Hello~

My brother (18) and I (21) are planning on flying out towards Colorado in just a couple weeks. We have skied before (4 times), so we are decent.

The problem is Delta (which we will be flying) only goes to these two cities. Can we realistically fly in to Denver or Colorado Spring, rent a car (I'm only 21), and go skiing for 2 or 3 days at a reasonable priced mountain and hotel (we are poor college kids)? Please help us, we have always dreamed of skiing in "real" mountains. Also can we ski a "real" mountain without being afraid of making a sudden wrong turn and falling to our death?

If you could help us out, we'd greatly appreciate it and hopefully be able to make it to ski in the "rockies"

Thanks!
Look forward to hearing your advice.

Yes on all counts. Fly into Denver and catch the ski train to Winter Park. WP is the closest ski area to Denver and isn't as outrageous as Breck, Vail, etc. in price, plus it's closer. I could be wrong but don't many car rental companies require you to be older than 21 to rent a car? Maybe not, but I still wouldn't mess with a car--Rockies' roads can be bad news in the winter for a driver inexperienced in mountain roads. MUCH more fun to take the train. Have fun--you'll have a great time.

I think AVIS will rent to people under 25.

The train is fun but rather pricey. Also WP is not a town I would reccomend to guys your age. You might take a look at Breckenridge. For lodging try www.firesideinn.com or http://www.alpenhutte.com is central if you want to ski more than one area, Copper, Keystone and Breck are all within 10-15 min. A hotel that has good raates is http://www.newsummitinn.com in Frisco another great lacation to ski all the areas.
no worries at all about falling to your death You can pick up discounted lift tickets @ Denver King Soopers Grocery Stores. There is one on the way at the Youngfiled exit. You probably want to fly into Denver.

Have fun tell us about it when you get back!

Might I suggest flying to Salt Lake City (Delta's big there) and skiing at Park City/Deer Valley instead? The skiing at those resorts is a very similar experience to Colorado, but the plus side is that those resorts are a very easy 50 minute drive from SLC airport as opposed to the several hours it will take you to get from Denver Int'l to the CO slopes.

We love Winter Park. For a bargain, stay in the dorm rooms at the Timber House Ski Lodge. Breakfast, afternoon snacks and dinner are included.

What's the "ski train" that Tess mentioned?

Curious MightyIsis, where in Park City/Deer Valley do you find lodging for "poor college kids" and do you know of any discounted lift tickets for Deer Valley?

Kennedy3, http://www.skitrain.com

Oh and unless your driving Sun/Sat morn it is less than 2 hours from DIA to Summit County

I suggested WP from Usacub's cue that they're 'poor college students.' Been there, done that and WP is usually a cheaper stay than Summit County plus the fact that they could take the train and not have to mess with renting a car. I love skiing at Breckenridge but wouldn't suggest it to a fairly novice skiier (too many snowboarders careening wildly down the slopes--eek). We've skiied them all and I don't have any qualms about recommending WP--you'll have a great time during and after skiing

Have to agree that Breck can get kinda scary with the outta control skiers and Boarders.

I don't believe the train runs during the week, it is a great suggestion but I will only be staying a couple days and will not be in until either monday or wednesday

Anyone have more advice about Park City/Deer Valley?

We are up to anything, just want some convient and nice long ski runs at a reasonable price.

Your advice is really helping us!

Any more advice about Winter Park (how to get there if the train isn't running?) I'm from Chicago, have driven in some snow, should i rent a car or pay those shuttle services a ton of money to get me there alive.

How about our chances of going to Vail?

So many questions, just a week or so left! ahhh

If you want more info on Park City, check out parkcitymountain.com It also states that the mountain is 35 miles from the airport, and there are bus services, which would negate the need for a rental car. Lots of different choices for accomodations, for lots of different budgets. When I was there, college students were everywhere, so they're staying somewhere. Usacubs, Deer Valley is definately more expensive. Sorry Coskier, I don't know where to get discounted Deer Valley lift tickets. Skiing is not known for being the world's cheapest sport.

If you're from Chicago then you should be fine renting a car and driving to WP or Vail. Vail will be more expensive (lift tickets and lodging)and it's also a longer drive. BUT, it definitely has that special something in terms of atmosphere, if that's what you're looking for. Otherwise, go with WP and you'll have great skiing a little cheaper. Good luck and have fun!

Car rentals to 21-yr old college students are scarce; if you can find one it is usually at a premium price. Definitely call or check some rental websites in advance to be sure of details so you don't get stuck.

I think Salt Lake City might be the best bet for a low-cost, big mountain trip. You can stay in town in low-cost lodging and take the bus up to the ski areas each day. I don't know details on doing this, but I've seen magazine or newspaper articles about it in the past. You definitely lose some of that "ski resort feeling", but it sure would keep the cost down to stay at a Days Inn or the like, and the ski areas are definitely top notch.

Anytime you try a new ski area, you want to pay attention to a trail map, and realize that even though you've ski'd every run on your local 400' hill, you may be a bit challenged by some of the blue "intermediate" runs somewhere else (and you probably want to stick to the groomed runs until you've gotten a feel for things).

My trip details have almost been finalized. Please tell me what you all think.

Day One: arrive in Denver at 12 pm, rent a car (I now have my 23 year old brother to come with)find somewhere to night ski (keystone), spend the night somewhere in the keystone/breck area, I heard the town Dillon might satisfy that (a little bit cheaper).

Day two: Drive to another mountain (Winter Park). Drive back to hotel in Keyston/Breck area (Dillon).

Day three: Ski on Breck/or Copper mountain (copper mountain looks like it has more beg/intermediate runs and has great reviews). Go home by a late night flight (stuck paying for another night at the hotel)

Is this too busy of a trip, all we want to do is experience it all for as long as we can for the 3 days we are there. Might this be "spreading ourselves too thin" by constantly being on the move. I don't think we'd be too exhausted to move being 18-23.

Of course this will put me more in debt along with all my student loans, but what the hay, I'll make money later.

Please, Please, Please tell me what you all think.

Thanks so much,
I can't wait!

I do think you're spreading yourselves way too thin and leaving little time to enjoy the trip. You'll also have to get up waayyyyy too early every morning, especially if roads are bad. Remember, too, that you'll be in high altitudes and may get tired quicker than 'down below.' Even when we skiied Colorado as twenty-somethings twenty years ago, I was a tired girl by 8 p.m. (now I'm a tired girl by 6 p.m. I would cut out Winter Park and go ahead and base yourself the entire time in Dillon or Frisco. Copper has basically no atmosphere to speak of but does have great skiing. Keystone is fun. Frisco is actually a 'cuter' town than Dillon but go where you get the best lodging rates, especially if you have a car. I can't stress enough how important it is to find a hotel/condo ahead of time. My husband and I tried the casual approach of no reservations one summer and darn near had to sleep in the car--imagine it's even worse during ski season. Sounds like you have a good plan--just pare it down a little and you'll be fine.

Personally, I'd stay in the Dillon/Silverthorne area and skip Winter Park (you'll get a different opinion from every Colorado person you ask... but not to worry... Whatever you elect to do, you will love). From Dillon you can easily visit Copper, Loveland, Breckenridge, and Keystone. You could also do A-Basin - but it's a bit more demanding. I'd make my decision based on which resorts best fit the budget. If you look online, you might get some advanced purchase deals. Or wait until you get here (the prices don't vary as much from resort to resort as these posts indicate) and go wherever the conditions are best.