Colorado skiing??

[Tequilasun]

I just got clearance from the powers that be to do a little guys week/end skiing in Colorado. I need some suggestions as to where we should go.

I have been to Winter park before, and while it was fun, we are looking for a bit more of an Apres ski crowd.

Keystone has been mentioned by one of the participants, and I have heard great things about it, but know nothing of the night life.

We'd like to keep it rather close to Denver +/- 2 hrs.

All suggestions met with sarcasm and insults......and a bit of thanks

[Top Heavy]

For good skiing almost all the spots within 2+- hours of Denver are great. To add good skiing and night life there are a few. My best answer to that would be Breckenridge. The town is pretty hoppin and has some great bars and places to catch some great grub. Just from reading previous posts from you i am sure you are into the bars scene. Breck would be the place to go. If you stay in Breck you can hit both Breck and Keystone ski areas with minimal drives. Keystone also has great skiing and if you are going to be in the area for a couple of days it would be worth it to hit both. Copper would also then be with in driving distance and that is another great ski area. Not so sure about the night life there but i know that all 3 areas that i mentioned have a better night life than Winter Park. Let me know what you decide, and how it goes. I would be interested to hear. Been to all three and love the terain, although i do board. Skiing was over for me many years ago!

[Tequilasun]

Skiing was over for me many years ago!

Why's that? Knee issues?

After discussion with my crew, they are Set on Keystone, but I understand that we can use the lift tickets for other areas, correct? Breck, copper, A-basin I think.

This will be a "quick and dirty" ski trip as we really didn't think we were going to be able to make it up this year due to scheduling conflicts..our first time in at least 5 years. I am super excited, having waited for so long to go again, and having not skied that area. My previous experiences are at Winter Park, and a place called The Big Mountain in Kalispel Montana.

Snow boarding....man I would love to try that, the wife wants to try it too. The problem with me is that I am a fairly accomplished Skier, and coming from the Midwest, we don't get much chance to practice. For example, this trip will consist of only 3-4 days on the Mountain, so I can't bring myself to "give up" skiing time in favor of floundering on a snowboard. I need to strap one on and give it a go though.

We are planning a much bigger trip next year...and much more well thought out trip as well!

Anyway, thanks for the info on Breck Top heavy, I will pass it along for next season!

[evil0ne]

Snow boarding....man I would love to try that, the wife wants to try it too. The problem with me is that I am a fairly accomplished Skier, and coming from the Midwest, we don't get much chance to practice. For example, this trip will consist of only 3-4 days on the Mountain, so I can't bring myself to "give up" skiing time in favor of floundering on a snowboard. I need to strap one on and give it a go though.

If you're a skiier and a wakeboarder, I would give it a guess that you would adapt to snowboarding by lunch time.

[Tequilasun]

If you're a skiier and a wakeboarder, I would give it a guess that you would adapt to snowboarding by lunch time.

I think you over estimate my skill on a wakeboard!

Just kidding. I plan on giving it a go during the night skiing at Keystone.


BTW, I am so super stoked about going.

[Top Heavy]

You are correct about being able to use those other mountains. Some of those would not be that bad of a drive so for sure do take advantage of it. Keystone as i said does have a few night spots to hit. I'm sure you will find them. I know there is a brewery type restaraunt there that is quite a big deal.

As far as the boarding, i skied from about 3.5 - age 12 and then started boarding. Just started trying something new. I eventually ended up having to pick from one or the other and Yes it was due to knee problems. Switching back and forth and catching for baseball made the knees not very happy with me. So the snow boarding happend to win. I've pretty much lived here my whole life so far, and from age 12-17 snowboarding was life. Upwards of 30 times a season was normal. For the last few years i have been lucky to make it up once a season and this year i doubt i will make it at all. So i envy you! Have a good time!!!

[Top Heavy]

Hey Tequila,
Just noticed you are at Table Rock Lake?

I am working about 50 miles north of Jackson MS at the moment. Will be here till about June. How far of a drive would you think it would be to Table Rock? I am looking for every chance i can get to see some of the water around here. Unfortunately i did not bring the boat with me but water is water. Just a question.

[Tequilasun]

Hey Tequila,
Just noticed you are at Table Rock Lake?

I am working about 50 miles north of Jackson MS at the moment. Will be here till about June. How far of a drive would you think it would be to Table Rock? I am looking for every chance i can get to see some of the water around here. Unfortunately i did not bring the boat with me but water is water. Just a question.

