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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

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drail14me

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Jul 20, 2008
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

Got a good deal on a flight so we just booked to Denver for spring break. Now trying to decide on a place to ski and stay. Looking hard at Eldora Mountain Resort near Boulder and a room in Nederland at the base of the mountain.

Anyone got any better suggestions on a place to ski/stay close to Denver that's family friendly for some first time skiers and that won't break the wallet? Looking for rooms around $150 a night.
 
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cb6228

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Aug 30, 2006
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

Eldora is pretty weak and may not have much snow, as well as being pretty warm, for spring break. Better bet, even for beginner skiers, is to take the train to Winter Park (beautiful ride) or rent a car and drive. Decent amount of technical terrain, but lots of bunny slopes and good ski school.
 
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DawgInCO

Redshirt
Mar 3, 2008
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

I live close to Eldora/Nederland. Spring skiing at Eldora is very iffy. Depends on amount of spring
snow we get. There hasn't been a lot of snow this season. Currently, the snowpack is only 60%-70% of
normal. A lot can happen weather wise between now and spring break, but I would look
elsewhere.

Winter Park, as cb6228 stated, is a good choice that time of year and the ski train is a
nice way to get there. Otherwise, I would stay at one of the Summit county ski areas: Keystone,
Breck, Copper. They generally have decent spring skiing.

Arapahoe Basin or Loveland will have decent snow since they are the two highest elevation ski areas,
but they aren't resorts. The closest place to stay for those two ski areas are Silverthorn or
Georgetown.
 
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rugbdawg

Redshirt
Oct 10, 2006
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

years. I learned how to snowboard at Eldora in the early March. It was painful so I went back to skiing.

You aren't gonna have great snow there and it is not a resort. But, it's cheap and you will learn how to ski. Plus, you aren't gonna know the difference if you have never gone skiing before. People that ski a ton are snow snobs but you probably won't know.

I agree with A basin and Loveland as well.
 
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GratefulDawg.sixpack

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Mar 3, 2008
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

<div>Winter Park is closer, but Copper and Breck will give you more bunny slopes. Can't go wrong with any of the three.</div><div>
</div>I've never skied Eldora, but a lot of my old friends lived at that mountain back when I lived in CO. Like others have said, quality depends on the amount of snow there.
 
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ilikemyeggsgolden

Redshirt
Nov 29, 2011
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

Wasn't a big fan of keystone. Breckinridge and copper mountain were by far my favorite the few times I have been.
 
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Nugdawg

Senior
Mar 3, 2008
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

I highly recommend Breck. The ski area is large with plenty of beginner. The ski school at the base is good. But, the main reason is Breck is a town, not just some remote ski lodge/resort. This will come into play if one of your group doesn't take to the slopes like the rest of you. They can walk around town, look in shops, find a few restaurants, and even rent a sled or some other activity. This is true for your whole family as there will be good options for dining etc. As for getting there, it's an easy Interstate drive from Denver and there is evena large outlet mall for the ladies when you get off the interstate in Frisco if you need other time killers. Lastly, look for a ski in ski out condo if you can swing it or even a studio. Or at least not far from a shuttle stop. A kitchen is a huge money saver for a family on a ski trip. Skiing in for lunch is a good way to save because I can assure you there is no way to take a family from Mississippi to Colorado for a ski trip and make it cheap! Just my two cents.
 
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drail14me

Redshirt
Jul 20, 2008
1,349
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

I'll look more into the Winter Park area. I found affordable shuttle service from Denver airport to there. Lodging is a good bit higher than what I found at Eldora but I guess that's because of better snow. It also appears to be pretty booked up.

I really like the idea of riding the train. That would be a good experience for the kids and I've always wanted to see Moffat Tunnel. However, according to their website, the ski train is no longer in service. Amtrak does have service from Denver to Winter Park so that would be an option but limited.

We're taking our three kids ages 7, 7 and 10 who have never really seen snow other than what we had here in Starkville last Christmas. So, any snow will be fun to them. It'd be nice to find some slopes that aren't too crowded for some youth lessons and adult lessons.
 
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fishwater99

Freshman
Jun 4, 2007
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

Will be your best bet... Snowpack is down this year, but could change by March... You can stay on the cheap in Silverthorne and drive to Breck, A-basin, Copper, or Keystone....If you are not ski in ski out you really need transportation and riding buses suck.... Trust me, I lived in Summit for 3 years....
Southern CO, Wolf Creek, Silverton, Monarch, and Purgatory will get more snow this year with the La Nina effect...
I am looking to go in early Feb, but snow is really needed before I buy my ticket...

Don't do Eldora unless they have a really good base. Winter Park is okay, but more expensive than Summit CO.

Pm me for more info...
 
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harrydawg.sixpack

Freshman
Nov 14, 2010
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

and we'll be there this year from the 9th of March thru the 16th....typically very good conditions, not too cold but you may have some icey conditions on warm afternoons...........

We've been several times this time of the year and have always had a great time.
 
