Tips or suggestions for upcoming trip?

[mobile chernobyl]

My buddy and I have been trying to do an "epic" trip for quite some time now. We finally have an opening in the beginning of December until Christmas.

We're planning a two week trip out to the colorado valley. Due to our ages (21, 20) we can't exactly rent a car (That im aware of) so a plane trip is unfourtunately out of the question. So we plan on Driving out... ugghh my fav haha. The stay is hopefully free, As my friend's cousin lives in the valley.

 

Some questions I have are

- Typical drive times to get to the colorado valley from Philladelphia

- Value of the Colorado Pass Vs. Buying ticket vouchers off of ebay

- Realistic cost of food for 3 weeks of travel (Spaghetti every night is a good possibility haha)

- Feasibility

 

Although I'm quite attached to skiing the rockies, Would VT be a more realistic approach? I'm not aware of a "colorado pass" for VT tho, so all tickets would need to be bought in advance, and VT's mountains seam to feature much more of a spread over the Co. Valley.

 

As you can tell I've never embarked on such a trip - Just race weekends for DH MTB, but Would like to before beginning college again, as I dont see a trip being as easy to plan as this coming again in.... well a long time. Let me hear your input, any is appreciated. Overall goal is for 2 solid weeks of skiing/boarding, possiblity the weekend in between as well. Another week we've alotted for travel to and from.

 

Thanks :

[snorovr]

Bout 25 hours from Philly to Colorado. You can rent a car from most places if your 21, you just pay a young renters fee per day.

 

However, when people are on a budget I usually recommend that they do a Utah trip. Roundtrip flights into Salt Lake are regularly in the 250 to 300 dollar range, transportation while there is usually pretty cheap, and the riding is on par if not better than Colorado. I know more about Utah than Colorado, so maybe someone who has done a Colorado trip can chime in with what they're done.

 

Last year I went out with my girlfriend. We got round trip tickets for around $250. Got a weekly rate for a rental car at $265 (including young renters fee) from National, and the rest was gas, food, and lift tickets. Utah is nice because unlike Denver which is 2+ hours away from skiing, Salt Lake is only 30 to 35 minutes from most skiing. You can get a weekly rate in a Best Western or Super 8 at the bottom of Little or Big Cottonwood Canyons (Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude) and keep things pretty cheap.

[mobile chernobyl]

Well it looks like the trip itinerary has changed.

 

Heres how it looks like its gonna stack up:

Free roundtrip flight (Air miles, gotta love 'em)

Free Stay at Vail Village (My friend's cousins pulled through hardcore and actually live in the village and give "backcountry" lessons out there)

2 weeks of tickets at heavily discounted fee's - 70% off, to beaver and vail(again thanks to the village residents/instructors)

50% off food in village (haha same as above)

discounted travel to and from Denver

 

Now what sucks is factoring in the beer and partying which unfortunately are not free or discounted haha. Better start saving.

 

Where planning on Dec 8th to the 22nd, to account for traveling times, and to have a full 2 weeks out there.

 

Can you say Epic? This will def go down as one of the sickest trips ill ever take. I'll see what i can do about a camera but last time i was there the damn thing froze up from the gnar up drafts in the bowls haha, and the thing was it was on an inside pocket in my coat. Might have to invest in one of those new Alpacca Fur sub zero fanny packs.

[Bobert540]

Looks like your going to have a good time out there. Vail can keep you busy for a few days. Hopefully there will be enough snow for all of the bowls to be open.

[mobile chernobyl]

Yea Unfortunately this trip is a little early in the season, but its the only realistic time we have available as both of our colleges start early in january - making it almost impossible to get 2 weeks out there unless we go over new years - not out of the question yet, but needs to be decided soon as ticket reservations need to be made. But I'm looking into it because from what i've seen the bowls and BSB only open mid december with enough coverage to be skiable, not covered in powder. I'm mainly interested in BSB with the cornices and stuff they have, so I may have to push the trip back to early january to ensure decent coverage since last time i checked they dont make snow back there, much less have a lodge or anything to eat except a few grills to cook ur own stuff on.

 

Sooo pumped tho because by the time i get back PA may be skiable haha.

[sibhusky]

Vail is pushing back its opening day. Better keep checking their site. Colorado, like us, is starving for some snow and they have bigger rocks than we have here.

[phillycore]

Vail is nice.... it's F'n huge.... but do not miss Keystone... backcountry access by snowcat and hella cheap too.. Keystone is definitely worth a day trip no doubt...