Skiing at Breck. Driving from Broomfield
 

We will be visiting family in Broomfield and driving to Breck for 2 days of skiing a few days after Christmas. We had planned to drive from Broomfield to Breck early in the morning so teen boys can start an all day lesson at 10 am. Then we will stay in Breck for one night and ski again the next day. Are we crazy for trying to drive that distance at that time of year and expect to arrive by 9am? How much time should we allow? Are there any inexpensive motels between Broomfield and Breck where we could stay the night before to cut out some of the distance? Since we have only 2 days to ski we want to make the best of our time w/o going broke! I know this is weather dependent but would like some input. We are from Midwest and have never been skiing in CO before. Thanks!

You certainly don't need to spend the night. It is only a 2 hour drive!
Leave at 6 and you'll have plenty of time. It's basically all interstate also.
If you are going to rent skis at the mountain you will want to leave by that 6AM.

Thanks, Gretchen. That's what we were thinking. What about snowy weather? Will that add on a lot of time. I've heard that getting over the pass can be rough.
If we do decide to go the night before are there places in between to stay?

It can be or not--they clear the roads very well and if the pass is dangerous, it will be on every media outlet.
If you go the night before you need to have it arranged beforehand. It will be a busy busy season, and you can't count on being able to drop into a place--in my opinion.

Leave early. It is only a 2 hour drive if you beat the traffic. I live in the south metro Denver area and we always leave the house before 6am if we ski on the weekend or during a holiday period.

There are motels in Idaho Springs but it is not worth it since it would be a good hour from there. There are a bunch of motels in the Dillon/Siverthorne area but at that time of year could be hard to come by and expensive. It is an easy two hour drive and there is no pass to go over. It is a tunnel under (more or less) Loveland pass. Snowy weather will make it slower but the roads are well maintained.

I am a little surprised you can get a one night rental at that time of year. If the rental is close to the slopes or downtown I would ask if they would allow you to park early that day. Otherwise you need to use the huge public lots ($10) in the center of town. There are shuttle buses from these lots to the different ski bases. You would probably need base 9 for ski school and rentals.

An advantage to coming the night before is that you could arrange the rentals and ski school the evening before. Unfortunately the Christmas through New Years period is our busiest period except for President Day weekend which is worse.

That's right, of course. Eisenhower Tunnel!!

fmpden, I think we are staying at the only place that allows one night. The Village Hotel. They will let us park there when we arrive. If we go the night before we would definitely reserve ahead.
I just spoke with a friend who has skied at Breckenridge. She said last year they were there and it took 90 minutes to get rentals (lines, fitting, etc). That's another concern in addition to the drive time. And, like fmpden said, an advantage to coming the night before. So, to be on the slopes by 9 we'd have to leave by 6 if the weather is good and earlier if it's bad. This is the first I've heard of a tunnel under the pass. That's cool.
So...being a newbie, I'm guessing all of this will take longer than it would for you experienced skiers, right?! :)
Thanks for the input!

Make sure you reserve skis. In busy times of the year, the resorts and the ski shops can run out of skis. It should also help you be fitted into boots and skis faster.

Rentals always take longer.
You may need to reserve lessons at this busy time. But I will also say, a whole day lesson for new skiiers will wear your teens out more than theywould ever think it would.
If you are coming back to ____, rent there and take them with you. You can still get the lesson-still reserve.
Lessons are the ONLY sane way to do this, and they will have a GREAT time.

Are they skiing or boarding? If boarding it will be much quicker for rental since the fitting process is very different. At that time of year, there are a lot of people and everything is slower from rentals to bathrooms. If you can afford to stay two nights it would be far more relaxing. Unfortunately two days of lesson will be barely adequate to get started. My concern it that it will be very difficult to get much of a feel for skiing or boarding if you are there for two days. What days do you really plan to ski? New Year's eve and day would be the best choices.

Gretchen suggestion of renting in Bloomfield - Sports Authority or Christy Sports, etc , is excellent. Save time and money. In fact, I would strongly encourage that. That way you can go directly to the lesson.

The tunnel has been there about 30 years so it is nothing new.

