Spending a month is CO skiing this winter

[Ordinary Hero]

Spelling: header should have said in not is ;-)

Hi,

First post in here, but have been reading alot of threads during the summer. As winter is closing in a couple of friends have talking about a skitrip to Colorado in Jan '07 for about a month. I got relatives in Steamboat Springs so that might be the exit point.

We are students and on a budget. We would like to do some backcountry skiing but have no local knowledge so what to see and what to do? and we can't afford to do resort skiing everyday for a month.

The alternatives to get around is either in a RV or a tiny car and then hostels, motels etc. It seems like the RV is still quite expencive eventhough low season , but is it difficult to find cheap places to stay over nights.

Since still on the planning stages any suggestions are welcome and we'll go from there.

[smmokan]

I'm not sure what you're asking here. I'll bet you will get the same reply from most everyone- go where the snow takes you.

Also, please don't get the RV, as we don't need another roadblock on I-70 when the snow flies and the trucks and trailers can't get up the hills.

[Mr. Papagiorgio]

Hit up Wolf Creek and Silverton

[RootSkier]

A month? Buy a season pass at the Boat and mooch off your relatives.

[Kungfookungpow]

One word: Highlands.

[Kungfookungpow]

Two words: Promised Land.

[Mr. Papagiorgio]

Also, I would stay away from the BC unless you have some experience, training and equipment

[freshie247]

Take a trip out here while passes are on sale & buy a pass.

[Greydon Clark]

Take a trip out here while passes are on sale & buy a pass.

Definitely. And then rent an apartment.

[Dromond]

I'm considering doing vaguely the same thing. However I don't really have the luxury of planning ahead because extended time off work tends to be a last-minute sort of thing (believe it or not.) Also, I want the freedom to head out when and where it's good, and where I can find a place to stay. (Tahoe, UT etc. are all in the running.) Can anyone name any CO mountains whose passes don't inflate to an unmanagably large amount after november or so? Maybe A-basin? They don't seem to list their passes prices after September.

[smmokan]

D- I don't think the CO pass goes up TOO much after November... although I may be wrong. I am pretty sure the Breck/keystone/A-Basin pass is still around $300, but the 10 Vail/BC days may not be available. Also, Loveland passes don't go up much- and you can always get 4-passes there for $89-99.

[smolakian]

Yeah, you are best off by getting a 5mtn (breck,keystone,abasin, +10Vail/BC) or WP/Copper early season. Or you could just get an Absin pass if you wait too long. Otherwise you are gonna spend at least $1000 resort skiing during that month.

[Shredhead]

The full price Highlands/Buttermilk validator is $519 + $12/day, free after 30 days. Pays for itself after only eight days in the high rent district.

[Dromond]

Excellent. Thanks a bunch for the info. Spending $1000 on lifts for a month is exactly what I'm looking to not do! Luckily I'm EC to the core. And by that I mean I'm not picky! If the trees are anything but uber tight and there's some above treeline terrain I'll be happy as a clam