Re: (Not Europe but...) Breckenridge or Killington, end Jan?

[Steve]

Steve Pardoe wrote:

> Hi, all,
>
> I realise this is not necessarily about Europe, but rec.s.a. seems a bit
> silly this season, so perhaps someone here with experience of European and
> N. American resorts can offer advice.

Hi Steve,
r.s.a is not the place to go for anything these days. Even the flamming
and ranting isn't what it was. There is a r.s.r.north-america which is a
great place to post for info on these places. Have x-posted this to that
group.

>
> We're coming from England, last week of January '04, with a three-generation
> party (two 50+ grandparents, 30+ vegetarian daughter, and 9yr grand-daughter
> who's a complete beginner) and we'd prefer self-catering accommodation, but
> catalogue choice seems a bit limited.

Personaly I have not skied any of these 3 resorts so I can't really
comment (but when has that stopped anyone on usenet:-). I have skied in
N America a fair bit so I'll offer my 2p worth anyway.
>
> Breckenridge (Rockies) & Killington (New England) both have what we're
> looking for, and apparently reliable snow (it's a bit early for most
> European resorts). We've also read that the kids' tuition is particularly
> good in USA, so it seems worth crossing the pond for. We'll be skiing
> rather than boardriding, BTW.
Agree with the comment on tuition, I've had experience in the USA and
Canada and it's always been excellent. I wouldn't say that end of Jan is
early for Europe though, I've never found problems this late.
>
> Question is, does Breckenridge offer enough advantage over Killington to
> offset the longer journey? What's the weather like, esp considering a 9yr
> old? Or are there better alternatives anyway, even in Europe?

The East coast is renowned for very cold conditions and not much fresh
snow, but with the cold conditions and snow canons they generaly do have
a fair amount open, especialy early in the season. Breckenridge being in
the Rockies will get a lot more snow, and I gather it's quite a lively
place and you should find suitable accomodation there too. For what it's
worth my choice would be to fly that bit further and go to the Rockies.
Once you've b*ggered about getting to the airport, getting checked in
and getting airborne the extra couple of hours to Denver is not a big deal.

Cheers,
Steve



~~ ~~

[cindy]

Colorado snowfall is 20% below normal this fall

"Steve" > wrote in message
...
> Steve Pardoe wrote:
>
> > Hi, all,
> >
> > I realise this is not necessarily about Europe, but rec.s.a. seems a bit
> > silly this season, so perhaps someone here with experience of European
and
> > N. American resorts can offer advice.
>
> Hi Steve,
> r.s.a is not the place to go for anything these days. Even the flamming
> and ranting isn't what it was. There is a r.s.r.north-america which is a
> great place to post for info on these places. Have x-posted this to that
> group.
>
> >
> > We're coming from England, last week of January '04, with a
three-generation
> > party (two 50+ grandparents, 30+ vegetarian daughter, and 9yr
grand-daughter
> > who's a complete beginner) and we'd prefer self-catering accommodation,
but
> > catalogue choice seems a bit limited.
>
> Personaly I have not skied any of these 3 resorts so I can't really
> comment (but when has that stopped anyone on usenet:-). I have skied in
> N America a fair bit so I'll offer my 2p worth anyway.
> >
> > Breckenridge (Rockies) & Killington (New England) both have what we're
> > looking for, and apparently reliable snow (it's a bit early for most
> > European resorts). We've also read that the kids' tuition is
particularly
> > good in USA, so it seems worth crossing the pond for. We'll be skiing
> > rather than boardriding, BTW.
> Agree with the comment on tuition, I've had experience in the USA and
> Canada and it's always been excellent. I wouldn't say that end of Jan is
> early for Europe though, I've never found problems this late.
> >
> > Question is, does Breckenridge offer enough advantage over Killington to
> > offset the longer journey? What's the weather like, esp considering a
9yr
> > old? Or are there better alternatives anyway, even in Europe?
>
> The East coast is renowned for very cold conditions and not much fresh
> snow, but with the cold conditions and snow canons they generaly do have
> a fair amount open, especialy early in the season. Breckenridge being in
> the Rockies will get a lot more snow, and I gather it's quite a lively
> place and you should find suitable accomodation there too. For what it's
> worth my choice would be to fly that bit further and go to the Rockies.
> Once you've b*ggered about getting to the airport, getting checked in
> and getting airborne the extra couple of hours to Denver is not a big
deal.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve
>
>
>
> ~~ ~~
>

