Going to Coloardo for my first time!

[mikesathome]

March 9-14th
I was looking at the summit county region (copper mt, keystone) looks like the snow has been falling really good at these areas.
I am renting a truck so I will have my own transportation to get around.

Where are some good places to stay close to the lifts and bars food? Keystone or Copper or Breckenridge? It looks like lodging is going to cost at least $1000 for 4 nights! Should I go a little more up the rode and stay in the Vail area? I would like to ski vail at least one day. I will keep an eye on this post, any help would really be appreciated

 

[johnnash]

You might try the vrbo.com (vrbo stands for vacation rental by owner) website to find a centrally located condo. We found our condo that way when we went to Keystone over the MLK holiday recently. I had the impression that as long as you're not staynig in the resort itself, you could probably find a 1-bedroom for around $150- 175 a night. We paid about $250 for a 2-bedroom in the Keystone resort. Keystone was great! Also, stop at a King Sooper on the way out of Denver to buy your lift tix. They're much cheaper.

 

[lookn4powder]

Where are some good places to stay close to the lifts and bars food? Keystone or Copper or Breckenridge? It looks like lodging is going to cost at least $1000 for 4 nights! ... I would like to ski vail at least one day.

Are you skiing alone, paired, or with a large group? A condo is expensive for 1-2. As you say, you have your own wheels. If you are 1-2 and want to ski Vail one day, you might consider staying at a B&B or cheaper motel.

Unless you want to be slopeside, consider the towns of Frisco, Dillon, and Silverthorn. Of these, Frisco is the closest to Copper and is also the closest town east-side of Vail. Two B&B's I have stayed at over the years are Frisco Lodge (http://www.friscolodge.com/) and Mar-Dees (which may not exist anymore). I can also recommend Snowshoe Motel on Main St.

A list of lodging facilities (including links to other towns) is at: http://www.bbonline.com/co/frisco.html

Cheers,
Jeff

 

[snowave]

I'm partial to Summit County, so I'd stay in that area (some of the towns mentioned above ).. you actually don't need a vehicle as the Summit Stage is an excellent transportation system, but can get crowded on holidays and busy periods..but so can some of the roads like hwy 9 coming in and out of Breck and also the Keystone area back into Dillon.

I also stayed with Mardeis properties a few years ago (http://www.mardeis.com/) ....one of their properties in Copper was pretty decent..location perfect.. but Copper doesn't have the best nightlife, but no probelm as you can head to Frisco or Breck in less than about 30 minutes. or again..take the free shuttle. Breck has the best town as far as nightlife and bars, food, etc.. one of the best i the nation IMO. I'm not crazy about the ski area though.. Copper is my favorite, Keystone is nice, and I also like Loveland if the conditions are good.. Vail is big, and has alot of everything..although I probably wouldn't stay there..

also try doing a search for lodging at the Summit County Chamber of Commerce..

 

[SoCal Rider]

I'm partial to Summit County, so I'd stay in that area (some of the towns mentioned above ).. you actually don't need a vehicle as the Summit Stage is an excellent transportation system, but can get crowded on holidays and busy periods..but so can some of the roads like hwy 9 coming in and out of Breck and also the Keystone area back into Dillon.

I also stayed with Mardeis properties a few years ago (http://www.mardeis.com/) ....one of their properties in Copper was pretty decent..location perfect.. but Copper doesn't have the best nightlife, but no probelm as you can head to Frisco or Breck in less than about 30 minutes. or again..take the free shuttle. Breck has the best town as far as nightlife and bars, food, etc.. one of the best i the nation IMO. I'm not crazy about the ski area though.. Copper is my favorite, Keystone is nice, and I also like Loveland if the conditions are good.. Vail is big, and has alot of everything..although I probably wouldn't stay there..

also try doing a search for lodging at the Summit County Chamber of Commerce..

FYI, Vail is not part of the Summit group. Eagle County, baby. So one would not find Vail lodging info there, I imagine.

