Novice Skier Trip Questions
 

Hello - My husband and I are planning a ski trip to Colorado sometime in February and are planning to go to either Breckenridge or Steamboat. We have only skied once before - which of these resorts is best for beginners? We plan on flying into Denver (due to cheap ticket prices) and renting a car to drive to the resort - is the drive to both of these resorts easy assuming there isn't a blizzard? We are not used to driving in snow/ice. Do we need an SUV or is a car okay? Thanks!

Breckinridge is much closer to Denver, and has a nice Victorian-atmosphere town to stroll in if skiing palls. It also has extremely beginner-friendly slopes, and Keystone is very close if you want a change of pace. A front-wheel-drive car is fine (unless there's a blizzard, and an SUV wouldn't help you much).

We've not been to Steamboat but have heard great things about it. We love Breckenridge so much we seem to return there more often than not. I would think it ideal for beginners. If you decide to stay in town you won't need a car--have you thought about taking a shuttle? Colorado Mt. Express is who we use ... http://www.ridecme.com/ass.htm

I learned to ski as an adult in Utah but feel I really go my mojo up and running at Breckenridge. We love the variety there and wide slopes.

As beginners, you can't go wrong with either of these places and they both have nice towns. The town of Steamboat has more of a cowboy feel to it than Breckenridge, which is more Victorian. They also both have nice beginner slopes and good ski schools.

The drive to Breckenridge is almost all interstate whereas Steamboat is about 50% two-lane roads and I believe you actually turned off the interstate to head to Steamboat right near the turnoff for Breckenridge.

We've stayed at Frisco, right off the interstate there several times. It's a lot more economical than the town of Breckenridge and you can try out different ski areas - Keystone, Copper, Loveland Pass and even Vail. (We actually did a day-trip to Steamboat from Frisco but I wouldn't recommend that since if the wx deteriorates during the day- the drive back is no fun and in the dark.)

Keystone is a little bit closer but you may want to check out Telluride as well. You can get a fairly cheap flight to Montrose, then take the shuttle to the town. We have been going for 5 or 6 years and everyone takes the shuttle because they are well organized and on-time. Once you get to the town (stay in town), you don't need a car and can walk everywhere. They have very good beginner slopes and great ski instructors. When you add up the money and time and stress you will spend getting to one of the other ski resorts, it may be worth it to check out the ease of getting to Telluride. It's a lovely mining town with great restaurants and lots of choices for beginning, int. and expert skiers.
Good luck!

If you go to Summit County, you can ski several resorts on one ticket. Vail Resorts include Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, Beaver Creek and A-Basin. Breck, Keystone and A-Basin can all be reached by the Summit Stage Bus (free).

OK...

Both Breck and Steamboat have good areas on the hill for beginners. If I had to give a nudge to one over the other as far as beginner terrain goes.....I'd say Breck.

As KensingtonGirl noted, the town of Steamboat has more of a cowboy feel to it, as it is in an area where ranching is/was abundant. Breck is an old mining town that developed during the gold rush days of the late 1800's, and thus the proliferation of Victorian architechure. Both towns have very good restaurants.

The town of Breckenridge is located right at the base of the ski hill, whereas the town of Steamboat is located about 2 miles west of the hill. There are numerous condos and hotels that have popped up at the base of the hill in Steamboat though.

I personally think Breck is more scenic, especially from the top of the hill.

I also think the ski hill at Breck is easier to navigate and get around than the one at Steamboat.

The one thing that Steamboat has that Breck does not, is a hot springs...as a matter of fact it has two! One right in town, and one about 5 miles out of town (Strawberry Park).

Because it is closer to Denver, Breck will also have a lot of "day-trippers" (skiers that come up from Denver on the weekends), making the weekends and holidays much more crowded. Steamboats skier population on the other hand is almost entirely made up of locals and tourists.

Breck is about a one and a half hour drive from Denver (on dry, open roads) via Interstate 70 and about 8 miles of Colorado Hwy 9).

Steamboat is about three and a half hours (half the way on Interstate 70, the other half on the two lane roads of Colorado Hwy 9 and U.S. Hwy 40).

You'll cross over the continental divide only once going to Breck (actually you'll cross under it), but you'll do it twice getting to Steamboat.

Steamboat has free hot chocolate and hot apple cider given out by resort ambassadors at the end of the day at the base area. Breck does not.

Steamboat has a ski jumping hill in the park across the river right in town. Breck does not.

Hope this helps. Or did I just muddy everything up even more?