I'm planning to take around 10 guys skiing to Colorado at the end of February. When I take my family there really isn't a budget so we go where we want. This time I'm looking for affordable lift tickets and housing and since we'll be driving through the night twice, easier access. A big wish list I know, but any reccomendations would be helpful.

Copper Mountain

Copper isn't much cheaper than Keystone and the other large resorts. A-Basin is around 55/day which is much better.

Yea I think a basin and Loveland are probably gonna be your cheapest options. Don't know about lodging though as there's not really anything right there

Wolf Creek?

Copper because it is much cheaper than Keystone and the other large resorts. Just buy a coupon book at this link. I have used this book the last couple of years. 2 for 1 adult lift tickets for me and my wife usually make copper come out to 55 per day!

Coupon book
Here is the books deal at Copper Mountain:

COPPER MOUNTAIN 2-for-1 All Day Adult Lift Ticket (2) Valid from12/13/14 4/19/15 Ages 13+ (No blackouts)
$69 All Day Adult Lift Ticket (2) Valid from 10/31/14 4/19/15 Ages 13+ (No blackouts)
$49 All Day Child Lift Ticket (2) Valid from 10/31/14 4/19/15 Ages 6-12 (No blackouts)
$15 off Ski & Ride School Child Lesson Pkg. (2) Valid 12/19/14 3/29/15 (No blackouts)

this coupon works on the window rate only. I just went to Copper's site and looks like they raised their prices again. One Adult Full Day is $138. So for 138, you would get two tickets valid for one ski day (used by two separate adults) if you used the coupon l linked above. But that still comes out to 69/day per person, pretty good considering that copper a very solid resort.

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Copper because it is much cheaper than Keystone and the other large resorts. Just buy a coupon book at this link. I have used this book the last couple of years. 2 for 1 adult lift tickets for me and my wife usually make copper come out to 55 per day!

Coupon book
Here is the books deal at Copper Mountain:

COPPER MOUNTAIN 2-for-1 All Day Adult Lift Ticket (2) Valid from12/13/14 4/19/15 Ages 13+ (No blackouts)
$69 All Day Adult Lift Ticket (2) Valid from 10/31/14 4/19/15 Ages 13+ (No blackouts)
$49 All Day Child Lift Ticket (2) Valid from 10/31/14 4/19/15 Ages 6-12 (No blackouts)
$15 off Ski & Ride School Child Lesson Pkg. (2) Valid 12/19/14 3/29/15 (No blackouts)

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This is helpful, thanks!

Wolf creek is where we always went when I was in school

How many days are you going?

3 days at a-absin is $139

a $20 gems card will get you one buy1/get one at a few places. you could do a-basin one day and loveland the next

look at monarch too. cheapish lift tickets if you buy online, is on the gems card above, and pretty decent terrain for a smaller place

I have heard good things about Wolfcreek and it could be a great option if you are driving, since it would be closer, assuming you are coming from Texas. I have never been there because I always fly into Denver, so I tend to stay in summit area.

I did do Ski Cooper one time. It was a small mountain with cheap tickets. I would say the biggest difference between it and larger resorts are the lift speeds and less groomed trails. But I enjoyed myself regardless

We'd be driving from College Station. Wolf Creek is starting to look like the best option.

I just got back from Steamboat and it was $120/day.

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Lift $ Comparison

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Durango is another option maybe?

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We'd be driving from College Station. Wolf Creek is starting to look like the best option.

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All it takes is a moderate to bad storm to hit wolf creek on your way there and you might as well be driving to Alaska. Another vote for copper here. Great mountain and deals can be found. Plus its right off I-70. Don't count out New Mexico either. For a college trip angel Fire would be great plus they've had ok snow this year.

Costco had 2 for 1 tickets for Angel Fire for about $85.

Costco also had 2 for 1 crested butte for right at 100 here as well

Never been to Angel Fire. Is it as bad as Red River? Swore I'd never ski in New Mexico again.

The one time I skied NM, I hated it and will never go back. I have been to Wolf Creek 4 or 5 times and it is great! Only issue is having to drive up and down the mountain everyday, but the quality of the mountain and the snow are unmatched for the price. Also, staying in Pagosa Springs is a great time. It is such a nice little town and I suggest going to the Pagosa Brewing Co while you are there.

