Our Operations Director is currently in America visiting some of the Ski Resorts and reporting back with a daily diary of what they have to offer and what kind of mischief he is getting up to. After all we can’t expect him to work 24 hrs a day!
Day 1
So off on a 10 day tour of the the Colorado Ski resorts - Flight was with BA from the brand new swish terminal 5. Check in was smooth - and although i did have to sit in the middle of the row as the flight was full the 9hour and 50 minute flight passed quite quickly thanks to the infront screen - ended up watching four films! Arrived into a very sunny Denver.
First stop Aspen/Snowmass -
Transfer with Grayline Bus Service was pleasant although 4 hours long.
Arrived at my hotel at 21:45 local time - straight off to bed to get all of 4 hours sleep! You could fly into Aspen from Denver which would have been quicker.
Day 2
St Regis Aspen hotel
is lovely, top quality yet cosy feel. Upgraded to a suite which is very spacious. Feeling more awake than i should and had a good breakfast (included in the room price) - i have yet to utilise the complimentary Butler service - don't really want to bother him! But i could and i can request anything really (within reason) from a coffee to something down the local shops or unpacking my bag!
Spent the day exploring Snowmass mountain and then Aspen town. Snowmass is great for families, its a quieter town in the evenings though it does have over 20 restaurants. It has a great kids center called The Tree house - where there is child care and the ski school. Snowmass has loads of terrain and the hotels/condos i saw had ski in access and will be going on our website when i am back in the office. The Hotel Viceroy espcially- just opened yesterday - and very stylish - will be THE place to be in Snowmass.
Aspen Ski resort is a town not a resort. Its totally different to other ski resorts. All accommodation (of which there isn't a huge amount compared to Whistler for example) is within a short walking distance to the gondola. It used to be a mining town and has lots of history. There are plenty of boutique and indivdual shops, cafes, bars & restaurants, a cinema, theatre and library. Only one chain is in site (McDonalds). Its obviously known as being popular with the rich and famous but that shouldn't stop anyone from staying and skiing here as there is accommodation to suit all budgets. I think its one of my favourite ski areas now. One option is to stay add ski in Snowmass which is cheaper and use the free shuttle service to Aspen to ski or just apres ski (last bus back at 2:15am) - takes about 20 minutes.
Day 3
Last night had dinner at the trendy Sky Hotel in the bar with the hotel manager and 2 travel agent ladies from germany. Now unbelievably these two ladies happened to be sitting next to me on the flight over from Heathrow!
We had no idea that either of us was going to Aspen nevermind sitting at the same dinner table! Crazy!
Went up the gondola today - I don't ski - so came back down again!! Then transferred through to Breckenridge - 2 1/2 hours.
Day 4 - Breckenridge
Similar to Aspen but larger and more spread out. Met up with the other 75 people on the international Vail Resorts fam! Sharing a condo with two UK guys - both from London - one from Bromley! Not much happening today as Vail resorts wanted people to aclimatise to the altitude and recover from jet lag. These resorts are all well over 8000 feet - in fact Breckenridge is over 9000 feet - so you do need to get used to it - drink plenty of water and take things easier. Afternoon was spent at the Oulets at Silvethorne - a factory outlet place about 20 minutes from Breckenridge.
If you want cheap ski gear or jeans or Nike trainers or Timberland boots - this is the place to go - amazingly cheap prices! Went on a pub crawl around Breckenridge town (probably not the most sensible thing to do at altitude - one drink has the effect of 2!) - with 75 people its quite a feat - unsurprisingly this number dropped from bar to bar. Didn't have the best night sleep after this - i don't know why.
Day 5
I now ski! Put on my first pair of boots & skis today and had a lesson.
Apparantly the instructor thinks I'm a natural and has put me to level 3 tomorrow! Great time - i didn't even fall over! Breckenridge has
some good beginners runs and i think is probably the best resort on this trip to learn at.
There is some good new luxury condo property just opened and one being built to open 2010 ski season - on Peak 8 - ski in ski out access. Saw the Bever Run Resort at Peak 9 - looks old fashioned on the outside but great on the inside - large condos all with wood burning firplaces, plenty of facilities and ski in/out - recommend for all people really, couples, groups & families. Will add to our website shortly. I will also be updating the other accommodation options in Breckenridge - so keep an eye out.
Day 1
So off on a 10 day tour of the the Colorado Ski resorts - Flight was with BA from the brand new swish terminal 5. Check in was smooth - and although i did have to sit in the middle of the row as the flight was full the 9hour and 50 minute flight passed quite quickly thanks to the infront screen - ended up watching four films! Arrived into a very sunny Denver.
First stop Aspen/Snowmass -
Transfer with Grayline Bus Service was pleasant although 4 hours long.
Arrived at my hotel at 21:45 local time - straight off to bed to get all of 4 hours sleep! You could fly into Aspen from Denver which would have been quicker.