 

[Pajarito-Bred]

Mike,
here's a couple of ideas for Summit county. there's definitely a huge premium for staying ski-in ski-out, but you're going to hit several areas, that'll be wasted. Frisco is the most centrally located, 15 min to Copper or Breck, 15 more to Keystone, Vail, and another 5 to either A-basin or Beaver Creek. It'll be a zoo of Denverites plus all the tourists on the weekend, which is when to head over to Beaver Creek. Frisco also has good nightlife, but Breck is the hotspot. Downtown Frisco is the best balance of close to everything lower $$'s, walk or stumble back from the bars. (Frisco lodge is cheap & clean, 100 years old) A lot depends on what type of skier you are, but with the great snow this year in the central mts, it's hard to go wrong. You might consider driving a bit further to Steamboat- it's awesome! Great town, great mountain, and it won't be too crowded. You don't want to stay in Vail if $250 a night is too high, Christie Lodge in Avon is nice though-- but not for any semblance of nightlife. Here's a site: http://www.econovail.com/ Have fun!

 

[snowave]

I'm partial to Summit County, so I'd stay in that area (some of the towns mentioned above ).. you actually don't need a vehicle as the Summit Stage is an excellent transportation system, but can get crowded on holidays and busy periods..but so can some of the roads like hwy 9 coming in and out of Breck and also the Keystone area back into Dillon.

I also stayed with Mardeis properties a few years ago (http://www.mardeis.com/) ....one of their properties in Copper was pretty decent..location perfect.. but Copper doesn't have the best nightlife, but no probelm as you can head to Frisco or Breck in less than about 30 minutes. or again..take the free shuttle. Breck has the best town as far as nightlife and bars, food, etc.. one of the best i the nation IMO. I'm not crazy about the ski area though.. Copper is my favorite, Keystone is nice, and I also like Loveland if the conditions are good.. Vail is big, and has alot of everything..although I probably wouldn't stay there..

also try doing a search for lodging at the Summit County Chamber of Commerce..

FYI, Vail is not part of the Summit group. Eagle County, baby. So one would not find Vail lodging info there, I imagine.

yes, I know that.. I lived in Summit County for a while.. I mentioned Vail because the person asking advice was considering skiing at Vail and possibly staying there as well. :wink:

 

[kirbyk48]

Just got back from my first ever trip to Colorado. Stayed at the Frisco Lodge - avg $60/night includes breakfast buffet, afternoon soup and crackers, free internet access and clean, if small, rooms. I used the free Summit Stage busses to get to Breck, Copper and Keystone and drove the 40 miles to Beaver Creek. I rode the bus only because the roads were kinda icy but I used the Jeep to get to dinner. Safeway also has reduced price lift tickets as long as you get them in Denver, not Summit County.

Enjoyed Breck and Copper the most so would probably consider finding a package deal there if I were going to do it again.

 

[SoCal Rider]

yes, I know that.. I lived in Summit County for a while.. I mentioned Vail because the person asking advice was considering skiing at Vail and possibly staying there as well. :wink:

Don't I feel like an ass. Oh well.

If you were sticking to Breck, I'd stay there. It's a lively and attractive place, if kinda on touristy/trendy side. But since you're not, I cast another vote for Frisco - quaint but not lifeless; more homespun feeling than Breck or Vail Village (ick, IMO), especially. And it's a real town, as opposed to Keystone or Copper developments.

 

[snowave]

yes, I know that.. I lived in Summit County for a while.. I mentioned Vail because the person asking advice was considering skiing at Vail and possibly staying there as well. :wink:

Don't I feel like an ass. Oh well.

If you were sticking to Breck, I'd stay there. It's a lively and attractive place, if kinda on touristy/trendy side. But since you're not, I cast another vote for Frisco - quaint but not lifeless; more homespun feeling than Breck or Vail Village (ick, IMO), especially. And it's a real town, as opposed to Keystone or Copper developments.

No problem brother... It was a bit of a confusing response I posted.

I just want to get my butt bakc there as I miss Summit county alot, and I am fed up with socal..although I am lucky enough to live in the middle of the San Gabriel mtns with no neighbors for miles.. :lol:

 

[mikesathome]

WOW- This board is really a big help, thanks everyone for all the inputWOW- This board is really a big help, thanks everyone for all the input! After looking at my nice tax return, I went with staying at copper in a 1 bed room condo (gold) in the east village, they tossed in 4 days of lifts for 2 people, cost was just over $1,400 total. It is a little more costly but we all know its nice to walk out the condo and jump on the super bee lift. They said the lift tickets were B line, and I do not have to wait for a person to scan them while standing in line. They must have automated gates like I have seen at Solitude UT. I will be making my way over to Vail for one day of skiing, I have read so much about this resort I must ski it. So I will not be able to use all 4 days of copper skiing. I wonder if the lift tickets are 4 single ones and good for the rest of the season? Not that I would sell the extra 2 on EBay or anything

So Breck is the hotspot eh? I like the fact I can jump on the bus to go party.

