Anonymous wrote:Another CO ski team parent, the snow is terrible and there isn't a snow flake in the forecast. Keystone and Vail are operating at 50% of open terrain.

Like others have said, Vail is overwhelming and they close their lifts at 3:30, a full 30 minutes earlier than everyone else. you have to really have a plan or you are just trekking to the back bowls for hours. As others have recommend, Breck is super close and a fantastic option.

It is entirely possible that all of the terrain you are itching to do is not available.

On the comments on ski school for level 7, the likihood that he is in a very small group or even in a 1:1 is very high - I used to put my kids in ski school for this very reason, once you go past level 5 the number of kids in a group declines dramatically.

Thanks for sharing your experience about the ski school! Good to know.

We have another 4 weeks so fingers crossed Feb will be a better month.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Everyone has been so helpful with suggestions.

He has done lessons with the developmental program the past few years at Liberty with other kids. That is how he has advanced. He likes skiing with other kids. DH just knows how to ski but can’t really teach so the program has worked well. But being able to easily do double blacks with moguls at Liberty is like easy blacks out west, not the same comparison.

We can’t afford the cost of private lessons. We could swing the cost of the all terrain group lesson for him.

I agree that it would only be helpful if snow conditions are better next month and back bowls and blue sky is open. If so, I’m thinking getting him into the all terrain class on Wednesday (hopefully less kids during week) at Vail and asking if instrcutor can make sure kids get to bowls and blue sky if possible. Then he can ski with other kids, which he would love, in addition to skiing with the instructor. I can ask the instructor at the end of the day for any other recommendation for trials at Vail to go with DH the next day and back to any he liked with his class.

We are thinking of starting the 1st 2 days at Vail so above would work. Then head over to keystone. If he is skiing above at Vail, it shouldn’t be a problem with bowls and glades at Keystone.

If most of their bowls and blue sky is not open, then no lessons and we would still have fun skiing as a family at Vail for 2 days or so.

I know Breck is near and we have done all of the front of Breck when we were there with DS. But almost all of their bowls are double blacks and looks more challenging ( correct me if I’m wrong) so maybe go do those next year for DS and DH?

You really CANNOT compare Liberty's hardest trails to the back bowls of Vail! That is dangerous even if you have DH with him. I think the group lesson is a great option.

OP here, I’m not. I’m saying the double blacks with moguls at Liberty are like easy blacks out west. That is why DS has only been skiing the blacks on the front side of the mountains out west. Now that he has done that, we feel he is ready this winter for the backside and bowls.

It is also why I am thinking of putting him in the all terrain program with an instructor for his 1st time out there.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Everyone has been so helpful with suggestions.

He has done lessons with the developmental program the past few years at Liberty with other kids. That is how he has advanced. He likes skiing with other kids. DH just knows how to ski but can’t really teach so the program has worked well. But being able to easily do double blacks with moguls at Liberty is like easy blacks out west, not the same comparison.

We can’t afford the cost of private lessons. We could swing the cost of the all terrain group lesson for him.

I agree that it would only be helpful if snow conditions are better next month and back bowls and blue sky is open. If so, I’m thinking getting him into the all terrain class on Wednesday (hopefully less kids during week) at Vail and asking if instrcutor can make sure kids get to bowls and blue sky if possible. Then he can ski with other kids, which he would love, in addition to skiing with the instructor. I can ask the instructor at the end of the day for any other recommendation for trials at Vail to go with DH the next day and back to any he liked with his class.

We are thinking of starting the 1st 2 days at Vail so above would work. Then head over to keystone. If he is skiing above at Vail, it shouldn’t be a problem with bowls and glades at Keystone.

If most of their bowls and blue sky is not open, then no lessons and we would still have fun skiing as a family at Vail for 2 days or so.

I know Breck is near and we have done all of the front of Breck when we were there with DS. But almost all of their bowls are double blacks and looks more challenging ( correct me if I’m wrong) so maybe go do those next year for DS and DH?

You really CANNOT compare Liberty's hardest trails to the back bowls of Vail! That is dangerous even if you have DH with him. I think the group lesson is a great option.

Another CO ski team parent, the snow is terrible and there isn't a snow flake in the forecast. Keystone and Vail are operating at 50% of open terrain.

Like others have said, Vail is overwhelming and they close their lifts at 3:30, a full 30 minutes earlier than everyone else. you have to really have a plan or you are just trekking to the back bowls for hours. As others have recommend, Breck is super close and a fantastic option.

It is entirely possible that all of the terrain you are itching to do is not available.

On the comments on ski school for level 7, the likihood that he is in a very small group or even in a 1:1 is very high - I used to put my kids in ski school for this very reason, once you go past level 5 the number of kids in a group declines dramatically.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Everyone has been so helpful with suggestions.

He has done lessons with the developmental program the past few years at Liberty with other kids. That is how he has advanced. He likes skiing with other kids. DH just knows how to ski but can’t really teach so the program has worked well. But being able to easily do double blacks with moguls at Liberty is like easy blacks out west, not the same comparison.

