Advice needed on Colorado trip

[MR. evil]

The only down side to skiing late April / early May in the A-Basin / Breck area is that many places are closed. Randi and I were there the same weekend as Severine. On our 2nd night there we had a hell of a time finding a place to have dinner. The first 6 or 7 places we tried all had signs in the window 'Closed for Mud Season'. Found from a local that many of the businesses that cater to tourism close mid april to the end of May. But the skiing was GREAT!

 

[severine]

That said, the places where we ate (the Divas, Bears, and Hart reps) were decent. We didn't have problems other than a miscommunication on the 2nd night that a place we wanted to go was closed for renovations (and it turns out, it wasn't and half our group ended up there).

Then again, if you're looking to eat cheap, there was your standard fast food fare.

 

[snoseek]

Remember Trekchick's and my report from Mother's Day weekend this year? Freshies on May 11th at A-basin, and the next day was a beaut. I wouldn't discount late April skiing in Colorado just yet.

Yeah I did some skiing at both A-Basin and toured that week, it was still pretty damn good.


Powderman I would count on either super quality corn or packed powder that time of year. Usually you can have both just by following the sun, or avoiding it. Rain won't be an issue. Let me know before you come and I'll be happy to show you some fun stuff at Loveland (also decent discount on a day ticket)

 

[powderman]

bump

Just finishing booking a little while ago. I'm arriving @ Denver on April 10th and leaving on the 16th. Still looking for some advice on the open ski areas.

 

[Dr Skimeister]

bump

Just finishing booking a little while ago. I'm arriving @ Denver on April 10th and leaving on the 16th. Still looking for some advice on the open ski areas.

I did a trip to CO with about the same dates a couple of years ago. Stayed in Silverthorne-moderate 2BR condo for $50/night! Skiied Breck-at least 75% open, Vail-about 75% open, and Loveland-90% open. All were relatively empty.

 

[WoodCore]

bump

Just finishing booking a little while ago. I'm arriving @ Denver on April 10th and leaving on the 16th. Still looking for some advice on the open ski areas.

Sky's the limit! Most resorts should still be open during that week!

Regardless, if you have a vehicle and a few friends you can always make some turns here......

 

[Trekchick]

You should plan a trip earlier in April or better yet in March to CO. If skiing that late I would consider Mammoth in CA as the snow lasts better

There isn't much in the way of trees at A-Basin as it mostly above the tree line, but there is tree skiing off of the Pali chair. Some of the tree lines off of the Pali are insanely steep. The bowl skiing at A-basin is pretty obvious and the steepest lines that don't require a hike are off of the Pali chair.

Breck's best tree skiing is on Peak Ten (all the way over on skiers right). Breck has some fun bowl's off of the summit quad, but I found better lines off of the T-bar.

I don't know much about Loveland other than it is on my list of must ski places.

I can ditto all of that.
Breck
Peak 8, and over at Windows for trees is amazing if the snow is good.
I have pics if you are interested.

Abasin is core skiing and fun but as described above. The East wall, cornices and bumps are Abasin's strengths.

Keystone has some good tree skiing as well, and decent off piste stuff if the conditions are good.

See this pic from the top of palli, Abasin:
Slightly left of center, sprawling to the far left of pic is Keystone, in the far distance to the left is Breck.

 

[Trekchick]

This pic of Tree Skiing at Breck is April 1st 2008

 

[snoseek]

I would just stay in a central location and be ready to move from area to area. If it hasn't snowed in a while but is kind of cool try an area with a lower and more sunny exposure like vail or steamboat (if they're still open). Warm temps would be good at LL, Breck, or A-Basin. Fresh snow would be good at Winter Park (especially midweek) or LL, hell just about anywhere.

Really just make up your mind as you watch the weather out here.

 

[gus]

Berthoud Pass

if you head over to Winter Park check out Berthoud Pass on US 40. they run cat skiing there but there is a ton of access right from the road. the ski area has been closed for the past 8 years.

 

[snoseek]

if you head over to Winter Park check out Berthoud Pass on US 40. they run cat skiing there but there is a ton of access right from the road. the ski area has been closed for the past 8 years.

No more cat skiing there.

It is easy access to some really good skiing in an area that gets as much snow as Utah areas. Some areas are prone to avalanche, maybe less so in April though.