Our boys will be skiing (skis, not boarding) 2 days: Dec. 28 and 29. They've skied in midwest but never in CO. Two days of skiing is all we have time for. We have skis, lift tkts and lessons reserved. Lessons for only one day. Will they be fine skiing on their own the 2nd day after one day of lessons? They are 15 and 13.
Are places like Christy Sports and Sports Authority as skilled at fitting rental skis based on ability as they are at Breck?
Shoot after all this advice I think we need to stay in Breck for a week!

Skiing on their own the 2nd day should be fine. Just tell them to keep practicing what they learned and they should also know the bunny runs by having been with instructors the day before.

One real benefit with taking lessons as a beginner is that everybody is going through some akward times - so there is some group camaraderie in doing so. :)

The one advantage of getting fitted at the actual ski area/slopeside is that if you have some problems - you are right there to get them solved, but the Christy's of this world should fit them fine for their experience level.

I would give them lessons the second day also. They will improve SO much it will be almost uncanny. Consider it an investment in their future enjoyment of skiing and particularly if they ski some at home also.
Our kids were pretty good skiiers when we first went to CO and we always signed them up for lessons. They are gorgeous skiiers--have been instructors later.
There will be a Christy's at Breck also.
One nice thing if you rent and take lessons is that they will probably store the skis overnight and you don't have to schlep them to your condo.

Actually - I think the best way is to take half day lessons - and then work on/try out what you learned in the afternoon. You really improve with practice/time on skis.

And group lessons are fine for beginners. You don't need private.

Tomsd, you mentioned they will know the bunny runs. Ummm they are expecting to be on the mountain in their lesson (at least the green hills). Is that unrealistic? I would guess they are Novice 4. Also, Breck signed them up for Kids lessons rather than adult since one of them is 13. Would they have a better experience with an adult instructor. Really don't want them to be in a group with preteens or younger.

This is the kind of exchange that drives me nuts. Every time you post a suggestion you learn a little more than could have influenced the earlier suggestion. Lets start over.

1. They have skied in the midwest - explain. Where? How many times, types of hills, etc? My experience (limited) is that midwest ski is not much more than sliding downhill with little skill required.

2. Are the boys experience and COMFORTABLE getting on and off of chair lifts?

3. Denver ski shops are just as skilled at fitting skis as any on slope shops. After all lots of locals rent everyday at shops in Denver than waste time renting on slope. And generally cheaper. This is a mute discussion if you have already reserved skis on slope.

4. I doubt seriously that one day (or even two) of lessons will make them comfortable on any green slope. All green slopes are not the same and if you make a mistake you might be on a blue so they need some ability. So I don't think you should assume that after one day they will be cruising the green slopes. The bunny hill is really not a hill but a local expression. Breckenridge has a couple of relatively flat areas where they take the beginning classes. They will have an adult instructor regardless of the class level. It is not baby sitting.

My recommendations for new skiers is plan on a week. Take two and a half days of lessons and one and half days of practice after the lessons and then return to half days of lessons and half day of practice. There is a beginners hump that all beginners need to get over and it only happens with practice and some lessons. My experience is that it takes about a week.

5. Have no idea of a Novice 4 level. Never heard of it but it is probably an internal classification of some type. I did not see it on the site for reservations. Do you have a definition? They will be a classes of same ability and age.

6. Remember you will need helmets.

7. Given you very limited time, I would recommend two half days of morning lessons so that they can practice each afternoon. The first couple of days of lessons can be very tiring especially coming for a lower altitude. Use the afternoon to practice. It will be difficult to develop much skill within the limited time you have.

8. Buy a beginners lift tickets. Don't waste your money on an all mountain ticket. However, it has been a while since our boys were that age so don't remember if Breck has a beginner lift ticket. I know Copper does. If you skis are tied up in a package it might not be cheaper to get them in Denver - only more convenient.

9. Which school location did you chose? And do you know where they are at in relation to your lodging?

Good luck, Frank

They need to be in a lesson for their skill level. They will be put in that lesson by the instructor watching them ski down a little slope.
I just do not agree about half day lesson--they will learn more and correctly if watched all day by their instructor and corrected.
They will be "on the mountain". First timers have NO idea how big and how complicated Colorado ski mountains can be. What fmpden said is true--you can suddenly be on a blue slope you can't handle and have to do a catwalk which can be worse!!
I've not been to Breck often but don't know of a green slope only ticket. The ski lesson will take care of the lift ticket.
OP, your boys will progress quickly 'cause that's what kids do. You only have two days so take lessons both days. They might even move 'way up on day two if they have skiied before.
The most important thing is for them to ski under control, and learn their technique correctly. They will also be surprised at how tired they will get--you get a LOT of skiing on a slope in CO, and with a lesson, not much waiting in line at the lift.
Be sure to have warm enough clothing.