We can’t afford the cost of private lessons. We could swing the cost of the all terrain group lesson for him.

I agree that it would only be helpful if snow conditions are better next month and back bowls and blue sky is open. If so, I’m thinking getting him into the all terrain class on Wednesday (hopefully less kids during week) at Vail and asking if instrcutor can make sure kids get to bowls and blue sky if possible. Then he can ski with other kids, which he would love, in addition to skiing with the instructor. I can ask the instructor at the end of the day for any other recommendation for trials at Vail to go with DH the next day and back to any he liked with his class.

We are thinking of starting the 1st 2 days at Vail so above would work. Then head over to keystone. If he is skiing above at Vail, it shouldn’t be a problem with bowls and glades at Keystone.

If most of their bowls and blue sky is not open, then no lessons and we would still have fun skiing as a family at Vail for 2 days or so.

I know Breck is near and we have done all of the front of Breck when we were there with DS. But almost all of their bowls are double blacks and looks more challenging ( correct me if I’m wrong) so maybe go do those next year for DS and DH?

Who will he be skiing the glades with at keystone? can you and DH keep up?
Due to the risk of tree wells he should not go alone.

DH will be going with him. DH is always with him and can ski anything.

I’m not good enough for this and will take the afternoon off and hang out in town 😊

Anonymous wrote:Breckenridge is closer and much better than Vail. None have had great snow this year so most glade skiing will be out because they cannot make snow in them. Breck has nice long runs. Both Keystone and Breck have great ski schools - but given the snow conditions if your son kid level 7 it won’t be worth the money. In great conditions, sure. My kids are both expert skiers and we get them one private lesson (combined) to take them down super steep doubles and EX that DH and I don’t want to do as often these days. Maybe consider private do level 7 - very few people are in ski school at that level. Really most kids stop coming at level 5

+1

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Everyone has been so helpful with suggestions.

He has done lessons with the developmental program the past few years at Liberty with other kids. That is how he has advanced. He likes skiing with other kids. DH just knows how to ski but can’t really teach so the program has worked well. But being able to easily do double blacks with moguls at Liberty is like easy blacks out west, not the same comparison.

We can’t afford the cost of private lessons. We could swing the cost of the all terrain group lesson for him.

I agree that it would only be helpful if snow conditions are better next month and back bowls and blue sky is open. If so, I’m thinking getting him into the all terrain class on Wednesday (hopefully less kids during week) at Vail and asking if instrcutor can make sure kids get to bowls and blue sky if possible. Then he can ski with other kids, which he would love, in addition to skiing with the instructor. I can ask the instructor at the end of the day for any other recommendation for trials at Vail to go with DH the next day and back to any he liked with his class.

We are thinking of starting the 1st 2 days at Vail so above would work. Then head over to keystone. If he is skiing above at Vail, it shouldn’t be a problem with bowls and glades at Keystone.

If most of their bowls and blue sky is not open, then no lessons and we would still have fun skiing as a family at Vail for 2 days or so.

I know Breck is near and we have done all of the front of Breck when we were there with DS. But almost all of their bowls are double blacks and looks more challenging ( correct me if I’m wrong) so maybe go do those next year for DS and DH?

Who will he be skiing the glades with at keystone? can you and DH keep up?
Due to the risk of tree wells he should not go alone.

OP here. Everyone has been so helpful with suggestions.

He has done lessons with the developmental program the past few years at Liberty with other kids. That is how he has advanced. He likes skiing with other kids. DH just knows how to ski but can’t really teach so the program has worked well. But being able to easily do double blacks with moguls at Liberty is like easy blacks out west, not the same comparison.

We can’t afford the cost of private lessons. We could swing the cost of the all terrain group lesson for him.

I agree that it would only be helpful if snow conditions are better next month and back bowls and blue sky is open. If so, I’m thinking getting him into the all terrain class on Wednesday (hopefully less kids during week) at Vail and asking if instrcutor can make sure kids get to bowls and blue sky if possible. Then he can ski with other kids, which he would love, in addition to skiing with the instructor. I can ask the instructor at the end of the day for any other recommendation for trials at Vail to go with DH the next day and back to any he liked with his class.

We are thinking of starting the 1st 2 days at Vail so above would work. Then head over to keystone. If he is skiing above at Vail, it shouldn’t be a problem with bowls and glades at Keystone.

If most of their bowls and blue sky is not open, then no lessons and we would still have fun skiing as a family at Vail for 2 days or so.

I know Breck is near and we have done all of the front of Breck when we were there with DS. But almost all of their bowls are double blacks and looks more challenging ( correct me if I’m wrong) so maybe go do those next year for DS and DH?

I am an expert skier and a fan of coaching/lessons. I went to summer ski camps in high school and even went to a women's ski camp week a few years ago. We did runs I wouldn't normally do with DH who isn't as strong a skier, including back country. So I do think it would be worth it for an 11 year old to have a lesson or coaching experience. Private lesson would be fine, but if there is one where he would be with a few kids his age that might be even better.

I love BSB as well. It's actually not that challenging (other than Lovers Leap), but the trees are fun.