Anyone tried the Ski Train to WinterPark? (Denver, Fort Collins: ski resort, amusement park)

[lovesunnydays]

I'm trying to figure out a good (affordable) place to live on the front range with good schools and easy access to skiing. This is a wish list that I realize may not be realistic. Just wondering, has anyone tried the ski train from downtown Denver? It seems a little expensive, though, and not that convenient if you're lugging gear with you. But it may be a nice occasional option to avoid traffic to the mountains or snow-bound roads. Would you not pick Fort Collins if you're interested in skiing?

[Kaptain Karl]

Sorry, in advance, for my directness....

Originally Posted by lovesunnydays

I'm trying to figure out a good (affordable) place to live on the front range...

What do you mean by "affordable"?

... with good schools ...

Same question.

... and easy access to skiing.

And again. "Easy" for one may be a bother to another....

I've never taken the Ski Train. Those who have tell me they like it.

Ft. Collins? I live in the front range and I never thought of Ft C as "close to skiing." The closest front range towns to skiing, IMO, are Golden, Boulder and Longmont. But -- as alluded to earlier -- "it's all relative."

- KK

[sunsprit]

Fort Collins is a bit further away than the Denver area from the heart of downhill skiing in Colorado.

You've got to head south to pick up I70, and then up the hill to the area of your choice. For day skiing, that can make for a long day, especially if the Front Range is getting snow at the same time the ski areas are getting it.

For destination skiing, it's not that much more traveling to do if you're going to stay in a resort area for a long weekend.

The ski train to Winter Park makes for a nice scenic ride up the hill. While not inexpensive, the breakfast car ride up the hill is very nice with lounge seating and the snacks/wine on the way down the hill are a great way to end a skiing day.

Handling the ski gear is pretty minimal with duffle bag for the clothes/boots and a ski bag for the skis and poles.

[MaryLou2007]

Originally Posted by lovesunnydays

I'm trying to figure out a good (affordable) place to live on the front range with good schools and easy access to skiing. This is a wish list that I realize may not be realistic. Just wondering, has anyone tried the ski train from downtown Denver? It seems a little expensive, though, and not that convenient if you're lugging gear with you. But it may be a nice occasional option to avoid traffic to the mountains or snow-bound roads. Would you not pick Fort Collins if you're interested in skiing?

My bro is moving to Fort Collins and the places to go from FC to ski are Eldora and Steamboat.

I used to ski in Winter Park all the time, it's GREAT!

My tip is to check your vehicle (specially tires, battery, etc) before going into the mountians. AWD/4x4/4WD cars REALLY help.

Have you noticed that it seems like everyone in CO has either a Subaru or a Jeep? Yep, that is why!!

[sunsprit]

My, how the misperceptions of skiing in Colorado abound ....

Fort Collins to Steamboat in good weather over Hwy 34 through Rocky Mountain National Park: 158 miles, 3.5 hours. Only you can't go there in the winter when Hwy34 closes; you must go around on Road 14 to Walden and then South to Rabbit Ears Pass. It's mostly a two lane road through some very scenic mountain areas ... and gets a lot of snow. Try maybe a 4-5 hour trip on a snowy winter day if the roads are clear.

Fort Collins to Vail: 158 miles via I25-I76-I70, major 4-6 lane highways, 2.5 hours in clear weather and in non-rush hour traffic. The roads are generally maintained a lot better in wintertime for the traffic than the two-lane mountain roads in the "North Park" area of Colorado.

Even in clear weather .... it's much faster to Vail from Fort Collins than Steamboat from Fort Collins.

Oh, and along the way to Vail on I-70... you pass Loveland, Copper Mountain, or the cut-off on 40 to Winter Park, or can access Keystone and Breckenridge from Dillon. All of these ski areas are "closer" than Steamboat from Fort Collins.

Bottom line ... Steamboat is located by itself in a relatively isolated part of Coloado, and should be considered only as a destination ski resort area unless you live close by.

Also, Eldora is a very spotty area for snow. Some years, it may get good coverage ... but, for the most part over the last few decades ... it hasn't. With older slow lifts and a small area, it's not very expensive ... but it doesn't have anywhere near the skiing experience that the larger areas have. It's kind of like comparing your local traveling carnival to a Six Flags amusement park .... You'll pay more, but you'll get a lot more vertical distance in a day at the major ski areas with faster lifts and much more terrain.
This area's charm is that it's close to Boulder and quickly accessible for some runs when you don't have the time or budget to go to the major ski areas ....