Need Advice: Denver NOV 6-8
October 25, 2007
Looks like I will be in Denver from NOV 6th-8th. I will probably either go a day or two early or stay a day or two late.
1. Are there any places within an hour or so driving distance that would have night sking during the week? I don't think many local spots are open yet and not sure how popular night skiing is particularly this early.
2. If I stay over an extra day or two (wife dependent, I'm traveling a lot in NOV including going to Dallas to watch Skin's game) what would be within a few hours drive and would have decent snow and reasonable room/lift rates at that time.
Thanks,
Wendell
Believe Keystone at 75 miles from Denver is the only close place with night skiing, but not sure if it's offering it in early Nov.
Two other places near to Denver will be your best bets for maximum early season ski terrain availability during daylight hours: Loveland (about one hr, more intermediate oriented), Arapaho Basin (about 90mins, more expert oriented). These three are west via I70.
Other options might be Eldora about one hour northwest of Denver in the direction of Boulder and Winter Park, also a little more than an hour from Denver. Breckenridge and Copper Mtn are in the 80-90 minute range. If you surf the websites for all these places I believe you'll find they are your best close possibilities. Don't believe they are off to an especially great start, but things can improve greatly with one good storm and several do snowmaking when they can.
First recommendation for early season daytime Denver ski escape would be Loveland. No slopeside accommodations there. Either stay at a chain or mom/pop motel 20 mins away along I70 or return to where you're staying in Denver.
Loveland is probably the only realistic option given the current conditions and forecast. Hate to say it, but you may be better off hauling golf clubs than skis on this trip. Denver metro area should be in the 60's still. A nice two day trip would then be to either RMNP for mtn type stuff or go to CO Springs and tour the AF Academy and some of the other cool things in that area.
Early November is pretty early for skiing even in Colorado most years...
Looked at reports
http://www.skireport.com/colorado/ guess I will be about 2 weeks early for most places only 2 open. loveland and Arapahoe Basin.
I might give loveland a try. Hoefully the beer will be cold. I will do some sacrifices to the snow gods between now and then.