Hi all!

We have narrowed our search to Breckenridge, CO for our first family ski trip - kids have never skiied (ages 5 and 8), will be my third time (but have not been in 10 years) and my husband has gone often. Can I get some input on these places to stay?

1- has a garage with ski locker (not private garage), two story set up with bedrooms downstairs which is nice, a bit larger with balconies, community hot tub, says 5 minute walk to town and quicksilver lift - however, more expensive
https://www.vrbo.com/885429?unitId=1433369

2- is a middle unit condo, single story set up, a bit smaller, wood floors which seems cleaner, no hot tub, says 5 minute walk to town and quicksilver lift - however, much less expensive
https://www.vrbo.com/892597?unitId=1440538

These are both within budget, but a vast spread in cost - is anyone familiar with these locations and have any input / feedback on if the additional cost is worth the listed differences? This is the first time planning a ski vacation for the 4 of us and any advise is welcome! Thank you!

As I read this both are in the Warrior's Mark condo. So the locations is going to be same. The descriptions are reasonably accurate for the locations but a little than a five minute walk to the edge of downtown. The bulk of the downtown area is north of the intersection where South Park Ave diverts from S. Main St. - just north of the Hyatt Residence property. You would have to walk since parking is very limited in that area and expensive (free after 5pm).

The Quicksilver lift at the base of peak 9 is the main ski area (there are 4 peaks -- 10, 9, 8, and 7 in a N/S line). It is the biggest lift loading 12 at a time and services the main beginning area. The base has rentals, locks, ski school etc. The other beginning ski area is peak 8. I think the location is fine. My preference is west of South Park Ave as you have lots of ski in and out properties. But nothing wrong with your location.

Don't understand the difference in cost either. Both appear to have access to the free bus system. That is very handy and should be used.

This is extremely helpful! Not having been here before, it is hard to know where to look and how easy / difficult it would be to get around.

You think something more like this one, in regards to location?
https://www.vrbo.com/11221

That location is a little handier. I think I would prefer it over the other two. You are only a block or so from the center of the downtown area on Main Street. Just walk due east. Second, the description indicates that the bus stop is there also. That is convenient. You are probably a little further from the Peak 9 base but the bus takes care of that. Second, you are walkable from the end of 4 o'clock run - a block or so north of your location - there is bus pick-up at end of 4 o'clock. 4 o'clock is a run off of peak 8 that returns to the town without having to take a bus. Not the greatest run in the world - mostly a skid road - but it gets you home at the end of the day. My preference are the condos that back to the 4 0'clock run. Makes it easy to get off the mountain at the end of the day.

The last location is a lot better. Warriors Mark is an entire subdivision area, I believe, includes condos, homes, etc. It's more than a 5 minute walk to center. I don't know where the bus stop is in that area, as I've only stayed near your last posting.

I don't understand why you say one is so much more expensive, the prices weren't that different when I viewed them, maybe $15 a night, and the more expensive one was larger. Two of those say they are not available anyway, if your dates are 3/25-3/29. The last one posted said it has a minimum stay requirement more than than.

Our dates are 2/2-2/8, so 6 nights, so I think we're covered with most places minimum requirements. The first two places had a difference of $700 for the total stay, which seems steep considering they are both in the same area - however, I think you all have convinced me to try to stay closer to town and the lifts... I am just trying to figure out how close we can get and stay within our budget. The 3rd link, seems closer to town and says it is less than 0.2 from the Village ski school, so it seems like a decent location - it is just hard to tell when we haven't been there. I will try to see about the condos that back up to the 4 0'clock run as well....

It confused me too because the vrbo cover page had a "starting at" nightly price for each of them which was not very different at all, but the total price for your specific dates was definitely much higher at one than the other.

Condos backing to the 4 o'clock run will be further from the ski school. Those units are handy if skingi in and out especially if the units are near Snowflake lift. Since you are beginners, you will not be skiing out I think you third option is a good compromise all the way around. With the bus stop in front it would be a quick ride to the ski school and not that far if you had to walk.

Remember there is no agency setting the price. It is want the owners what to charge or the property management company recommends. Prices can be all over the place for similar properties.

i assume you gave up on Keystone.

Yes, unfortunately gave up on Keystone - my husband thought since it was our first time taking a ski vacation as a family and with the majority being inexperienced skiers that the town of Breckenridge would be a fun addition to the skiing activities.

I think we will go with this 3rd option - since it is somewhat close to many things and also in our budget!

fwiw I usually rent through Summit Mountain Rentals. You might at least search their inventory.

You might check up to find out what you can expect for the 5 y.o. for ski school. I remember sending a young kid there and it was a glorified and expensive day care.

Yes, for a 5 yo it IS a good (and I did say, "good") day care. What else can you do unless you bring the nanny. Been there done that. AND they DO have a good time in the snow, come in and have snack, do stuff, and go back out to be in the snow and do get on some skis. You have to start somewhere if you want your kids to learn to ski. With the Magic Carpet they have in ski schools now it really moves along better.
The 8 yo will be in a different class, and so will Mom.

Have been skiing in Summit county for many years and has a second home there for at least 10 years. The skis schools are very good. They are especially geared for various age groups. Kids really do learn the basics of skiing.

In Breck, we like the location of The Village at Breckinridge. It's a very short walk to both the lift and Main St.

"What else can you do unless you bring the nanny."

When the kids were small we'd just take turns skiing. One parent in the a.m. one in the p.m. If you get the necklace passes you also save money. Granted, you might not be skiing as much, but that is relative. If you ski all day you may not get after it as much. You might not get there when the lifts open, and you'll likely stop for snacks and lunch.

..... If you get the necklace passes you also save money....... That may not work since all tickets use RFID with your picture. While it has been a couple decades since I bought a single ticket, I pretty sure a current single tickets includes your picture.

"That may not work since all tickets use RFID with your picture. "

I think these were multi day tickets, but granted it has been 5? years ago since last ski trip. with current technology I guess it wouldn't surprise me if a picture was now part of the ticket.

You put just put your ticket in your pocket and they scan you with a gun, it beeps once, they look at the screen and wave you in. I am positive that on a multi-day ticket your picture is on it. Just don't know about single days. If you are going to be there for four or five days it is cost effective to buy a season pass. But that window has closed for this year.