Colorado ski tips, was: Best way to get between Denver -> Colorado Springs

[Triumph]

Flying from DC to the Colorado Springs area soon, but flight options to Colorado Springs suck. Expensive with huge layovers. On the other hand, there are direct flights from Washington Dulles to Denver multiple times a day for less than $400 round trip. Anyone have experience with shuttle service between the two?

 

[Hoober]

There used to be bus service between the cities called FREX, but it was shut down a few years ago. Is renting a car an option? Travel from DIA to downtown Springs typically only takes an hour, and is pretty convenient. It's a straight shot down I-25.

 

[zinfamous]

I know the shuttle service from Denver airport up to Summit/Loveland area is rather reliable and not all that expensive (but that is the ski tourism).

Never been to Colorado Springs, though. Perhaps our resident Predator-fodder will chime in. I think his bunker is out there somewhere.

 

[Gooberlx2]

There used to be bus service between the cities called FREX, but it was shut down a few years ago. Is renting a car an option? Travel from DIA to downtown Springs typically only takes an hour, and is pretty convenient. It's a straight shot down I-25.

CDOT is restarting service with Bustang this Spring. Dunno if that's soon enough for OP though.

There are shuttle services. $50 each way. Never used it though.
https://www.coloradoshuttle.com

 

[OutHouse]

Perhaps our resident Predator-fodder will chime in. I think his bunker is out there

who?

 

[OutHouse]

Flying from DC to the Colorado Springs area soon, but flight options to Colorado Springs suck. Expensive with huge layovers. On the other hand, there are direct flights from Washington Dulles to Denver multiple times a day for less than $400 round trip. Anyone have experience with shuttle service between the two?

just rent a econobox car from one of the DIA car rental companies.

 

[Triumph]

just rent a econobox car from one of the DIA car rental companies.

If a one way rental is >$50 it's not worth it, plus gas.

 

[Belegost]

just rent a econobox car from one of the DIA car rental companies.

My only suggestion - avoid Avis, our company uses them, and twice I have dealt with them at DIA, both times were terrible. Took over 30 minutes for a shuttle from the terminal to the rental lot, and then one case spent over an hour trying to get keys for what was supposed to be a quick pickup case, and in the second went to the assigned spot to find no car, and then spent 45 minutes escalating the issue before a manager finally assigned a different vehicle. The staff at the DIA Avis is just incompetent.

 

[zinfamous]

who?

http://forums.anandtech.com/member.php?u=318680

 

[Gooberlx2]

If a one way rental is >$50 it's not worth it, plus gas.

Yeah. It may be cheaper if you rent from somewhere in Denver, rather than at the airport. At that point though the hassle isn't remotely going to be worth it.

 

[Carson Dyle]

If a one way rental is >$50 it's not worth it, plus gas.

It could be well worth it if you need a rental car anyway when you get to Colorado Springs. In any case, Colorado Springs is close enough to DIA that they run shuttles throughout the day. Just time your arrival accordingly, as they don't run at night.

 

[Hoober]

If a one way rental is >$50 it's not worth it, plus gas.

Wait. So you're doing a one way trip? Then yeah, I'd pick any one of the regular shuttle services which run from Springs to DIA. A buddy of mine used these folks in th epast from the Monument Park and Ride to DIA. I know they run to Springs, too.
http://www.frontrangeshuttle.com/

 

[Cruisin1]

just rent a econobox car from one of the DIA car rental companies.

This... I do that drive a lot from DIA. It's like 45 minutes to an hour away.

 

[Nograts]

TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!! I own a house in the Springs we can crash there. Get me out of this shit hole state!

 

[ioni]

My only suggestion - avoid Avis, our company uses them, and twice I have dealt with them at DIA, both times were terrible. Took over 30 minutes for a shuttle from the terminal to the rental lot, and then one case spent over an hour trying to get keys for what was supposed to be a quick pickup case, and in the second went to the assigned spot to find no car, and then spent 45 minutes escalating the issue before a manager finally assigned a different vehicle. The staff at the DIA Avis is just incompetent.

That's odd. I've traveled to Denver for work about 10 times over the past 4 years. Used Avis every time and never had any issues.

