Last Minute Roadtrip to Aspen? Inexpensive suggestions for hotels near Aspen.
Dec 17th, 2001, 04:33 PM
#1
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Last Minute Roadtrip to Aspen? Inexpensive suggestions for hotels near Aspen.
We are taking our last minute, unplanned, destination unknown until the last minute roadtrip. it is Aspen. We do this each Christmas. As a child I adored road trips and still do. Where can we stay close to Aspen? We are looking for inexpensive accomodations. Heck we are not tied to Aspen, we would like to visit a beautiful pictuesque place in Colorado. (we are not sking). Many thanks!!
Dec 17th, 2001, 05:42 PM
#4
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Aspen is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the U.S., and the rates are jacked up to an all time high during the Christmas/New Years holiday (as they are at all ski resorts). As you're not skiing, and looking for inexpensive accomodations, I'm very curious about how you ever picked Aspen. What about the place appeals to you? Maybe that will help us point you in the right direction.
Dec 17th, 2001, 07:03 PM
#6
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Whether skiing is in your plans or not I would highly recommend Durango, CO - prices are reasonable primarily because it is not an easy place to get to by commercial airplane (the airfare from Denver to Durango is as much as it is from Chicago to Denver, three times the distance).
This area has something for everyone, whether old or young the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge RR is a must - bring twice as much film as you think you will need because you are about to see some of the most fantastic (and otherwise inaccessible)scenery in the country on that train ride, unfortunately it only goes about halfway to Silverton during the winter. Dress warm and bring munchies as the prices are a bit steep on the train itself.
Hotels, rentals, etc. abound - under $50 a night should be no problem as winter is "off season" for this area. Last I was there in 1999 I saw rooms for as little as $30 a night in town. My Family owned Mill Creek Lodge at the time (since sold) so lodging was never an issue for me when going there though so no recommendations on lodging from me.
Another day trip would be up to Silverton - be prepared to be pampered and catered to as the place is a boomtown for tourists during the summer but practically deserted during the winter - but do not go if snow is forcast unless you plan to stay the night or longer. January '97 they were snowed in for nearly a week.
Beware of driving during the hour before sundown and after, what may look like water on the road will be almost certainly very smooth ice and they do not believe in guard rails in Colorado - this holds true wherever you may go in Colorado.
If you are like me you will leave Durango wishing you had another X number of days to stay and you will almost certainly vow to go back during the summer months just to see if you imagination of what the scenery would look like then is anywhere close to reality (chances are it will be better).
Mike
This area has something for everyone, whether old or young the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge RR is a must - bring twice as much film as you think you will need because you are about to see some of the most fantastic (and otherwise inaccessible)scenery in the country on that train ride, unfortunately it only goes about halfway to Silverton during the winter. Dress warm and bring munchies as the prices are a bit steep on the train itself.
Hotels, rentals, etc. abound - under $50 a night should be no problem as winter is "off season" for this area. Last I was there in 1999 I saw rooms for as little as $30 a night in town. My Family owned Mill Creek Lodge at the time (since sold) so lodging was never an issue for me when going there though so no recommendations on lodging from me.
Another day trip would be up to Silverton - be prepared to be pampered and catered to as the place is a boomtown for tourists during the summer but practically deserted during the winter - but do not go if snow is forcast unless you plan to stay the night or longer. January '97 they were snowed in for nearly a week.
Beware of driving during the hour before sundown and after, what may look like water on the road will be almost certainly very smooth ice and they do not believe in guard rails in Colorado - this holds true wherever you may go in Colorado.
If you are like me you will leave Durango wishing you had another X number of days to stay and you will almost certainly vow to go back during the summer months just to see if you imagination of what the scenery would look like then is anywhere close to reality (chances are it will be better).
Mike
Dec 18th, 2001, 12:57 PM
#7
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H- Aspen appeals as I am from Texas and have seen snow only several times in my life. I read Aspen was a "old mineing town". We are NOT tied to Aspen, we would love to snowmobile, eat out,and enjoy the sheer beauty of Colorado. I thought aspen would be beautiful.
Last year our road trip was to the Grand Canyon, beautiful as we watched the sun set on New years eve in the Canyon. Again I am not tied to Aspen, would just like suggestions for a quaint picturesque town. We did find inexpensive accomadations near (1 hour) from town (Antlers Best Western) for 100 dollars a night.
Mike thanks for the driving tips and the suggestions.
Open to anything. Thanks again
Last year our road trip was to the Grand Canyon, beautiful as we watched the sun set on New years eve in the Canyon. Again I am not tied to Aspen, would just like suggestions for a quaint picturesque town. We did find inexpensive accomadations near (1 hour) from town (Antlers Best Western) for 100 dollars a night.
Mike thanks for the driving tips and the suggestions.
Open to anything. Thanks again
Dec 18th, 2001, 02:12 PM
#8
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Lisa:
Inexpensive Aspen is truly a travel oxymoron. Glenwood Springs is about halfway between Aspen and Vail.
Accomodations are much more reasonable than either. Glenwood has hot springs, fairy caves, shopping, etc. Easy day trip to either Aspen, Vail. There's historic hotels to Best Westerns. check the towns website at glenwoodsprings.net.
FYI, any ski resort jacks up rates 50-100% for the week of Christmas to New Years (12/22-1/5/02).
Estes Park might work as well - just outside Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park. Wildlife, shopping, etc. Close to Boulder and Denver.
Durango is absolutely gorgeous, but out of the way. The drive over Red Mtn Pass to Ouray is jaw droppingly beautiful.
Inexpensive Aspen is truly a travel oxymoron. Glenwood Springs is about halfway between Aspen and Vail.
Accomodations are much more reasonable than either. Glenwood has hot springs, fairy caves, shopping, etc. Easy day trip to either Aspen, Vail. There's historic hotels to Best Westerns. check the towns website at glenwoodsprings.net.
FYI, any ski resort jacks up rates 50-100% for the week of Christmas to New Years (12/22-1/5/02).
Estes Park might work as well - just outside Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park. Wildlife, shopping, etc. Close to Boulder and Denver.
Durango is absolutely gorgeous, but out of the way. The drive over Red Mtn Pass to Ouray is jaw droppingly beautiful.
Dec 18th, 2001, 06:23 PM
#9
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We bought the map tonight and since Durango is so highly recommended and much closer to Texas we have decided to visit there. Bly we will take that drive over the mountain Pass and Mike we will take the train. Mike since you used to live there can I get your e mail address to privately e mail you to ask for other recomendations?
Thanks a bunch for VERY useful last minute advice. I appreciated all your valuable time.
Lisa
Thanks a bunch for VERY useful last minute advice. I appreciated all your valuable time.
Lisa
