Breckenridge 2/24-3/1

[spring_mountain_high]

Heading out next week. In all my years of skiing, have never skied out west. Looking for any advice/info anyone is willing to offer regarding resort, food, whatever. For reference, I guess I'd label myself an advanced skier, so woods, bumps, steeps are all in play. I'll be taking boots and demo'ing while there. Here's a stupid question: do demos come with poles, or do they expect you to schlep poles out there with you? If so, I'll likely buy a pair while there. Arriving in Denver Saturday morning, seeing Furthur in Broomfield Saturday night, then heading to the resort on Sunday. Will be there through Friday. Staying in the Pine Ridge condo complex. Will be meeting up with some college buddies that I haven't seen in 20 years, so should be a fun time. It's my understanding that the Breckenridge ticket gets me access to the Vail resorts, so I'm up for a day trip to Keystone, Vail, etc.
It's obviously bigger than anything I've ever skied, so my tentative plan is to explore each peak area. Wondering what are the 'don't miss' spots (feel free to PM if it's something you'd rather not share publicly), what to avoid, etc. Anyway, thanks in advance for any info provided and will be sure to post up a TR upon return.

[Scotty]

I never been their but have lots of fun, and I hope you get some nice snow storms.

[drjeff]

They'll be some fun events going on at Vail next week as the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships are there. The comp venues will take up less than 1% of Vail's terrain, and i'm guessing that between watching the athletes and also the likely non competiton related entertainment that they'll have that it should be a fun time

[Nick]

You should definitely reach out to Ski Stef and VDK03 who live right in Breckenridge. I'm sure they can point you to some insider tips!

[Puck it]

I liked everything off the T-bar. Lookers far right had some nice trees, it was the farhterest right peak. The Dam Brewery has great food and brew, there is another brewery forgt the name but the beer was good. Hit up the Moose something bar on the main drag in Frisco. Cheap PBR and Lite on tap.

[deadheadskier]

Spend at least a day over at a basin. U won't regret it

[C-Rex]

I went last year and had a blast. If they're open, check out The Windows at Breck. I think they're off the E chair on Peak 9. You traverse across a ridge and drop into one of several chutes cut into the trees. They're super fun and usually hold more snow so they're good even when the other stuff is so-so. I didn't get to do much on the bowls because the snow was sub-par but I did a run down the Peak 7 bowl and into Ore Bucket, which is an excellent, choose-your-own-adventure style glade, and then down to the Peak 7 chairs. Definitely check out Breckenridge Brewery, they have some amazing beers, IMO, and damn good food too. I highly recommend the Vanilla Porter. Drink lots of water while you're there, the altitude will kick your ass if you're not ready for it.

[steamboat1]

Ski around the different areas that are good with your pass. Keystone & A-Basin are close to Breck & Vail/Beaver Creek are roughly an hours drive. When I was there I only skied one day at Breck even though I was staying right across the street from one of the chairs. Breck kinda reminded me of Okemo but on a much larger scale. I don't like Okemo.

[Nick]

Spend at least a day over at a basin. U won't regret it

Speaking of, did you guys hear about the in-bounds avalanche at A-basin?

[spring_mountain_high]

Thanks. Yeah, just from looking at their websites, Keystone and A-Basin are on my hit-list. By the looks of it, it seems like up high and in the trees is where I'll want to be at Breck.