Looking to spend a weekend in Denver in January so gf who has never really been in snow can do so. Not really looking to ski because of limited time, so looking more at tubing and other non-ski activities.

Planning to stay in Denver and drive to a ski lodge for the day.

Any recs on places to stay in Denver close to entertainment? How about recs on best ski lodge in driving distance. Looking at Echo Mountain but am open to suggestions.

If you're not skiing, snow quality doesn't matter. Something like Tahoe would be more fun that SLC, imo.

RNO > Truckee is 30 min.
RNO > Incline Village/Northstar 45 min.
RNO > South Lake Tahoe/Heavenly Village 60 min.

RangerRick9211 said:

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If you're not skiing, snow quality doesn't matter. Something like Tahoe would be more fun that SLC, imo.

RNO > Truckee is 30 min.
RNO > Incline Village/Northstar 45 min.
RNO > South Lake Tahoe/Heavenly Village 60 min.

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This 1000%. Denver sucks.

I'd go to Park City, UT and fly into Salt Lake. Denver city sucks.

If you're sold on going to Colorado and are not into skiing, consider somewhere like Estes Park. You can drive through a portion of Rocky Mountain National Park, they have snow tubing and if you're adventurous you can rent snow shoes and do a couple trails in the park. She will see some good snow and some beautiful views.

Lodging prices are low in that area in January: its the tourism off season so the crowds are limited, as well.

Just a thought...

Thanks for the advice. I looked at both SLC and Tahoe but the travel to and from Denver fits our parameters for a quick weekend trip better than those options. I've also been to Tahoe and really liked it, but I've never been to Denver and am looking for a new experience. It'll be new, so even bad snow will be better than no snow.that we have in Houston...

MCMXCVII said:

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If you're sold on going to Colorado and are not into skiing, consider somewhere like Estes Park. You can drive through a portion of Rocky Mountain National Park, they have snow tubing and if you're adventurous you can rent snow shoes and do a couple trails in the park. She will see some good snow and some beautiful views.

Lodging prices are low in that area in January: its the tourism off season so the crowds are limited, as well.

Just a thought...

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Currently looking at this option. Thanks for the tip.

Booma94 said:

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MCMXCVII said:

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If you're sold on going to Colorado and are not into skiing, consider somewhere like Estes Park. You can drive through a portion of Rocky Mountain National Park, they have snow tubing and if you're adventurous you can rent snow shoes and do a couple trails in the park. She will see some good snow and some beautiful views.

Lodging prices are low in that area in January: its the tourism off season so the crowds are limited, as well.

Just a thought...

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Currently looking at this option. Thanks for the tip.

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We go there 2-3 times a year so feel free to holler if you have any questions or need any recs for places to eat/stay and things to do!

Awesome. Will do.

Thanks again. As I'm looking this looks like a great option.

If you going for the day would look at that shuttle from Denver, I-70 sucks.

Stat Monitor Repairman said:

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If you going for the day would look at that shuttle from Denver, I-70 sucks.

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Will definitely check into this.

you already ruled it out, but SLC would be my preference too. its such a shorter and easier drive to Park City from downtown Salt Lake.

That said, the Estes Park recommendation is solid. We'll be going back up there for the second year in a row for spring break. We aren't big skiers and our kids are young so Estes Park is a great destination for some snow activities. With it being off season, lodging is cheap.

Booma94 said:

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Thanks for the advice. I looked at both SLC and Tahoe but the travel to and from Denver fits our parameters for a quick weekend trip better than those options. I've also been to Tahoe and really liked it, but I've never been to Denver and am looking for a new experience. It'll be new, so even bad snow will be better than no snow.that we have in Houston...

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In that case I would recommend riding the train from Union Station in Denver to Winter Park. I've never done it but it looks cool and you can avoid fighting the ski traffic.

To be clear though my recommendation for SLC had nothing to do with snow quality, but the accessibility the city provides to ski resorts is significantly better than Denver.

If your flight times allow, another option might be the Winter Park Express. That way, you can relax on the train and not worry about I70 traffic. I think these things book up, so it's probably better to book sooner rather than later if you're going on a weekend.

https://www.winterparkresort.com/plan-your-trip/getting-here/winter-park-express

Now you made a hard choice. Estes Park was looking like the winner, but this has thrown a monkey wrench in the planning..

Good suggestion. Thanks.

Aggie_Boomin 21 said:

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To be clear though my recommendation for SLC had nothing to do with snow quality, but the accessibility the city provides to ski resorts is significantly better than Denver.

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Understood. Thanks again for the input. I have added SLC to the list for the future.

Denver really and truly sucks these days. It's just another dirty city if you ask me. And the traffic on I-70 absolutely blows in the winter.

Like others have said, if you're dead set on staying in Denver, book a hotel near Union Station and take the train up to Winter Park for the day.

If you just want to see Colorado, spend the weekend in Fort Collins and day trip into RMNP and Estes park.

NColoradoAG said:

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Denver really and truly sucks these days. It's just another dirty city if you ask me. And the traffic on I-70 absolutely blows in the winter.

Like others have said, if you're dead set on staying in Denver, book a hotel near Union Station and take the train up to Winter Park for the day.

If you just want to see Colorado, spend the weekend in Fort Collins and day trip into RMNP and Estes park.

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Thanks. After reading input on this thread, that's exactly what our plan is. You guys have given great insight, which is why I came here for advice.

The Winter Park train sounds like a really cool thing, but the train schedule doesn't work for our time frame.

Well in that case I'll recommend Ed's in Estes Park. Their food is mediocre, but they have avocado margaritas that are incredible. Sounds very weird but it's almost like an alcoholic key lime pie drink.