Snow Conditions - Summit County, CO - Snowboarding Forum

davidj · 10-09-2011, 11:20 AM

I'm going to be spending a week, Dec 23 - 31, doing the Epic Pass Resorts. Will be staying in Avon for the duration, but will have a vehicle to drive around. Would like to get some advice on the following topics...

Any advice on which resorts to hit up to avoid lift lines as much as possible? Are there certain resorts I should hit up on certain days?
What are the snow conditions typically like during this time? My focus is all mountain freestyle - groomers, pow, trees, moguls, natural features/jumps. Will there be enough cover so I can break out my nicer decks or should I scope out the terrain with my rock stick first?

EDIT: Yeah... should have mentioned Eagle as well, since I'll be staying in Eagle County, matter of fact.

Tarzanman · 10-09-2011, 11:55 AM

That area will be very busy during that time of year. Locals will be able to tell you more accurate information about recent attendance than me because I haven't been in Summit in 2 years.

From what I have read, Breckenridge is usually the busiest... Peak 8 being the most crowded. I think that A-Basin would probably have the least amount of people among the resorts covered by the epic pass.

Argo · 10-09-2011, 12:51 PM

Avon and Vail are actually in eagle county. Beaver creek is in avon and covered by epic and accessible by free avon bus. Vail is 10 minutes from avon. Summit resorts will be 45 minutes to drive to but worth the experience to get to ride at. They will all be packed. I would guess that the size of Vail is to its advantage keeping people moving and more spread out.

WasatchMan · 10-11-2011, 01:01 AM

They should definitely have a decent base by then, probably around ~50" or so. I mean I wouldn't be hucking cliffs if you get a pow day, but you could use your nicer boards.

davidj · 10-11-2011, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argo

Avon and Vail are actually in eagle county. Beaver creek is in avon and covered by epic and accessible by free avon bus. Vail is 10 minutes from avon. Summit resorts will be 45 minutes to drive to but worth the experience to get to ride at. They will all be packed. I would guess that the size of Vail is to its advantage keeping people moving and more spread out.

Yeah, I plan to mix it up a bit between Eagle and Summit counties. Haven't ridden Keystone and I think its one of the resorts on the Epic Pass. If Breck is crowded how about Keystone? And will A-Basin have enough of a base by then?

Quote:

Originally Posted by WasatchMan

They should definitely have a decent base by then, probably around ~50" or so. I mean I wouldn't be hucking cliffs if you get a pow day, but you could use your nicer boards.

Good to know. Years ago I skied (before I switched full time to riding) Vail with a 50" base. Conditions on piste were really quite good.

cjcameron11 · 10-11-2011, 06:25 AM

sorry to hijack the thread but ill be in breck from the 22nd to 1st this Dec, when you guys say busy, and i know this may sound like a stupid question, but how busy do you mean? like is it dodging people the whole way down a run, or waiting 30 mins in a lift line etc i know breck has got a fair few runs to choose from so i just thought i would ask, cheers

**killclimbz** · 10-11-2011, 09:39 AM

Breckenridge sees the most skier visits out of any resort in North America. By a long shot. Wide open runs, no lift lines, no traffic, you're not at Breck...

BurtonAvenger · 10-11-2011, 10:06 AM

Dewsh Tour ends on the 22nd of December so have fun with Dewsh Tour left overs, X mas Visitors, Tourons, Locals, Frontrangers, and all the fucking people in Summit county that week. My advice ride Beaver Creek and enjoy the fact that a crowded day there means you wait in line 4 minutes.

neednsnow · 10-11-2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjcameron11

sorry to hijack the thread but ill be in breck from the 22nd to 1st this Dec, when you guys say busy, and i know this may sound like a stupid question, but how busy do you mean? like is it dodging people the whole way down a run, or waiting 30 mins in a lift line etc i know breck has got a fair few runs to choose from so i just thought i would ask, cheers

Two Things, if you're there that long, you may want to consider getting an Epic Pass, right quick. You may save a few bucks depending on how often you plan on hitting the hills.

