zwelgen 0 Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 So for a number of reasons Breckenridge in Colorado has caught my eye. I was wondering if any forum peeps had been there and what they had to say about it compared to Japan. Whats the powder like compared to Nagano? Whats the scene like compared to Nagano? Whats the facilities like compared to Nagano? Anything, in comparason to I guess Nagano cos thats where I know best but comparrisons to Hokkaido too would be good. Cheers folks. As always your opinions are valued Link to post Share on other sites
danz 0 Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 hey zwelly... Breckenride is a really beautiful part of CO...Summit County has a few resorts in the area, Breck, Copper, A-Basin (I think...). I was in breck a looong time ago, and I think they have done some major expansion since then. The town is small and typical rocky mtn. ski village...accoms will be way more varied and nicer than what we deal with in japan, same with facilities (I think that is true of all N.American resorts compared to nippon). Personally, I think Aspen is a more interesting area...you got Aspen Mtn, Aspen Highlands (steeeeeep), Snowmass (gigantic), and another (but only for beginners)...the town has its rep. and you will see those ritzy types in the fur coats, but there is a really lively nightlife, and actually some culture (lots of art galleries and stuff). Facilities are world class, and there is a wide variety of accom. Terrain is much more varied than Summit county, and the sheer magnitude of some of snowmass itself is enough to keep you busy...Aspen highlands has steeps and glades that would probably make Fattwins drewl... when you headed that way??? i wanna ski... danz Link to post Share on other sites
nzlegend 1 Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 I lived in Summit County (Keystone, Breck, A Basin, Copper) I worked at Keystone which is owned by Vail Resorts, so had a pass for Keystone, Breck, A Basin, Vail and Beaver Creek, the latter 2 are an hour away. The 5 Mtn pass rocks! I could tell you so much if you want, do you use MSN messenger or ICQ? that would be easier Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 I would love to head to colorado. Problem is Im a bumm I perfer quality -quantity. That means I make a budget and stick to it. I hope to visit they one day. Next year I am planning a trip to visit dane and ski around Big White and a few other resorts. Link to post Share on other sites
zwelgen 0 Posted June 17, 2003 Author Share Posted June 17, 2003 Maybe in Nov if I get the job. Not holding my breath though. (me holding my breath) Link to post Share on other sites
badmigraine 0 Posted June 18, 2003 Share Posted June 18, 2003 Breck is terribly crowded these days, on weekends. Better to work on Sat-Sun and spend the weekdays at the mountain. Link to post Share on other sites
enderzero 0 Posted June 21, 2003 Share Posted June 21, 2003 Haven't been to Breck, but spent a little time at nearby Vail. I think you would dig Colorado life. Definitely different than Nagano though. One similarity is that there are quite a few different resorts all within a few hours of each other. The Vail pass runs over $1000 if you don't work for the resort I hear, and life in the Colorado mountains in general can be way more expensive than Nagano. The powder when I was in Colorado was nothing compared to Japan pow, but I may have hit it at the wrong time. They definitely don't get as much (but you knew that). The terrain is more varied though and the resorts (at least Vail) are HUGE! If you live near a big Colorado resort you definitely will not feel inaka at all. You might want to look into Jackson Hole in Wyoming as well. I'm commin to crash on your floor if you get a place in the Rockies Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted June 21, 2003 Share Posted June 21, 2003 The snow quaility in the rockies is very dry. The season starts early and then the temps dive. It just cant snow alot unless you have that mix of warm and cold conditions. Im sure the snow stays good for days. Link to post Share on other sites
enderzero 0 Posted June 22, 2003 Share Posted June 22, 2003 That's true - I did notice that even after 3 or 4 days without snow, the patches I found were still really nice. The problem is it gets tracked out soooo fast. Even a huge mountain(s) like Vail. Kiss your early afternoon powder expeditions goodbye and make sure you're the first one on the lift (which I am sure will be no problem for you zwelgy). Also the snow seems to pile up better/faster. Just an inch or two settles really nicely for great conditions, whereas some places I have spent time would need 4 or 5 inches to feel like new snow. It's funny to think back - I had never seen a foot (or two!) of powder before Japan, and now it just seems like the norm. Link to post Share on other sites