 

[Triumph]

Update! Bought tickets for 11-16 March. Staying in Colorado Springs with a buddy and plan on getting 2 days of skiing in. Never been out there, what is the weather like? What is the skiing like? Traffic to slopes?

 

[Nograts]

Update! Bought tickets for 11-16 March. Staying in Colorado Springs with a buddy and plan on getting 2 days of skiing in. Never been out there, what is the weather like? What is the skiing like? Traffic to slopes?

We always went to Keystone, little over 2 hour drive. I don't think you'll find slopes any closer than 100+ miles from the springs. It's okay but I've been to better.

Hit up cripple creek while you're there. ~1 hour drive

 

[SearchMaster]

I have a friend who used to live in Colorado Springs so I've been there a few times. Colorado Springs isn't the most convenient spot for good skiing but there are some great spots within 3 hours. Vail was my favorite (I love the Back Bowls) but lodging is expensive (duh) and that 3 hour drive back to CS can be brutal after a day of skiiing if you don't stay. Keystone/Breckenridge were a close second and cheaper to stay, and more like a 2 hour drive so it would probably be more desirable if you don't. There are other mountains (Copper, A-basin, etc.) in the area but I wouldn't recommend them over the others.

Traffic was never too bad to the slopes because it was a pretty straight interstate shot (though an inverted "L" from CS). We did Crested Butte a couple of times because they offered free skiiing in November and stayed at the mountain base...that drive down the mountain at night in icy conditions was not a lot of fun. It was also extremely crowded on the weekends but great on the weekdays. I don't think they do that promotion more than a day now and the skiing was not as good as Vail/Breckenridge.

It's been almost 2 decades since I've been there so take my advice with a grain of salt

 

[Hoober]

You don't want to be on I70 going west on Friday, and you don't want to be on it going east on Sunday. Depending on where you're staying in the Springs, it may be better to take 24 to 9 over Hoosier pass to get to Breck, Copper, Keystone, etc. That's particularly true if you're going to ski Breck.

 

[zinfamous]

Summit County is probably your most concentrated area, and thus best value: Breckenridge, Keystone, A-Basin, Copper Mountain.

Copper or A-Basin would be the best value. A-Basin is where the locals go, and it is not a resort like Breck or Keystone. You get there early enough, and you can park in the little lot by the main lift. It also has the best snow and generally the best slopes in that area, but is way smaller.

Keystone generally has the worst snow, but on certain days when the gods smile upon them, they have the best of all the others.

For 2 days and a budget, I'd recommend Copper or A-Basin. Less hassle and bullshit to deal with.

 

[Gooberlx2]

it may be better to take 24 to 9 over Hoosier pass to get to Breck, Copper, Keystone, etc. That's particularly true if you're going to ski Breck.

That would be my recommendation.

Skiing has been good recently. Slopes have been getting decent snow last couple weeks. Ski during the weekdays if at all possible to avoid traffic and crowded lifts. You're getting into Spring Break, so mountains may be crowded regardless. Forecast for OP's time frame looks pretty mild. 40s during the day, possible snow/rain mix. Probably won't need lots of layers.

A-Basin is where the locals go

I suppose, but the I'd say more locals have a greater fondness for Loveland. Just my observation. Both mountains offer relatively reasonably priced season passes, which is a big draw for those who don't have $400+ to drop on the multi-mountain passes. The lack of resorts and terrain do make for cheaper tickets and less crowded runs.

Regardless, I probably wouldn't pick either over others in the Summit area because of that comparative lack of terrain. Copper is the best value recommendation, especially with the BOGO skifreedeals (which Loveland is also part of). Breck will offer the most variety and terrain in Summit, without having to drive all the way to Vail.

 

[Triumph]

whats the rental situation like out there? rent at the resort? places along the way? places in the city?

 

[Gooberlx2]

whats the rental situation like out there? rent at the resort? places along the way? places in the city?

Don't rent from the resort. Rent from somewhere in CO Springs. Christy's, CO Ski&Golf, Breeze, etc... any of those should be fine. Search online for deals/coupons.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Never been out there, what is the weather like?

Mid-March in the Colorado front range could be beautiful or you could get 30" of wet snow. March and April are the big snow months here. But it looks like they're predicting highs in the low 50s to low 60s and mostly sunny for your stay.

 

[isekii]

when i was in colorado couple years back for boarding~ the altitude kicked my ass