Totally agree that a solid week is the best way to improve for beginning beginners - but even before you get to that - I recommend a couple of weekends first, and then followed by a solid week -- and the improvement is usually very significant.

However - here it seems they will only have two days - and I would again recommend considering a half day lesson - group - and the better ski schools (such as they have in Colorado) will sort out which class/level to put them in.

After the morning lesson - it's real simple. Have them ask their instructor where they should practice that afternoon - or if you prefer - they can take an all day lesson.

On the topic/side of the all day lesson approach - it is amazing sometimes what the young ones can do. My niece - when she was about 10? - took two all day lessons - her first time on snow as they were living in Central America - at Deer Valley, Utah. By the second day - theis class of six kids was coming down the whole mountain (top to bottom) - on the easier intermediate runs.

Seems most in the class had skateboarded - as had she a bit (she had also some martial arts instruction from her father which was good for the initial snowplow stance) - and they were a very fast learning class. :)

In the end - it's really up to you.

I don't think you would be wrong in putting them in morning classes and letting them explore a bit in the afternoon - or alternatively - taking full day lessons.

Obviously I have been following this discussion closely. You have received a wide range of opinions based on experience as no option is perfect. Now I want to ask an even more basic question, "What is the purpose of the trip to Breck?" Or what is your objective?

For the moment I am assuming it is primarily for the ski instruction or exposure to skiing. Second, you are trying to be as economical as possible. Third, the parents don't ski because of the questions asked. And finally, the ski experience at that time will not be as positive as it would be at another time especially for beginners. Break works hard but the crowds are huge. So, assuming the first point I would proposed a whole different approach.

Go to Loveland. It is a great little ski area with very good instruction. In fact, I learn to ski there in 62 as a junior from an Iowa univ over spring break. You do the math. And many, many Denver area skiers have learned at Loveland. And Loveland Valley (lower of the two areas) is an excellent learning mountain. The advantages --

1. Less than an hour drive from Bloomfield and you do not go through the tunnel.

2. Crowds are reasonable even at that time of year since it is not a resort area with overnight lodging. All locals with a few tourists.

3. Very easy to get to - less than an hour from Bloomfield. You could continue to stay in Bloomfield or an inexpensive hotel in Idaho Springs which is only 30 mins away and save those early morning hours.

4. Fairly inexpensive. A whole day package of lesson, lift, skis, AND lunch is about a $100 compared to Breck of nearly $150. And I personally believe that the lesson experience at that time would be better than Breckenridge. Just do not have the crowds.

5. Drawback - not very fancy. Nothing to brag about when you get home. Throwback to the early days of skiing in Colorado. Nothing for the parents to do at the ski area. Could go back to Georgetown which is very pretty at that time of year or go through the tunnel to the discount shopping mall in Silverthorne if that appeals to you.

6. Save some money for the next trip when the boys might be able to enjoy the whole Breck ski area which is massive.

7. My concern is that you are not going to get the value you want from Breck at that time. Whether it is one day, two day, or half days, there is no substitute for practice, practice, practice. Lessons get you started but it time on skis that really counts. With only two days totals I doubt if much will be retained when you return next year or the year after.

Now you have too much to think about. Good luck.

O' for an edit button. Got stuck on Bloom instead of Broom.

Great idea/advice. At Regis College in west Denver - in the mid 60's - guys would come from the dorms into the cafeteria in the morning in their ski clothes, have breakfast, go to Loveland to ski and be back by dinner.

It sounds like the perfect place for your boys to get some time on snow under their belts. :)

Frank....you are right about this thread adding more and more info with each response!
1. purpose of this trip is to give our boys a chance to ski in the mountains.

2. Yes, trying to be economical but realizing there is some expense to skiing, especially in late December, which is the only time we could coordinate schedules.

3. My sister and I have skied. She skis infrequently in Midwest. I haven't skied in 20 years. I had a few skiing adventures at Lk Tahoe about 25 yrs ago - funny stories since I was quite a novice and never advance much beyond novice (carried skis down part of the hill/have no idea what color hills I was on/I did live to tell about it!).

