Skiing at Breck. Driving from Broomfield
Nov 13th, 2012, 04:34 AM
#41
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Do any of you know anything about Wayside Inn? They possibly have rooms for one night -- cheap rooms. TripAdvisor reviews are average. Would stay there just to save time in the morning.
Nov 13th, 2012, 05:04 AM
#42
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It really seems to me to be a waste of time and money, but ,no, know nothing. I usually say "I can put up with anything for a little while/night"==and have!!
It is literally a 2 hour drive. Get up early and go would be my thought. Have everything packed up and ready. Stop at Mickey D's for a breakfast on the fly.
Go to the mountain, get the kids settled and then go to your condo and check in.
It is literally a 2 hour drive. Get up early and go would be my thought. Have everything packed up and ready. Stop at Mickey D's for a breakfast on the fly.
Go to the mountain, get the kids settled and then go to your condo and check in.
Nov 17th, 2012, 04:57 AM
#43
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Sorry for being confusing on the adult lesson - I didn't realize that they are in the same lesson. I agree that it doesn't matter whether they're in kid or adult lessons, because I think they try to group by age as well as ability.
Unless your kids or you REALLY don't want to have to get up early that first morning, I don't think you need to book a night at the Wayside Inn. Though I don't know anything about it myself, and have only driven by it.
Unless your kids or you REALLY don't want to have to get up early that first morning, I don't think you need to book a night at the Wayside Inn. Though I don't know anything about it myself, and have only driven by it.
Jan 6th, 2013, 07:18 PM
#44
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Well....we went to Breck and made it back!!! We had a wonderful time and here's a bit of feedback.
We did end up staying in Frisco the night before skiing. And very glad we did. The roads were snowy and very slow going. We picked up our skis at Breck late that afternoon, then stayed at the BW Lake Dillon Lodge (in Frisco). By going in the night before we were able to figure out where to go w/o rushing around like a bunch of midwestern newbies!!!
The next morning we were back at Breck in about 15 min.
NOTE to self - do not leave ski boots in car overnight. It was -20!!! Hairdryers warmed them up rather quickly! haha!
The lessons were very good. In retrospect, I would put boys in adult lessons since they ended up getting separated based on their skill levels. Mostly much younger kids (under 12) in the kids lessons. But the lessons were worthwhile anyway. Made great progress...great instructors.
Another NOTE to self - be prepared for altitude sickness. I had read about it but didn't realize how high Breck is even before getting on a chairlift. Urgent care next door to our hotel allowed for some oxygen.
2nd day with no lesson worked well. Boys felt pretty comfortable on slopes they had been on with instructors the day before. Both were absolutely exhausted at the end of each day! And they are both athletes! I will definitely stay longer next time so the skiers have a day to hang out and rest before skiing again for a couple more days.
I loved loved loved Breckenridge, the town! So beautiful and such friendly, helpful people.
We also went to Boulder the day before Breck. Love that town too! And a great restaurant (relatively new), Shine! Try it next time you are there!
Thanks again for all of your ideas!!!
Julie
We did end up staying in Frisco the night before skiing. And very glad we did. The roads were snowy and very slow going. We picked up our skis at Breck late that afternoon, then stayed at the BW Lake Dillon Lodge (in Frisco). By going in the night before we were able to figure out where to go w/o rushing around like a bunch of midwestern newbies!!!
The next morning we were back at Breck in about 15 min.
NOTE to self - do not leave ski boots in car overnight. It was -20!!! Hairdryers warmed them up rather quickly! haha!
The lessons were very good. In retrospect, I would put boys in adult lessons since they ended up getting separated based on their skill levels. Mostly much younger kids (under 12) in the kids lessons. But the lessons were worthwhile anyway. Made great progress...great instructors.
Another NOTE to self - be prepared for altitude sickness. I had read about it but didn't realize how high Breck is even before getting on a chairlift. Urgent care next door to our hotel allowed for some oxygen.
2nd day with no lesson worked well. Boys felt pretty comfortable on slopes they had been on with instructors the day before. Both were absolutely exhausted at the end of each day! And they are both athletes! I will definitely stay longer next time so the skiers have a day to hang out and rest before skiing again for a couple more days.
I loved loved loved Breckenridge, the town! So beautiful and such friendly, helpful people.
We also went to Boulder the day before Breck. Love that town too! And a great restaurant (relatively new), Shine! Try it next time you are there!
Thanks again for all of your ideas!!!
Julie
Jan 6th, 2013, 07:21 PM
#45
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P.S. Although my son has only skied in midwest and never took a lesson before this, he was skiing successfully on all green, blue and a couple runs on black diamonds! I guess Colo. mts aren't so intimidating after all!!! 
