38 replies to this topic

[poloxskier]

Since you will be here on the weekend I would suggest Vail, Copper or Beaver Creek. The others are just too busy on weekends. Vail and Copper you can get away from crowds and the masses never quite make it to BC. If you choose to go with Vail, I agree with Dino in that you should go to Vail on friday.

This post has been edited by poloxskier: 28 December 2007 - 08:39 AM

[skierdude9450]

SkiBachelor, on Dec 27 2007, 05:41 PM, said:

However, Copper has those volunteer ski patrol people that will yap at you for skiing down runs too fast.

They're all over Vail too, and in the worst places!!

Lift Dinosaur, on Dec 27 2007, 06:11 PM, said:

Since you've been to Deer Valley, you have to see the competition in the Annual Best Battle - Vail because...well...it's VAIL! It can serve you for your cruiser or powder fix. Ski it on Friday - pay the $10 and park in the Lionshead Parking Structure - walk to the Gondola (5 minutes), if the line is too long... (aww, PM me if you want more input).
Saturday, ski Copper. (yea, I worked there for 20 years, and it was always a great everyday ski mountain). Great mountain seperation with the steeps on the left and the upper Bowls, cruisers in the middle(Super Bee can eat your legs before 2PM no problem), and easy stuff to the west (right).
Whatever you decide, you'll have a great time. Once you make the selection - that's when the real "secret stashes" will be divulged!

Dino

Too bad it's $20 now!!

Anyway, here's my $0.02. If you're only there for two days, I would avoid Keystone and Breck completely. I think ski Copper or Vail on Friday. They're both great areas with their own great terrain. On Saturday, I would recommend skiing Beaver Creek or Arapahoe Basin. Both of them don't get the crowds of Vail and the other Summit Co. ski areas, and they have amazing terrain. I would not say at all that Beaver Creek is overrated. They have grooming second to only Deer Valley. If you want cruising, hands down Beaver Creek has it, and for expret terrain Arapahoe Basin is the ticket. I haven't tried Montezuma Bowl yet, but I'll hit it when it opens.

This post has been edited by skierdude9450: 28 December 2007 - 04:48 PM

[Lift Dinosaur]

Too bad it's $20 now!!
Whatever. You can also park at the ball fields, shuttle in, get off at the wrong stop, catch another bus, waste 45 minutes... he's here for 1 day. Besides, your Dad pays for the parking - not you.

Anyway, here's my $0.02. If you're only there for two days, I would avoid Keystone and Breck completely. I think ski Copper or Vail on Friday. They're both great areas with their own great terrain. On Saturday, I would recommend skiing Beaver Creek or Arapahoe Basin. Both of them don't get the crowds of Vail and the other Summit Co. ski areas, and they have amazing terrain. I would not say at all that Beaver Creek is overrated. They have grooming second to only Deer Valley. If you want cruising, hands down Beaver Creek has it, and for expret terrain Arapahoe Basin is the ticket. I haven't tried Montezuma Bowl yet, but I'll hit it when it opens.
[/quote]
Agreed on avoiding Keystone and Breck on the weekend. To me , ABasin is a 1/2 day skiing experience, unless you're into jumping off rock bands and hiking for 8 turns (if they are available)(But then I'm a Dinosaur and have been there-done that))He's staying in Summit County (Frisco). Copper is close on Saturday, and once you get out of the Base Area, not too crowded. While I really like BC for its groomers and Grouse Mtn, I'm not sure if the drive 2 days in a row is worth it. (What's the gal who's footing the bill like to ski?)


Dino

[CH3skier]

I appreciate everyone's input, it saves a lot of time and headaches trying to figure it out. Should be a fun trip, look forward to trying Vail and Copper.

[Nick303]

Vail and Copper would be my choices.

Regarding parking and eating I don't know much about Vail other than parking you will have to pay.

For Copper They have free parking with shuttles that come regularly and food, $4 pasta at the bottom of Super Bee or All You Can Eat Good Chinese (dono how to spell) for $8 at the base of eagle and flyer.

Have Fun!

[liftmech]

You must be referring to the Imperial Palace for the Chinese food. Never eaten there, but it sure smells good walking by. The pasta deal is in the Grand Hall in the Copper Station lodge.

[Lift Dinosaur]

liftmech, on Jan 2 2008, 08:26 PM, said:

You must be referring to the Imperial Palace for the Chinese food. Never eaten there, but it sure smells good walking by.