4. As for Loveland, we heard about Loveland, but the boys really want the Colorado mountain experience so we opted for Breck. We have reservations already for lessons, lift and rentals so it's too late to change that. Lessons are at Village. (We are staying at Village Hotel). We have a one day lesson booked at this point. The 2nd day is open - perhaps a half day lesson on day 2 would be a good idea to get them started? The boys do have helmets (thank you for thinking of their safety!)

5. The Novice 4 I mentioned came from the Vail website: http://www.vail.com/ski-and-snowboar...el.aspx#24#Top
I realize though that the hills are much different that the blue or green hills in Michigan/Illinois/Wisconsin. They are both fine with getting on/off chairlifts

6. Gretchen, re warm enough clothing. I'm thinking that freezing winters in the midwest would give me a good idea about what kind of clothing to bring, but being up in the mountains could present colder/different temps. Any specific suggestions?

This is exhausting and I haven't even arrived at the high altitude yet!!! :)

You guys are all great - I so appreciate all of your input. And I do wish we had an entire week. I think our boys will be thrilled to be there at all which is why I want to make it the best experience possible, even though short.

Julie

P.S. Dont know if ages ever came up but our boys are 15 and 13. And forgot to answer Frank's question about how much/what kind of midwest skiing. 15 year old has skied 5 or 6 times in last 3 years. Self taught and handles most of the hills at the places he's been. 13 year old skis more regularly, has had some lessons. Their abilities are similar.

Suggest you keep the first day's lessons and then see how it goes after they knock off the "rust". They might be up for heading out on their own the 2nd day - who knows - or take a morning lesson.

Hey - you should get back on skis too.

I well remember my first day on skis at Lake Tahoe. A gal I was dating took me all the way to the top of Squaw Valley (she said that's what her friends did to her in back in New Hampshire or some place) - and it was not only going down intermediate slopes from there - but it was also a very icy/windy day.

Good skiers were having a hard time getting down (trying to side slip down the ice - but usually in the West - people don't have sharp edges for that kind of control as we have such great packed powder out here) - and there I was in my scotch-guarded levis/jeans - leaving patches of blue all the way down the hill.

After that - it was easy, eh? :)

Tomsd, I would love to try skiing again, but my bones are pretty creaky and not in condition! My Lk Tahoe spring skiing trip was the doozy! Took the gondola to the top of Squaw with another novice friend and my experienced cousin. Cousin said, "see ya at the bottom"! After 1st fall, friend lost a ski, it flew over the top of hill where my cousin saw it "fly" overhead! LOL. Ski was located... Snow was so slushy, we had to alternate skiing with walking and carrying our skis!!! Quite a sight! We did make it down the mountain -- cousin was sitting with feet up, drinking a beer waiting for us!!! Still it was a blast! :)
I have a feeling our boys will have a great experience and plan to keep the 1st day lesson with an option of more lesson on day 2 if they need/want it. If nothing else to skip by the long lines!!!
Thanks!

LOL. Know the feeling. I was at Kirkwood years ago - when I was a beginning intermediate - and there were two lifts next to each other - one going halfway up - intermediate - and the other to the top - advanced/expert.

Since there was a long line in the intermediate chair - my two "buddies" - both better skiers than me (back then anyway) - said - let's take the other chair - you can handle it.

Well, so happens - there were big moguls/bumps that day - so I was lunched on the way down. They would ski ahead and laugh - and I said - if I get close enough to you - I am going to let em run and ski right over your arses, and I was serious.

Since then - we have probably skied together 50 times - but that one day at Kirkwood long ago still makes for good laughs every time we get together.

BTW - Breckinridge is a cute/Victorian themed town - and over a little ways - on the other side of the Freeway - is a darling little town - Frisco - which has a great little main street - and our favorite B & B - the Frisco Lodge. http://www.friscolodge.com/

And BTW 2: The way to beat the long lines is go early - ski hard - break for lunch early - and then get out again while others are having their lunch. :)

BTW: We plan on checking out Breckenridge while boys are skiing.

BTW 2: Thanks for the tip to beat the long lines...At least the runs are longer here than they are in the midwest so once you get up there, you're skiing for awhile, right?! Other than timing, any other "beat the line" tips? Are there lifts that are more populated than others?

