Hey Colorado JK'ers - I am planning a trip need help 12/25/09
11-19-2009, 09:34 AM
#12
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fountain, CO
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1. Roads depend on where you go. East of the mountains, in Denver and Colorado Springs you should be good. Unless a huge snowstorm comes through, there is usually no snow on the ground except once every few weeks when it snows, and it melts in one day. Up in the mountains, it can get iffy.
2. There are many off-road places that are impossible to get to, even in the JK's. A lot of areas around Buena Vista are totally closed for the season as the snow is probably 4-8 feet deep. However, the Four Mile Area in Buena Vista might be open for offroading, and you may get to go through a good bit of snow. Also, there is an area just north of Divide that might still be open for off-roading in December, even with a little snow.
As far as main roads, you should be able to get anywhere anyone else can in the JK. But, even huge snowstorms sometimes close major roads.
3. A road trip through Colorado. Hmm. I second the idea to go through Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods. Though don't expect snow like in the pictures. That can be iffy around December. Heck, even the entire season. Even when it snows it melts pretty quick.
Also, I would recommend driving from Colorado Springs through Woodland Park and Divide, on to Buena Vista on Highway 24. Absolutely gorgeous views, and a parking area about midway with a view from the mountain you are cresting across some plains to the next range of mountains. Breathtaking. If I can look it up and remember the name, I will send it to you. I will ask my wife. She usually remembers those things. As a side trip on the way to Buena Vista, you may want to stop by Cripple Creek. It is now a casino town, but it is a really beautiful casino town. It also has many old buildings, mines and mining places nearby to see like the town of Victor. I think there is a Gold Mine or Copper Mine tour also.
Also, Durango!! It is in the southwest of the state. It is gorgeous there! I went when there was no snow, but it was still cold. Stayed in a ski resort condo with a fireplace! It was great!
Another town is Frisco, west of Denver. It is really a very cute town, even if small. Not sure how deep the snow will be in December, but when I went in March, the roads were covered in snow, and the snow banks on the side of the road were over your head. Probably about 3-4 feet of snow in peoples yards. A really cute town near ski resorts.
4. Ok, ski resorts. Again, if you go and stay in Frisco, there are several nearby. I would say they are about mid-priced for Colorado. Copper Mountain is really good, though the trails can be a bit challenging. Also, Keystone is nearby, and I found their trails to be a bit easier.
Somewhere that is cheaper that is not a resort, and a little off the beaten track, is Ski Cooper in Leadville. It is decent skiing. Not a really big, but enough trails to have fun for 1 day, and it is REALLY cheap for Colorado.
Not sure what the prices are in Durango, but I know there is at least one ski slope there.
5. I would TOTALLY be up to driving around with you and touring all of Colorado that we could. There are tons of places I haven't even been to yet. Unfortunately, I am still in Iraq and won't be back till March.
6. I really don't know of any special places to eat or lodges to go to. But, if you went to Keystone Resort or Breckenridge Resort, they are both kind of cute ski resort "towns". I admit, they are just resorts, but they are still cute and have some decent places to eat, and there is bound to be some snow on the ground (can't promise the roads won't already be cleared). I would probably pick Breckenridge over Keystone, but they are both good.
7. Places to avoid will probably already be shut down due to road conditions, and that mostly occurs during storms that roll through. You should have plenty of warning for that. Once you start heading in the direction of the mountains, I can't think of any place you wouldn't want to go because there is always something to see, and the scenery is beautiful.
8. Places to stay. Hmm... As I said, there are several places in Durango, Frisco, and Breckenridge. Maybe even Keystone, but I don't think it has any really unique places to stay, but you will find some at the other places. There are also some really nice Bed and Breakfasts and cabins in Buena Vista. If you go to Breckenridge, and you like the cartoon Southpark, you can even swing through Southpark the town on the way there, or take a trip to it. hehe. It's not too far away if I remember.
Ok well, wish I was going to be there to show you around. I hope that some of the suggestions are helpful.
2. There are many off-road places that are impossible to get to, even in the JK's. A lot of areas around Buena Vista are totally closed for the season as the snow is probably 4-8 feet deep. However, the Four Mile Area in Buena Vista might be open for offroading, and you may get to go through a good bit of snow. Also, there is an area just north of Divide that might still be open for off-roading in December, even with a little snow.
As far as main roads, you should be able to get anywhere anyone else can in the JK. But, even huge snowstorms sometimes close major roads.
3. A road trip through Colorado. Hmm. I second the idea to go through Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods. Though don't expect snow like in the pictures. That can be iffy around December. Heck, even the entire season. Even when it snows it melts pretty quick.
Also, I would recommend driving from Colorado Springs through Woodland Park and Divide, on to Buena Vista on Highway 24. Absolutely gorgeous views, and a parking area about midway with a view from the mountain you are cresting across some plains to the next range of mountains. Breathtaking. If I can look it up and remember the name, I will send it to you. I will ask my wife. She usually remembers those things. As a side trip on the way to Buena Vista, you may want to stop by Cripple Creek. It is now a casino town, but it is a really beautiful casino town. It also has many old buildings, mines and mining places nearby to see like the town of Victor. I think there is a Gold Mine or Copper Mine tour also.
