Second Week of December?

[scott43]

Ok, so I hate these kinds of questions but there's a wealth of knowledge here... So second week of December, who has good snow ( I know I know..) and decent terrain? Has to be ski-in/ski-out, price isn't a huge issue and, most importantly, a toddler has to be entertained for this week!! Beaver Creek? Aspen? I'm thinking something with a town is more likely to provide some fun for the kid but the ski-in/out thing is hard in a town. Help!!!

 

[coskigirl]

Oh geez, that's tough. I wouldn't count on Beaver Creek as it's too low. Maybe Breck?

 

[SBrown]

Steamboat? They normally get decent Dec snow

 

[scott43]

Back pocket is Whistler..but I have an aversion to the place.

 

[Philpug]

A-Basin & Loveland? Stay in Silverthorne?

 

[Chris Walker]

...Has to be ski-in/ski-out...

A-Basin & Loveland? Stay in Silverthorne?

No ski-in/ski-out options here,

II think Copper is a decent bet. They have an amazing snow making system, and the US Speed camp will be wrapping up by then, so if nothing else you'll have long cruisers with a bullet-proof base on the Super-Bee pod.

 

[Philpug]

My bad, didn't see that.

 

[SBrown]

No ski-in/ski-out options here,

II think Copper is a decent bet. They have an amazing snow making system, and the US Speed camp will be wrapping up by then, so if nothing else you'll have long cruisers with a bullet-proof base on the Super-Bee pod.

Maybe. The thing with Copper is, even if the mountain is ready (naturally), not much else will be open until the third week in December. Vail is a better bet, because they actually open terrain.

What I would do is just plan to come to Colorado (ie, book flights to Denver) that week, and then adjust your location based on what's going on snow-wise. You won't have any trouble with lodging at that point.

Other places do well early on (often Jackson, for instance) but there is such a glut of resorts right close in CO, you can decide once the weather actually happens (or not).

 

[coskigirl]

@SBrown has the right plan.

 

[Carl Kuck]

Keystone, stay at Keystone.

 

[albertanskigirl]

I think Whistler seems to be a good option with the ski-in, ski-out...

 

[Bad Bob]

Whistler would probably be the most assured snow that early and there is a town.

 

[Started at 53]

Deer Valley covers your needs, with Park City 10 minutes away. DV has lots of ski in/out accommodations.

We are there Dec. 11-19

 

[Ron]

thats usually a pivotable week; what date are you arriving? we typically have really good snow by the second week towards the 3rd but as you know, no promises. we have had a very dry summer so of course that means we will have a very snowy winter.

 

[scott43]

Time would likely be arrive on the 10th and leave on the 16th. Something like that. Keystone looks like a good kids place..no chance of snow? I like SBrown's plan..just show up and see what's good. I like Whistler..however..it's galling to pay more to fly to Vancouver than Oslo!!! But Whistler is not owned by Intrawest anymore so that grudge is shot down...

 

[Ron]

you will know who has the goods at least a couple days prior to arrival so you could just wait and then book at last moment but unless you either have passes that cover any given resort, waiting to the last minute could be costly. I know up here you would pay dearly for ski passes with less than a weeks notice,

 

[Uncle-A]

What about Snowmass? I think they have ski in and ski out and Aspen is near.

 

[SBrown]

you will know who has the goods at least a couple days prior to arrival so you could just wait and then book at last moment but unless you either have passes that cover any given resort, waiting to the last minute could be costly. I know up here you would pay dearly for ski passes with less than a weeks notice,

Don't areas usually have some pretty great deals before Christmas, though? <scurries off to look them up....>

 

[Ron]

yes, but why wait until you are here to try to find them? why not just book a few days prior? even a week?

many require early bookings or minimum lead time; either way, waiting is a best bet.

 

[dlague]

If you are dead set on Colorado, then Vail, Breck and Keystone are good bets. However, no matter where you go you will be dependent on snow making hence the three I mentioned. Snowfall amounts may not be enough to open significant terrain. That time of year is borderline whether conditions are great or just good - ie 2014 was a little lean. See the chart below for the last three years at Breck. I looked into Whistler and other Vail Resorts and the snowfall story is about the same. However, Steamboat did have better snowfall. Also agree to booking a week prior, but deals might be had now.

Courtesy of www.onthesnow.com - good tools for looking at historical snowfall.