My boys and I visited Colorado for the 1st time in Sept.for 5 days and absolutely loved every minute. Currently saving to vist Summer 2021. Longer next time

Recently I asked my boys what they wanted for Xmas and it was just 1 thing each that I already got them. They had mentioned months ago they would luv to go boarding someday in Co. So you know I checked flights and they are even cheaper then they were in Sept . I think I'm going to surprise them with a Thurs-Sun trip. But I havent skied in 40 yrs. My kids snowboard but that's only once a year when we go to visit family in Pa.


Im leanin towards Copper Mountain. I'm on a budget so no Aspen and nothing crazy as far as us being inexperienced. We thought Winter Park looked nice when we passed by among our travels in Sept. Plus you can take a train from Union Station( save$$$ on rental car) Also saw Eldora Mountain Resort . You can take a bus from Boulder. Then I saw Copper Mountain Resort . We can take a shuttle directly from Den(DIA) (again no rental) And I also saw you can take a shuttle to Breckinridge if we wanted to shop etc. I'd like to go tubing, cross country sking???

Any advice? Thx in advance.
Natalie

You need to research the resorts you've mentioned. This year, you can't just roll up to many Colorado resorts and expect to ski/board without a reservation. Some are not offering walk-up tickets and require daily reservations. I know for a few places the reservation portals opened up a month ago, and reservations were available first to annual pass holders. I would think reservations for weekends are harder to get than mid-week.

Also research the grand transportation and costs. I don't think the Ski Train to Winter Park is currently operating because of Covid. Bus services may not be as frequent as in 'normal' winter seasons. Also, when you have to multiply by 3/4/whatever, using shuttles might be more expensive than renting a car.

If you'd be renting equipment, that's one more thing to investigate. Advance reservations may be required.

On-mountain dining will probably be less than ideal, and AFAIK off-mountain restaurants are operating with limited capacities. All in all, this might not be the best year to spring for a surprise ski trip.

You really need to find out more about the current reality. When exactly are you planning this trip? Not at Christmas, I hope.
Colorado is under pretty severe restrictions right now due to COVID spikes. I presume you have heard there is a coronavirus pandemic in the US?

You can't be easily hopping on any shuttle to go shopping in Breckenridge. Local bus systems are operating at 50 pct capacity and people who live there may actually have to use them for work. GOing to/from Copper and Breckenridge takes close to an hour, as I recall, and a transfer. Maybe longer, depending on transfer time. Stores are operating at 50 pct capacity, I think. Restaurants are closed, but allow takeout. this is NOT the time to be "shopping": for recreation.

No group lessons are being offered. I believe you have to buy lift tickets in advance, but you'd probably do that anyway. Weekends will be more crowded, of course. Lift capacity is being limited so lines may be long, especially on weekends. Many resorts are not offering dining options at all, only some takeout on the mountain, if that matters. it doesn't to me as I don't usually eat on the mountain, but a lot of people do.

But if you have to do this, Copper is probably a better idea than some place like Breckenridge, as it is self-contained and less crowded, espec on weekends. If you get lodging so you can just walk to the lifts or take the free local resort shuttle (again, reduced capacity), and just stay at the Copper Mtn Resort itself. I would also do this in perhaps mid-January, when it is less crowded (and usually less expensive), not the holiday season.

A shuttle will probably cost you around $400 ($200 each way) for you 3, and that isn't a private one. It shouldn't be cheaper than a car, though, although I think it is safer as you never know the road conditions around there. A car like a smaller SUV could be around $100 a day rental, I imagine, for a 3-4 day rental over a weekend. So if you really were only there for two days for activities (arrive Thursday, leave Sun), a car would be a little cheaper, if cost is really your only reason for not wanting one. When I go there I use a shuttle because I don't want to be driving in that possible weather, especially in the dark as it is usually dark when I have to leave for the airport.Traffic is much much worse on I70 on Weekends, though.

Your budget seems pretty hefty to me for a Christmas gift for a couple kids, sounds like well over $1000 with everything, airfare, lodging, rental equipment, lift tickets, transportation etc. Probably over $2000.

I've had Colorado on my brain since our visit, but you are right. In fact I finally started putting it all down on paper. Sure flight is only $97 rt....but add this and that ×3 is getting too much .Especially with restrictions. Just the shuttle is $390 rt vs $260 for SUV. But then I have to drive. While I was born and raised in Pa I've driven in snow but have been down south for awhile now . TRR and drive up Pikes Peak was .scary enough in nice weather. Plus lodging, equipment rentals etc Getting stuff online doesn't bother me but uncertainty of weather,which day to get tix etc. Going this past Sept was more certainly economical

I've decided if I really want to do this we should go to a ski resort not too far from Atlanta and look fwd to our trip in July hopefully with less restrictions that we can stay with friends in different parts of Co and just have expense of lodging etc when we go to somewhere else too.

Thanks for advice!
Natalie

I was thinking late Jan /Feb. Butlike I just replied to Jean ...you both are right. This was going to be a Xmas present for them . Just thinking about airfare, hotel, and car at first not realizing all the extra stuff it was definitely doable. I should say my kids are college students. They already have everything they need from over the years so instead of wasting money on things I take them on trips. A little selfishly I get to go too and not liking the empty nest a chance to be 24/7 with them.There bds are in Oct so the Sept trip was their bd trip. I spent $700 for 3 people for air,Airbnb, and car and about $1k on everything else. Deciding that up it's not bad . As far as the pandemic. Of course I know and there were restrictions we adhered to then. I guess i with everything n Atlanta being open since April here then talking to family in the NE where it's different like Co. I wasnt thinking.

Like I said in other post I have completely changed my mind with cost adding up. I was already up to 2k and I had yet to add anything to do with skiing.

I'm just going to continue to save for our trip in July when its cheaper.

Thanks for advice.
Natalie

You are smart to postpone. When it comes time to travel again there's also great snowboarding and skiing in the PNW (Whistler in British Columbia comes to mind).

I doubt that Canada will let us in even in February. You can fly to Portland Oregon and be at one of two ski hills on Mt. Hood within about 2 hours. The best resort type lodging on Mt. Hood is at Timberline.
Another Oregon ski hill to check out is called HooDoo. No lodging but a good ski hill.

She's not going this year now. And her original draw was the chaap air fare from Atlanta which makes Colorado a batter destination when she does go IMO.