I just booked a airbnb over looking the mountains in Breckenridge for a Christmas gift for us.
Any one know anything about snowmobile rentals and other fun things to do. We will be there January 10th to the 17th.
I’ve never been any where near the area. Just winging it really. Take the kid snowboarding and wanting to rent sleds for a day is the only thing on my agenda so far.
Those two things are the best things to do in the area. You will have a great time!
Nope, but it’s a sweet area and awesome skiing/snowboarding! You’ll have a great time! Not sure if this is still the case, as I haven’t been there in over a decade, but in general ski towns rake you over the coals for everything so it’s usually wise to load up on groceries, beverages and ski passes (they used to sell them at grocery stores too) in Denver or somewhere not on the mountain prior to heading to your lodging.
Plan to acclimate to the elevation on your first day or two. I felt a little off there when I went for a bit. Actually twice. Seemed worse when I went straight from the airport to the mountains.
The elevation will have you gassed the first couple of days. But I love the mountains. Have skied Breckenridge, Vail, Winter Park and several other slopes in that area.
Not sure if you have experience running sleds in the mountains but might want to have an avalanche beacon.
I have never been to the mountains nor have I rode sleds there. But I want to.
We had an extended family reunion there fifteen years ago and elevation sickness was a real issue for several people. Most of us felt a little tired the first day or two but there were a few relatives we basically never saw minus for photos.
It was summer so a different set of activities like white water rafting, but one thing that everyone enjoyed a lot was going down to Leadville and taking a train ride up into the mountains. I’m not sure if that’s something that would be open in the winter but I’d highly recommend it if it is.
We had an extended family reunion there fifteen years ago and elevation sickness was a real issue for several people. Most of us felt a little tired the first day or two but there were a few relatives we basically never saw minus for photos.
It was summer so a different set of activities like white water rafting, but one thing that everyone enjoyed a lot was going down to Leadville and taking a train ride up into the mountains. I’m not sure if that’s something that would be open in the winter but I’d highly recommend it if it is.
Thank you for the input. Hope the elevation doesn’t kill me to bad. Hate to waste precious days when they are already limited
As bigwerm has said we always bought our grocery’s in denver I believe king soopers was the chain. Also bought our ski passes there or at a local ski shop in the mountains. Don’t be surprised if one of your bags of chips burst when your heading to the Eisenhower. Can’t help you with the snowmobile part as we always went there for the skiing. We have skied all of the big names as vail, Brekenridge but our favorites were a-basin and copper mountain. The traffic always was better at these areas (again this was a while ago). As far as the acclimating I wouldn’t worry about it much unless your lodge is over 10k feet. Yes you will feel winded but you should be able to do anything you want to. If any of you get a headache try ibuprofen, Tylenol or aspirin. Alcohol can also affect you I know doesn’t sound fun. Of all the times I have been there I had only one person who really never felt good and could not drink alcohol but our place was over 10k feet. Have Fun!
Not sure if this is a thing anymore, been a few years since I’ve skied out there, but they used to sell something called a Summit County Pass. It essentially allowed you to ski the 4 big resorts that are basically a golf shot from each other…Breck, Keystone, A Basin, and Copper. It allows you a change of scenery if you want.
If your son is a snowboarder, what type of riding does he do? Breck by far is going to have the best terrain park, followed by copper in my opinion. Breck also has the most skiable acreage, and access to 4 different peaks if he really wants to get off the beaten path. From what I remember, Keystone was the only one that had night skiing, but like others have stated, you may not get sick from the altitude, but skiing/boarding out there is a complete different beast. I never got sick, but you’re quick to realize your quads screaming at you from lack of oxygen. Afton Alps or Mount Kato don’t prepare you for that. Also add on the fact that some runs in Breck are literally miles long vs. the 100 yards we’re used to in the Midwest. You might have a tuckered out son by 3 in the afternoon.
Definitely bring groceries…a burger on the mountain will cost you $12, with nothing else. In town won’t be much better. Pack simple food in a camelback with some water for the mountain. Easy to bonk quickly out there.
The number of snowmobile rentals out there will be endless. Google search yielded 3 within a few minutes drive.
Have fun!
Also bought our ski passes there or at a local ski shop in the mountains
If skiing/boarding is in the plans this is NOT NOT a normal year. There are different processes in place. Go to https://www.snow.com/ I believe Breck/Keystone/A-basin are part of the Vail family. There is a reservation system and pass holders get preferential treatment.
Copper it part of a different corporation. I’m not familiar but you’ll want to research ahead of time.