"You drink too much! You don't eat food! You go home now!!!"
Dino

[skierdude9450]

Imperial Palace is great food! It's not as cheap as the EDGE for sure, but its good for a change. Best thing is that they take you as you are (ski boots, whatever.) You get served just as quickly as it would take you in the line at Jacks. The best thing is that it's cheaper than anywhere else on the mountain for great food and service. And FWIW, the pasta deal at Copper Station is up to $5. (Still a good deal though. )

This post has been edited by skierdude9450: 02 January 2008 - 08:18 PM

[Peter]

I envy those prices. Crystal's food prices have gone out of control. $3.75 for an 8-ounce hot chocolate, $3.00 for a Kit-Kat bar, $6.00 for Mac and Cheese...

[skierdude9450]

Oh don't think that Colorado has cheap food. The lowest price for food at Bever Creek is $7.95 for a hot dog, and it just goes up from there. Basically what would cost you $4 at Burger King costs you $16 at Vail. I've just been around Copper long enough to discover the good deals. Sorry CH3skier, but the best deal at Vail is probably the Subway in the LionsHead parking garage. And there's still 10% sales tax.

[liftmech]

Lift Dinosaur, on Jan 2 2008, 08:56 PM, said:

"You drink too much! You don't eat food! You go home now!!!"
Dino

I've heard that before, from Marty.
Skierdude- how do you know about the E.D.G.E.? You related to an employee or something? That's not exactly a pulic eatery.

[skierdude9450]

My dad was a ski instructor for quite a while. I go way back to the days where HR was in Snowbridge Square. I still remember when Ski School was based out of the Center, and before Jack's took over Copper Commons. Those were the good ol' days.

[Lift Dinosaur]

Skier, on Jan 2 2008, 09:32 PM, said:

I envy those prices. Crystal's food prices have gone out of control. $3.75 for an 8-ounce hot chocolate, $3.00 for a Kit-Kat bar, $6.00 for Mac and Cheese...

"Let's not forget that there are plenty of resorts with no real estate development that make plenty of capital improvements. Crystal Mountain, Mount Baker, Wolf Creek, etc."

There are only so many ways to make money to pay for improvements....

Dino

[Lift Kid]

Lift Dinosaur, on Jan 3 2008, 07:27 PM, said:

"Let's not forget that there are plenty of resorts with no real estate development that make plenty of capital improvements. Crystal Mountain, Mount Baker, Wolf Creek, etc."

There are only so many ways to make money to pay for improvements....

Dino

I always hope that some of that money goes towards the lift operations/Maintenance dep.

[Nick303]

What you can also do is check if the banquet room has been rented out and they usually serve food there. If you don't like to mooch just give the servers a couple bucks or they usually have a tip jar, just put in a couple bucks.

Only problem being that last week I had to sit through some boy scout awards.... Thats across the street from the chinese place at the base of Eagle and Flyer.

[CH3skier]

Hey Everyone,
Just like to thank you all for your input on skiing Vail and Copper. My trip to Colorado was last weekend and your suggestions made it a great one. We ended up skiing Copper on Friday, able to get a 2 for 1 pass off of EBay. There was about 3-5 inches of new snow. My girl friend dug it because she has never skied powder and it was just enough so she wasn’t in over her head. I really enjoyed the Super Bee lift and ate at the bar below this lift I think called JJ’s. Talking to some of the locals, it seems like Copper treats the locals pretty well with various lift ticket offers

Did Vail on Saturday, the sun was shining and snow was great. You’re right on Dino with parking at Lionshead and starting at the Gondola. We started there and worked our way to the east. Made it to Orient express for a run and finished out the day back at Eagle Bahn. There is a pretty reasonable Mexican food place at the bottom of Vista Bahn we ate at. Probably need three days to ski most of the resort. I notice between both resorts you have a lot of long lifts. Most Utah express lifts are 6-8 min, were your resorts are 10- 12. I also noticed your hours of operation are an hour earlier then in Utah. Rode up the Gondola twice with different groups from Japan, a couple from England, all came to stay and ski at Vail.

Liftmech was right on with Farley’s, great prime rib, with little wait. Also right on with Tuscato’s, make a reservation go somewhere and drink for an hour, then come back. Also a great bakery for breakfast, can’t remember the name though. There is a place called the Oar house, and another one called the Boat Ranch, but with a short trip, not able to hit them.

Thanks again for all the suggestions, and will plan on making it back again . If anybody needs suggestions for a Utah ski trip let me know.

[RibStaThiok]

Glad you enjoyed your stay here in Colorado!!!

[Lift Dinosaur]

Glad you and your gal enjoyed you trip to Colorado. Thanks for the report!

Dino

[liftmech]

Good to hear you had a good time here. Come back and ski us again sometime!