barok 0 Posted June 22, 2003 Share Posted June 22, 2003 Important to keep in mind that although it does get tracked out super fast - there are way more off-piste and backcountry options - buy the gear, find the snowmobile crew and have a blast. I will show you a few kickass spots. Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted June 23, 2003 Share Posted June 23, 2003 The rockies are the most avie prone mountains in N america you really need gear there. from the US to Canada the faceting is pretty extreme. Link to post Share on other sites
zwelgen 0 Posted June 30, 2003 Author Share Posted June 30, 2003 Guess who got an offer on the job... me! . So see you in America people. First time on mainland usa. yep its a big grin day for Zwelgen folks! Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 Details! Details! Whatcha gonna be doing? Link to post Share on other sites
danz 0 Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 congradts!!! but now more details... when, where, what , who, how , why spill it girl danz Link to post Share on other sites
zwelgen 0 Posted June 30, 2003 Author Share Posted June 30, 2003 This is what came today from Breckenridge... "Hello Zwelgen you sexy beast (ok that was me adding lib but thats what they were thinking Im sure), Your application for employment with the Food & Beverage Dept. has been turned over to me. I am just beginning to process our H2B visa applications for next winter. In reviewing your job history, I am wondering if you would be interested in a cook position. We operate 4 restaurants, 2 on-mountain and 2 at the base area. We do have employee housing available. Please let me know if this is of interest to you. Thank you..." blah blah blah. bit of a salary cut but Im not complaining. A mate of mine is an instructor there so he hooked me up and put in a good word for me - exboyfriends have many uses and many reasons to stay on good terms with them! Link to post Share on other sites
boarderchic 0 Posted July 1, 2003 Share Posted July 1, 2003 Hey! I actually live in Vail and work in Beaver Creek. Congrats on getting a job in Breck! I think you'll really like the snow out here. The powder days are fantastic, but it's true that it gets tracked out fast. Although, the local's know where to go to keep getting fresh powder, which you'll definitely learn. I like Breck, but it is pretty flat (a lot of people complain that it's a 'beginner's mountain'). It does have a great park, but Keystone and Vail's park's were better. Vail's great, but it is huge. Personally, I love Beaver Creek and spent most of my days there last season. It's smaller, not as crowded (everyone wants to go to Vail for the name), and much more steep than Vail. Have a great time at Breck, and give me a shout if you're in the Vail area! Link to post Share on other sites
sunrise 0 Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 Take the job and then make sure that you're only cooking evening meals so you have your days free. If they complain tell them that daytime meals are beneath your level of Chefmanship. Link to post Share on other sites
IceEiji 0 Posted July 5, 2003 Share Posted July 5, 2003 I really want to go and try it out Link to post Share on other sites
sam_casper 0 Posted July 5, 2003 Share Posted July 5, 2003 Zwel! unreal! who did u apply thru, snowboard freak and i are looking at working in the us (co) this coming winter and the only company than can interview us here is www.iep.org.au and they only have access to like 5 resorts... what resort is it that u'll be working for?? we have the options of working at copper, colorado mth express, park hyatt ? they are the places we can interview and apply for... anyone got anyother ideas on how to apply?!!? (remember we in oz) Link to post Share on other sites
barok 0 Posted July 5, 2003 Share Posted July 5, 2003 oh yeah, zwelly, buy a lock for your skiis and just about everything else. Things have a way of disappearing stateside. Link to post Share on other sites
steeno 0 Posted July 6, 2003 Share Posted July 6, 2003 if your into park riding you landed in a great place. they been turning it up lately. also, get your b/c gear ready cause there are some great trailheads in the area and some incredible access. avy danger is high there though and the altitude can kill ya. beware. one piece of advice. bring your mountain bike and stay through the summer (if you can). the best part of the colorado trail runs through there and is reeeeal nice. congrats and have a blast. Link to post Share on other sites
ProbablyaCrazyPerson 2 Posted September 1, 2003 Share Posted September 1, 2003 Breckenride is an awesome area, I wish I could have spent more time when I was there. Link to post Share on other sites
slow 0 Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 I'm planning to visit my friend in Denver early December. Do you think it's right time to ski in Colorado? Link to post Share on other sites
giggsy 0 Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 Deffo sounds better than not being there at all I'm sure that would be ok, Chrismas over there should be tops. Link to post Share on other sites
giggsy 0 Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 Oops, Christmas is late Dec aint it? sorry Link to post Share on other sites
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