What's your favorite area in Colorado? (Evergreen, Eagle: food, best, park)

[mia_magination]

Originally Posted by FoRuMRideR420

^if they have heart problems remember colorado is high elevation.....

Yes, thank you for the concern. My sister moved to Montana up by Great Falls and she also has heart complications but it has done her well. This is a vacation for us, we would like to try it on a few times before any more definate plans are made. We just want to know where to visit from locals that love it. I want the kids to be open minded about all areas and learn to appreciate people's opinions

[synchro]

It isn't areas, it is time.
1970 thru 1980 in Durango was about as Good as it gets.
Currently, not to much to get excited about.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by mia_magination

My kids have heart defects and they can't take the heat and humidity so I am looking forward to the change in weather, albeit a bit concerned for the bone chill that may come with it. I grew up in the Northeast and my husband from the midwest so we are used to the weather, but my kids are southern babies and they are not used to such change. They are however looking forward to it. I was just curious how cold it feels because it is my understanding that the humidity is lower thus making it feel a different type of cold. I guess we will find out when we vacation there.

Humidity does amplify the "feeling" of cold, to be sure. Cold in Colorado (usually) is a more dry cold, so an ambient temperature of, say 15° or 20° many "feel" warmer than 32° in a more humid area. Also, if the sun is shining, which it frequently does in winter, that can make things seem warmer. Still, you have to be prepared for cold temperatures. It is absolutely possible to experience temperatures below 0° F. at the lower elevations during the winter. At higher elevations, temperatures in some locales can drop to -30° or lower on some clear winter nights. These are all ambient temperatures--if the wind is blowing, the wind chill can be even lower. Below about -20°, humidity becomes much less of a factor--the air simply can't hold water vapor. It's just plain cold, and frostbite and hypothermia can set in quite quickly if one is not prepared for the cold. Highs well below freezing are quite common. I would certainly recommend consulting a medical professional about what potential effects cold could have on your children. Just like heat, it can be a real shock to the system.

I have lived in both one of the hottest locations in Colorado (my personal unofficial record high temperature recorded being 108° at the hot location), and one of the coldest (my personal unofficial record low temperature recorded being -55° at the cold location). If I had to pick one, I actually prefer the cold to the heat, but neither is much fun at those extremes. I've also been out in a -70° wind chill (not in Colorado) and that really was no fun. Another shock to the system can be an extreme day-to-night variation in temperature. My personally observed unofficial record at a Colorado location was a daytime high of 95° and a low that night of 31°--only a 64 degree difference from day to night! A 40 to 50 degree difference is not uncommon at all. Many people from subtropical climates never get used to that.

[McGowdog]

As far as the weather thing goes, I think you could adjust. It really is a dry cold and we have fireplaces, pellet stoves, jackets, specifically fleece, Sorel Klondike boots, gloves, hot cocoa...

I was working up in Jacksonville one winter day and it was 20°F. I had nothing like a window scraper and those windows had lots of ice on them. I was able to use my driver's license to scrape the ice off. That was a chilly day... for Florida. I almost needed a coat.

As far as your reference to Columbine and whatever "jet-set vaction spots" means, you've got your mass serial killings in Gainesville and the Tamiami trail to compare that to.

I have two brothers in Bradenton and they love the weather, but one of them lived in Jamaica for 5 years and the other one has two or three air conditioners in his home. It's so cold in his home, houseflies don't fly in his house.

Palmetto bugs. One reason right there that I could never live there. They're these huge flying cockroaches that can withstand a couple swats with a ballpeen hammer.

I agree with what they say about the Front Range. So check out southern Pueblo County, maybe parts of Custer County, like Westcliffe or Canon City where SheridanL is from, and go skiing in Monarch. It's off the beaten path enough.

Jazz is kind of harsh, but he's right. You may not like it here year in and year out. You have to be willing to adapt to Colorado. It's not going to adapt to you.

[mia_magination]

Thank you to all who respond, I truely appreciate your brutal honesty. I think you need to know all aspects of a place not just the sugar coating

I am well aware of the problems we have here in Florida, I was not trying to offend by bringing up Columbine...that's just all you really hear about in the news I would rather take my chances in the cold than deal with the troubles here with the unsuppressable heat.

I am just planning a vacation for the time being but would possibly consider a move later down the road if we enjoy the visits.

[McGowdog]

Originally Posted by mia_magination

...that's just all you really hear about in the news

Tell me about it. Thanks a bunch, Michael Moore. Let's glorify it to the hilt.

I still don't know that other reference you made;

and the jet-set vacation spots

Just curious.

[mia_magination]

I was trying to refer to the resort areas. When I hear "Aspen" and "Vail" I think of associates that I had worked with that were more financially secure than most vacationing in these places. Much the same of the usual heavy tourist areas, The Hamptons in the summer for the east coast people, The keys and Miami for the southern well off, Malibu and LA for the west coast and the slopes for the middle states. It's just what comes to mind when I think of the "rich" winter vacation spots.

[brightdoglover]

I very much favor Ridgway/Ouray for a tourist visit. I haven't been around Rocky Mtn. National Park much, but I do think the spine of the mountains is beautiful.
As far as scouting out a place to live, I think that's been covered a lot. Work is a huge issue unless you live in one of the major metro/suburbo areas.
If you visit a mountain/ski/tourist area in rump seasons, spring or fall, you should have it relatively to yourselves. But, like you, I loathe humidity (eastern Mass. here) and often like to go West when it's malaria season here.
My personal high was 109, last August. Dry heat, but still 109. Have never been there in the winter, but have seen dry, very cold up in Maine (Hint- do not lie down in the snow when you feel sleeeeepy and it's -20 with a brisk wind).
I have decided not to consider a move West as long as I'm working, but then, I'm not living in a place as humid as Florida or something.
Consider driving the Million-Dollar Highway- 550 through Ouray/Ridgway and a several-hour loop around. The scenery is like a Bavarian dream.

[McGowdog]

Originally Posted by mia_magination

It's just what comes to mind when I think of the "rich" winter vacation spots.

I think you're right on with those thoughts.

I wonder what a lift ticket is gonna be this season. $87.00 per?

Well if my paycheck had doubled or tripled in the last 5 years, 10 years! If it hadn't been cut in half... maybe I'd think about going skiing.

I'd be thinking A-Basin, Loveland, Monarch (50ish), Powderhorn, Silverton, Sunlight, Wolf Creek...

Hey! I just thought of something! Ski Sunlight for two days and spend two days at the Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs! There once was a deal where you could ski on days 1 and 3 and hot tub (Hot Springs) on days 2 and 4, and they have some really good horseback riding outside of Glenwood towards Basalt or halfway to Aspen.

Might be worth looking into. I've done the skiing and Hot springs on one occasion, then did the horseback riding on another.

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

Consider driving the Million-Dollar Highway- 550 through Ouray/Ridgway and a several-hour loop around. The scenery is like a Bavarian dream.

I love that drive! When does this road close for the season, or does it? It's one road I wouldn't want to be one when the snow flies.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

I love Estes.

We used to ski sharktooth for 5 bucks a day And...... it had a keg at the bottom and a loud stereo. Not much of a run though being a frozen canyon