Jan 10th, 2013, 08:43 AM
#46
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Thanks for reporting back, and I'm glad you had such a wonderful time. The biggest difference between skiing in the midwest and skiing in Colorado is the length of the runs! Of course, you can find steeper, more difficult runs in Colorado, but that's a small percentage of the overall terrain.
Jan 10th, 2013, 01:19 PM
#48
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Amen - always glad to hear when travelers report about their trip.
Have skied all over the West - but never skied east of Colorado - and friends of mine from the east always said they have more ice/very hardpack back there. That's why they also usually have good edge control as they have to.
Glad to hear you also enjoyed Frisco - such a cute little town - and that you were sage enough to travel to the slopes the day before - and also rent the skis that afternoon - when it's less crowded and also when you can take your time and get properly fitted - not worrying about missing time on the slopes, etc.
Also glad you were able to deal with the touch of altitude sickness?
And - there are many different types of black runs - but when you are starting out - it's fun to know you have skied a black.
Now - double diamond black runs can also vary - but will say this: If it's a double diamond in a narrow chute - you better be able to really stand on that first turn and be ready to make some more in quick succession, else you will be raising snowballs down the hill.
Have skied all over the West - but never skied east of Colorado - and friends of mine from the east always said they have more ice/very hardpack back there. That's why they also usually have good edge control as they have to.
Glad to hear you also enjoyed Frisco - such a cute little town - and that you were sage enough to travel to the slopes the day before - and also rent the skis that afternoon - when it's less crowded and also when you can take your time and get properly fitted - not worrying about missing time on the slopes, etc.
Also glad you were able to deal with the touch of altitude sickness?
And - there are many different types of black runs - but when you are starting out - it's fun to know you have skied a black.
Now - double diamond black runs can also vary - but will say this: If it's a double diamond in a narrow chute - you better be able to really stand on that first turn and be ready to make some more in quick succession, else you will be raising snowballs down the hill.
Jan 10th, 2013, 02:19 PM
#50
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Lexma90, that's what my son said: that the difference is the much longer runs, with some being a little steeper. That's such a thrill to be able to ski a long run after waiting for the lifts.
And yes, fmpden, the snow was much nicer! Fortunately they got some fresh snow right about the time we got there and just before.
Tomsd, the black diamonds they skied were certainly not the blacks on the summits! They stayed on Peak 8 and 9 and were very happy with that! But you're right that they were glad to have skied blacks!
My son's altitude sickness came on pretty suddenly after day 1 of skiing. Fortunately we were next door to urgent care and they prescribed enough oxygen to get him through the night. He was back on the hills the next morning. Since we had only 2 days to ski, thank goodness for that!!!
We also noticed ski rental places at every gas station/store we passed. I imagine you can save a few dollars by renting at a small place like that however, I was glad we rented at the resort because my son needed a binding adjustment after he started skiing.
Already wishing I was going back!
And yes, fmpden, the snow was much nicer! Fortunately they got some fresh snow right about the time we got there and just before.
Tomsd, the black diamonds they skied were certainly not the blacks on the summits! They stayed on Peak 8 and 9 and were very happy with that! But you're right that they were glad to have skied blacks!
My son's altitude sickness came on pretty suddenly after day 1 of skiing. Fortunately we were next door to urgent care and they prescribed enough oxygen to get him through the night. He was back on the hills the next morning. Since we had only 2 days to ski, thank goodness for that!!!
We also noticed ski rental places at every gas station/store we passed. I imagine you can save a few dollars by renting at a small place like that however, I was glad we rented at the resort because my son needed a binding adjustment after he started skiing.
Already wishing I was going back!
Jan 10th, 2013, 03:35 PM
#51
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The main reason I advise renting at a resort - assuming it's not that much more expensive - is just for that - equipment adjustment/repair/change out on the spot - rather than having to go back to wherever.
Again, glad it all worked out and now they can feel like they are ready to go have another go at it.
If you can go for a week - that is when you really improve - and by the end of the week - you are schussing down runs you previously meekly were coming down as "Twila Traverse".
Again, glad it all worked out and now they can feel like they are ready to go have another go at it.
If you can go for a week - that is when you really improve - and by the end of the week - you are schussing down runs you previously meekly were coming down as "Twila Traverse".
Jan 12th, 2013, 07:34 AM
#52
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Oh, when we passed Loveland, the response in the car was less than enthusiastic! I'm sure it's great for locals and beginners, but for those like us travelling across the country to ski in the mountains, I think Breck was a much better and more exciting experience!