As for Breck, I was there over Spring Break a few years ago. It gets Packed!!! My advice would be to get on the mountain early to beat the crowds, and get to the upper level lifts. There are higher lifts that access various spots of the mountain that are less traveled. Find some stash spots (good luck getting advice from locals) and lap those. But, for sure, hit it early and kill it before the crowds come in. If you take lunch, wander into town and enjoy lunch while everyone else does the cliche lunch on the mountain. Then get back out there around 2 for two more hours......or just ride all day.

cjcameron11 · 10-11-2011, 04:18 PM

Thanks guys appreciate the input, I'll def hit up beaver creek aswell but I'll be staying 1 minute walk from I think it's called snowflake lift, so I should be able to get on the mountain early and at least get some runs in without the lines. I had a look into the local epic pass and I think that's what I'll be doing again thanks

10-09-2011, 11:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
davidj Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 323	Snow Conditions - Summit County, CO I'm going to be spending a week, Dec 23 - 31, doing the Epic Pass Resorts. Will be staying in Avon for the duration, but will have a vehicle to drive around. Would like to get some advice on the following topics... Any advice on which resorts to hit up to avoid lift lines as much as possible? Are there certain resorts I should hit up on certain days? What are the snow conditions typically like during this time? My focus is all mountain freestyle - groomers, pow, trees, moguls, natural features/jumps. Will there be enough cover so I can break out my nicer decks or should I scope out the terrain with my rock stick first? EDIT: Yeah... should have mentioned Eagle as well, since I'll be staying in Eagle County, matter of fact. __________________ Equal opportunity offender. Last edited by davidj; 10-09-2011 at 04:03 PM.

10-11-2011, 06:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
cjcameron11 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 725	sorry to hijack the thread but ill be in breck from the 22nd to 1st this Dec, when you guys say busy, and i know this may sound like a stupid question, but how busy do you mean? like is it dodging people the whole way down a run, or waiting 30 mins in a lift line etc i know breck has got a fair few runs to choose from so i just thought i would ask, cheers __________________ my names's Petey and i have gigantic balls

10-11-2011, 10:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
BurtonAvenger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mountains Posts: 8,045	Dewsh Tour ends on the 22nd of December so have fun with Dewsh Tour left overs, X mas Visitors, Tourons, Locals, Frontrangers, and all the fucking people in Summit county that week. My advice ride Beaver Creek and enjoy the fact that a crowded day there means you wait in line 4 minutes. __________________ Angry Snowboarder Because someone has to call it how they see it!

10-11-2011, 04:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
cjcameron11 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 725	Thanks guys appreciate the input, I'll def hit up beaver creek aswell but I'll be staying 1 minute walk from I think it's called snowflake lift, so I should be able to get on the mountain early and at least get some runs in without the lines. I had a look into the local epic pass and I think that's what I'll be doing again thanks __________________ my names's Petey and i have gigantic balls

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-09-2011, 11:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tarzanman Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,394	That area will be very busy during that time of year. Locals will be able to tell you more accurate information about recent attendance than me because I haven't been in Summit in 2 years. From what I have read, Breckenridge is usually the busiest... Peak 8 being the most crowded. I think that A-Basin would probably have the least amount of people among the resorts covered by the epic pass.

10-09-2011, 12:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Argo -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Vail, CO Posts: 1,955	Avon and Vail are actually in eagle county. Beaver creek is in avon and covered by epic and accessible by free avon bus. Vail is 10 minutes from avon. Summit resorts will be 45 minutes to drive to but worth the experience to get to ride at. They will all be packed. I would guess that the size of Vail is to its advantage keeping people moving and more spread out.

10-11-2011, 01:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
WasatchMan Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 1,023	They should definitely have a decent base by then, probably around ~50" or so. I mean I wouldn't be hucking cliffs if you get a pow day, but you could use your nicer boards.

10-11-2011, 09:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
killclimbz Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Front Range Posts: 9,174	Breckenridge sees the most skier visits out of any resort in North America. By a long shot. Wide open runs, no lift lines, no traffic, you're not at Breck...