Visited Breckinridge last spring didn’t ski, but lots of cool shops, there a restaurant/bar/arcade downtown that has good food and beer! Not out of this world pricing in my opinion, pretty neat place it’s downstairs in like a basement. Went to copper for a day trip and went tubing with kids and it was actually really fun! Hoosier pass is pretty to drive up and over to Leadville which is a neat town also. Lots to do out there just gotta poke around!!
If I can sleep below 10K’ I’m good. My O2 can build back up through the night. If I have to sleep above 10K’ I’ll have issues. First thing I notice is I can’t sleep more than an hour at a time and day 2 feels like a terrible hangover.
The only thing that actually works for me is canned air/O2. Above 10K’ I take a breath or 2 of canned O2 every 4 hours and that keeps it at bays. A couple years ago we had a person try to tough it out and wound up in the hospital for over a week after coughing up blood.
You can get canned air on fleabay. Another tool could be to get one of those finger O2 meters. They run about $25 on fleabay. When someone starts feeling bad or complaining it’s quick & easy to check their blood O2 level.
Never heard of canned air. Anything related to a inhaler ? I have one of them for every crevis of the house
Anything related to a inhaler ?
Sorta, they’re a little bit bigger and usually have a small facemask on it. I don’t think they have a propellant like an inhaler. It’s just compressed air/O2. Works great for holding off altitude sickness. That’s what your body want’s at altitude, so give it some, works wonders.
You can also get some temporary relief at the ski resort first aid station. They keep an oxygen tank there just for this and they’ll let you get your blood O2 back up. But, that’s only a temporary fix. After you get back to your room and try sleeping you may need another hit of O2. Like I said a hit or 2 every 4 hours works out pretty good.
Take 1 full strength aspirin in the morning and 1 or 2 at bedtime. Works wonders. I lived in summit county for 4 years in the early 90s. My visiting friends from MN did this. Mountain climbers also have and do this. Breck is at 9600 feet. So anything above Main Street is probably close to 10,000.
Go to Harmony oxygen bar and spa on Main Street. Do the 15 minute O2 therapy. You will learn A lot. I think it’s about $20. I went last year because my friend wanted to try it. I Initially thought It would be a waste of money. Best 20 I spent. Good experience too. FYI it is very Zen, if your into that. Me? No. But was a good experience.
They sell the canned O2 at almost every shop. Works. Follow the directions. The can weighs nothing but it is full of O2 and you will know when it’s empty. Keep it next to your bed if you wake up short of breath.
DTW
Stay in Denver for the first night. Get out and walk around town to adjust. Then move to higher elevation. Getting in shape before you go Will make a big difference. Walking even at a slow pace is tough at 10000 so I wouldn’t plan on doing much the first day. I would plan on day three Being the day you should be ready for a long day of physical activity.
Hydration is huge at elevation and should be taken seriously. Show up well hydrated and maintain it.
One more important piece of information. Epic resorts ( Vail, Breck, keystone) are limiting the amount of skiers and snowboarders due to the China virus. You will need a reservation in advance to ski. During that super busy time of the year I would make them ASAP.
DTW
One more important piece of information. Epic resorts ( Vail, Breck, keystone) are limiting the amount of skiers and snowboarders due to the China virus. You will need a reservation in advance to ski. During that super busy time of the year I would make them ASAP.
DTW
The Vail reservation system opens Nov. 6 and is exclusive to pass holders through Dec. 7.
Just got an email regarding this as I am a season ticket holder.
Ron
I was in Telluride a few weeks ago at 8,750’. Breckinridge is a little higher at 9,600’. Elevation sickness was not a problem for us. We (four adults) all took the supplements propionyl L-carnitine and acetyl L-carnitine per the directions on the package. And we drank lots of water. I believe it helped but who knows. The only thing we all noticed was feeling more and more bloated – some more than others – on the drive up from Montrose on the evening of our arrival. We all felt fine after a good night’s sleep.
We stay at a friends place last spring out by there and we were at 8,000 or more, we are all pretty fit and in our 40’s and didn’t notice to much, but I will say heavy drinking and not enough water will kick your butt! Never got sick but we were for warned by everyone and including the guy at liquor store. I think the acclimating is key, we drove out over a couple days, we’re as if we fly out to the mountains it seems way more noticeable.
Make your skiing reservation after Dec 7th. That’s the first day the rez system opens to non pass holders. Looking at your dates, you should be fine. The first 3 weeks in Jan are pretty slow compared to the rest of the season.
Don’t forget the Breckinridge distillery tour and tasting! If they are allowing right now.
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