My wife and I are making our first ski trip to CO over the holdays and will be staying in Breckenridge and have passes good at Keystone, Arapahoe Basin and Breckenridge. i enjoy more challenging terrain than my wife does, but she is game for steeps and bumps, just not all day long. I realize the crowds will be crazy after the 26th, but what advice do you have for runs that must be skied, places to eat or have a drink in Summit County?
Summit County Over the Holiday's Advice
- Thread starter Talisman
- Start date
lookn4powder
New member
Talisman":2r92fxg8 said:
Can't say anything for the crowds as we ski the Summit only in April when the crowds are gone. I suspect that at Breckenridge Lift 6 on Peak 8 might be less crowded than most of the mountain. If so, you can work a variety of fast laps. From the lift 6 top you have several options that vary from intermediate to double diamond terrain:
1. Cut right and head over to the Imperial Express chair, which might not be very crowded. This chair might also be closed due to thin coverage. However, it was open last Dec.
2. Cut right, keep your speed as you head toward the ridge. Get on one of the several narrow tracks that carries you to the top of the ridge. From the ridge one can drop into Contest Bowl and the right-most edge of Horseshoe bowl. Intermediate skiers can stay on the ridge and follow it down to the top of the Colorado Super Chair. Skiers exiting the bowls, can meet with ridge-skiers at the Colorado chair--or they can meet by the lodge nearby.
3. Cut left and ski the moderately steep terrain on the skiers right.
4. Cut back and follow the lift back to the chutes and bump runs.
When the wind is strong and coming off of the lake, skip Breckenridge because it will be a cold day on hardpack. Even A-basin is better protected from the lake winds.
All restaurants will be crowded, but I can recommend a relatively new one in Frisco. Samplings Wine Bar Restaurant is an upscale wine bar that serves dishes that are similar to tapas (technically, the portions are closer to racions). Location: 320 Main Street, Frisco. Expensive & you will likely need reservations.
Cheers,
Jeff
ChrisC
Well-known member
Hopefully the snow keeps up for Colorado so you can have the option of skiing some of the steeper stuff. I have a friend in charge of recycling programs at Breck, so have have a bias towards that mountain.
Breckenridge was covered well above - especially new Imperial lift (which was a hike when I was there).
Peak 10 has the best steep cruising and a few steep shots (better to skiers right).
The valley between Peak 9 and Peak 8 has the best steep bumps - both sides (Mach 1, Southern Cross, Devil's Crotch).
Peak 8 is bowl skiing - I prefer the Contest/Horshoe Bowl area.
There is a lot of hike-to terrain as well scattered around too.
Keystone
North Peak is bumps and steep crusing. The better runs are skier's right since they face north.
Outback is a few cruisers and trees artificially gladed. Again, skier's right glades are better since north facing.
A-Basin
Pick a nice weather day to go here since half the mountain is above the treeline. The Pallavicini chair has a ton of stuff off of it both left and right - Pallavicini, International.
Breckenridge was covered well above - especially new Imperial lift (which was a hike when I was there).
Peak 10 has the best steep cruising and a few steep shots (better to skiers right).
The valley between Peak 9 and Peak 8 has the best steep bumps - both sides (Mach 1, Southern Cross, Devil's Crotch).
Peak 8 is bowl skiing - I prefer the Contest/Horshoe Bowl area.
There is a lot of hike-to terrain as well scattered around too.
Keystone
North Peak is bumps and steep crusing. The better runs are skier's right since they face north.
Outback is a few cruisers and trees artificially gladed. Again, skier's right glades are better since north facing.
A-Basin
Pick a nice weather day to go here since half the mountain is above the treeline. The Pallavicini chair has a ton of stuff off of it both left and right - Pallavicini, International.