Need Advice from Colorado Divas!!

[Skisailor]

I live in Maryland and I'm so excited because I am going to be out in Colorado for a few days unexpectedly and I am actually going to get a chance for ONE early ski day!! It's going to be on Wed, November 11th. That's the earliest day ever for me.

In checking around on-line, it seems like A-Basin, Loveland, Keystone and Copper will all be open by then.

If you had just ONE day and you wanted to just get some decent turns in to shake the rust off, while trying to avoid the WRODs, where would you suggest I go as the best of the early ski season destinations in terms of the terrain they open the earliest?

I'll actually be in Glenwood Springs, so I'll be making a 1.5 to 2 hour trek eastward on I70 as a day trip depending on which area I choose.

Any suggestions would be most welcome!

 

[volklgirl]

No advice here, but.......





YOU SUCK!!!

 

[Skier31]

If you are going to be in Glenwood, Copper may be your best choice as it will be the easiset drive. It is a weekday so the weekend crowds will not be there. It is hard to tell how much snow we will get in between now and then. I would probably check the mountain's web sites closer to your trip and then decide.

 

[tjm235]

Well even with snow in the forecast, they're all going to be semi-WROD's at that time. If you're going on a weekday, I'd probably take Copper over the rest for early-early season, they do a pretty good job with their openings. If it's a weekend, I'd probably go to Loveland simply for the smaller crowds. Like was said above, just wait and see who has the most open when you're going... all four resorts are within close proximity to each other so easy to make a last minute decision.

 

[pinto]

If you are going to be in Glenwood, Copper may be your best choice as it will be the easiset drive. It is a weekday so the weekend crowds will not be there. It is hard to tell how much snow we will get in between now and then. I would probably check the mountain's web sites closer to your trip and then decide.

Ditto.

 

[Skisailor]

No advice here, but.......

YOU SUCK!!!

:D:D

So you'll appreciate that I'll also be on my brand new Auras - for the first time!! Can't wait.


edited to add:

Thanks everyone . . . . I was just wondering if there was a pattern to the order they typically open terrain that makes one more desirable than the others for an early season day.

 

[Little Lightning]

Copper, but check the snow reports. It's right on I-70 at the bottom of Vail Pass so very easy to get to. Follow signs, 2nd right hand turn, (unless you like to pay for parking ) to "Free Parking Lot" and take shuttle to base area.

 

[Skisailor]

First ski day tomorrow!!!

I'm so excited. Flying out to Denver today.

It's between Copper and Keystone, leaning toward Copper.
The WRODs at these two resorts look about the same length and vertical.

Copper is closer to where I'm staying but Keystone has a terrain park open which will draw some of the snowboarders . . . so it's a tough call. Hoping the mid-week day will mean that the crowd is manageable.

Either way, I can't wait. And it will be my first day on my "new" Auras which I bought at the very end of the season last year and haven't gotten to use yet.

Just jonesin' to make some turns followed by apres beers.

 

[ski now work later]

Of the 4 mountains I skied in CO this past March (Breck, Keystone, Vail, and Copper), I fell in love with Copper. It's easy access, I love the way the mountain is laid out (front side organizes terrain by skill level), food is great, and it's absolutely gorgeous!

OMG, Nov. 11 is tomorrow. Looks like they have 4 (long) trails open. Have a blast (and bring your sunscreen)!

 

[Jenny]

Have fun - and I, too, liked Copper a lot! It was our favorite of the ones we skiied at the Diva Summit.

 

[vickie]

I'm looking for suggestions too.

Going to Denver in early December. I expect all of the resorts to be open, but ...

I've read that we should spend the first night at a moderate to high altitude to begin acclimating. And I've ready "ski high ... sleep low". What to do?

There's no time to really acclimate. We'll fly in one day, ski the next two days, then fly back.

 

[vickie]

Best way to buy lift tickets?

I'll be skiing in the Denver area a couple of days in mid-December. Plan to ski a different place each day. What's the best way to get one-day lift tickets? I checked the resorts' web sites, but they seem to focus on multi-day tickets. Are discount tickets available at local shops?

 

[KatyPerrey]

Try grocery stores in the Denver area. The Denver folks might know better than me.
Not many discount tickets once you get to the ski areas!
Last year some of the Conoco gas stations gave tickets with a purchase of 10 gallons of gas or more. Not sure if they are doing that this year.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[skibum4ever]

I don't know how things work at Copper.

All of the Vail Resort areas - Vail, Beaver, Breck, Keystone, A-Basin have a single season pass. There are several flavors of pass, but all of them come loaded with a number of "bring a friend" discounts. I don't recall the numbers but you save a LOT on both adult, children, and teen tickets.

So as you're walking from the parking toward the ticket window, notice a nice friendly looking person who is wearing a season pass and does not appear to be in a rush. Tell them you're from out of state and ask them if they would be willing to help you save some money. I suspect that in most cases they will agree; if not, find a friendlier peron. They walk you to the ticket window, they show their pass, and you save lots of money on your lift tickets.

Let us know how you do.

 

[IttyBittyBetty]

Vickie - for such a short trip, I don't think you'll be able to "acclimate." Instead, you might be able to get in some good skiing before your body even realizes it's at altitude! I recommend you make sure to stay hydrated, remember to eat (altitude can diminish appetite), get plenty of sleep and avoid alcohol (I know - a bummer when you are on vacation!). Celelbrate the trip on the flight home with a beer!