Jeffrey Day Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) Since I'm not happy with our conditions here on the east coast, thinking/dreaming about flying into Denver to do some riding...somewhere. On a shoestring budget...what area has the best carving/grooming bang for the buck? Might fly into Denver either Monday 2/29 and fly back home Friday 3/4 or Monday 3/7 and flying home Friday 3/11. So Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday riding. Also, good carving terrain for a timid, intermediate hack of a carver(me!) with very poor riding technique. Do I need to rent an SUV? Let me know... Edited February 23, 2016 by Jeffrey Day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big mario Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) Best bang for the buck? My highly biased opinion is going to be loveland, its a big small area with a very old school feel, and lots of varied terrain. You might even be able to find a tour guide. As far as the suv, I would look at the weather forecast and decide from there Mario ps that aint no hack heelside in your avatar! Edited February 23, 2016 by big mario 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Day Posted February 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 You got me Mario! So, maybe I'm not a complete hack of a carver, but the steeps give me fits! Have you heard a weather forecast for next week? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big mario Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Best I can do is give you the link to the noaa website for Lovelands 7 day forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-105.89842&lat=39.67416#.Vsu3yo-cHyR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcABQ Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 jeff - i agree with mario. loveland is a good price for some fine terrain and a great mountain feel. if you want to spend over $100, keystone mid week has some terrific carving. if you want to spend over $150, beaver creek has some terrific carving. i can often get out on wednesday AM, so send me an email if you get out here. i learned to ski at pat's peak in henniker; we can swap stories about ice, grass, and rocks. pcogan denver 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b.free Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 http://forums.bomberonline.com/index.php?/topic/42963-loveland-midweek-ski-pass-for-sale/#entry436855 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdboytyler Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Check out these guys for the best forecast for the I70 resorts/roads, http://opensnow.com/dailysnow/i70# Copper Mountain lift tickets are less than $100 if bought online. My favorite carving run there is Rosi's: black diamond, wide, well groomed, and less traffic than Keystone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRAZZ Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 I second (third?) Loveland. Coming from the Ice Coast (Killy was my home mountain) I can tell you that even though Loveland is considered a "small" mountain it is waaaaay bigger than anything out east. Runs are far longer and wider. Don't look too far into the weather forecasts. The snow is still going to be there on both those weeks. The locals like to complain about "ice". They keep on using that word, I do not think it means what they think it means. (meaning that powder that is not completely soft gets the moniker ice and will be complained about) Still, here's a good forecasting site for snow weather: https://opensnow.com/location/loveland SUV? Why would you need one? Unless it's really dumping in which case what you really need winter tires and no rental will give you that. I've been driving up pretty much every weekend for the past two seasons and had only a couple of "scary" days. I don't see any of those in the near forecast. Other than that be prepared for the altitude! Some barely notice it while some get really sick. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE DANGER OF ALTITUDE SICKNESS!!! Drink a lot of water throughout the day. It's dry here and it will help with the altitude. If you feel woozey cut your day short and drive down. Better to loose half a day than half a brain. No joke. Let us know how you like it and please don't let anybody else know about Loveland. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big mario Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 It also can be really cold and windy, be prepared for that Mario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkoonyMcGroomer Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Beaver Creek has escalators, gondola cars and free hot chocolate at 9:30 - no preparation necessary (hehe). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExcelsiorTheFathead Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Cookies? What about cookies? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkoonyMcGroomer Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Oh yeah, chocolate chip cookies at 3pm. I usually have 30,000'+ in by noon, so never make it to cookie time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Day Posted February 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Hey, anyone ever use airbnb? I have found some interesting lodging options on the cheap in Dillon/Silverthorne, but I have never used it. Barely just heard of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Day Posted February 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 (edited) Are there any ways to get discount lift tickets to, let's say, Beaver Creek? Anyone every been to Ski Cooper in Leadville? Is there any such thing as cheap Cat skiing...that has mellow terrain? Edited February 24, 2016 by Jeffrey Day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John E Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 I've been to Ski Cooper once to cat ski. It is affordable for cat skiing but not cheap (I'm guessing $300/person/day). I wouldn't do this unless we had recent big snows (we haven't). I don't think Cooper would be a good place to carve. If you check Denver Craigslist, you can likely find some Loveland 4-Paks. These are basically Loveland lift tickets that you can use any day unrestricted. You can probably find them for under $30/day. It has been a while since the Colorado Rockies have had any significant snow and I don't think any is predicted. Plan on carving. Plan on Loveland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Donnelly Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 (edited) Accuweather indicates a warm up is coming. Check skifreedeals.com for Shell gas offers. Any locals have any BOGO vouchers or looking for someone to join them? Edited February 24, 2016 by Pat Donnelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkoonyMcGroomer Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 I would suggest checking out b.free's post above offering Loveland weekday pass for $100. Check with the ticket office to see if there is a transfer fee. He's a stand-up guy... except when he's Eurocarving, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John E Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Loveland is about 45 min - 1 hr west of Denver depending on traffic & weather. Golden, Arvada & Lakewood are western suburbs. Airbnb in any of those locations would give you lots of options. If you could find lodging in Georgetown, you'll be only about 10 - 15 minutes from the slopes. You won't need an SUV unless we get a bunch of snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Donnelly Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 (edited) I picked up one validated BOGO Shell voucher today near Aspen. Check out the web link for resorts but I did see Copper being valid 7 days a week. I can mail to you if you would like it. I was able to walk out with the name section blank so it is good for you to fill in. Edited February 25, 2016 by Pat Donnelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Day Posted February 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 Looks like I have to put this on hold as a family affair has arisen. Really would like to make this work, but may not happen this year...we'll see... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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