Colorado snowboarding suggestions?

DJ, make sure you wear a helmet. Have fun!

[bmx672]

AWESOME!!!

Before I had kids I would go out there every year (Snowboard in winter and MTB in summer)... after doing so you'll never want to ski/snowboard around here (Chicago land/Wisconsin) again.

I suggest, depending on how many people you have, to rent a condo somewhere in either Steamboat or Breckenridge. Those are two pretty inexpensive places that have a cool scene/nightlife/restaurants, You can rent condos at, or near the base lifts for pretty cheap if you have a group. Otherwise you can stay at a resort. I've always preferred a condo. Call some booking agents out there and see what they have for packages. There are busses that run all day and into the night as well from the resorts, condos to the downtowns. You basically can park for the week/weekend and just hoof it and/or ride the buses everywhere.
There are lift packages that include night passes for Keystone as well... look into those for added value!

My suggestions... Don't do too much the first day because you'll have to acclimate. You'll get winded by just walking a block or up the stairs etc. Drink LOTS of water. You'll dehydrate fast since the air is dry and thin. Bring lotion.
Definitely hang wet towels in the bath for moisture and use a humidifier if they have one (they should). Did I mention the air is really dry? haha. Your lips will chap simply from sleeping if there's not enough moisture.

Use two way radios for communication with friends, use a helmet, chapstick goggles and maybe sun block with zinc. Good gloves/equipment etc.

You can also rent the top-of-the-line equipment for a reasonable price if you do not feel like lugging your stuff or if you have old stuff.

I know there's more, but that's the best I can do off the top of my head. If you go to Steamboat you can go to the Hot springs as well.

[fragdude]

I enjoyed going to Aspen when I tried to pick snowboarding back up. They have a mountain dedicated to easier slopes. And when my knees finally took too much of a beating, I put my skis back on and went to a harder hill. Thats my 2 cents

[bmx672]

Keystone at night is the perfect place to learn to snowboard. You can take a gondola up and walk off of it with snowboard in hand. That way you don't have to worry about boarding right off a chair and falling etc... Also at night there are hardly any people out so you have room.

[Topless]

Dj,

bmx672 is on it. I have family in Breckenridge so I know it best, but Keystone and Steamboat also have a lot to offer. A little of everything at these resorts with some of the lightest waist deep powder on the planet. Condo's should be dirt cheap this year. Have a great trip!

Here is the trail map for Breck:
http://breckenridge.snow.com/media/swf/trailmap/trailmap0708.asp

[timothy]

Don't forget my favorite, A-Basin, for excellent high-mountain intermediate and advanced terrain! The eastern wall (extreme skiing only) is at 13,050 feet, higher than any other ski terrain in North America. The blue and black runs top out around 12,400 feet and have amazing views across the mountain range. A-Basin is in Summit County, ten minutes east of Keystone on Highway 6.

http://www.arapahoebasin.com

[Dave S.]

I escaped from Rockford, IL to Colorado in 1992 and I highly recommend an extended stay - like forever.
If I was coming out here for a long weekend, I'd stay in Breckenridge and hit, Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Vail - maybe even Arapahoe Basin and Loveland depending on where the best snow is at the time . They are all relatively close to each other.
Breckenridge has one of the best terrain parks for boarders, but nothing beats Vail for huge terrain and the back bowls. Copper Mountain is also very good and is generally a little less expensive.
The reason I'd stay in Breckenridge is because the town has a lot more to do in the evening, with lots of bars and restaurants and you may be able to walk to a good spot instead of having to drive.

Have a great time out here, but don't come too early. It was 80 degrees in Denver today and there is almost no natural snow in the mountains yet this year, so the early season is going to suck. I guess no matter how bad the conditions are they would still beat Alpine Valley or Devils Head ;-).

Another great thrill out here is when you bring your Boxster out in the summer and enjoy roads that were made for that car.

Dave S.