Anonymous wrote:Ski lessons at BC are insanely $$$. Day 1 I’d see how they do. So much good beginner terrain there that is a blue any day on the east coast. Lessons over Christmas break need to be booked way in advance if you do them. There is an awesome beginner area that is newish with super fun trees. Kids will love it.

The $$$ is why I would go with the offering relative. My kids usually do a quick lesson at the beginning of a ski trip but, for BC, they skied with a great skier in our party. It worked well. They just needed to knock the dust off.

I’d try to make sure I’m driving during daylight. We did an early am drive back from Winter Park in the snow last year. It was pretty hairy and I can’t imagine having done that in the dark.

We’ve done the drive a number of times with no issue. Just be smart and check weather. If there is a storm get a hotel and go the next day. The storms come through quickly and roads are cleared right away.

Anonymous wrote:A green in CO is like a blue on the east coast. Some greens are like east coast diamonds. Just a heads up.

This is really not true and a huge misconception. Ranking vary and are more based on mountain than a general standard. I started skiing as an adult and went to Breck after skiing locally for one year and having just started skiing blues at whitetail. The blues and greens at Breck were 100x easier due to being very wide, less crowded and having much better snow conditions. I also think the blues and blacks locally, while short, can actually be quite steep.

I haven’t been to BC but I have heard it is very family and beginner friendly.

Ski lessons at BC are insanely $$$. Day 1 I’d see how they do. So much good beginner terrain there that is a blue any day on the east coast. Lessons over Christmas break need to be booked way in advance if you do them. There is an awesome beginner area that is newish with super fun trees. Kids will love it.

1.If you can afford it fly into Vail directly. Otherwise, Stay in Denver for one night non non-negotiable. Yes, someone in your party will get altitude sickness if you don't. 2. Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate. Make sure you have alternate plans for if the hwy gets closed. Watch the weather closely before leaving.
3. Ski school one day, even a half day first day. You can do a semi-private with both kids if wanted. Skiing in CO is nothing like skiing on East Coast.
My kids started skiing at age three. We have had homes at Keystone, Breck and Aspen.


Your kids will love this.

Anonymous wrote:Is it better to do a nonstop to Denver and drive or connecting to Vail?

I would prefer to connect but its outrageously expensive (OP)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also watch the weather that day, we once tried to beat a snowstorm back to our rental and it was scary enough we split the families in half between cars. You’ll probably be fine but if a storm comes in they DO shut down the pass… just be aware of how the weather is changing if it’s a potential that day.

I don’t understand what this means.

Group of 8 of us, 4 couples as we left kids with sitters for the day. With two cars we split couples between so if one went off the road no one family was orphaned.

Anonymous wrote:Also watch the weather that day, we once tried to beat a snowstorm back to our rental and it was scary enough we split the families in half between cars. You’ll probably be fine but if a storm comes in they DO shut down the pass… just be aware of how the weather is changing if it’s a potential that day.

I don’t understand what this means.

Is it better to do a nonstop to Denver and drive or connecting to Vail?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since youre staying with family, they are presumably locals and know their way around, dining, shopping, outdoor activities, etc, no?
Ski shuttle bus routes, cookies at 3pm, strawberry park to avoid crowds, etc

OP here. Yes, they have lived in the area for 10+ years and are avid skiiers. I'm sure they will know all that stuff. I guess I am more worried about the driving from the airport, renting our gear, and the terrain being overwhelming. One of my teens is not as confident a skiier as the other, and is just more anxious in general.

Sign up kid for ski lesson ^^

Fills up fast so do it sooner rather than later.

OP here. The relative we are visiting taught all three of his own kids to ski and is insistent he can/will do the same for ours. Its like a thing he is proud of doing for relatives. Is this a bad idea?

k
Generally people who scoff at lessons and teach their kids themselves have kids who can bomb down the mountain but have poor form and control.

+1. Both DH and I ski and we taught DS on greens the basics but then put him in with ski instructors. It’s so important to have the correct technique and form, especially as you tackle harder terrain.

Have your kid ski with family for an hour but I would put them in at least 1/2 day of ski school if not 1 day.

You can pitch the lessons as “cut the line passes” or whatever if your kids ball at the idea. Consider a semi private / private group lesson for your family if you want that time together. Tell your family member you only have three days out there so want to maximize your first experience. This assumes you can fit it in the budget.

Also watch the weather that day, we once tried to beat a snowstorm back to our rental and it was scary enough we split the families in half between cars. You’ll probably be fine but if a storm comes in they DO shut down the pass… just be aware of how the weather is changing if it’s a potential that day.

Anonymous wrote:Be mindful of the elevation! We went to Breck in February and while our family was ok our friends got quite sick, including one of them who had to be on oxygen most of the trip and couldn't ski. I didn't drink at all while there and we grant a ton of water and electrolytes. It was a great trip and kids LOVED it (they're all great east coast skiers).

This. Don’t mess around, take a day to acclimate or ask your doctor for the meds to take a few days leading up to it. Be mindful of sun protection on cheeks and lips, too. Drink tons of water, and ice cream after dinner or milkshakes at lunchtime helps for kids. We love Breck, if you’re into tree skiing Winter Park is great. The mountains out west are so much bigger reccomend at least one of your group carries a backpack for the day as you can’t pop back to base as easily as on the east.

So much depends on the age of the kids and their skill levels and temperament. If one parent is a very good skier, that parent should take the nutcase kid and push. Start with a good long blue, and move on to black as they get comfortable with west coast skiing. There is nothing in the mid-Atlantic that compares. Meanwhile, the weaker parent with the more cautious sibling should start on the greens and build confidence, and then move on to the blues. See how it goes.

If the kids aren't feeling confident, go with the lessons, but it will cost a fortune. I wouldn't worry about the drive, unless there are issues with driving up mountains. CO ski resorts want people to get there, so it'll be clear if the resort is open. But it is true that mountain snow is something very different, so pay attention to the weather.

But the point is to have fun. So just roll with where the kids are at.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since youre staying with family, they are presumably locals and know their way around, dining, shopping, outdoor activities, etc, no?
Ski shuttle bus routes, cookies at 3pm, strawberry park to avoid crowds, etc

OP here. Yes, they have lived in the area for 10+ years and are avid skiiers. I'm sure they will know all that stuff. I guess I am more worried about the driving from the airport, renting our gear, and the terrain being overwhelming. One of my teens is not as confident a skiier as the other, and is just more anxious in general.

Sign up kid for ski lesson ^^

Fills up fast so do it sooner rather than later.

OP here. The relative we are visiting taught all three of his own kids to ski and is insistent he can/will do the same for ours. Its like a thing he is proud of doing for relatives. Is this a bad idea?

k
Generally people who scoff at lessons and teach their kids themselves have kids who can bomb down the mountain but have poor form and control.

+1. Both DH and I ski and we taught DS on greens the basics but then put him in with ski instructors. It’s so important to have the correct technique and form, especially as you tackle harder terrain.

Have your kid ski with family for an hour but I would put them in at least 1/2 day of ski school if not 1 day.