Growing up in Summit, Colorado County, I’m most familiar with the ski resorts in Summit County, including Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Arapaho Basin, Loveland, Ski Cooper and Vale. However, these tips should be helpful when planning any skiing trip.
# 1 Accommodation
Accommodation is your staging area before heading to the slopes, and this is where you rest after a hard day of playing. Your choice of accommodation will have a big impact on your ski trip.
One option is the hotel. Some of them are close to elevators and amenities, but those who are next are cheaper. Most hotel rooms do not have kitchens or there are only parts. You will probably eat all your meals. Several people will provide a complimentary continental breakfast so you can leave in the morning.
The bed and breakfast will offer a full breakfast and usually afternoon tea and snacks. Many of them are charmingly located in restored historic buildings. B & B is a great choice if you want to meet other travelers. The owners of the bed and breakfast and your fellow travelers can offer suggestions on where to go for dinner.
Condo and town houses include fully equipped kitchens, so you can save money and inconvenience by eating at the rental. For large groups, you can find a private house or house to accommodate groups of reasonable size. They will have private bedrooms as well as shared living rooms where the group can gather.
A ski rental on skis provides convenience right on the ski slope. You can refuse to rent for lunch or add or subtract layers during the day if conditions change. Ski holidays can be found in apartments, hotels, town houses, private houses and lodges.
There is no formal definition of a “ski monastery”, each property management company has its own method of applying this term to their properties. When booking a ski rental, be sure to ask the right questions so that you are not disappointed when you arrive. Some skiing trips may be right on the ski slope, but they may be some distance from restaurants and other amenities. In this case, you have easy access to restaurants and entertainment for easy access to the ski slopes. Good alternatives will be within walking distance of the slopes along a walkway or a footpath, but it will still be very convenient to shop, eat restaurants and other activities.
# 2 Ski and snowboard rental
When you travel with your own equipment, you do not need to deal with the rental of equipment, but you face some problems that will be covered in baggage No. 7.
For those who do not own the equipment, do not worry. You can rent equipment for the entire length of your stay. It is planned to plan equipment leasing in advance. No one wants to wait in a long line to find out that there are no more shoes in their size. Avoid this stress by reserving equipment online before you arrive. This will ensure the availability of equipment, it is likely to save you some money, and this will speed up the rental process.
Another option for renting equipment is to rent it. Then, instead of standing in line, you can relax in front of the fireplace when rental equipment comes to you. The rental technician will arrive with different equipment to make sure you get the right size. Your equipment will be tuned to your ability level. Then, at the end of the trip, they return to pick it up. This saves you another trip to the ski rental shop. The rates for equipment rental are very competitive compared to what you would pay after walking to the ski rental shop and standing in line.
# 3 Lift tickets
If you are planning to ski or snowboard, you will need lift tickets. Instead of appearing on the resort and going into a shock sticker at prices placed above the ticket window, plan ahead. Tickets can be booked online in advance at a reduced price. Multi-day tickets are the best choice. Consult your property management company and see if they have discount tickets. Sometimes they throw a free day on skis with overnight stay.
As soon as you arrive, you can usually find discount tickets, but you have to look around and get out of the way to pick them up. In supermarkets there are usually tickets with a small discount in the customer service area.
If you are planning a long stay, you might consider buying a season. They are always available at the beginning of the season, but sometimes they are sold later this season. Seasonal passes often pay for themselves after several days of skiing.
Lessons number 4
A ski or snowboard lesson at the beginning of your journey can reduce the frustration of flying to the slopes for the first time or after a long absence. Each ski resort has its own lesson policy. With some lessons, an elevator ticket is included at a reduced price. Sometimes they have limitations, for example, a ticket is valid only when accompanied by an instructor. This means that if you leave the class or want to go to night skiing after class, your ticket may not work. Ask about any restrictions on tickets included in the lessons.
Do your homework in class before you arrive by researching the ski school’s website and even calling one of your experts to answer questions that the site hasn’t answered. You do not want to try to sort all the options for a personal, group, adult, child, full day, half day, or several days, the night before you plan to do the lesson. You may find that the lessons offered at one resort are better suited to your needs and budget. This may affect your choice of accommodation.
# 5 Transportation
Car rental gives you the opportunity to freely explore and feel in the area. However, before renting a car you need to consider some things.
If you are staying at a resort, such as Breckenridge, you probably won't need a rental car. You may find that this is more of a hassle when trying to park than walk or catch a local shuttle. Most resorts charge for parking at the most convenient car parks. With a rented car, you must also consider your ability to drive in unpredictable winter weather conditions.
At the airport there are several options. For one or two people, the least expensive option would be a general van. For groups of three or more, you begin to see group discounts, and more options become available. There are private luxury SUVs that can carry five people plus ski equipment. Large groups can rent a van or bus. If you really want to start an unforgettable vacation in a luxurious fashion, Hummers limousines and stretch marks are also available.
Several resorts, such as Summit and Vail counties, have free shuttles at the resort, and the county summit has a free bus service throughout the county. If you are staying at a resort, you will often find that there are many restaurants, shops and nightclubs within walking distance of your accommodation.