When they ski the first day with the ski instructors - ask them where the best lifts for their level are - with the shortest lines. If you are there on a weekend - normally it will be busy if it's like other ski areas.

If you have a car - you might also drive 20 minutes down the hill/freeway to check out Vail - which has become quite built up.

Actually - reread your original post - and since you are there during Christmas week - that normally is busy. Again, if they ski the 2nd day on their own - go early to try and beat some of the crowds. When they are with the ski instructor - they will have line preference.

Thanks! Good idea to check with instructor re best lifts.
It will be an adventure and I will report back!

Couple of comments from a former Midwestern skier who's lived in Colorado for 20 years, who has two teens who can't remember when they couldn't ski!

On the weather, after skiing in the Midwest, the temperatures at Breck shouldn't feel awful. Because it's a lot less humid, the cold doesn't feel as cold. That being said, the slopes at Breck are known for being windy. I'm guessing that whatever cold-weather gear you have will be fine. If they don't have goggles, get or rent those, too.

It will be busy at all the lifts at Breck. Off Peak 9 (which is where your kids' lessons will be), the shorter lines will be at Mercury and Falcon lifts; the bottom of each of those lifts is mid-mountain. Mercury will have a variety of runs that will work for their level; Falcon serves more advanced runs.

You could try to see if the kids could be in the same (adult) lesson - try begging - if they are likely at the same ability level anyway. I have no idea if it will work, but I persuaded the ski school to allow my then 11yo DS into the adult telemark ski lesson by promising I would take tele lessons too. Which I did, but the laid-back but very good instructors could tell that DS was intermediate, and I was a beginner, put him with the intermediates and took off. They didn't seem to mind his age at all (we met up at lunchtimes). Not to say that you'd have the same experience, but you could try, since the 13yo would be with the 15yo.

The problem with a wait-and-see attitude on a second day of lessons is that they may be all booked up at that time of year. See what the cancellation policy is - maybe you could book that second day, then cancel if your kids don't want to take that day's lessons. Also, a half-day lesson is probably only a tiny bit cheaper than a full-day lesson.

In Breckenridge, consider going cross-country skiing, a beautiful way to enjoy the outdoors. Also, as a real, former mining town, there are several walking tours and old home available for visiting, if you like history.

Enjoy!

Great advice Lexma.

I am again going to lobby for them taking the second day lesson. They will actually get more skiing in and will SO benefit from the lesson. It really isn't just "practicing" what you learned the first day--it will be adding TO what you learned--and practicing with someone watching to make suggestions to do it correctly--and then you progress to the next level.

Lexma, question re your lesson suggestion. I'm not quite sure what you mean. The boys are in the same lesson. I had planned to register them for the adult lesson and the guy making the res. at Breck suggested a kid lesson bc it was cheaper. It really wasn't cheaper but at the time his computer gave us a great deal so I took it. Do you think they'd be better off with the adult lesson rather than the kids lesson? Is that why you suggested that? Breck was willing to put them in the adult lesson. I've been told by one of the phone guys (a former instructor) that it really won't matter which one they are in bc they will be assigned based on ability whether adult or child. Also they assured me that the lessons won't have more than about 6 people. IS this accurate?

As for the 2nd day lesson, that's a possibility - will have to work out with the other family and talk to boys. I do see the advantage. Sounds like they will get as much skiing in with a lesson as they would on their own -- possibly more because of avoiding lines?

PS. Lexma, thanks for the clothing comments and the lift suggestions. They do have goggles...I think they are pretty well set except for some water proof snow pants because they outgrow those every year!
And I'm pretty sure the lessons are nonrefundable that time of year.
Thanks again for all the input!

If it's like any other ski school I have seen/taken a lesson from - they are always grouped with regard to their ability - be it "children" or adult class.

Usually - they have them take a little run down the hill and then assign them to a class.

What Tom said.
Also, you might think about getting the snow pants in Broomfield--there will be more selection, and probably sales at Gander Mountain or Sports Authority (old Gart's?). Even Target!!
they definitely will get all the skiing they can handle in a day of lessons.

LOL Gretchen. Left Colordo in Dec '68 after finishing undergrad - and don't think I have heard Gart's until just now on your post. :)

Yes, some snowpants would be a good idea as beginners tend to kiss the snow a fair amount.