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colodawg

Redshirt
Mar 3, 2008
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

Rent a car OR take CME (Colorado Mountain Express). Look into Vail and Beaver Creek and stay at Avon (on I 70). If you can get a deal in Avon (try the Comfort Inn) there are good bus shuttles between Avon and the two resorts. We prefer Vail and there are some cheap eats there (try Moe's - southern cooking). Plenty beginner slopes, good ski school, and nice town.

DON"T go to Eldora. There will not be enough snow there, it's not a resort, and would not be a good place for beginners.

Breckenridge is very nice, good town.

NOW - if you don't mind driving a bit further, check out POWDERHORN. Powderhorn is on Grand Mesa outside Grand Junction. It sold this year to a former GM of Vail Resorts, and they are doing a lot of work there to make it a 1st class destination. Just opened a tubing hill which is really nice, and Powderhorn has received very good snow of late. As of a couple weeks ago it had the best base of the resorts in CO. Condos for rent there. And if you get bored you can drop down to Grand Junction and shop - new Cabela's there is great.

Have fun. PM me if you need any help with Vail or P'horn.
 
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colodawg

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Mar 3, 2008
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

Deals CAN be had if you look hard enough. We stayed at the Marriott in Vail Thanksgiving week for $93 a night, 150 yards from the lifts. We stayed at the Pines in Beaver Creek for $135 a night last year.
 
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harrydawg.sixpack

Freshman
Nov 14, 2010
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

had a great time but only 70% of the trails were open due to low amounts of snow fall, locals said this was the least amount of snow fall so far since
1980.

Point being, by Spring Break - it things don't turn around in a hurry (which is very unlikely) you may be rock climbing, not snow skiing if you don't go to a traditional ski area at high altitudes............
 
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colodawg

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Mar 3, 2008
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

are covered with ice right now.
 
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drail14me

Redshirt
Jul 20, 2008
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

....move the skiing to Winter Park. We booked a room in the Winter Park Resort Village so we'll be right by the slopes and the crowds!! Looking forward to the trip and the kids are excited.

Now we're trying to decide on lessons for the kids and adults in the classes offered or private lessons as a family.

For you Dawgs in Colorado, come join in the fun!!
 
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Hdc

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Jan 16, 2010
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

You and your wife will learn at a different pace and speed than the kids. The kids will get to meet other kids in group leassons and the instructor will take them to do fun kid stuff. Adults can learn much faster in private lessons, but they are very expensive. In adult group lessons (at least days 1 and 2) you will have some idiots who have no coordination and who will slow the entire class down. If you can put up with the idiots, save some money and do group lessons.

Most first time adults I have taken with our group have done group lessons. Most did well.A few(some of which chose private lessons) simply decided they didn't like skiing.

At the end of lessons each day, the family can get together and ski for an hour or two before the lifts close.

Finally, consider snowboarding. I switched from skiis to snowboard at age 39. That was 7 years ago. I haven't put on a pair of skiis since and doubt I ever will. I will admit that learning to snowboard took a little more time than learning to ski.
 
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colodawg

Redshirt
Mar 3, 2008
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

We've had the Eldora discussion, but just wanted to give a snow report. Snow is all over the place this week (Valentine's Week). I am supposed to go to Crested Butte tomorrow and don't know if I can get there (severe weather alert). Much snow in the southern mountains (Telluride). 4 - 6 inches new stuff today and tomorrow in CB. Have to go to Denver Thu and am worried about Vail Pass and I - 70.

So - come on out guys. We got a slow start, but the white stuff is all over the place now.
 
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drail14me

Redshirt
Jul 20, 2008
1,349
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

Looks like the weather is changing out there starting today. I guess that Mississippi warm air is headed up just ahead of us. Just our luck. The snow will be all melted!
 
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eckie1

All-Conference
Jun 23, 2007
3,864
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

Little snow at Eldora is probably the rule, rather than the exception.

I still had a great time. Less than stellar skiing is still skiing. I was in the area for work and got to ski AND have some awesome beers at Left Hand Brewpub in Longmont (do yourself a favor and go - these guys distribute nationally).

By Colorado standards, Eldora is probably laughable. From Deep South standards, it ain't luxurious but it skis just fine.
 
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fishwater99

Freshman
Jun 4, 2007
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

Plenty of snow and probably some freshies.....Eldora is hit or miss..

Google Colorado snow report and opensnow... They also have apps for your phone...
 
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bankerbullie

Redshirt
Mar 3, 2008
75
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OT.. Spring break skiing in Colorado. Anyone ever been to Eldora Mtn in Boulder???

You and your family are going to have the greatest vacation ever....our family did this for several years when the kids and grandkids were about yours age, and we still talk about...went to all those areas mentioned and never had a bad time...the folks are right tho, you will have to watch the costs closely..everything from McDonalds up are more than on the flat lands, but nothing like eating and watching it snow or piled up outside your window..have a great trip and let everyone know how it went when you get back...
 
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