Hi, We are planning a trip over Feb 08 from Australia. We have unfortunatley booked our airfares during Presidents week, so I am aware that there will be crowds and heavier prices with accomadation but I didn't realise at the time.
Can someone please help me filling in these details.
1. I have no idea how far Breckenridge is from Denver airport. Actually I am having a hard time working out any of the ski areas.
2. Is Breckenridge suitable if we don't have a car to get around?
3. Any suggestions on accomodation.
4. How serious is altitude sickness, when we currently live at about 750 feet from sea level?
5. Is a bus available from the airport to Breckenridge?
6. We are open to going to any area, if Breckenridge isn't suitable, any suggestions. I am an intermediate skier (reconstructed knee, so I take it easy and can get scared easy, just don't want to hurt it again) and hubby is an advanced skier.
Would really appreciate any advice you can give us.
We will then be going on to Vegas and LA, so planning about 4 nights at a ski field.

TTT for you.

I suspect you may really appreciate having a car in that area but hopefully others with more first-hand knowledge will comment.

According to mapquest.com, Breckenridge is about 80 miles from Denver

you may get plenty of replies, but I think you would do better if you posted this under a new title - something like " Help someone from Oz with Breckenridge/Denver trip" b/c then anyone familiar with that area will click right on your post -
I clicked b/c I thought you might want general US info, but can't help with that particular area - when we ski Vail only one in my family has had any altitude issues (light headed, a bit of a headache, etc) but she adjusted after a day or so - if you are healthy and in good shape, you likely won't have a problem - but my daughter is and she just always has had that day or so of adjustment, so now she gets pills from her Dr. before going so she doesn't waste any time off the slopes - it's a consideration if you are concerned and also, these ski areas are used to dealing with it, the Dr's in the area are quite familiar with all signs of altitude discomfort so any resort will help you out (as they did the first time with us for our daughter)

you can also search "altitude sickness" in this forum and online in general and find out lots of info and self help measures

You may also try putting in the search bar on this forum things like "Breckenridge" "Denver"
"transportation in breckenridge" "Denver skiing" and see what pops up

have fun!

1. breckenridge is approx 2 hrs west of denver airport. a very easy drive on 4 lane interstate highway. of note on the way up into the mtns. are the spanless (meaning no center support) bridge maybe 15 miles out of town. you'll be coming up a hill - see the overpass and as you go through your first view of the magnificent rocky mountains. this is called buffalo bill overlook and if you look to your right just after the overpass you may see a small herd of buffalo. then later, you will drive through the eisenhower tunnel. a true engineering marvel.
2. you can do breck with no car. there are shuttles around town and shuttles to the other nearby ski areas and towns. 6. however, if you can find accomodations in keystone i think you might like the skiing better. keystone has a high proportion of intermediate runs. breck and keystone are only about 15 miles apart. (copper mtn., breckenridge, keystone and araphoe basin are all close enough to ski more than one area in day) (vail is under an hour from breck/keystone - hubby might enjoy a day there)
3. this far out you should have your pick of hotels. a regular poster - catbert - might be able to suggest particular hotels as he/she lives in the area. others will help too, once you choose a town.
4. drink lots of water. go to bed early. if you feel tired or get dizzy stop and rest. do not drink alcohol.
5. your hotel or resort should offer shuttle vans/busses for you to and from the airport.

Breck is about 2 hrs from DIA. There are shuttles (vans) from the airport. Colorado Mountain Express or Resort Express. They are pretty expensive so you might want to weigh the cost of shuttle vs rental car, gas & parking. IE) shuttle $80pp/ow (guestimate) $320 for 2 rt - you may be able to get a rental car for 4 days for same price but you have to factor in whether there is a parking fee and the cost of gas and Especially comfort of driving in the snow.

Once in Breck, if you're staying in town, there are buses so you don't need a car. We've had meetings at Beaver Run a few times. They have hotel rooms, studios and condos that are ski in/ski out and walking distance to town. Its just a big resort - not very atmospheric but a good location and reasonable in price.

Altitude sickness affects everyone differently - my 75 yr old MIL, who hasn't exercised a day in her life has no problems when visiting, but my incredibly fit, Pilates instructor SIL gets sick every time. If you feel the effects - headache, lightheadedness, nausea, just take it easy. No alcohol, drink lots of water, eat lightly. After a day or so, you should feel better.

If you're looking for better lodging rates or want to ski multiple areas, you can stay in the towns of Frisco and Silverthorne. Both are pretty central to Breck, Keystone, Copper and 30 minutes over the pass to Vail. You could do it on a bus, but a car would be more convenient. However, each of these resorts are considerably larger than the Ozzie snow fields of Thredbo, Perrisher or Blue Cow - so if you just want to ski, staying at one resort and just skiing there would be easier.

Some hotels offer discounted lift tickets so ask when booking. Most ski resorts won't release their ticket rates and discounts until August at the earliest.

Breckenridge, with a base at 9600 feet, is pretty high, so you may have a headache and some shortness of breath the first day or so. Here is what their website says about the altitude:

"Altitude Sickness:

Perhaps as many as half the visitors from lower elevations experience some form of altitude illness. The vast majority of cases are self-limited and spontaneously resolve as the body acclimatizes. Symptoms include fatigue, decreased appetite, shortness of breath with minimal exertion, nausea, headache and sleep disturbances. These symptoms are often worse the second day at altitude (but resolve in four to five days). Rest is the key to treating mild forms of altitude sickness.

Avoiding Altitude Sickness:


Stay Properly Hydrated: Acclimatization is often accompanied by fluid loss, so you need to drink lots of fluids to remain properly hydrated (at least 3-4 quarts per day).
Avoid tobacco and alcohol and other depressant drugs during acclimation, which can also lead to dehydration.
Light Activity during the day is better than sleeping because respiration decreases during sleep, exacerbating Altitude Sickness symptoms."

However bad that sounds, you won't necessarily experience anything more than shortness of breath when you climb stairs. We live right at sea level--lower than you---and routinely head up to the mountains at 8,000 or 9,000 feet for skiing or hiking with no problems at all. Staying well-hydrated is most important, so drink plenty of water.

There is excellent transportation from the airport to breck-- check out CME (colorado mountain express) its about 65$ pp and takes about an hour and three-quarters, they take you right to your accomodation.

You don't need a car-- there is an excellent transportation system.

can't help with accomodations, as we stay with friends, but I do recommend a condo.

google altitude sickness, the main idea is drink LOTS of water before, avoid alcohol a couple days before, and the first day or so. Some evidence suggests aspirin therapy. I use it with good results. Take it easy the first couple of days, and you should be fine.

From Breck you can get to Keystone, Arapaho, Copper, and Vail, all on scheduled bus routes. Breck is nice, because its friendly and low-key compared to the glitzier Aspen and Vail in season scene-- esp. during a holiday week.

There is wonderful terrain for Intermediate skiiers.