I have been on Fodor's for over a year in the Italy section, now I need help here. Hope you can. I am planning a trip for 15-20 people for March 2nd-8th 2003 from New Orleans LA, and since we have been to Park City, Utah, and Lake Tahoe, we want to ski Colorado. We are looking at Copper Mountain, Keystone, Winter Park, and Breckingridge. We are 65% beginners, 25% intermediate and 10% advanced. We want a true ski in and ski out very nice property, nicely groomed runs. And since the pressure of planning this whole thing is on me alone, I need advice of any kind. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have some really great ideas for me. I need everyone's help! PLease! We are 8-10 adults and 7-8 teens, also one 4 year old. Thank you. I can help you with Italy if anyone needs advice. I'd appreciate your suggestions of where not to go also. Karen

I have never skiied Keystone, so out of Breckenridge,Copper and Winterpark I would have to say with 65% beginners that Winterpark would be the better choice. We didn't care for Breckenridge. It was boring.If your base was more intermediate I would say Copper which is my favorite.I don't think you could go wrong with either one really. They are both very well maintained and groomed with a good mix of trails.

I believe that Winterpark has more ski-in ski-out accomodations than Copper.

If you get the chance Vail is not a far drive and you should ski it at least once.

Have fun.

Karen,
All of the areas you mentioned have beginners runs, but I would go for Keystone.
Keystone has the longest beginner's run in the state (maybe the country). At about 2-1/2 miles long, a beginner can ski on the Schoolmarm run non-stop from the top of the mountain to the bottom, avoiding the hassle of short runs and lift lines (except back at the bottom, of course).
Add to this the advantage of night skiing, terrain for all ski levels, a village at the base, destination-type family accommodations, and about a 1 to 1-1/2 hour drive from the airport, and this seems like it would fit your needs perfectly.

Although I never thought I'd say this, I'd have to agree with Les on this one.
Of the areas you've mentioned, Copper is definitely my favorite, however, there really is "no there, there" and it sounds as if Keystone would be ideal for you and your group.

The night skiing is great, there are some really good restaurants in Keystone and you will be in close proximity to several towns like Dillon, Frisco and Breckenridge (where there are many restaurant choices). Plus, if you wish to try another ski area, Copper is just around the corner (Vail's not terribly far either).

Even though this will get me some flak, I'm with lawren2: Breckenridge would be my last choice.

Davidcs

Hi Karen you will love skiing in Colorado. Agree Keystone first choice, Breckenridge last. Breck can get terribly windy and very crowded. You have got a big group so I would contact the resort and see about a package deal.

As to a true Ski In and Ski out, beware many properties listed as such still require a short walk, very little ski to your door at Keystone but many within a very short walk. Same for Copper.

At Keystone look at the River Run area and Mountain House. That is where the lifts are.

I would suggest anyplace in Summit County over Winter Park only because you can easily get to the other resorts. WP is somewhat isolated. Even though the Summit Reosrts are all within min of each other the snow falls can vary greatly.

David,
I'm going to print out the first line of your response, frame it, and study it to figure out where I went wrong.
Les

Thank you so much for all your suggestions. I think I will take your advise and zero in on Copper or Keystone. Which one has more restaurants or more to do at night? I know Copper has no town, does Keystone? Are any of these more crowded from the Denver people who just come to ski for a day? I really appreciate all of your suggestions. I would not have had the best two weeks of my life in June in Italy without Fodors! More suggestions or advise would be greatly appreciated. Karen

Keystone has more resturants than Copper. More nightlife in general but neither is a "party" town.

As to crowds well March is a very busy month and all Summit resorts will be equaly busy. Best bet on weekends is to get up early and ski. Weekdays should be fine.

As much as you can plan ahead do. Dinner reservations and such. If your renting skis see if you can do some of the work ahead of time. Try Christie sports in River Run maybe they can reserve some for you.

Another suggestion is that if the resort will not give you a deal on a package with lift tickets you may want to stop in Denver on your way up. The Youngfield exit is a good stop as it has a King Soopers Grocery Store that sells discount lift tickets, stock up on food if your renting a condo and an applejacks liquor store, great wine selection. If your taking a shuttle they will stop if you ask, you will need to tip the driver.