Day 2
St Regis Aspen hotel
is lovely, top quality yet cosy feel. Upgraded to a suite which is very spacious. Feeling more awake than i should and had a good breakfast (included in the room price) - i have yet to utilise the complimentary Butler service - don't really want to bother him! But i could and i can request anything really (within reason) from a coffee to something down the local shops or unpacking my bag!
Spent the day exploring Snowmass mountain and then Aspen town. Snowmass is great for families, its a quieter town in the evenings though it does have over 20 restaurants. It has a great kids center called The Tree house - where there is child care and the ski school. Snowmass has loads of terrain and the hotels/condos i saw had ski in access and will be going on our website when i am back in the office. The Hotel Viceroy espcially- just opened yesterday - and very stylish - will be THE place to be in Snowmass.
Aspen Ski resort is a town not a resort. Its totally different to other ski resorts. All accommodation (of which there isn't a huge amount compared to Whistler for example) is within a short walking distance to the gondola. It used to be a mining town and has lots of history. There are plenty of boutique and indivdual shops, cafes, bars & restaurants, a cinema, theatre and library. Only one chain is in site (McDonalds). Its obviously known as being popular with the rich and famous but that shouldn't stop anyone from staying and skiing here as there is accommodation to suit all budgets. I think its one of my favourite ski areas now. One option is to stay add ski in Snowmass which is cheaper and use the free shuttle service to Aspen to ski or just apres ski (last bus back at 2:15am) - takes about 20 minutes.
Day 3
Last night had dinner at the trendy Sky Hotel in the bar with the hotel manager and 2 travel agent ladies from germany. Now unbelievably these two ladies happened to be sitting next to me on the flight over from Heathrow!
We had no idea that either of us was going to Aspen nevermind sitting at the same dinner table! Crazy!
Went up the gondola today - I don't ski - so came back down again!! Then transferred through to Breckenridge - 2 1/2 hours.
Day 4 - Breckenridge
Similar to Aspen but larger and more spread out. Met up with the other 75 people on the international Vail Resorts fam! Sharing a condo with two UK guys - both from London - one from Bromley! Not much happening today as Vail resorts wanted people to aclimatise to the altitude and recover from jet lag. These resorts are all well over 8000 feet - in fact Breckenridge is over 9000 feet - so you do need to get used to it - drink plenty of water and take things easier. Afternoon was spent at the Oulets at Silvethorne - a factory outlet place about 20 minutes from Breckenridge.
If you want cheap ski gear or jeans or Nike trainers or Timberland boots - this is the place to go - amazingly cheap prices! Went on a pub crawl around Breckenridge town (probably not the most sensible thing to do at altitude - one drink has the effect of 2!) - with 75 people its quite a feat - unsurprisingly this number dropped from bar to bar. Didn't have the best night sleep after this - i don't know why.
Day 5
I now ski! Put on my first pair of boots & skis today and had a lesson.
Apparantly the instructor thinks I'm a natural and has put me to level 3 tomorrow! Great time - i didn't even fall over! Breckenridge has
some good beginners runs and i think is probably the best resort on this trip to learn at.
There is some good new luxury condo property just opened and one being built to open 2010 ski season - on Peak 8 - ski in ski out access. Saw the Bever Run Resort at Peak 9 - looks old fashioned on the outside but great on the inside - large condos all with wood burning firplaces, plenty of facilities and ski in/out - recommend for all people really, couples, groups & families. Will add to our website shortly. I will also be updating the other accommodation options in Breckenridge - so keep an eye out.
Day 6
Checked out and waved goodbye to my luggage as it went by itself to Vail.
We instead went to Keystone for skiing. 2nd day of skiing - not as good this time - the Green runs are steeper and we didn't have a huge time for full-on lessons so fell a few times and my calves, hips and thighs all ache now - starting to parallel turn but am now pretty exhausted.
Keystone good though as a ski resort - plenty of runs - but better for intermediates to Experts. Arrived into Vail - staying at the Lodge at Lionshead - great property with large condos and a short walk to the Lionshead gondola. Said Hello to my luggage as it was waiting for me in the room! 3rd day of skiing tomorrow if my muscles can withstand it and don't seize up over night.
This is the first six days and will post some more once we receive it mean while check out some of the Ski Resorts we have to offer at
www.frontier-ski.co.uk/
Checked out and waved goodbye to my luggage as it went by itself to Vail.
We instead went to Keystone for skiing. 2nd day of skiing - not as good this time - the Green runs are steeper and we didn't have a huge time for full-on lessons so fell a few times and my calves, hips and thighs all ache now - starting to parallel turn but am now pretty exhausted.
Keystone good though as a ski resort - plenty of runs - but better for intermediates to Experts. Arrived into Vail - staying at the Lodge at Lionshead - great property with large condos and a short walk to the Lionshead gondola. Said Hello to my luggage as it was waiting for me in the room! 3rd day of skiing tomorrow if my muscles can withstand it and don't seize up over night.
This is the first six days and will post some more once we receive it mean while check out some of the Ski Resorts we have to offer at
www.frontier-ski.co.uk/
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