Resort recomendations for Vail Co area???

[carve4life]

I will be going to the Vail area for a week this winter and i was wondering which resort was best for carving. also, where are you favorite spots on the mounitain of your choice. thanks

[boostertwo]

I will be going to the Vail area for a week this winter and i was wondering which resort was best for carving. also, where are you favorite spots on the mounitain of your choice. thanks

Vail and Beaver Creek offer outstanding carving, and consistently great snow IMO. I'd go to both. I'd be stoked to point you in the direction of some great known-but-to-locals powder stashes at Vail. Shoot me a pvt email prior to your visit and I'd be happy to get you a trail map with some personal favorites highlighted.

BTW, unless yours is purely a carving vacation, I'd recommend bringing a fat or all-mountain board for powder and trees.

<img src="http://tinypic.com/femfpi.jpg" alt="Jeff Patterson, China Bowl Powder, Vail, CO">

Summit resorts are just over the pass (Copper, Breck, Keystone, A-Basin), and well worth a visit. So is Bomber HQ.

Cheers,

B-2

[JReiter]

Colorado in general is a great place for carving. I live and train in Steamboat. I suggest Steamboat or Crested Butte because both are underrated mountains that don't have the crowds or vibes that are found in Vail or Beaver Creek. Steamboat is also home to the best Alpine Snowboarding Team in the country. Crested Butte offers seemless grooming and steeps that'll blow your mind. But, bring thee powder stick. As far as nightlife...if you ride hard enough you won't even want to go out.

[carve4life]

any other suggestions?

[Pat Donnelly]

Get to Buttermilk. . . it don't get no betta.

[scotts.Scheinman]

While you are there deffinately stop at vail. I love vail. best pow and groomers. it has somthing for everyone

[D-Sub]

what...like 10 or more areas within 2 hours, all VERY good.

seems like a funny question to me, honestly. "Im going to Vail...wheres a good place to ride?"

edit...while crested butte doesnt suck...if youre "in the vail area" its a hell of a drive to get there, and wouldnt make much sense

[carve4life]

what...like 10 or more areas within 2 hours, all VERY good.

seems like a funny question to me, honestly. "Im going to Vail...wheres a good place to ride?"

Well, i was more going for where is a good place to ride, on the mountain of choice, i know all the mountains are nice.

[JoelP]

From Vail

Beaver Creek: 10/15 minutes (huge area, better carving than Vail)

Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Butermilk, Snowmass (Dynasty of carve, 1.5 hours)

Copper: 30 minutes +/-

A Basin: 1 hour +/-

Loveland: 1 hour +/-

Breckenridge: 50 minutes +/-

little known Ski Cooper: 45 minutes +/-

Whatever you do, do not spend to much time trying out all the mtns. Pick maybe 2 or 3 if you do want to try out something different. But the places are so large that you'll not find the goods unless you stay at one place for a few days.

My suggestion is pending on where you stay in Vail (you could actually be closer to Beaver than you think) is, if it dumps stay in Vail, if it's purely blue sky days and carving madness make it 2 or 3 days at Beaver. Then if you want a change of pace my thought would be to head to Aspen, it's close and you can get in a little of each of 3 mtns in one day, at least enough to see the area. It's my home hill so I am partial to it. I love Beaver too but the crowds put me off since I am very spoiled over at Highlands and Buttermilk.

Another thing.....Multi day tickets are very much discounted. You start hitting different mtns and the day tickets are totally expensive.

Joel

[D-Sub]

Well, i was more going for where is a good place to ride, on the mountain of choice, i know all the mountains are nice.

there is no "mountain of choice" there, bro! there are 10 or so world class ski areas

sure, certain ones feature more steeps, better grooming, etc...

but...hell...if youre IN vail, youre not gonna be bummed riding Vail and or Beaver Creek.

[LeeW]

For a start, you wouldn't be able to finish the entire vail ski resort.

