Keystone, Copper and Breckenridge (and don’t forget A-Basin)
Those few words are the reason that most skiers never drive deeper into the Rocky Mountains than Summit County. And who could blame them. These three major resorts (plus the hidden gem Arapahoe Basin) are the Mecca, literally all a million skiers every winter seek. Let’s take a look why.
Location, location …
Keystone & Arapahoe Basin: Driving in from Denver and points east, there are two routes into Keystone. One is easy (I 70 west to Hwy 9, south for 10 miles), the other not so easy, but worth the effort and a little extra time. That would be I 70 to Hwy 6, up over Loveland Pass and down past Arapahoe Basin to Keystone). If it’s daytime, and the weather is clear, take Hwy 6 … at least once. It’s worth an extra 30 minutes, especially if your destination is Keystone.
Highway 6 over Loveland Pass is the route everyone took into the high country prior to the completion of the Eisenhower Tunnel back in 1960 – which changed everything. The old route is two lane, and you climb via switchbacks to about 12,000 feet before cresting the pass. The views are spectacular. And as an added treat, you will almost certainly see backcountry skiers and boarders making what look like first descents all around you into the valley floor - their only lift, a waiting SUV or maybe an aging van.
Shortly, up on your left is Arapahoe Basin, a historic ski landmark if ever there was one. A-Basin as it’s known locally, is essentially day ski area. There is no lodging here. But don’t let that fact dissuade you from skiing here. Your cozy lodging at Keystone is only 2 miles further down the road.
With a vertical of 2,257 feet, and a summit of 13,050 feet, A-Basin offers some of the steepest trails and smaller bowls in Colorado. And even thought this is an independent mountain (not owned by Vail Resorts) your Keystone lift ticket is valid here every day. So pull on in, grab a trail map, and plan on coming up here one day during your Keystone trip. Think of the bragging rights when you get back home.
Next stop – Keystone. Stay tuned, big mountain skiing ( and refined mountain living, just ahead.
Labels: Arapahoe Basin, Summit County
Driving Into The Rockies.
Doesn’t matter how you get here. Some drive in, many fly. Others by bus with 45 other powder hounds. What matters is how you feel when you can finally see the Rockies. Looming out ahead, like some impregnable wall, the Colorado Rockies have inspired awe for generations untold.
As you start up into the foothills, past Denver, Morrison and the famous Red Rocks amphitheater, your anticipation is rewarded. There ahead is the bridge over I 70 near Evergreen – the one with no center support columns . This is the overpass designed so everyone can see underneath it, because here, at this exact point, the spires leading to the Continental Divide come directly into view. And what a view it is. The snow level on the side of the highway is building too!
Not long from now you are passing Georgetown. This is a historic mining town, with many authentic Victorian homes in well kept condition. This is also where John Denver filmed one of his best loved Christmas specials. Speaking of Christmas, Georgetown is also home to a wonderful Scandinavian gift store that sells truly unique yuletide decorations. You should stop and visit this charming village … but I know you won’t, and I can’t blame you. Maybe on the way home.
Ahead is the Eisenhower Tunnel, two tunnels really, one in each direction. Once through “the tunnel” all of Summit County, home to Keystone, Copper and Breckenridge comes into view. You are now passing through the Ten Mile Range, the very backbone of the Rockies. These are 12,000 to 13,000 foot peaks, with of ton of vertical to ski and enjoy. If your destination is one of these three resorts, you are lucky indeed. The snow comes early here, and stays late, providing great conditions generally from early December right through April.
So travel no further this day. Select a destination, find your lodging. And get ready to enjoy some of the best slopes Colorado as to offer – all just over an hour from Denver.
Tomorrow Rocky Mountain Vacations will take you on an in depth look at each of these outstanding “Front Range” resorts. Can’t wait till tomorrow? No problem, just give us a call. We can book the lodging you need, right now, and reserve those lift tickets too. The number to call is 800 733 4028. Count on RMV to get you to just the right spot in the Rockies, right away!
Labels: Colorado, Denver
Crested Butte has a great New Promotion !
Stay Two Nights and Receive the Third Night Free at the
Elevation Hotel and Spa!
Package is available for guests arriving Dec 14-Dec 23 ( for stays through December 25) and January 2-February 2, 2008
This Special is available for all room types.
This Special Must be Booked by December 15th.
Labels: Crested Butte
Looking for a little Solitude?
