Shuttle from Denver Airport to Vail Village area?

[LilaBear]

I'm not an experienced snow and ice driver either, and unless there is a snow storm in progress, I find the drive up and down the I70 to be fine. Depending on the conditions you just need to take care and adjust your speed. If there is recent snow then 4wd will help, but it does not change your stopping distance, this should always be born in mind.

If the rental is something that is otherwise attractive to you then I would take that option.

[Christy]

On our trip last year from Denver to Aspen and back we had a Prius! CO divas correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the impression that in CO you get big dumps, which can mess up the roads, but then they're cleared and you're good until the next one (and this year they seem to be few and far between). It doesn't seem to be like here in WA state, where it can drizzle snow all winter and compact snow and ice are typical on the road (again, not so much this year).

You rarely have to pay upfront for a rental car (unless you've done Hotwire or something like that) so why not just reserve a car then cancel and take the shuttle if there's a storm in the forecast.

[bounceswoosh]

Originally Posted by Christy

On our trip last year from Denver to Aspen and back we had a Prius! CO divas correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the impression that in CO you get big dumps, which can mess up the roads, but then they're cleared and you're good until the next one (and this year they seem to be few and far between). It doesn't seem to be like here in WA state, where it can drizzle snow all winter and compact snow and ice are typical on the road (again, not so much this year).

Colorado has a vested interest in keeping I-70 clear =)

My thoughts on I-70:

• It's an accident waiting to happen - lots of traffic either way and accordion traffic patterns. On the way up everyone is bleary-eyed and in a hurry. On the way down, everyone is exhausted, and on top of that half of them are drunk or stoned with balding tires. If you're going to drive I-70, try to plan for the less-busy times, and always leave more room than you think is necessary. Also, going through the Eisenhower tunnel, the road and visibility conditions are likely completely different from the entrance to the exit. Plan accordingly.
• You're at altitude, so your vehicle will have much less power than you expect. (Turbo engines do mitigate this, but don't eliminate the problem.) Please move into the right lane if your car isn't keeping up, and don't play speed limit enforcer in the left hand lane =) That will just lead to people driving around you on the shoulder and other unpleasant and dangerous behaviors.
• I-70 has long stretches of downhill. They can be scary in the snow. Please consider downshifting (yes, even in an automatic) rather than sitting on the brakes the entire time. Your car will thank you, and you'll have more control over the car. Again, if other vehicles are going faster than you, just let them ... and yes, sometimes they'll end up in a ditch and you'll sail by them, laughing at their idiocy.

I can't tell you how many near-misses I've had on I-70, and some have been my fault. Just be careful out there and always, always leave plenty of room.

[wahineskisk2]

You'll be much happier. Then you can ski at the other resorts up here. I know there is a bus from Vail to Beaver Creek, but as far as I know there is nothing between Vail and Summit County, (Keystone, A-basin, Breckenridge, and for sure not Copper)
Just don't drive to Denver on a Sunday!!! It's like being in Los Angeles at 5pm.

Colorado DOT takes very good care of the roads, by the way. All the rental car companies here have vehicles available that can handle the weather. Ask for SUV if you're really worried. I drive a Jeep Commander, all-wheel drive. It handles the roads here just fine, and it used to be in the rental pool of Budget. I bought it at the Budget car sales lot.

CME is such a rip off! I'm going to Europe next week and wanted to leave my car home. It was going to cost $364 round trip for 2! (come on people, it's only 94 miles to DIA from my door) So, instead I booked a room at the new ALoft airport hotel for $83 bucks, and I get to park my car there for free for 20 days.

[jennym]

Wow, oh wow! You all are fabulous! excellent advice. I leave tomorrow and have a standard size car. We will head up to Vail around noon, Friday. We return to Denver on late Monday. VERY excited.