Fully endorse the third week of March. It’s Colorado’s snowiest month and we’ve had our best powder days with no crowds. Just enough people on the hill to keep the restaurants open. For anything later, the answer is Mammoth. Spring in the Eastern Sierra is something every skier needs to experience. Long warm days and perfect corn.
If you are heading to Aspen, Vail or Telluride, another very good option is flying into Grand Junction. Usually never has weather delays and connects to Denver, Dallas, Salt Lake City, LAX, Phoenix, etc. A VERY good option.
One thing I would like to add for the actual planning. Get a group together; traveling as a family unit is fun....but fun-ner with a group. Contact the resort and get assigned a concierge that can put together a package deal. The extra cost (not much imo) is well worth the savings in time.... plus you can get perks that aren't easily found. $0.02
I skied Breckenridge on a Monday and Tuesday at the end of February last winter and I never waited longer than 5 minutes at a lift. I even got a surprise powder day on that Tuesday with a foot of fresh. Lifts were basically empty from 8:30-9:30 am since it is a bigger party town.
Sometimes you can score really good deals on lodging in the early season. Mid-November until 1st week in December seems be the best time for great rates plus max available runs at ski resorts. For example, I’m staying at the Beaver Run resort for $142/night (plus resort fee and parking). Still under $200/night is pretty good for ski in/out. Keystone has good rates early season too and they open a week or so earlier. Keystone’s man-made snow is decent.
Here’s a tip for telluride (where it is IN$$ANELY expensive to stay). The gorgeous town of Ouray is about a 45 min drive from the lifts and offers much cheaper lodging, several good restaurants and fun shops. Also, telluride is overlooked for beginners but the sunshine express has some of the best beginner runs in the country.
Favorite skiing channel. Bar none. So, I booked Thurs-Mon feb 6-10 at keystone. How boned are we for crowds lol? I’m a dirty east coaster so I’m not super familiar. I just couldn’t stomach the lack of night skiing at other CO resorts.
Thursday, Friday, Monday, and even Sunday afternoon should be fine. Saturday, you're probably going to find some solid lines on the front side, so I would recommend sticking to Santiago, Outback, and maybe Bergman on that day.
In my opinion, Crusted Butte has the best groomers in CO. Vail is a close second. If Crusted could get the grooming crew from DV, that would be groomed terrain heaven. Fortunately, I have plenty of money to spend to lodging, but I always stay at the hostel at the base of JH and the Bevi near Telluride. I like the social atmosphere, and the Bevi is pretty nice for a hostel. I think there is a Bevi in Breckenridge, but I have never stayed there. Due to info from Piste Pickers, I am going to try to make it to Sun Valley to ski Limelight this season.
I did closing day at A Basin last season. Talked to people that had flown in from Austria (!!!), Jersey, Philly, and Illinois. Slope was crowded AF. Won't be doing that again.
Telluride is great as long as you’re okay fighting a 10yo for expert lines off 14 or waiting for the rope drop on black iron bowl and running at 12k ft to get a good line on dihedral
i am thinking of staying in cheap airbnb downtown denver and skiing winterpark on thursday and friday via the train and copper/abasin on snowstang on weekend. i think this would be the cheapest way to do it while avoiding driving I70 and parking hassle.
I’m planning a trip to Vail/BC end of February. Skiing 11 days or so from Friday to Monday of the week after. How should I split my days between Vail and Beaver Creek? Staying in Minturn. I was thinking Saturdays at BC at the minimum but wondering if that should includes Sundays too?
Going to Colorado for 1st time. Utah 10 hrs from LA. Idaho springs 16+ so I always pick Utah, but give idaho springs jan29th to feb9th. Ikon pass Copper and Arapahoe think I will pass on Winter Park I board and moguls are a hard pass😂
I'm not sure I agree. You can justify an entire season at some of these locations, much less a 1-2 week trip. No need to bounce around to different spots.
Don't recommend driving to Frisco at night. Car rental is shockingly expensive in winter for a beat up Hyundai with bald tires. Be ready to forfeit your deposit, as it is likely your bowels and stomach will evacuate during part of any I-70 traverse in winter. That's if you don't get run over by trucks screaming down the grade in an ice storm. Driving your own capable vehicle to CO is great, but flying in and renting a car is a crap shoot. Be a good tourist and learn the trains and shuttles for airline destination ski trips
From outside of Colorado, I have to say that the Bustang ski services, expanded Winter Park train service, and generally better ski town public transport (at least compared to other parts of the US) is very appealing
Sorry if the narration sounds a bit off - was recovering from a cold when this was recorded.
SRG skiing upload? Guess it's the best day of the week now!
Fully endorse the third week of March. It’s Colorado’s snowiest month and we’ve had our best powder days with no crowds. Just enough people on the hill to keep the restaurants open.
For anything later, the answer is Mammoth. Spring in the Eastern Sierra is something every skier needs to experience. Long warm days and perfect corn.
Concur re mammoth. Phenomenal spring skiing. Palisades as well
Les GOOOOO, another SRG VIDEO!!!!
If you are heading to Aspen, Vail or Telluride, another very good option is flying into Grand Junction. Usually never has weather delays and connects to Denver, Dallas, Salt Lake City, LAX, Phoenix, etc. A VERY good option.