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NM stinks, smaller mountains and worse snow. If driving that far just go to CO. A few more hours and so much better skiing. Would do Wolf Creek, they get more snow than anywhere in CO and not close to airports which won't matter tomorrow.

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You do realize Taos is known as one of the better ski areas in the country right?

I've skied Red River, keystone, breck, vail, park city, alta and snowbird. Of those the best was alta with red river being the worst.

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I have skied Taos along with most other major resorts in North America, Vail, Whistler, Breckenridge, Steamboat, etc. and it isn't even close. Taos is not comparable.

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Taos is considered one of the best mountains in the Rockies by many in the know.

The resort sucks. There's nothing there.

The mountain is fantastic.

Congrats on your vast personal experience. A lot of other folks with vast personal experience -- myself included -- would disagree with you.

no input on lift prices but it would definitely be beneficial to look at a home rental with 10 guys. The only thing you'll run into if it is a bunch of college guys is that many places put minimum age requirements on home rentals to keep a bunch of drunk kids from trashing the place.

Cook your own meals, drink all beverages after you get back to the home, etc. It's been a decade, but in my late 20's about 15 of us rented a house in Breck that was 2 stories plus a basement, indoor hot tub, etc. After rental cars, groceries, and enough alcohol to have sent most of us to a hospital it only came out to around 225 per person before tickets.

The group was a mixture of couples and singles so bedding worked out since there were enough bigger beds for couples and twins for singles.

If you do decide on Wolf Creek, my parents have a house in South Fork they rent out. A bit of "Aggieland on the Rio Geande" as they like to call it. It's a 30 min drive I think to Wolf Creek and if the weather does get crazy you are the right side of the mountain. Let me know if you are interested and I'll send you a link. Not sure what your budget is, but will sleep 10.

also, I just did the drive from Houston. If we didn't have kids in tow it would have been a breeze. We did it in 2 days, but I think it's roughly 16 hours.

Stay in Dillon or fresco and ski a-basin. Or find the copper 4 pack if it's still available, it's $160. You won't find a cheaper lift than $40.

I skied A-Basin today and they need snow. I skied Copper Mountain yesterday and they had decent snow, plus it snowed on us nearly the whole day. Keystone could use some snow too. I got my tickets on Liftopia but if you know ahead of time where you'll be skiing and how many, you should search for a package and bundle some stuff together. Going to Summit Co. will allow for lots of options - lodging, ski areas, restaurants, etc. Plus you can opt to do all the driving yourself or shuttle around everywhere - I've done both recently and it just depends on the people you're with. I-70 is a pain in the rear, so make sure you allow plenty of flexibility when going to/from DIA. I've stayed in Breck, Frisco, Dillon and Keystone the past several times I've been in Summit County and all have been fine - again, it depends on your people. I book through airbnb mostly. If you're thinking of road tripping, it's a solid day's drive to Wolf Creek (depending on where you're staying - obviously no lodging at WC). With a place in South Fork, I've been driving back and forth for 30 years - lots of trips from CS to SF. It's not a bad drive - but that's relative to what you've driven and what kind of travelers you have with you. Raton and La Veta passes are fine, unless a big storm rolls through when you're traveling, obviously. There's way more to do in Pagosa Springs, but the drive to Wolf Creek is longer and steeper on that side of Wolf Creek Pass. South Fork is 20 miles from the ski area and an easy drive - lots of road work has been done to the pass over the years. SF is a much quieter town, especially in the winter, but if you've got a big group, then I think it's fun to cook meals, hang out, play games, watch movies, etc. If you can score some good rates, flying in/out of the little airport in Durango could be a good option. Durango is a cool little town and Durango Mountain Resort is a good little ski area too. I also like Telluride - both the town and hill. All the options!

A handful of resorts have some coupons available through participating Shell gas stations for BOGO free lift passes with 10 gallon gas purchases. Check the link below for which resorts honor them (think Copper was one of them) and any blackout dates that might apply.

http://skifreedeals.com/ski-resorts-colorado.html