[Carl_M]

> We're coming from England, last week of January '04, with a
> three-generation
> > > party (two 50+ grandparents, 30+ vegetarian daughter, and 9yr
> grand-daughter
> > > who's a complete beginner) and we'd prefer self-catering accommodation,
> but
> > > Breckenridge (Rockies) & Killington (New England) both have what we're
> > > looking for, and apparently reliable snow (it's a bit early for most
> > > European resorts). We've also read that the kids' tuition is
> particularly
> > > good in USA, so it seems worth crossing the pond for. We'll be skiing
> > > rather than boardriding, BTW.
> > > Question is, does Breckenridge offer enough advantage over Killington to
> > > offset the longer journey? What's the weather like, esp considering a
> 9yr
> > > old? Or are there better alternatives anyway, even in Europe?
> >
I have never skied Killington but in the East the weather varies from
mild to bitter, it also feels colder for a given temperature than the
Rockies or the Alps. There are days when the hardy stop for a hot
chocolate after a couple of runs and the rest don't ski. Killington
also does not have a resort as such so you have to travel to the
slopes each day. I personnally find this a bind and if you want to
back to the accomodation at different times it might be difficult (I'm
not sure what buses are like there but often it is very limited, a car
is a must and the half the group can't go back early.

Breckenridge has the advantage of real snow and skiing close to the
resort. You can ski the rest of Summit County but count on 45min to
1hr travel each way. If you stick to Breckenridge the experianced
skiers might get board after a few days (although they have opened a
new mountain since I was last there). The other disadvantage of
Breckenridge is it's altitude (the resort is nearly 3000m high!) Some
people are only affected by tiring a little quicker some get hit with
altitude sickness. If you do go take it easy the first day or two
and stay a night in Denver if you can.

My favorite North American Resort is Whistler. Another of the few
American resorts with a resort at the base of the lifts. Lots of
natural snow (though less powdery than the Rockies) and a large
variety of runs for all levels of skier.

With all the time spent at the airport and overland travel the
difference in total journey time between the east and west US is quite
small and the difference in the skiing is so great I would not
consider going to the East.

I would not disregard Europe. Late January is not really early season
and you would be very unlucky not to have good snow. Les Arcs would
probably suit your group nicely (especially 1800 which is more
beginner friendly and is more central to the ski area). The Arcs
Adventures ski school are very good. (Recommended over ESF)

[Chester Bullock]

Carl_M wrote:

> Breckenridge has the advantage of real snow and skiing close to the
> resort. You can ski the rest of Summit County but count on 45min to
> 1hr travel each way. If you stick to Breckenridge the experianced
> skiers might get board after a few days (although they have opened a
> new mountain since I was last there). The other disadvantage of
> Breckenridge is it's altitude (the resort is nearly 3000m high!) Some
> people are only affected by tiring a little quicker some get hit with
> altitude sickness. If you do go take it easy the first day or two
> and stay a night in Denver if you can.

I ski Breck regularly and don't get bored. By the end of January, the
really good stuff will be open. Plenty to do there. As mentioned
though, you can also ski the rest of Summit County, though drivetimes
are more like 30 minutes (maybe I just drive fast). Vail is nearby as
well should you want to try that. All resorts in Summit County have a
relatively high elevation. Follow the recommendation above to get
acclimated, and watch the alcohol intake - it will make altitude
sickness way worse...

--
Chester Bullock,
Chester's Guide to Colorado
http://www.black-diamond.com
AIM: tenxible YahooIM: ccb247