't scared him off. Most I-70 weather problems are Jan and Feb and become less frequent as we get into the Spring. The probability of March closures is less. However, the probability of snow in Denver is much higher as March is our snowiest month. As for watching the weather -- you can get a three or four day warning by watching where the storms are going from. Storms between SF and Seattle will give the mountains a lot of snow. Storm system to the south around LA can cause problems for the Denver area.

But the highest probability is that you will have a wonder day of Spring sking.

This native made a typo - I meant to write Loveland Pass is closed rather than Vail. Get over your native/non-native issues fmpden.

DrNo, here is the website for the Colorado Dept of Transportation. You can find road closures and advisory information.

www.cotrip.org

Easy, wtm003, perhaps you prefer non-local or non-resident. My point is that I often see -- pick one -- native, local, resident ---- make reference to a land mark, location, feature that folks who are not familar with the area would not know where it is. You were correct in that Vail pass on I-70 was closed most of Friday. Closing Loveland pass on US 6 has little impact on ski traffic on I-70

But a whole lot of impact on WinterPark?

How ??? Gretchen. Loveland Pass feeds ABasin and Keystone which are more easily reach via I-70, tunnel, and Dillon. Closure of Bethoud Pass on US 40 impact Winter Park.

I prefer none of the above. I think my irritation comes from several of your posts where you reference being a native as if your info is superior to the non-natives in this state.

I value all of the opinions, including yours, on this board. I might not always agree and I'll say so (especially when Casa Bonita is recommended), but that is what keeps this board interesting.

I would disagree that A-Basin is reached easier via I-70 & tunnel than Loveland Pass, but that is just a matter of personal preference.

The whole discussion of how some Coloradans try to label themselves as "native" has always confounded me. There are many other places in the country that have higher levels of in-migration, and I've never heard anyone in those regions get so hung up on calling themselves "native".

DrNo - I think you've gotten a nice variety of viewpoints and can now choose for yourself. Thus is the value of these boards.

We also have a semi-native classification for those who have lived here more than 20 years. It is official -- check the state consitution.

I've seen the "semi-native" bumper stickers. My first reaction to that (as well as to the "native" stickers) was "Give Me a Break!!"

You either live there or you don't. Resident or not. I didn't realize there was an entire tiering system within that resident status.

Not my problem. You all can do whatever you want over there in CO.

IMHO, the information provided has little to do with whether one is a native,semi-native( what's that?) or whatever and has everything to do with providing accurate information.

I tend to get a bit toucy with people who assume they are experts on all topics dealing with Colorado when they haven't a clue and give outdated or misguided information.

The important thing regarding posting is making sure your information is correct and being able to differentiate between opinions and suggestions and the facts.

Breckenridge is beautiful! We have the highest lift in North America - Imperial lift. Instructors from everywhere come to Breck to ski this double black bowl! The views are awesome!

DrNO - It's Denver. I don't know if you'll be able to rent a car WITH OUT all weather tires. There is also a bus that goes from Denver right to Vail. I think its $20. My friend took it once to meet us in Vail.

If you're a good skier go to Vail. The back bowls are just amazing.

Sorry--read "Berthoud" for Loveland.

All the rental cars should have snow tires on them at this time of the year.

The ski train is fun, but it left the mountain fairly early if I remember back to the stone ages of high school ski trips.

Check the weather AND CDOT reports on the highway. I've left Denver in the sun with dry roads only to hit whiteout conditions on the other side of the Eisenhower Tunnel.

Vail is warm and not a cloud in the sky today, but they're calling for 8-12" tomorrow. The weather can change in a minute!

If you do come to Vail - and since you're a good skier, head over to Blue Sky Basin. You'll feel like you're on the other side of the world. The views are amazing.