What's it like in Colorado Springs??? (Denver, Loveland: ski resorts, fit in, amusement parks)

[smguy101]

Hi guys, I'm from El Paso, TX and I'm about to graduate in High School and will be heading to Colorado Springs to attend the Air Force Academy in July. After i receive privilege to leave the campus periodically i would like to know what's it like in Colorado Springs????
I would like to know basically, what are the attractions say, mall-wise, Amusement parks, the better ski resorts that are snowboard friendly,
Also i would like to know how many Mexican Restaurants are good there (im form El Paso, TX lol)

Also I've been looking for Non-Denominational Churches in the area and Ive been looking at New Life Church. Is it a good church? (Size doesnt matter, im a fan of larger churches)

Is there a lot of racism there or is it more of a melting pot?

Are there a lot of Concerts? (mainly for R&B and Rock)

Thanks guys, I've only visited Colorado Springs once for like 2 days and only got to look around the Academy blvd area and so far I think it looks like a lovely place (at least an upgrade from El Paso lol) I'm already dissapointed that there is not 1 Whataburger in the state of Colorado (whats wrong with u people?!?!?)

[Charles]

Originally Posted by smguy101

...... to attend the Air Force Academy in July. ....

i would like to know what's it like in Colorado Springs????
.... what are the attractions say, mall-wise, Amusement parks, the better ski resorts that are snowboard friendly,
Also i would like to know how many Mexican Restaurants are good there (im form El Paso, TX lol)

..... New Life Church. Is it a good church?


Is there a lot of racism there or is it more of a melting pot?

Are there a lot of Concerts? (mainly for R&B and Rock)

Thanks guys, I've only visited Colorado Springs once for like 2 days and only got to look around the Academy blvd area and so far I think it looks like a lovely place (at least an upgrade from El Paso lol) I'm already dissapointed that there is not 1 Whataburger in the state of Colorado (whats wrong with u people?!?!?)

A lot of this info is on the internet.

Sort of a subjective question whether a church is good or not, naturally people who go there will say it is.

Not sure if COS is racist, but you can check the demographics of the town on the internet (I think City Data has this on it's main page??)

Check out the Colorado Springs Independent online newspaper for concerts and bands.

[Amery523]

Will chime in for the snowboarding info here...you're about 1 3/4 hours away from the closest one, which is Loveland. There's a new park that is a smidge closer (Echo Mountain) but I hear it's more for jumps and things like that. Have not visited it myself. A-basin and Keystone are about 2 1/4 hours away. Breckenridge is 2 1/2 hours, Copper about 2 3/4, Vail is 3 or 4? I don't remember. It's too far away! Sorry there isn't anything closer. They are working on one in Teller County but that's at least 2-3 years away.

[YvZ]

See my answers below:

Originally Posted by smguy101

Hi guys, I'm from El Paso, TX and I'm about to graduate in High School and will be heading to Colorado Springs to attend the Air Force Academy in July. After i receive privilege to leave the campus periodically i would like to know what's it like in Colorado Springs????
I would like to know basically, what are the attractions say, mall-wise not very exciting, Chapel Hills will be your closest, Amusement parks none in CS, you will have to go to Denver and only in the Summer, the better ski resorts that are snowboard friendly can't help you on this one but it seems others have given you some good information,
Also i would like to know how many Mexican Restaurants are good there (im form El Paso, TX lol) I believe from my Hairdresser, which is Mexican, that El Palenque is the best

Also I've been looking for Non-Denominational Churches in the area and Ive been looking at New Life Church. Is it a good church? (Size doesnt matter, im a fan of larger churches) You will have to check New Life out to see what you think, I personally do not like them. Try Rocky Mountain Calvary.

Is there a lot of racism there or is it more of a melting pot? No racism that I know of

Are there a lot of Concerts? (mainly for R&B and Rock) You are joking right? We have very few and far between concerts that is worth while, definitely not rock and R&B! Once again you will need to drive to Denver, if they even have Rock and R&B concerts.

Thanks guys, I've only visited Colorado Springs once for like 2 days and only got to look around the Academy blvd area and so far I think it looks like a lovely place (at least an upgrade from El Paso lol) I'm already dissapointed that there is not 1 Whataburger in the state of Colorado (whats wrong with u people?!?!?)

[smguy101]

Originally Posted by YvZ

See my answers below:

So Basically, Colorado Springs is a Downgrade of El Paso entertainment wise...

[YvZ]

I have never been to El Paso but I do know that there is not too much going on here in terms of the entertainment you mentioned. Sorry! In my opinion there isn't much going on here period, but like I said that is my opinion

[Maynerd]

Your ability to spend a lot of time with entertainment diversions will be extremely limited, particularly for that first year. Even when you get off-base privileges, the time management constraints at the Academy make enjoying a lot of distractions a bit of a problem.

However, your best entertainment will be the brotherhood you'll discover with your classmates. I graduated 30 years ago, and some of my best friends to this day are people I met as a cadet.

Congratulations on your appointment to the Academy. It's a special place, unlike other elite colleges. Devote whatever time is necessary to please the Dean and the Commandant, and you'll find the entertainment will take care of itself.

[SheridanL]

Hi and congrats!

Like others have said, not many concerts in COS.
To the North will be your best bet there! Towards Denver.
Fiddlers Green does concerts sometimes (that's off of I25 and ? Arapahoe/Belleview) I don't remember but, it's the closest.

In the summer, there is the Rennasaince festival in Larkspur. It's something to do anyway.....don't know if you'll be allowed liberty then?

Chapel Hills Mall will be close for you and, The Citadel Mall is a little further south.
Can't help you with Churches...I'm sure the Air Force Academy has a wonderful church...beautiful too!!

The Broadmoor ski area is right there but, I don't know about the snowboarding part.

Also, to the North of you will be Castle Rock, they have tons of outlet stores there,..it's really nice!!

Good Luck!!

[mncallen]

There are many good churches in the area, since you mentioned New Life here is a web link to the New Life Small Groups, this is where you can find a group to fit in to since the church is so large.

www.newlifegroups.com

[COflower]

Originally Posted by smguy101

So Basically, Colorado Springs is a Downgrade of El Paso entertainment wise...

It's actually not.

I have lived here most of my life...but for a few years in Grand Junction and in Denver. A teen and 20 something can have a great time if you look past your nose. Unfortunately I see that being a part of you life as I was your age once.

You have to FIND things here. You do. As a teen coming out of high school into the AFA, you will be seriously defined by the family that helps you adjust. Yep, look around the AFA and you will see that you can get off campus if you have a host family and if you find the right one, they will help you maintain a semi-normal life outside the military. IIRC, you can still, as a freshmen, get a host family (they are very well screened) you can get off campus and have a bit of a more normal life with a host family.

While they focus on your life as a cadet, the host families will and can take you to a more normal life. Most will keep you around for your four years in the absence of your parents...check into it. I know a family member that has done it in the past and the rewards are just that, rewards on both sides. You gain a new family and they gain a new son or daughter while in your service.

It's not all that bad here, I promise. You will find many hidden treasures that people don't discuss here.

Oh and the music scene here, it's not all that bad.