[carve4life]

there is no "mountain of choice" there, bro! there are 10 or so world class ski areas

sure, certain ones feature more steeps, better grooming, etc...

but...hell...if youre IN vail, youre not gonna be bummed riding Vail and or Beaver Creek.

ok man, im sorry but maybe you dont understand the question. so let me clear it up: the whole point of the thread is to get some suggestions from people about their favorite runs at their favorite mountains. perhaps the question isn't clear. either way i'm well aware of the "quality" of all the resorts, otherwise i wouldn't be going there.

if someone ask me about my favorite area in the mammoth area, i would reply, At june mountain i really enjoy gunsmoke because its hilly and has good grooming. understand the question now D-sub?

thanks for all the feedback everyone:biggthump

[D-Sub]

gotcha.

personally I like to just go places and explore them

edit. out of curiosity I checked your "myspace" page

gotta love this:

"I live in Daytona Beach and pretend to go to school, fooling only the bank into give me loans which i never intend on paying back"

nice, dude. stickin it to "the man" eh?

[nekdut]

At june mountain i really enjoy gunsmoke because its hilly and has good grooming.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but ever since last year, they turned that awesome run into a terrain park!!

The choice runs off of Rainbow now are Rosa Mae and Lottie Johl. Doh!

[carve4life]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but ever since last year, they turned that awesome run into a terrain park!!

The choice runs off of Rainbow now are Rosa Mae and Lottie Johl. Doh!

very true, however, you can still hit it up in the begining of the year before there is enough snow to make a park. that is true of the last two years anyhow. but i'm not sure if this year they put in dirt jumps to screw it up sooner. anyone know?

edit. out of curiosity I checked your "myspace" page

gotta love this:

"I live in Daytona Beach and pretend to go to school, fooling only the bank into give me loans which i never intend on paying back"

nice, dude. stickin it to "the man" eh?

lol, yeah exactly, that was a joke like a year ago, i should probably change that someday.

but seriously, hopefully in the next 6 month i'll get hired to denver center, where i can live out the rest of my life in the mountains. well on a plain next to them anyway.

[nworswick]

With the exception of Buttermilk, Beaver Creek takes better care of their snow than anyone in the business. I'm particularly fond of Centennial (upper Centennial in particular). They host World Cup races on that run, and when they groom it, there is nothing better. Steep, wide and perfect for carving trenches...

[Cindy Kleh]

If you're headed for Vail, be ready to part with some major cash. Even regular parking costs $15-20 a day. At least the Beav offers free parking with shuttles.

Is bigger better? Not IMO. There's lines for everything at Vail, including the can ... even the back bowls have lift lines. I feel like I'm in a cattle drive walking from the parking garage to the lifts (and all the cattle have on expensive new one-piece suits with the plastic tags still sticking out). How you look is very important there, so sign up for lots of $500/day lessons.

But if you're going to do any riding around that area, check out the Colorado Pass online. $369 for unlimited Breck, A Basin and Keystone with 10 days at Vail/Beav good for the whole season.

Breck's a cluster***k too but at least there's a place to park.

[carve4life]

Is bigger better? Not IMO. There's lines for everything at Vail, including the can ... even the back bowls have lift lines. I feel like I'm in a cattle drive walking from the parking garage to the lifts (and all the cattle have on expensive new one-piece suits with the plastic tags still sticking out). How you look is very important there, so sign up for lots of $500/day lessons.

But if you're going to do any riding around that area, check out the Colorado Pass online. $369 for unlimited Breck, A Basin and Keystone with 10 days at Vail/Beav good for the whole season.

Breck's a cluster***k too but at least there's a place to park.

lessons, what like, finishing school?? just kidding. i wonder if they even have anyone up there who does alpine lessons. maybe one or two guys huh?

[boostertwo]

Carve 4,

Are you solely interested in carving? Or do you also like to ride powder and trees? If you're only carving, pick up a grooming report--the groomers do a very good job and you'll be able to find the type of pitch and terrain to get you pumped.

My personal favorites for carving: Avanti (Chair 2), Bwana/Simba (Gondola), Ouzo and Dealer's Choice (Chair 7), Hunky Dory (Chair 3), Northwoods (Chair 11), Riva Ridge (when it's freshly groomed). Chopstix and Poppyfields are great, wide-open caring fields in the Back Bowls. Jade Glade and Blue Ox are black-diamond steep, and awesome when freshly groomed (Blue Ox is double black and groomed each Friday--get there in the early am for unforgettable first trax).

