Vail, CO parking
- Thread starter cyclonedave25
- Start date
Yeah when comparing mountains there are so many factors that determine what is "better". Your ability, how much snow they have, what type of terrain you like, what conditions you like, etc..
my father in law did the same thing at copper mtn a couple of weeks ago. man did i give him hell.
Last time we went to Vail, we forgot our lunches at the hotel room. We didn't feel like spending $30 to eat on the mountain. So we ended up starving that afternoon. :no::biglaugh:
Steamboat is my favorite ski mountain in Colorado. It always seems to have the best snow. Home of the champagne powder.
HA! Good thread. I live right below Beaver Creek. (Can walk to the free shuttle parking lot). Your doing the right thing by touring the resorts. In Vail I can walk to the gondola / born free express from where I work which is off of Forest Road. If you only had one vehicle I could get you a parking pass and park you for free.
Vail = King, bumps, awesome groomers, lots of powder, sick *** trees, 7 bowls, 5200 acres. Nothing compares.
Beaver Creek = Nice place, 1800 acres maybe? more powder than Vail.
Breck = Windy, not steep at all. I've only been there twice early season... I'm just not a fan. Lots of people / tourists.
Keystone = Love it. Good bump runs. I don't know why people are calling it icy. Everywhere is icy depending on the day.
A-Basin = Very high elevation makes for poor weather conditions in the middle of winter. Its pretty small. More of a spring destination resort. Bikinis and tailgating.
Vail = King, bumps, awesome groomers, lots of powder, sick *** trees, 7 bowls, 5200 acres. Nothing compares.
Beaver Creek = Nice place, 1800 acres maybe? more powder than Vail.
Breck = Windy, not steep at all. I've only been there twice early season... I'm just not a fan. Lots of people / tourists.
Keystone = Love it. Good bump runs. I don't know why people are calling it icy. Everywhere is icy depending on the day.
A-Basin = Very high elevation makes for poor weather conditions in the middle of winter. Its pretty small. More of a spring destination resort. Bikinis and tailgating.
Definitely has the best powder and trees that I've ever skied. Steamboat has a really nice vibe going.
Personally, I've lived here for 15 years and have found the best skiing to be at VAIL, but the best experience to be at Beaver Creek and the back bowls at Copper Mountain.
The reality is that it really depends on the snow conditions on any given day and where you choose to ski on the mountain. Some days you could have a drastic difference in the amount of snow at each resort.
If you have a pass that allows you to hit several resorts, do so, but honestly, I wouldn't go to A-Basin because the mountain is much more limited compared to Vail, Keystone, Breck, and Beaver Creek.
The reality is that it really depends on the snow conditions on any given day and where you choose to ski on the mountain. Some days you could have a drastic difference in the amount of snow at each resort.
If you have a pass that allows you to hit several resorts, do so, but honestly, I wouldn't go to A-Basin because the mountain is much more limited compared to Vail, Keystone, Breck, and Beaver Creek.
That's why in the past we never went to A-basin, but would still like to go there sometime just to check it out. I am still waiting to get a great day in at Vail with some fresh powder. The other time we went there the bowls were all mogels, not my favorite thing to do unless I'm looking to warm up and sweat. :wink:
I've been to summit county about 7 times in the last 10 years.Here is my take on it. There are no bad ski resorts in Summit county. A lot depends on the weather that day. I've only been to Copper 1 time and that day the weather was horrible so the skiing wasn't very good but there is nothing wrong with Copper. I've been numerous times to Breck, Keystone, and Vail and found plenty of runs at all 3 places to fill my day. I usually go during the week so crowds are not a problem and if you stay on the blue and blacks there are always less people.
It's really hard to go wrong with any place out there.
As a side note. Here are some of my favorite places to eat.
Downstair's at Eric's-It's a sports bar/pizza joint on main street in Breckenridge-Good place for lunch
Mi Casa Keystone? and Breckenridge-Similar to Latin King here in Des Moines-Very good Mexican
Beau Jo's Pizza-Idaho Springs-
Rasta Pasta-Breckenridge-Jamaican theme good pasta
It's really hard to go wrong with any place out there.
As a side note. Here are some of my favorite places to eat.
Downstair's at Eric's-It's a sports bar/pizza joint on main street in Breckenridge-Good place for lunch
Mi Casa Keystone? and Breckenridge-Similar to Latin King here in Des Moines-Very good Mexican
Beau Jo's Pizza-Idaho Springs-
Rasta Pasta-Breckenridge-Jamaican theme good pasta
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My 2 cents:
I have to agree, it really depends on the snow conditions as to where the good skiing is. I have been to almost all resorts mentioned. I have to say my least favorite is Keystone. I always feel like I am spending my time getting to the different runs at keystone rather than just skiing. Also, Keystone funnels into about 3 runs to the bottom for the whole resort and on a busy day, it gets really, really icy and crowded. A-Basin is great if you like the above the tree line, back country feel. Not for beginners though (also less crowded). Breck has a lot of great runs, but it does get very busy. Vail has phenominal skiing but seems to be the Aspen for those who cant quite afford aspen. Many people there to be seen rather than serious about skiing. Also it is very expensive. Havent been to Beaver Creek in years so cant comment. Steamboat, great mountain, great snow, pain in the butt to get to.
My favorite resort is Winter Park. Partially because I learned to ski there, but it is less crowded, Mary Jane Mtn usually has outstanding snow, great skiing variety. Upper and lower Hughes is a great long cruising run with good drop offs and some bumps on the side and Drunken Frenchman is always a major back breaker. I also like the area. The towns of Winter Park and Fraser have things to do but dont have the overwhelming tourist feel.
Side note: Completely agree on Beau Joe's Pizza in Idaho Springs. Great Pizzas, great for the kids. A great stop (also Tommy Knockers brewery just up the street for decent beer)
Have fun
I have to agree, it really depends on the snow conditions as to where the good skiing is. I have been to almost all resorts mentioned. I have to say my least favorite is Keystone. I always feel like I am spending my time getting to the different runs at keystone rather than just skiing. Also, Keystone funnels into about 3 runs to the bottom for the whole resort and on a busy day, it gets really, really icy and crowded. A-Basin is great if you like the above the tree line, back country feel. Not for beginners though (also less crowded). Breck has a lot of great runs, but it does get very busy. Vail has phenominal skiing but seems to be the Aspen for those who cant quite afford aspen. Many people there to be seen rather than serious about skiing. Also it is very expensive. Havent been to Beaver Creek in years so cant comment. Steamboat, great mountain, great snow, pain in the butt to get to.
My favorite resort is Winter Park. Partially because I learned to ski there, but it is less crowded, Mary Jane Mtn usually has outstanding snow, great skiing variety. Upper and lower Hughes is a great long cruising run with good drop offs and some bumps on the side and Drunken Frenchman is always a major back breaker. I also like the area. The towns of Winter Park and Fraser have things to do but dont have the overwhelming tourist feel.
Side note: Completely agree on Beau Joe's Pizza in Idaho Springs. Great Pizzas, great for the kids. A great stop (also Tommy Knockers brewery just up the street for decent beer)
Have fun
Been to both when I had a friend living out there. Went to Aspen Mountain to see what is was all about. Went to Snowmass to ski. It's the most "Summit County" of the 4. Didn't get a chance to go to Aspen Mountain, but my buddy seemed to like it there.