Where would my family of four be better off staying in July? We like to be near several golf courses and lots of outdoor activity. We also like to be able to walk to nice evening dining. We stayed in Keystone many years ago and wonder if that might be the best choice or if we should try a different resort. We have heard a lot about Beaver Creek, Vail and Breckenridge. Can someone help me make the choice? We have two boys who are both golfers. Thanks.

Trish,
Based on what you've said, I'd go for Breckenridge. We've only golfed there once but the course we were at was challenging, as I recall. You can walk to restaurants and shops galore--many more to choose from than in Keystone (although I still love Keystone). There's also an alpine slide near Breckenridge that your boys might enjoy. We rented bikes at Vail a few years ago and rode to Vail Pass...am sure Breckenridge has bikes you could also rent. Sounds like a fun trip!

Hi Trish. Frist if it has been "many years" since you have been to Keystone you will be surprised at the change. All to the good. They have built a very nice village, River Run, that has more shops and resturants than in the past. Keystone has done an excellent job making it a year round resort. For golfers there are 3 courses, plus tennis and horseback riding on-site. The gondola is free, for a small charge you can take a mtn bike up. Check out thier web page for summer activites. http://keystone.snow.com/sa.asp

Stay in or near River Run and you will not need a car.

Is the cost of Green Fees a consideration? My husband and his friends usually play one round of golf, maybe two when we are in the Vail/Beaver Creek area for a week. I believe green fees are over $100.00 per person. There is a golf course on the east side of Vail, in Beaver Creek and the Eagle-Vail golf course in between Vail and Beaver Creek. Also, a little further west is Cordillera (sp). Some of these may be private and you'd need your home club to have an agreement to allow you to play. The Eagle-Vail course is less expensive and probably offers deals for junior golfers and for the early or late tee times.

My favorite place to stay is in a house on the Eagle Vail golf course. I like it a lot better than condos in Vail and Beaver Creek in the summer because you can sit out on the deck and enjoy the great views and weather, but you would need a car to drive to any restaurants.

Let me know if you want info on other activities in the area.

Assuming you have a car, if it were me I'd get a condo in Keystone and play golf at each of the places you mention. It's not a long drive from there to each place. I find Keystone has great value for condos. Unlike Kima, I prefer to stay in a forest condo. You can still take the shuttle everywhere and don't need to drive.

Thanks very much for your ideas. My husband is leaning towards staying in the Vail/Beaver Creek area. We are thinking a condo would be a good idea. Has anyone stayed at The Charter in the summer? Or do you have a better condo choice in the area. Most of the posts are talking about the convenience to the ski lifts etc. What about convenience for summer activities? Thanks

Great choice Trish, Vail/BC that is. I don't know this particular property but I can tell you that Vail and BC are 2 quite different towns seperated by more than just a few "miles". BC is quite expensive and more "upscale" although a little quieter. Vail is a little higher energy with more affordable accomodations. Both hum in the summer and depending on where you stay, are an easy access to activities.

Trish you might want to check out http://www.vail.net/