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Advice re resorts in Colorado

3K views 19 replies 12 participants last post by  snowklinger 
#1 ·
First, some quick background info -
I have ridden Tahoe, CA (where I grew up) and Oregon (college and after) mountains. I've lived in Prague, the Czech Rep. the last 11 years, and gotten to ride some in the Alps.
I have never ridden CO.

Myself and 2 of my Czech friends will be in Denver (parents live there) in December, and want to hit the slopes for the 10 days leading up to Christmas.
We are in our 30's, and are looking for a laid-back atmosphere; want to avoid all the high-end shopping avenues, snobby restaurants and 4 star hotels (suppose that disqualifies Vail, Teluride, etc...) wherever possible.

Things like local brewpubs serving decent fare, wooden lodges for accommodation, a bit of nightlife, etc, are what we are hoping to find. Really enjoy going "off the beaten path"!
Planning on hitting 2, maybe 3 mountains during that time.
We aren't broke, but cost is a consideration.

Sooooo, any suggestions?
Really, any and all feedback would be much appreciated!:hairy:
 
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#3 · (Edited)
Durango/WC and Monarch fit the bill as well.

Check out a monarch or loveland season pass. Loveland season pass gets you 3 days at monarch and 3 at durango, you could hit up wc while down there. The monarch season pass gives 1-3 days at like 15 US resorts, as well as (if I'm reading this correctly) unlimited days at 4 european alps......

depends how much traveling you wanna do.

I-70 corridor only? Stay in Georgetown and ride WinterPark, Copper (they share a pass) and Loveland. You get the best mountains in the area with the least amount of BS.
 
#7 ·
Thanks for the replies!
To clarify, we don't mind hitting the slopes at a top-end resort for part of the time, as long as some low key, somewhat budget lodging can be found relatively near by.

@snowklinger - by WinterPark/Copper sharing a pass, do you mean the Rocky Mountain Superpass? Just read that it's only available to CO residents.:(
 
#9 ·
Durango has some cool terrain, affordable lodging in town, at least 3 breweries and 'lil nightlife. Bit of a drive from Denver, crapshot with the snow around then and a fuckin' boatload of Texans. If I were you.......I'd make reservations at 2 or 3 different locations (DMR, WC, GTown) then watch the weather. Go wherever has the deepest base and cancel the ollie places.:dunno:
 
#10 · (Edited)
I like the Durango suggestion. Purgatory (Durango Mountain), Wolf Creek and Silverton are all within reasonable distance by car. Though for Wolf Creek and Silverton maybe a bit more than you want.

I hate to say it but the Epic pass is the most cost effective for multiple areas in the state. Of course it is all I70 resorts,so the weather pattern difference is not much between the resorts. Often it is not much different in the state anyway.

I will say that el nino years usually favor sw Colorado where Durango lies. So there is that.
 
#15 ·
Follow up question...

Firstly, thanks for all the replies / advice!
I have another question -
Is there any way to get out to Durango / Wolf Creek from Denver by shuttle bus or...?
Looks like we won't have wheels while we are in Denver, unless we rent a car...
 
#17 ·
Crested Butte is a fun ski resort and great little town. You can fly to Gunnison and catch a bus to Crested Butte...that way you won't need a car. You might even meet someone that will give you a ride to Monarch too...it is just a little over 1 hr from Crested Butte.

Don't forget the Shell station 2 for 1 lift ticket deal too. Get your folks to fill with gas at Shell stations that give the coupon for 2 for 1 lift tickets and you can save a bunch of money. You need to fill with 10 gallons to get a coupon and last year the coupon worked at: Monarch, Crested Butte, Winter Park, Loveland for sure...their website should be up soon to show what the deal is this year.
 
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