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 #1 Breckenridge vs Frisco Posted 23/08/2010 @ 11:59 |
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Hi all, I'm planning a 10 day trip to Breckenridge in January and am debating over whether to base myself in Frisco or Breckenridge. Thus far, my thinking is that Frisco is better for getting around to all the resorts on the EPIC pass (Breckenridge, Vail, Copper, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Beaver Creek), although obviously not as convenient for Breckenridge.
Has anyone stayed in Frisco? How does it compare for bars/restaurants to Breckenridge? I'm not looking for clubs or anything loud, just a few different places to eat and a few decent bars/pubs to have a few beers.
Any recommendations as to where to stay/avoid in either place would be good as well
Cheers
Dan |
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Clackmannanshire |
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| #2 Re: Breckenridge vs Frisco Posted 23/08/2010 @ 12:29 |
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| In reply to post #1
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hi Dan,
good choice, we're off for our third Summit County bonanza in April 2011 - you'll love it.
Each time we've stayed in Breck and we will do again this year. Even though it's not as central as Frisco it's still easy enough to get around all the various resorts on the free summit stage bus. Breck itself isn't huge and the bus depot (or a bus stop that goes to the depot) is pretty much close to everywhere.
The summit stage has 3 major hubs - the one in Breck, on in Frisco and another in Silverthorne. For some resorts you'll need to change bus at the hub in Frisco if you stay in Breck, but it isn't really a hassle.
Either way - the bus to Vail isn't free (around $20 per person). Everywhere else is.
No idea on the nightlife in Frisco I'm afraid, but Breck is nice. We're not really big party type folks, I'm there to ride, but theres plenty of variety from family type diners to lively pubs. Downstairs at Erics is a good place for food and to spend the night. Park Avenue Pub is good also and for snacky type food Quandary Grille do great Burgers / Steak Sandwiches. Theres also a couple of great pizza placers in Breck and some quality Steak Houses.
We've stayed at "The Village" Hotel, which is right on the slopes at the base of Peak 9 and also right on the free bus route. It was nice for a hotel, fridge in the room which was handy.
last year we were lucky and got a free upgrade to Mountain Thunder lodge due to renovations at the Village and it was awesome. Basically a 1 bed appt with full kitchen, which saved a lot in eating (breakfasts in the room after going to the market for food) and made the mornings much more relaxing. If you can stretch to it, I'd defo recommend an appt with a kitchen over a hotel room.
This year we're booked in at Blue Sky condos.
also have a look at Beaver Run - Its right on the slopes at Peak 8 with pretty much a lift outside the front door (called Beaver Run Superchair).
In terms of booking, have a look at www.americanskiclassics.com.
We've used them for all 3 of our holidays and have found them to be very good price wise as well as being great at talking to you. Easy to contact, answer any question and just generally nice folks. Even if you just book accom through them and get teh flights yourself, they have some pretty good prices. (Though I would caveat that by saying my wife is a teacher so we're tied to the Easter hols - meaning prices are a bit higher for everyone else anyway).
Just out of interest - Why you buying the Epic pass for 10 days? You can get a 9 out of 10 day Summit pass which has all the same resorts on it for ~£200 - as opposed to ~£350 for the EPIC pass which is a season ticket?
Good luck getting it booked whatever you decide - You'll love Summit County! |
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| #3 Re: Breckenridge vs Frisco Posted 23/08/2010 @ 16:49 |
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Revision #1 (Last edited: 23/08/2010 @ 20:35) |
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Hi Gaz, thanks for the comprehensive reply. If we go DIY, I'm thinking of hiring a car since from my calculations so far it seems to be the same price (divided by 4 people) as the airport transfers, especially if we want to go to Vail for 3 days ($30 x 4 x 3), even allowing for Vail charging $25/day for parking.
Sounds like the Breckenridge nightlife is what we're after, fairly low-key and relaxed, so that's good
I've checked out the ASC website and will drop them/him a line to see what they can come up with. I've had an email from skiworld offering a catered chalet in Breckenridge for £1,400pp (flights, transfers, accommodation) and doing 2for1 on the lift passes which sounds pretty good (although I do like going out for dinner, so not 100% convinced!).
On the lift passes, I'm pretty confused by the options....
The EPIC pass is $599 for unlimited days at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin
The Summit pass is $409 unlimited days at Keystone, Breckenridge, and Arapahoe Basin. I'd then have to pay $328 for a 4day Vail/Beaver Creek pass, making a total of $737
The Breckenridge/Keystone pass is $337 for 5 days, so I'd then have to pay for a 1 day pass at A-Basin and the $328 for the Vail/Beaver Creek pass, making even more.