One thing I would like to add for the actual planning. Get a group together; traveling as a family unit is fun....but fun-ner with a group. Contact the resort and get assigned a concierge that can put together a package deal. The extra cost (not much imo) is well worth the savings in time.... plus you can get perks that aren't easily found. $0.02
I skied Breckenridge on a Monday and Tuesday at the end of February last winter and I never waited longer than 5 minutes at a lift. I even got a surprise powder day on that Tuesday with a foot of fresh. Lifts were basically empty from 8:30-9:30 am since it is a bigger party town.
Midweek>anything else
Sometimes you can score really good deals on lodging in the early season. Mid-November until 1st week in December seems be the best time for great rates plus max available runs at ski resorts. For example, I’m staying at the Beaver Run resort for $142/night (plus resort fee and parking). Still under $200/night is pretty good for ski in/out. Keystone has good rates early season too and they open a week or so earlier. Keystone’s man-made snow is decent.
Brother you’re blowing up the spot!!! March-April sucks in Colorado don’t listen to this dude he has no idea what he’s talking about!!!!!!!!!
😂
Here’s a tip for telluride (where it is IN$$ANELY expensive to stay). The gorgeous town of Ouray is about a 45 min drive from the lifts and offers much cheaper lodging, several good restaurants and fun shops. Also, telluride is overlooked for beginners but the sunshine express has some of the best beginner runs in the country.
Favorite skiing channel. Bar none. So, I booked Thurs-Mon feb 6-10 at keystone. How boned are we for crowds lol? I’m a dirty east coaster so I’m not super familiar. I just couldn’t stomach the lack of night skiing at other CO resorts.
Thursday, Friday, Monday, and even Sunday afternoon should be fine. Saturday, you're probably going to find some solid lines on the front side, so I would recommend sticking to Santiago, Outback, and maybe Bergman on that day.
Amazing Video!!
In my opinion, Crusted Butte has the best groomers in CO. Vail is a close second. If Crusted could get the grooming crew from DV, that would be groomed terrain heaven. Fortunately, I have plenty of money to spend to lodging, but I always stay at the hostel at the base of JH and the Bevi near Telluride. I like the social atmosphere, and the Bevi is pretty nice for a hostel. I think there is a Bevi in Breckenridge, but I have never stayed there. Due to info from Piste Pickers, I am going to try to make it to Sun Valley to ski Limelight this season.
KGUC in Gunnison is a good way to get to Crested Butte
I did closing day at A Basin last season. Talked to people that had flown in from Austria (!!!), Jersey, Philly, and Illinois. Slope was crowded AF. Won't be doing that again.
Telluride is great as long as you’re okay fighting a 10yo for expert lines off 14 or waiting for the rope drop on black iron bowl and running at 12k ft to get a good line on dihedral
i am thinking of staying in cheap airbnb downtown denver and skiing winterpark on thursday and friday via the train and copper/abasin on snowstang on weekend. i think this would be the cheapest way to do it while avoiding driving I70 and parking hassle.
Not every year, but December on the (high desert) Colorado slopes .... 🤪😁
I’m planning a trip to Vail/BC end of February. Skiing 11 days or so from Friday to Monday of the week after. How should I split my days between Vail and Beaver Creek? Staying in Minturn. I was thinking Saturdays at BC at the minimum but wondering if that should includes Sundays too?
Saturdays and Sundays at BC would be how I would split it
Mystery run is Shadows at Steamboat?
Nope
lol damn I didn’t know Presidents’ Day weekend is the most crowded of the year. I’ll be at Copper. Oh well!
3rd week in march is quiet for Breckenridge and vail?
Quieter than the 12 weeks previous, yeah
Is that shadows at steamboat? I have no idea
Nope
Gonna go out on a limb and guess Heads Up at Beaver Creek
Close, but no cigar!
Going to Colorado for 1st time. Utah 10 hrs from LA. Idaho springs 16+ so I always pick Utah, but give idaho springs jan29th to feb9th. Ikon pass Copper and Arapahoe think I will pass on Winter Park I board and moguls are a hard pass😂
I'm not sure I agree. You can justify an entire season at some of these locations, much less a 1-2 week trip. No need to bounce around to different spots.
Fair enough, if that works for you! We personally get bored of a mountain after a week, even if we haven't explored the entire thing.
@@SRGSkiing Agreed. I get bored. Need new terrain to explore.
Yup, I get bored of most ski resorts after a day. It’s good to have options
Don't recommend driving to Frisco at night. Car rental is shockingly expensive in winter for a beat up Hyundai with bald tires. Be ready to forfeit your deposit, as it is likely your bowels and stomach will evacuate during part of any I-70 traverse in winter. That's if you don't get run over by trucks screaming down the grade in an ice storm. Driving your own capable vehicle to CO is great, but flying in and renting a car is a crap shoot. Be a good tourist and learn the trains and shuttles for airline destination ski trips
Now HERE'S someone who gets it!
@@SRGSkiing Trial and Failure is my best coach
From outside of Colorado, I have to say that the Bustang ski services, expanded Winter Park train service, and generally better ski town public transport (at least compared to other parts of the US) is very appealing