Marco’s guidebook
Ski resorts
Once a part of the EPIC family of ski resorts, Arapahoe Basin is now stand-alone and very uncrowded. A-Basin, as the locals call it, is famous for its steep runs off Pallavicini lift, and for the big open bowls (especially Montezuma Bowls). The resort is much smaller than nearby Breckenridge or Keystone, but offers great deals for everything from lift tickets to lessons.
A-Basin is served by the Summit County shuttle system, but requires a transfer from the condo. Take the shuttle to Keystone, then transfer to the Swan Mountain Flyer that travels directly to A-Basin. Or drive to the free parking lots, but remember that the drive is hard on snow days!
293 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
28194 US-6Once a part of the EPIC family of ski resorts, Arapahoe Basin is now stand-alone and very uncrowded. A-Basin, as the locals call it, is famous for its steep runs off Pallavicini lift, and for the big open bowls (especially Montezuma Bowls). The resort is much smaller than nearby Breckenridge or Keystone, but offers great deals for everything from lift tickets to lessons.
A-Basin is served by the Summit County shuttle system, but requires a transfer from the condo. Take the shuttle to Keystone, then transfer to the Swan Mountain Flyer that travels directly to A-Basin. Or drive to the free parking lots, but remember that the drive is hard on snow days!
World-famous and tons of fun, Breckenridge is a one-stop destination for snow activities and nightlife. Sadly, it's also the most crowded of the Summit County ski resorts, and it's the only one of the four where you'll regularly encounter long lift lines.
The mountain has five peaks, named very creatively Peak 6 to Peak 10. Downtown Breck is at the base of Peak 9, which then gets the worst of the crowds. Peaks 7 and 8 have their own base areas, accessed from town by the Breckenridge gondola. Peaks 10 and 6 have to be reached from the other peaks.
The trick with Breckenridge is that the profile of the mountain is U-shaped. That is, runs at the summits tend to be much steeper, at the base much more mellow. Peaks 6 and 8 have lifts that go all the way to the top (Imperial Express on Peak 8 is the highest express lift in North America). Peak 10 is famous for its fast runs and plentiful moguls.
Breck is also known locally as "Breckenfridge" because it tends to be significantly colder than nearby mountains. That is surprising, since the chain of peaks theoretically protects the slopes from the West winds.
You can reach Breck with the shuttle either by going through Silverthorne and Frisco and connecting there, or by using the Swan Mountain Flyer. Otherwise, there is a free shuttle lot at the old airport, or pay parking near the gondola and downtown.
612 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Breckenridge Ski Resort
1599 Ski Hill RdWorld-famous and tons of fun, Breckenridge is a one-stop destination for snow activities and nightlife. Sadly, it's also the most crowded of the Summit County ski resorts, and it's the only one of the four where you'll regularly encounter long lift lines.
The mountain has five peaks, named very creatively Peak 6 to Peak 10. Downtown Breck is at the base of Peak 9, which then gets the worst of the crowds. Peaks 7 and 8 have their own base areas, accessed from town by the Breckenridge gondola. Peaks 10 and 6 have to be reached from the other peaks.
The trick with Breckenridge is that the profile of the mountain is U-shaped. That is, runs at the summits tend to be much steeper, at the base much more mellow. Peaks 6 and 8 have lifts that go all the way to the top (Imperial Express on Peak 8 is the highest express lift in North America). Peak 10 is famous for its fast runs and plentiful moguls.
Breck is also known locally as "Breckenfridge" because it tends to be significantly colder than nearby mountains. That is surprising, since the chain of peaks theoretically protects the slopes from the West winds.
You can reach Breck with the shuttle either by going through Silverthorne and Frisco and connecting there, or by using the Swan Mountain Flyer. Otherwise, there is a free shuttle lot at the old airport, or pay parking near the gondola and downtown.
The probably best thing about Copper Mountain is its natural slope progression. The Westerly part, closer to Vail, is much gentler in slope than the Easterly, which abuts the Tenmile Range and hence Breckenridge. This is so marked that there are three villages, one each for beginners, intermediate, and advanced skiers.
Copper is relatively uncrowded and gets amazing snow, frequently a lot more than the other ski resorts in Summit County. On the downside, the lifts to the best terrain are relatively slow.
Parking is generally plentiful. If you drive on highway 91 instead of into the villages, you'll find the free Alpine lot. If you'd rather take the shuttle, you connect through Frisco transfer station.
If you are an advanced skier, absolutely check out the back bowls. Resolution, Spaulding, and Copper bowls are absolutely worth your time!
330 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Copper Mountain
The probably best thing about Copper Mountain is its natural slope progression. The Westerly part, closer to Vail, is much gentler in slope than the Easterly, which abuts the Tenmile Range and hence Breckenridge. This is so marked that there are three villages, one each for beginners, intermediate, and advanced skiers.
Copper is relatively uncrowded and gets amazing snow, frequently a lot more than the other ski resorts in Summit County. On the downside, the lifts to the best terrain are relatively slow.
Parking is generally plentiful. If you drive on highway 91 instead of into the villages, you'll find the free Alpine lot. If you'd rather take the shuttle, you connect through Frisco transfer station.
If you are an advanced skier, absolutely check out the back bowls. Resolution, Spaulding, and Copper bowls are absolutely worth your time!