I will put in another plug for Keystone they have a great free shuttle service so if some in your group want to try Breck or A-Basin (even Vail for a small charge) they can each easily go thier own way. You can ski A-Basin, Keystone and Breck on the same lift ticket.

Coskier, where do you live? You talk about Keystone alot. I just bought a townhouse there

Another good thing about Keystone is you get more for your money,they have night skiing if you are really interested.

Hey Karen, I'm in NOLa, too. One you did not mention was Grand Butte. Skied there a few yrs ago, and we loved it so much we went back the nest yr. Couldn't find any better in-out than the Grand Butte Hotel for the price.

Good for you Grasshopper! We live in Denver/Keystone both. Typically 4 nights in Den and 3 in Keystone, coming back to Denver early Mon morn. We used to have a place in Wildernest/Silverthorne but sold it and bought at Keystone just this past spring. We love it! I was a bit worried as we really liked the Wildernest area for hiking/snowshoeing and the central location to the resorts. we skied Keystone, A-Basin, Copper and Vail. This year we decided to pass on Copper, mainly beacuse we are at Keystone so most likely will limit ourselves to Keystone, A-Basin and Vail. Found out that you can take a shuttle from Keystone to Vail for 5.00.
As it is all summer we rarely used our car so with that it seemed perfect to us. We can easily get to Keystone from our home in Park Hill in 90 min, less most times. We go over the pass rather than thru the tunnel.

Anyway sorry to hijack your thread Karen. But as you can see we liked Keystone enough to buy there!

You didn't highjack my thread at all. In fact now I am going to do some serious research into Keystone which is a place I might never have even looked at seriously. I have to please 15 people and I have never been steered wrong yet by the general consensus of people on Fodors. Roxanne, I don't know where Grand Butte is? Can you tell me? Anyone know a good website for Keystone? Thanks again.

We went to Keystone this past March with a 7 year old and really liked it. I'm not a skier, but I appreciated the activities for children that they have: outdoor ice skating, a swimming pool near the condos and a sleigh ride (which we actually didn't do, but looked fun).

Karen look at www.summitnet.com a good site for all of summit as it is not owned by the resorts. Keystone is at www.snow.com

I can relate. I in the past used to put together the annual trip for groups your size, hard to please everyone, all you can do is provide the opportunity for fun and let the chips fall where they may!

Coskier, I sent you a message in the Colorado board of the US sight. I had some specifics about prices and questions between Copper and Keystone. I can't get any decent airfare to Denver for 16 people in March from New Orleans. Group rate on Delta was $467.85. Ridiculous. I have a lady with a package to Copper at premium ski in and out properties, a non stop flight, five nights lodging, and five days of lift tickets, all taxes, bus from airport and tip for driver. All for $ 885 per person in 2 bedroom premium property in Copper. I can't get near these rates by myself in Keystone. I know you love Keystone , but what do you think of this? Thanks.

Hi Karen, I do not know anything about package rates. Have you contacted Keystone direct? A site that some have had good luck with is
www.skigolfvacations.com and www.ski.com

you will have fun at Copper nothing wrong with it other than limited nightlife but then you are very close to Vail if you have a car.

As a former 7 year resident of Summit County, I have to agree with the others...Keystone.

Molly,

I don't know if you have already booked this but when I rented condos at Keystone the resort could book my airfare for a lot less than I could get on the airline's website (in my case United). At least give it a try.

A couple of months ago I was bike riding through Copper and found it has a little village, not much but still something. Also, there is a stagecoach shuttle that will take you to Dillon, Frisco, Breckenridge and Keystone free. So wherever you go you will be able to get around without much trouble or expense. It's all within 20 to 30 minutes of eachother.

posted this under seperate thread

From thier web page great deal if your planning on coming this way

Adult 4-Day Lift Ticket*

$99 valid from:
11/01/02 - 12/25/02
1/06/03 - 3/07/03
3/31/03 - 4/20/03

$111 valid from:
11/01/02 - 4/20/03

*Internet offer only. Tickets must be purchased by November 15, 2002 and at least 14 days in advance of arrival. 4 days of skiing must be used on 4 separate days within a 7-day period, and are not interchangeable.

http://www.keystone.snow.com/sr.lifttickets.asp