Peaks pass info - Summit Co first timers?

[cooltsi]

Sorry for the lame post. Two friends and myself are heading to Dillon next week at a buddy's condo. Never been to Summit County so we bought a 3 of 5 Peaks Pass for next week (M-TH). Questions:

Any suggestions on Parking? Preferably free and still pack two pairs in?

We want to hit 3 different resorts during our stay, choices are A-Basin, Breckenridge, Vail, Keystone and Beaver Creek. A-basin doesn't have Montezuma bowl open yet so we are leaning away from there. Any suggestions on top choices?

Any other suggestions other than stay away would be appreciated.

[encore]

Vail - Park in the Vail Village or Lionshead parking garage for $16 per day.

BC - Park for free in the outer lots and take the shuttle

Keystone - Park for free in the free lots

Breckenridge - park for free at the outer lot. Forget the name of it. Longer shuttle ride. Haven't been there this year so not sure if they have changed something.

[HotCarl]

And that weak ass Montezuma bowl defines A-basin??

Go to Breck,it'll be insane

[Ireallyliketoski2]

I'd stay away from A-Basin with a 32" base unless you're skiing on disposable skis.

[Pablo Escobar]

go to vail first.

[montanaskier]

definately not Vail or BC....Keystone and Breck, they will both be empty.

[nufenstein]

cooltsi...go to (1)BC and (2)vail unless (3)keystone/basin gets snow...avoid breck like the plague

[MakersTeleMark]

Vail - Park in the Vail Village or Lionshead parking garage for $16 per day.

It's $18 per day M-Th, $20 on F-Su.

Park for free where the Wendy's was and hop on the free bus.

[Ireallyliketoski2]

I haven't skied Breck in a few years now but used to always have a good time there, imperial bowl and whales tale, the burn, and others were always fun. I always liked it more than Keystone but not as much as Vail\BC or A-Basin (but A-Basin needs a 50" base to be good).

[mjpowhound]

What happened to Wendy's?

[smmokan]

I skied A-Basin a couple days ago, and with another couple feet it will be very good. If this storm hits this weekend, I bet they'll open Montezuma Bowl within a few days.

Vail and BC are the places to go with great snow. Depending on when you're out here, I might be able to show you around- shoot me a PM and we can figure it out. I'll be skiing just about every day next week but I've got friends of my own coming into town so I'll be their guide towards the end of the week.

[cooltsi]

And that weak ass Montezuma bowl defines A-basin??

Go to Breck,it'll be insane

Not saying that but I'm struggling to justify A-basin to the guys I'm going with when half the runs show closed and BC shows 95% open.

Looks like we are starting Monday at Breck as that is where we purchased the passes. I'm assuming it doesn't make a difference where you start but since I don't know any different we are starting there. Skiing Tuesday at either BC or Vail then down to Colorado Springs to catch up with some friends and family Wednesday and back to either A-basin or Keystone for Thursday. Driving back Friday as we have to be out by Friday night.

I seriously dislike paying for parking, if you take the bus can you pack two pairs and a lunch up? Put lunch in a backpack? Sorry we are doing this on a budget and we recognise we are a bunch of Idaho scabs.

[encore]

It's $18 per day M-Th, $20 on F-Su.

Looks like they increased the price this year. Thanks for the info.

[DaHeel]

definately not Vail or BC....Keystone and Breck, they will both be empty.

Of snow

[MakersTeleMark]

I seriously dislike paying for parking, if you take the bus can you pack two pairs and a lunch up? Put lunch in a backpack? Sorry we are doing this on a budget and we recognise we are a bunch of Idaho scabs.

Just pick a pair at the car based upon conditions. It's not like you'll need to switch. Sure you can carry two pair and stash one on the hill, but it's not worth it. As for Wendy's, the site was purchased by the TOV to use for a fire department.

[smmokan]

Monday at Breck.... yikes. With this storm, you should definitely go to Vail or BC on Monday when the snow is the best.

[montanaskier]

you can also park on the frontage road in front of safeway and catch the bus at the stop right in front of safeway. Better get there early. Beware of the TimberRidge stop.

[TxSkiBum]

If your going to Breck...then park in the free lots near the City Market and take the gondie up to Peak 8. From there access the Imperial Express and the back bowls.
Absolutely stay away from Peak 9 where most of the newbies and gapers are!!

[cooltsi]

Just looking at NOAA and your right, BC or Vail appear to be the places to be on Monday. Anyone know if you can pick up a Peaks pass at any one of the five resorts?

Thanks for the parking suggestions. We'll be in Dillon so we can likely pick a pair based on conditions there, but I was curious on the ground transportation in. Most resorts we ski, if your early, you can ski back to the vehicle or nearly so.

[cooltsi]

Thanks again for all the help.

[elchupanebre4]

The Breck lots are Gold mine (or something with the word Gold followed by something) and the Airport lot. the last week or two the Gold filled up around 9:15 to 9:30, probably your best bet to try and get there as the Airport lot is a decent shuttle ride and the shuttles don't seem to be too frequent for the trip back. You can avoid the Gondo from the free lots by just taking the Red route bus to the base of Peak 9, with all the tourists lately the lines at 8 have sucked.

Also for Vail parking you might want to check if there is still free parking by the soccer fields closer to East Vail, always see cars there but never really check. The only close free option is if you get their late enough to park on the street outside the Lionshead lot, not really an option unless your half daying it.

[gbarnum]

Breck - Gold Rush is free (Near the gondola, take a right if you're heading South).

Vail - my secret free parking stash will not be divulged here for the masses to read. Plenty of ideas above, though. PM me if you need any more parking spots.