Also, Durango!! It is in the southwest of the state. It is gorgeous there! I went when there was no snow, but it was still cold. Stayed in a ski resort condo with a fireplace! It was great!
Another town is Frisco, west of Denver. It is really a very cute town, even if small. Not sure how deep the snow will be in December, but when I went in March, the roads were covered in snow, and the snow banks on the side of the road were over your head. Probably about 3-4 feet of snow in peoples yards. A really cute town near ski resorts.
4. Ok, ski resorts. Again, if you go and stay in Frisco, there are several nearby. I would say they are about mid-priced for Colorado. Copper Mountain is really good, though the trails can be a bit challenging. Also, Keystone is nearby, and I found their trails to be a bit easier.
Somewhere that is cheaper that is not a resort, and a little off the beaten track, is Ski Cooper in Leadville. It is decent skiing. Not a really big, but enough trails to have fun for 1 day, and it is REALLY cheap for Colorado.
Not sure what the prices are in Durango, but I know there is at least one ski slope there.
5. I would TOTALLY be up to driving around with you and touring all of Colorado that we could. There are tons of places I haven't even been to yet. Unfortunately, I am still in Iraq and won't be back till March.
6. I really don't know of any special places to eat or lodges to go to. But, if you went to Keystone Resort or Breckenridge Resort, they are both kind of cute ski resort "towns". I admit, they are just resorts, but they are still cute and have some decent places to eat, and there is bound to be some snow on the ground (can't promise the roads won't already be cleared). I would probably pick Breckenridge over Keystone, but they are both good.
7. Places to avoid will probably already be shut down due to road conditions, and that mostly occurs during storms that roll through. You should have plenty of warning for that. Once you start heading in the direction of the mountains, I can't think of any place you wouldn't want to go because there is always something to see, and the scenery is beautiful.
8. Places to stay. Hmm... As I said, there are several places in Durango, Frisco, and Breckenridge. Maybe even Keystone, but I don't think it has any really unique places to stay, but you will find some at the other places. There are also some really nice Bed and Breakfasts and cabins in Buena Vista. If you go to Breckenridge, and you like the cartoon Southpark, you can even swing through Southpark the town on the way there, or take a trip to it. hehe. It's not too far away if I remember.
Ok well, wish I was going to be there to show you around. I hope that some of the suggestions are helpful.
Last edited by RedWolf; 11-19-2009 at 09:48 AM.
11-19-2009, 05:31 PM
#14
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've never skied steamboat springs, but over the summer I made it through there and would recommend a stop at the strawberry hot springs. you have to take a real crappy dirt road to get to it and if there is a bunch of snow, it could make for a fun jeep drive. The hot springs are pretty awesome and I could see that being a great combo with skiing steamboat all day!
11-20-2009, 05:50 AM
#15
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fountain, CO
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Glad I could help, and I hope the information turns out to be useful. You will have to let us know how your trip actually works out.
As clown said, perhaps the Hot Spring will be worth checking out. Steamboat would be really cool to go to and awesome to ski at, just as long as you are willing to pay the price. I would say that Steamboat, Vale, and Aspen are probably the priciest places in Colorado.
As clown said, perhaps the Hot Spring will be worth checking out. Steamboat would be really cool to go to and awesome to ski at, just as long as you are willing to pay the price. I would say that Steamboat, Vale, and Aspen are probably the priciest places in Colorado.
11-21-2009, 04:25 PM
#16
JK Junkie
Thread Starter
I will be officially near Vail 26-29th - I am confirming my stay as I type- but will be driving to the garden of the gods and a hot springs and skiing and tubing a day,
Thanks for all the feedback everyone
If anyone has any other suggestions please post I am still creating the master plan, lol!!
Do any of you locals want to plan on a get together Sunday 27th or Monday 28th night for a meet and greet with a couple drinks somewhere near Vail?
I look forward to seeing your beautiful state and meeting a few of you.
Red
Thanks for all the feedback everyone
If anyone has any other suggestions please post I am still creating the master plan, lol!!
Do any of you locals want to plan on a get together Sunday 27th or Monday 28th night for a meet and greet with a couple drinks somewhere near Vail?
I look forward to seeing your beautiful state and meeting a few of you.
Red
Wish I was going to be there. Can't wait to go back home.
12-17-2009, 01:33 PM
#18
JK Junkie
Thread Starter
Bump anyone have any other info?
How is weather, did you guys get alot of snow?
Its only a week away now!
Hopefully I will get to meet up with a couple of you while I am there!
Anyone want to meet for a drink near Vail?
Red
How is weather, did you guys get alot of snow?
Its only a week away now!
Hopefully I will get to meet up with a couple of you while I am there!
Anyone want to meet for a drink near Vail?
Red
12-17-2009, 02:23 PM
#19
JK Enthusiast
The weather has been pretty nice in Denver recently. Not sure about the mountains, but no snow here.
I'm still up for meeting up in STL before you leave if you are. Maybe Sunday?
I'm still up for meeting up in STL before you leave if you are. Maybe Sunday?