In the words of Andy from Little Britain - "I don't geddit"
Disclaimer - It's eminently feasible I've misread the webpages in question, in which case feel free to post an image of a dunce's cap and mock me... |
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www.WhistlerCondo.co.uk - Luxury 2 bed/2 bath Whistler Village condo - discount for GB members |
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| #4 Re: Breckenridge vs Frisco Posted 24/08/2010 @ 02:29 |
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Hi
Maybe this web page explains it better.
http://www.snow.com/passsales/default.aspx
I think the epic pass is a great deal.
Many people around here get the Colorado pass which I guess you have to get in person. But if you are up during holidays it has black out days on Vail and Beaver Creek. Do you plan on going to A-Basin? I don't think you'll need a car if you're staying in Summit County (Breck or Frisco) It's very easy to get around with the free buses (Summit Stage).
Madeleine |
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| Posts: 1723 |
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| #5 Re: Breckenridge vs Frisco Posted 24/08/2010 @ 10:54 |
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| In reply to post #4
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Thanks Madeleine, that page definitely makes it easier to compare. One of the key reasons for us going to Colorado is to get to as many resorts as possible, so working on a plan of 3 days at Breckenridge, 3 days at Vail, 1 day at A-Basin, 1 day at Keystone and 1 day at Beaver Creek it looks like the Epic pass is the cheapest option.
My thinking on the car vs bus was that we can hire a Jeep Grand Cherokee for £332 and then the only additional costs are $75 parking at Vail (for 3 days) and petrol, whereas the shuttle bus from the airport is $632 for the 4 of us, plus $360 for the Vail bus ($30 x 4 people x 3 days). As such, the car was cheaper and I prefer having our own transport from a flexibility point of view.
How does Frisco compare to Breckenridge as far as the town, bars and restaurants are concerned? |
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www.WhistlerCondo.co.uk - Luxury 2 bed/2 bath Whistler Village condo - discount for GB members |
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Clackmannanshire |
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| #6 Re: Breckenridge vs Frisco Posted 24/08/2010 @ 13:20 |
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Revision #2 (Last edited: 24/08/2010 @ 13:32) |
Hi Dan
I'll add another post when I'm back at a PC mate (on my phone now) but just wanted to confirm - You're missing a pass.
There is a summit pass (not the summit season pass - look on ASC website, bottom left lift ticket search)
It's basically a 9 out of 12 (I think) day pass with unlimited access to Breck, A Basin and Keystone. You can then use 50% of the total days (so 4.5) at Vail or BC. I bought mine for April a month back for £206 from ASC.
I've used the sane pass for the last 2 years, albeit the 6 from 9 day version (it comes in various different versions for diff days)
In the 10 days we are there, we won't go to Vail or BC more than 4 days, given we will do Breck, Keystone and A basin as well.
There's also a 12 and 14 day option I think.
It'll save you a good chunk per person over the season passes, but never seen it advertised by the likes of inghams for that reason.
I'll send you full details once I'm home if u want.
Re the car, you sure you want to drive that road? I've been up in April and it's still ropey then. Personally I wouldn't do it, and I drive to the hills ip here!
Colorado mountain express - £80 ish pp for groups of 4 return. FYI there are also parking charges most places in Breck. Think our hotel was $15 a night. Not to mention that by law you'll need chains to drive the mountain pass, factor that on to the hire from Denver.
As a rough guide for you, for 10 days in April (school hols) and 4 of us, we are just under £1300 per person for flights (BA EDI to DEN via LHR), 4.5 * 2 bed appt, airport transfers and 9 of 10 day lift pass. Only spending money to get and Breck ain't expensive on that front. |
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| #7 Re: Breckenridge vs Frisco Posted 24/08/2010 @ 13:41 |
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I was thinking about the roads too in a rental car. We drive it all the time but we put snow tires on in the winter (even with 4 wheel drive) and they don't put them on rentals usually. |
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| #8 Re: Breckenridge vs Frisco Posted 24/08/2010 @ 16:35 |
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@Gaz - aha! Now I see what you mean, although that Summit pass is flippin' hard to find, I can't see it on any websites other than the ASC one. 
@Gaz & Madeleine - Are the roads that bad then? I was assuming that they'd be cleared in the same way as they do at Whistler, but then I guess these roads are a lot higher up, so would get more snow. Hmmm....in that case I might scrap the car idea....
