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Thanks. That’s what I thought, and why I recommended the two small ski areas. |
Wow, that’s a long way to drive in two cars with a good possibility that you will encounter very challenging weather in light of your lack of experience driving in our winter mountain conditions and considering you goals stated in your July 15 post. Have you thought about a holiday trip to a Midwest ski/winter activities area and saving your trip to CO for our incredible summer weather and activities? |
Well I would NEVER discourage anyone from enjoying Colorado in winter. There is nothing like it. And all those areas will be uber-crowded also.
However, the OP asked about driving a Prius specifically and I asked about the tires (I just read a novel that referred to Prius and winter driving as being bad). Maybe the OP has replaced their tires but there is some cause for concern if not. https://www.google.com/search?q=Are+...hrome&ie=UTF-8 |
Originally Posted by fmpden
(Post 16953516)
There is an excellent public bus system tying Copper, Keystone, and Breckenridge together with less frequent service to Vail. Breckenridge has a good, free internal bus for getting around Breck without driving.
As far as the chain law -- If chains are required -- park it. You have no business driving in those conditions nor the experience. And the same for four wheel drive. If you have no experience driving four wheel drive vehicle in adverse conditions, Colorado mountains is not the place to learn. The highest percentage of vehicles off the road and involved in accidents are tourists driving four wheels drive vehicles. Four wheel drive is of no value when trying to stop and four wheels on slippy/snowy roads give a false sense of security if you are in-experienced driver. Again, if the weather is that bad, park it !!! Another reason to rent is that it sounds like the OP's spouse has driven large trucks and may be a more experienced driver in adverse conditions. This would cause them to take just one vehicle. I have physically watched tourists trying to drive a rental car up just a moderate slope on our mountains and keep backing down and a whole crew of Oregonians having to shove their car up the hill. I am not talking worst-case conditions. I absolutely agree that Four Wheel drive CAN give you a false sense of security and you should STILL exercise caution. I also absolutely agree that if you haven't driven in snow in the mountains, you are better off to consider a bus service/ski bus as advised above for getting around the slopes themselves. But just getting TO your lodgings could be a problem with your current plan. And given that you seem determined to drive, I am just thinking through your best options. |
Actually I think the poster above IS agreeing with the quoted advice to NOT drive a Prius in snowy Colorado and to rent a larger SUV so the family can travel together in one car that is snow worthy.
The advice about the bus service is actually quite on point also IMO.. If their (possible?) VRBO is on a shuttle bus route it could be quite good for the skiers in the family to get on that transport to and from the ski area, leaving the car for the rest of the family and not having to park at the area. I DO agree that 4 wheel drive can give a false sense of security to ANY one driving it, not just a newbie. It IS good in snowy conditions but of no use on ice/slick, and most especially in trying to STOP. And I've seen plenty of Colorado 4 wheelers driving crazy ways!! LOL It would be really good for the OP to come back and comment on some of the advice. AND it would be really good if the OP would find the VRBO that they are considering for any comment. I think finding this accomodation may be the real problem. There is also the question of what the other members of the family are going to do if not ski. Not that there is a shortage of stuff to do but that will enter into some ideas also. ;o) |
My $0.02, longtime Colorado resident. OP should have several plans, all of which have been mentioned above. It hinges on weather, totally unpredictable until about a week out. Plan A: Breckinridge, or if lodging is an issue try Frisco or Silverthorn. Lodging should have good cancellation policy. Plan B: If no luck getting there then go to Boulder, enjoy that and ski Eldora Plan C: If truly bad weather save the trip for another time. |
My best suggestion would be to board the dog in Ohio and take a train to Chicago and the California Zephyr from Chicago through Denver to the Fraser/Winter Park station. There is good transportation from the WPK station to the slopes and lodging. Farther along the route of the California Zephyr is the town of Glenwood Springs which has good bus service to Aspen (41 miles).
I agree - if chain restrictions are in place, park and stay put until the highways are well plowed and anti-skid is in place. |
Tom, I would support that recommendation except for one HUGE problem. The train is never on time and it can be hours late. Since OP hasn't been back, I assume we have beat this to death with extraneous information.
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