Feel like you’re running full tilt boogie just about every day? Don’t have time for a full ski week – but really need some fresh tracks anyway?
We have just the ticket for you … especially if a truly charming alpine village standing right next to some great powder slopes sounds good to you. It’s called Solitude, it’s in Utah … not everybody has heard of this sleeper. Not yet anyway.
The mountain is big, the Village is small – and the
lodging is beautiful …
Solitude is family owned. That’s rare nowadays. And this particular family, the DeSeelhorst clan, lead by father Gary and son David demonstrate good taste and outstanding skills where mountain architecture is concerned. European in design and feel, the Village at Solitude is a pleasure to visit. Each if the dozen or so buildings stand in harmony and provide either a very short walk or actual slope side access to the ski terrain.
The ski terrain, while not enormous, is ample, particularly for your long weekend. The vertical is about 2,000 feet and there’s over 1,200 acres of varied terrain, 80% of which is intermediate and up. To put that acreage in perspective, Solitude has more skiable terrain than Aspen and Aspen Highlands put together. That should work for say three days on the hill. Oh, yeah.
Nightlife is a bit limited, this is Solitude after all. That said, there are several great restaurants, including my favorite, the Creekside where they feature rustic Italian pastas, salads and homemade pizzas. For a fancy night out, make a reservation at St. Bernard’s and enjoy outstanding Country French cuisine in a cozy fireside atmosphere. And whatever you do, don’t miss the squirrel – the Thirsty Squirrel that is, everyone’s favorite watering hole. Pool tables, big TV’s and micro brews featured here.
So where is this Solitude – off in some remote corner of the ski world? Nope, not at all. You’re not going to believe this good fortune – Solitude Mountain Resort is 45 minutes from Salt Lake International Airport. You can fly in from the east coast in the morning and be on the slopes that afternoon. Just doesn’t get more convenient than this.
So forget the work-a-day, suit and tie scene. Grab the board(s) and fly out for a little Solitude on the slopes.
P.S. If you can round up four couples – or seven of your closest friends, I know a luxury private home at Solitude that features a big beautiful kitchen and a private hot tub/Jacuzzi. Short walk to the slopes no less. This place is just outstanding. Want to hear more? Call Rocky Mountain Vacations @ 800-733-4028.
When it comes to
Solitude, we know what you .
Labels: Solitude, Utah
Check out Arrowhead – the classy, yet affordable way into Beaver Creek.
Most of us would love to vacation this winter in
Beaver Creek. With its amazing level of personal service, European style “Village to Village” skiing, and outstanding array of terrain serviced by numerous high speed lifts, this is one luxury resort that touches all the bases.
Problem is, all that service, skiing and beautiful lodging is not cheap. Fact is, luxury condos in the main Beaver Creek Village are pricy, particularly high season. Ahhh … but there is a way to enjoy the good life at Beaver Creek – and not spend the kids college savings. It’s called Arrowhead Village, and it’s a sweet deal.
Arrowhead Village is the high end gated golf course community at Beaver Creek. Same great mountain architecture, same high level of service. Fact is, these one, two and three bedroom units are rather expensive in the summer time. But come ski season, prices of the Arrowhead condos fall to a very reasonable level. Think of this as Beaver Creek quality - at a Breckenridge price.
And the best part is, you’re are just steps away from a high speed lift, that whisks you to great green and blue terrain on Arrowhead mountain – and direct trail connections on over to Bachelor Gulch and finally Beaver Creek proper.
Make a day of it by warming up on your “home mountain”. Then take a few runs on the blue cruisers of Bachelor Gulch (taking note of the amazing homes in this section of the resort). Finally, hop on the Centennial express and then over to Cinch Express, to the very top of Beaver Creek. You are now standing over 4,000 vertical and at least 6 miles as the boards glide above your Arrowhead condo. This is one big resort!
Time for lunch. The nearby Spruce Saddle, voted best mid mountain restaurant by the Ski Organizers staff stands ready to please. After lunch …
Stay tuned.
Next time at Beaver Creek we will test our skills on Grouse Mountain and the Birds of Pray - as well as the wide open Larkspur Bowl, before heading home to Arrowhead Village for a much needed Jacuzzi and some après ski.
Heaven is obtainable after all.
To hear more about Beaver Creek – and dial into a great all inclusive package, call Rocky Mountain Vacations at 800-733-4028.