Again thanks for all the input, now I just have to find a SUV to rent. I rented a Chevy Trail Blazer last year in Reno for 6 days and it was only $390. I cant touch one in Denver for less then $600, and I only need it for 4 days! I love spending my entire tax return and returning home with sore legs, and few t-shirts, a shot glass, and a life time of memories!

 

[snowave]

I personally wouldn't bother spending all the extra money to rent an SUV.. unless you have money to blow that is.. :lol:

As mentioned, you really won't need a car in Summit county to get around. But if you're like me and get antsy and want to go places without planning things or waiting for the bus, just get a compact or intermediate. If the weather is really nasty, you won't want to drive anyway, even in an SUV..and thats when you take the bus if you want to go out. I woudl say more times than not, even when it does snow, chains are not required for most passenger vehicles.. and if they are, you won't want to be on the roads anyway.

As far as going to Vail, several years ago there was a cheap shuttle to Vail from Summit county, but I couldn't tell you if that still exists. You can probably find out by contacting the summit stage bus system or the summit county chamber.

Copper is a cool mountain.. my favorite.. the village there kinda reeks intrawest to the max, but there are a few cool bars and restaurants. If you are there on a Friday night, try the double diamond resturant in the east viallge right by the super B lift. They have all you can eat fish for cheap.

For cheap bud or bud light, ("2 bud") go to the Chinese restuarant in the center village for 2-1 bottles for happy hour. I think they still have that.

The other bars in the village also have some decent happy hour specials and live music at times.

I've heard the pravda russian vodka bar is pretty cool...

Also, if you like all you can eat primes rib (or a steak and lobster, etc.).. go to "The Mint" in Silverthorne as they have some of the best prime rib in the world! but get there early as they sell out later on and it can get crowded.

Breck has tons of bars and food places... too many to list..

 

[lookn4powder]

Again thanks for all the input, now I just have to find a SUV to rent.

While we always rent 4WD in CA, we have never requested a 4WD for Summit County--although the rental dealers have pushed them on me occasionally for the same cost as an (expensive) car. Rarely, have we wanted one for driving among Breckenridge, Copper, Frisco, and Dillon/Silverthorn as the valley floor is usually not tough to drive during moderate snow events.

The highway department is pretty aggressive about shutting down I-70 through the passes. If it is snowing hard, forget Vail pass completely. The Eisenhower tunnel closes sometimes too. So, when you could use a 4WD, you can't. Moreover, you'd think that everyone in CO would know how to drive on snow and that they would have a 4WD. Instead, our experience is that at the first sign of snow the natives take to their rear wheel drive cars/pickups and head for Vail pass. In no time they clog out the highway with immobile vehicles. Perhaps, this event is less common in February, but this is our experience collected over 11 years of April skiing in Summit County.

That said, if a week of snow is predicted, I'd go for the 4WD. If you do, confirm that your SUV is a 4WD. Two years ago a friend found himself in high country in a rented SUV. As it began to snow, he discovered that the company had given him a 2WD only! Duh!

Cheers,
Jeff

 

[kirbyk48]

Couple of followup comments:
(1) I rented a Jeep Liberty from Thrifty at Denver International - base price for a week with a ski rack was about $200, insurance added another $120 and taxes another $100 for a total a bit over $400. Used it for two days in the Denver area before crossing the Rockies, to go to Beaver Creek and ride around Frisco. Not big enough for more than 2 adults with gear, but since I was travelling alone it worked out well.
(2) Since you are staying at Copper Mt you should know that there is a Summit Stage to Frisco where you can transfer to a bus for Breckenridge. Will take about 1 hr each way but as Greyhound used to say "leave the driving to us.'"
(3) Agree with much of what mikesathome said about roads and drivers. Both the east and west approaches to Eisenhower tunnel were icy and packed snow during my entire stay. U.S. 6 closed twice forcing ll the trucks to use the Interstate. Vail Pass was working on impassable by the time I left. I returned from Frisco to Denver about 7AM Saturday morning and at times was the only eastbound car but there was a 25 mile backup going west at crawl speed.

That's it. Hope you have a great trip.