Skiing in Colorado in December
 

We are planning a trip in mid-December and were considering skiing in Colorado. My only concern is that the snow conditions will not be good yet. Has anyone skied during this time or have suggestions on where we could ski? Thanks!

Vail is the only way to go.<BR><BR>Ski the back bowls<BR>

You're right to ask about snow conditions. Here in Durango, we don't have any yet, but farther north in Colorado looks better. Durango has had several snows, and the snowmaking equipment has been used, but the weather's been so unseasonably warm that the snow just keeps melting. You should probably choose one of the higher elevation resorts. One clue to checking out snow conditions at any given resort would be to ask how many (and what percent of their total) lifts are open.

Thanks for the info Mike and Travellyn! We are seriously considering Vail and I will check the web sites for several resorts to compare number of lifts that are open. Thanks again. Anne Marie

Personally I wouldnt go to Vail because too many people go there. Although they will most likely have the best snow.Went to BeaverCreek which is close to Vail and it was very nice and had great snow a few years ago, the best powder i have ever seen. Vail and Beaver Creek are a lot more expensive though. I would suggest Keystone.They have good runs, night skiing, very close to Breckenridge, Dillon and Copper Mountain isnt too fare away. So far we only have had snow once, back in beginning of Sept.Heard that resorts were worried they wouldnt be opening in time because of lack of snow.Has been very warm. Really hard to say with our weather if it will be good snow in Dec.Jan,Feb and for Sure March would be better.

Hi Anne Marie. well i cannot imagine that the back bowls of Vail will be open till Christmas. Your best bet is to stay central. Frisco, Silverthorne or Dillon all within min of the 4 summit resorts. even thought the resorts are all close together snow falls vary a lot! wake up and ski whoever has the best snow. Oh we have snow in the forecast! Hopefully big snow!

I live in Denver, and we drove up to Vail last Saturday for lunch. There was NO snow in Vail (zero runs open, bare mountains). It's gonna take a lot to get decent snow in December. The other areas we passed on the way up (Loveland Basin, Copper Mountain) had only 1 or 2 runs open. I assume A-Basin also had some runs open, but we skipped the pass, so I couldn't tell. The best early (and late) skiing in Colorado is at A-Basin or Loveland (they're the highest), but these are not destination sites (no accommodations).

Just wanted to let you know things are looking up. SNOW in the forecast for the next 5 days. If your thinking summit county CO you may want to check out www.summitnet.com

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions and weather updates!!! :-)

Anne:<BR><BR>Think altitude! That would leave the Breakenridge, Copper, Keystone area for the best skiing opportunity. You can day trip over to Vail if conditions improve<BR>JOHN<BR><BR>

Vail got 21 inches last 24 hours more than 3 feet total and its still coming!!! Looks like Vail or Copper is the way to go...for today at least.<BR><BR>Skied Keystone Sunday. Keystone has not gotten the snow that others have but have to say that for this early it was pretty darn good.

As Johnny Cochran once said, "If there's snow go."

Well we have SNOW! Vail has gotten 50 inches so far. They are going to open the bowls soon. We will be there this weekend!!

Skied Vail Sat & Sun. Wonderful conditions. Back Bowls are open. TONS of terain open. More like late Jan than early Dec. Blue Sky to open Dec 15th. <BR><BR>What a difference a week makes. <BR><BR>More snow in the forecast for this week. Anne Marie your going to have a blast!

Lets get rid of these old posts. by topping the new ones

Thanks everyone for the info. We are booked to go skiing in Vail next week. Looks like there is a bit more snow in the forecast!!! Can't wait. Thanks again. Any suggestions on how we can find discounts on lift tickets at this late date?

The best last minute discount tickets are usually at King Soopers or Safeway. Breeze Ski Rentals might have some. And you might check out a local Entertainment Book. The snow is great now.

Not sure that safeway or king soopers sells Vail tickets. Last year they only sold multi day tickets that let you use 1 or 2 of the days at Vail the others at Breck or Keystone. REI did sell Vail tickets number is (303)932-0600. (I have no idea of the window prices we have a pass) you might look at http://www.skifree.org/outlets.html <BR>it has not been updated but will give you outlets that at least last year sold tickets. <BR>