Thanks again for your help! |
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| #9 Re: Breckenridge vs Frisco Posted 24/08/2010 @ 19:31 |
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No worries mate.
Yeah, from what I can tell they deal directly with Vail Resorts and Breckenridge Hospitality (who look after those areas) so the prices tend to be better.
In terms of driving:
Personally I wouldn't drive that road in April, never mind January. I've never really seen it on a bad snow day, but having seen the road I certainly wouldn't fancy doing it. Especially when the return resort transfers are cheaper than hiring a car (as I said, mine thorugh ASC with CME are only £80 ish per person.
I know what you're saying re: Vail bus transfer - But how much does it cost to Park at Vail, How much would you have to spend on Petrol and would someone in your party be happy staying off the Vino while on the hill?
You also have to factor in that, unless you are really lucky, it'll cost you a per night fee to park at your digs in Breck as well. Certainly the two places we've stayed at already had a charge and the place we are going to this year does too. Something like $15 a night I'm sure.
Add to that the extras you might have to purchase from the hire companies (chains are a legal requirement to drive that road during the winter - not an option).
I'd have to actually do the math, but I cant really see there being that much in it per person to get the transfers over the car and use the free bus, and it saves you a lot of hassle as well I think. I'm happy driving in the states for normal holidays, do it every year in fact, but on my winter Hols I think it takes away a lot of the worry to let someone else do it.
Bear in mind as well that most hotels in the Breck area offer a free shuttle service around town as well. i.e you go to reception, 2 minutes later theres a guy in a van taking you where you want to go and giving you a card to phone to be picked up. Most of the bars and restaurants will even phone the shuttle for you for free (most even have the numbers on speed dial).
Getting around really isn't hard at all. |
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| Posts: 1723 |
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| #10 Re: Breckenridge vs Frisco Posted 24/08/2010 @ 20:46 |
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| #11 Re: Breckenridge vs Frisco Posted 25/08/2010 @ 02:51 |
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The drive from Denver to summit county and back can be bad sometimes. Beaver Run is right next to a few lifts. And you walk right into town from the mountain. |
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| #12 Re: Breckenridge vs Frisco Posted 25/08/2010 @ 05:30 |
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As for Frisco or Breckinridge. I'd definitely stay in Breckinridge cause you can walk to the mountain. You can take the bus to Frisco at night to check out the restaurants and bars.
Madeleine |
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| #13 Re: Breckenridge vs Frisco Posted 25/08/2010 @ 07:48 |
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QUOTE (danmorgan - 24/08/2010 @ 20:46) OK, you've convinced me, car hire is a ridiculous idea
Get a grip of yourself Dan, tens of thousands of holiday makers hire cars in winter conditions in the USA each winter and survive including many heading to Vail et al.
Yes, there are days that the road can be bad, some days even closed but I have driven the length and breadth of the USA over the last decade or so sometimes in horrendous driving conditions and would not change that for the world. Take your time, leave safe distances and take the freedom of the car and you will have a blast.
As for Frisco, I have stayed in the Lake Dillon Lodge which had great rooms, a bar onsite as well as a restaurant and is across the road from the bus depot.
Would spend as little time on the mountain at Breck as possible, IMO one of the weaker areas. |
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West Yorkshire |
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| #14 Re: Breckenridge vs Frisco Posted 25/08/2010 @ 13:35 |
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| In reply to post #13
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Dan I'm going to be the SkiWorld Rep/RM this coming season for Breckenridge, if you need driving anywhere i'll be happy to take you  |
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It's not the end that I fear with each breath,
It's life that scares me to death. |
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| Posts: 1723 |
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Kent |
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| #15 Re: Breckenridge vs Frisco Posted 25/08/2010 @ 13:42 |
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| In reply to post #13
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Cheers Q, nice combination of attitude and helpfulness there 
To be honest, whilst I appreciate the freedom of having my own transport, a) I want to keep costs to a minimum and b) I'm on holiday so don't particularly fancy any hassle/grief when it comes to driving through heavy snow.
I'm planning on doing 1 day at each resort (Breckenridge, Vail, Keystone, Beaver Creek and A-Basin) and then going back to the ones we like most, with the initial plan being 3 each at Breckenridge and Vail. On that assumption, I quite like the idea of having a couple of days (i.e. Breckenridge) with no travelling, whereas if we stay in Frisco we're travelling every day. |
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