combat wombat said:
I had assumed it would be too early in the season to go skiing. We have never been skiing before. I know that one of my kids, maybe both of them, would love to try it. Is it unreasonable for me to hope that we can fit a day of skiing in? Honestly, a few hours would be great. We would have to rent literally everything. My son is 6'4".
If so, what would be the most convenient ski areas nearest Golden? I looked it up, and Loveland came up as being the most convenient.
You will have to wait and see about skiing. They are trying to get places open right now. By your trip, things might be fine but you'll want your first experience to be on good snow.
Loveland has a dedicated area for beginners called Loveland Valley. And it is relatively cheap. But it's a bit of a no frills experience. Keystone is nearby and has more of a base area experience. Unless the pass is closed, you can drive up to the top of Loveland Pass and take a photo at the continental divide and maybe hike a short bit. Or you pay and take the time to get to Breckenridge for a big resort experience. And Breckenridge town is great.
Honestly, the calculus for Mines is pretty strait-forward. Assuming it has the right program and is within the budget and they like the campus/facilities itself and size of the school, do your kids like the outdoors? If they do, great. If not, they will probably start to wonder why they're in Golden, Colorado.
Denver is there and has all the big city stuff but it's not like they'll be driving in after class all the time.
I'd go for a hike. I'd rent bikes and go for a ride on one of the paths.
Where are y'all from? Have your kids been to an NHL game? See if the Avs are in town during your trip.
Are they into history? Sports? Music?
Are you ready to take them to a brewery for a beer?
Lots of good breweries with outdoor space to enjoy the cool late Fall weather.
Is there anything going on at Red Rocks amphitheater? It's just down the road from Golden.