# 6 Food
Ski resorts are noted for choosing a gourmet restaurant. What holiday will be completed without a night in a beautiful restaurant? However, if you stay for a few nights, how often do you want to coordinate the preparation of your group, deliver them to the restaurant and keep them waiting for the table? If you have a kitchen when renting, it makes sense to plan the preparation of some of your dishes. This is especially important for breakfast. With a fun afternoon, it would be nice to avoid squeezing your breakfast trip into your busy schedule.
The option is to use the product delivery service. Groceries can be delivered before your arrival or while you are skiing. You can use the time that will be saved to enjoy your vacation. Ready meals can also be delivered. You can even arrange a meal.
# 7 Luggage
When traveling with ski equipment, you can take on excessive luggage and additional costs for luggage. In addition to fees, it is a difficult task to pull it through the airport, as well as on the shuttles and back. You may have to rent a larger car to accommodate extra baggage.
Luggage transportation services can pick up your luggage, send it to the warehouse at your vacation place and deliver it on the day of your arrival. They will also reverse the process to get your luggage home. The cost of these services is often on par with the costs that you pay airlines for excess and oversized baggage. Traveling by hand only will simplify your experience at airports.
# 8 Events
Skiing is a stressful activity. If you proceed from a low altitude, you do not want to strain too much. Even if you are in great shape, skiing will use different muscle groups than you are used to. You can plan a day to ski. There are several other activities you might want to consider on your day off, such as ice skating, tubing, snowmobiles, dog sledding, or a snowshoes scenic tour.
In Summit County, there is a tube on Copper Mountain, Keystone and Frisco. Keystone has a "disco" at night with disco lights. Of course, you can always choose a cheap sleigh from a local store and find a suitable hill.
Snowmobiles are a great way to step into the splendor of the Colorado Rockies and soak up the 360-degree view from a height above the Continental Section. The guide will take you to the backcountry on well-groomed paths, single-track paths and through powder-filled meadows. Various tours are designed for families, riding and even extreme thrill-seekers.
Dog sledding tours allow you to learn about dog sledding in a practical, rich educational environment. The guests will first get acquainted with the dogs, before they complete the reign, and become brothers, driving the team. One and two hours of dog sledding excursions are available with an experienced guide who will take you to one of the most beautiful scenery in the Rocky Mountains.
Snow tours range from scenic tours for non-skiers, to back rides, to skiing. There is even a scenic tour, which offers adventurous guests the opportunity to ride a snow bike on gentle slopes in the deep snow at the top of the mountain.
Other physical activities include snowshoes, cross-country skis and ice skating. If you do not have your own equipment, you can rent it. If you have your own equipment, there are several paths and places where you can snowshoe, cross-country skiing and skate for free.
# 9 Events
Winter activities abound in ski areas from winter X-games to Dew Tour to the World Cup and many other competitions and events. If you are going to see one of them, be sure to book in advance. If you are not going to see one of them, check out what is happening at the resort during the planned trip. For major events, placing books and crowds on the slopes and in cities and restaurants.
Small events are fun to attend. Ullrfest is a Breckenridge feast of the northern god of snow. Breckenridge holds an annual snow sculpture competition that attracts teams from around the world. Christmas holidays, New Year celebrations, Mardi Gras celebrations and other events in all cities and resorts in the winter. Good to know what happens when you are in the city. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce or with resorts for your event calendars.
# 10 Where to go
Each resort has its own character. Some expect activity and nightlife, such as Breckenridge and Vail. Some cater to the rich and famous for upscale shopping such as Aspen. Some of them are quite remote and autonomous, such as Steamboat and Telluride.
Frisco is a beautiful mountain town away from the hustle and bustle of the resorts. It has a pleasant "real city". It is less tourist than resorts, offers many fine restaurants and shops. However, it is close enough to the resorts to make it a good option for living. The bonus is that you can get more for your money by choosing accommodation from resorts. Free bus service throughout the country, the summit stage, provides easy transportation to resorts and other cities in the district.
Make sure your destination matches your travel group. Special considerations will concern groups that contain children and adolescents, groups consisting of all young people, groups that contain some non-skiers, make sure that there are many activities for everyone.
# 11 When to go (bonus theme!)
The early season lasts from the day of opening for the resorts right up to the Christmas holidays. During this time, the snow is just beginning to accumulate. All runs will not be open, and all actions will not be started. During this time, tickets for accommodation and elevators will be cheaper.
Every person is trying to achieve something new. Depending on the amount of snow, some activities may not yet be performed.
Prices will rise for Christmas and New Year. Then they usually leave until mid-February.
Presidential weekend usually marks the beginning of the "Prime Ski Season" and a surge in prices. Higher prices are due to better snow conditions and the fact that many people are planning a spring break vacation.
Mid to late March marks the beginning of the “Late Ski Season”. Prices begin to decline, as does snow cover. During this time you can find pleasant sunny and warm days. Several guests spend time between the races to soak up the sun on the decks of the ski houses.
Thus, planning ahead and doing your homework, you can save money, entertain everyone and spend your time on vacation, knowing that all the small details have been considered.