Not gonna get involved trying to defend Vail from its detractors. I ride there because it's simply the best I've found for what I like to do. It's huge and always offers opportunities for exploration and adventure. It can be pricey but it ain't just the fur set that rides there. On any given day there are more than a few carvers on the slopes.

<img src="http://tinypic.com/fn4nmf.jpg" alt="Jeff Patterson, Northwoods Bowl, Vail CO">

Give a shout when you're in town and I'd be happy to hook you up with a highlighted trail map to help you find the goods.

Cheers,

B-2

[carve4life]

Carve 4,

Are you solely interested in carving? Or do you also like to ride powder and trees? If you're only carving, pick up a grooming report--the groomers do a very good job and you'll be able to find the type of pitch and terrain to get you pumped.

My personal favorites for carving: Avanti (Chair 2), Bwana/Simba (Gondola), Ouzo and Dealer's Choice (Chair 7), Hunky Dory (Chair 3), Northwoods (Chair 11), Riva Ridge (when it's freshly groomed). Chopstix and Poppyfields are great, wide-open caring fields in the Back Bowls. Jade Glade and Blue Ox are black-diamond steep, and awesome when freshly groomed (Blue Ox is double black and groomed each Friday--get there in the early am for unforgettable first trax).

Not gonna get involved trying to defend Vail from its detractors. I ride there because it's simply the best I've found for what I like to do. It's huge and always offers opportunities for exploration and adventure. It can be pricey but it ain't just the fur set that rides there. On any given day there are more than a few carvers on the slopes.

Give a shout when you're in town and I'd be happy to hook you up with a highlighted trail map to help you find the goods.

Cheers,

B-2

Thanks B2 i might just take you up on that. and to answer your question, i like pow and trees its just that i'm a poor college kid right now in search of a new pow board( looking for a nice Pure carve NoRoy or maybe a nidecker if any one wants to sell one cheap) and i dont have the money for a brand new one this season, so i'm left with my three caving boards. so that will be primarally(sp?) what i will be doing in colorado this year. i live in florida for the time being and its hard to justfy spending my only 1000 bucks on snowboard gear, i can only use maybe ten days out of the season. but that will all change soon!!!

thanks for the tips everyone this is real helpful!!

[boostertwo]

...of a clean, well-lighted place to live for the season. Please let me know if you might know of something suitable.

<img src="http://tinypic.com/fnfck0.jpg" alt="">

Thanks and cheers,

B-2

[LeeW]

If you're headed for Vail, be ready to part with some major cash. Even regular parking costs $15-20 a day. At least the Beav offers free parking with shuttles.

Is bigger better? Not IMO. There's lines for everything at Vail, including the can ... even the back bowls have lift lines. I feel like I'm in a cattle drive walking from the parking garage to the lifts (and all the cattle have on expensive new one-piece suits with the plastic tags still sticking out). How you look is very important there, so sign up for lots of $500/day lessons.

But if you're going to do any riding around that area, check out the Colorado Pass online. $369 for unlimited Breck, A Basin and Keystone with 10 days at Vail/Beav good for the whole season.

Breck's a cluster***k too but at least there's a place to park.

Well said.

I admit I cheat. When I go work at the terrain park maintenance at vail, I go on vista bahn at 7 am in my uniform and get to ride from there all the way to golden peak terrain park shop on my Madd 158. :)

[Guest pcogan]

vail is so massive, it's hard to imagine. on the other

hand, i wouldn't go there to carve

first, you pay to park -- lots

second, the last time we were there, perhaps 2+ years

ago, the grooming was dubious. specifically, the "born

free" area was discontinuous at best. second, we found

some decent grooming, went over a rise, and discovered

the rest of the run was all bumps. very dangerous.

finally, we did encounter 3 locals. they were unfriendly

to the point of being rude -- the first time i've ever

encountered carvers with an elitist attitude.

bottom line: perhaps the grooming has improved, but

i won't be back

rather, i'd go to beaver creek. start out on the centennial

steeps, and once you're worn out, head over to arrowhead

for some moderate, fun groomers

also, take the bus to the top, bring an extra board, and

park it at the centennial lift in storage for an extra dollar or so

if you head that way, please send me an email

the riding here is great

i imagine vail has some good carving; i just don't know where

enjoy

pcogan

denver

[LeeW]

no luck so far for my search for you, yet. have u thought about middle creek ?