Hmm, that's quite a trip from Jackson to here. I can tell you better at the end of February, as I will be traveling through there to Mardi Gras. It's about 6 hrs from here to Memphis though (mostly due to no 4 lane road between the two)

I'm guessing 9 hrs or so. The quickest way is up 55 through Memphis, then 63 through Jonesboro, then most likely 62 at Pocahontas.

While you are on this side of the world, I would suggest you take a look at some of the Tennessee lakes as well, they are very pretty.

[Domsz06]

i'm going this weekend to breck and keystone. I don't like breck as it's always cold and windy. Keystone is my fav. Take a lesson on snowboarding, you will advance so much faster. Otherwise it just gets frustrating. Breck has a better night life then keystone, but they are so close, and there is free shuttles do what ever you find the best deal.

[mtnsmith]

Hmm, that's quite a trip from Jackson to here. I can tell you better at the end of February, as I will be traveling through there to Mardi Gras. It's about 6 hrs from here to Memphis though (mostly due to no 4 lane road between the two)

I'm guessing 9 hrs or so. The quickest way is up 55 through Memphis, then 63 through Jonesboro, then most likely 62 at Pocahontas.

While you are on this side of the world, I would suggest you take a look at some of the Tennessee lakes as well, they are very pretty.

Tequila, I wonder if he meant Jackson, Missouri, which is by Cape Girardeau??? I know MS is Mississippi, but that would be quite a haul and not really worth the question of a trip...just wondering

[Tequilasun]

Tequila, I wonder if he meant Jackson, Missouri, which is by Cape Girardeau??? I know MS is Mississippi, but that would be quite a haul and not really worth the question of a trip...just wondering

I didn't think of that. But you could be correct. If that is the case Topheavy, I have no idea how long it would take. I have never been to Cape Girardeau, but I can ask someone here who might know.

Dom, Do the shuttles run in the evening? I was under the impression that they do not

[yllw20]

i knbow it takes about 1 beer from jerimiahs on the levy to get to the purple (cant think of rest of name across the river) from cape. Used to go ther quite a bit in my college years.

On colorado ... you should check out crested butte. you can fly to gunnison and hit the shuttle for cheap. Wife and I went last year. took a snowbaording class....wife got beat up pretty bad, so had to ski the next day.
That alright stopped at the ice bar on the hill and had a few, she ski the best ever after that.

[Moki]

My recommendation is to keep flying past Denver and come to Utah and ski Park City, Snowbird, and Alta. All three resorts are under an hour from the airport. Greatest snow on earth and home of the 2002 Olympics. Plus, as an added bonus, I will go skiing with you. (Retail Value of over $20,000)

[evil0ne]

I will go skiing with you. (Retail Value of over $20,000)

I'll be in Deer Valley March 1-3.

[Tequilasun]

My recommendation is to keep flying past Denver and come to Utah and ski Park City, Snowbird, and Alta. All three resorts are under an hour from the airport. Greatest snow on earth and home of the 2002 Olympics. Plus, as an added bonus, I will go skiing with you. (Retail Value of over $20,000)

20K? Damn what a bargain.

I so want to get to Utah, although I'm not in charge of this trip. Maybe next year.

A little back story, I started skiing my senior year in HS. Loved it, almost dropped out of College 2 times to become a ski bum. My Best bud and I had plans to Ski every where from the Chugach mountains in Alaska to Chilean Alps. But life got in the way, and we haven't been able to get to the slopes in about 4 years. Now this opportunity pops up, but it has to be a "quick and dirty trip" so we're only going to be able to ski for about 3 days. But the good part is, once I bring back lots of pics of the crew smiling and laughing, the wife (who has never been in the Mountains) will catch a bit of the bug and this will become a regular event.

Actually we are planning on doing a Guy trip and a family trip next year, so Moki look out for a bunch of hard core MO skiers out your way. I'll take you up on the 20K offer!

And keep the recommendations coming guys, I have the bug again, and it can only be cured by steep and deep stuff. (ok, thats sounds a corny as I feel!)


Here's the itinerary for those who care:

Keystone
March 11-14th.

We will probably be hitting the slopes of Breckenridge one of those days too.

If you guys have favorite runs at either of those resorts, let me know! We are Black to Double black capable skiers (although might need some tune up b/c of the layoff)