My girls (8 and 11) have a fall break September 29-October 3, and I'm thinking about taking them to Colorado. (every time I go out in this heat, I think harder about it).

I've been to Vail in the winter and was thinking about taking them there or some equivalent driving distance from Denver. Do some hiking, gondolas, etc.

Any thoughts or suggestions of good areas that time of year?

Steamboat

Rent bikes from companies in Frisco, and they will haul you up to vail pass. Coast down the bike trail through ski resorts and other scenery at your own pace. Highly recommend!

You're right in the middle of leaf peeping season so it'll be gorgeous but hotels may be very pricey.

Also, that's usually around the time we get our first snowfall so come prepared if you decide to visit.

Also, chain restrictions will be in effect so make sure you rent a 4WD car or have snow tires or snow socks. You don't want to get stopped and hit with an $800+ fine.

Here are the specifics for the traction laws:

Per the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), an active traction law requires all motorists to have one of the following: 4WD or AWD vehicle and 3/16" tread depth. Tires with a mud and snow designation (M+S icon) and 3/16" tread depth. Winter tires (mountain-snowflake icon) and 3/16" tread depth

You can rent bikes from Charter Sports and do the Vail pass ride. I actually prefer the VP ride to Vail vs Frisco but that's just me.

If you do choose to use them, lmk and I can get you a discount if you're using the Vail store.

The gondolas across most of the entire state sans Telluride will be shut down completely or only be open on the weekend at that time. Just a FYI, Steamboat, Aspen, Snowmass, & Vail gondolas stop service on Oct 1st until the start of ski season. Telly extended their summer season to Oct 15th. Just another reason I'd pick Telly.

Breck will be closed early September so if you go there, you won't have any uphill access at all for the entire duration of the trip.

CB closes the 28th of September

The Estes Park tramway is permanently closed as of 2022.

Telluride will be the prettiest spot in the state at that time of year. Black Canyon / CB will also be spectacular.

You could also pick somewhere like GWS. There's a lot more going on at that time in the year, you have the hot springs, and you're 45 minutes to BC, 45 minutes to Snowmass and an hour from Vail/Aspen with a much lower elevation yet still great hiking/color change.

I love Vail for skiing, but I don't think I'd go there for any other reason. I'd prefer an actual town as opposed to a resort village, so for those reasons I'd look more closely at Breckenridge or Estes Park which are both closer to Denver airport than Vail. Breckenridge and Vail are near each other so you could still make it over there if you wanted.

I would do a little research over where you choose to go into making sure that there aren't too many places that shutdown as that time of the year could be considered part of the off-season. This will especially be important for the ski resorts/towns.

Edit to add: I'd throw Leadville into consideration for this as well. Just a tiny bit longer drive than Vail.

Leadville's a great idea but just know it's above 10,000ft so if you're flying up and driving from sea level it can be a real face crusher if you aren't acclimated to the altitude or have circulatory system issues, COPD, etc.

We did Breckinridge in October 2020 and it was great.

Good stuff guys! I'll add Leadville to the list to check out.

The reason I was looking at Vail was the epic adventure pack for the kids (roller coaster, tubing, etc) at the top of one of the mountains, but of course we could drive there like you say.

The leaf color change sounds amazing to this Texas boy.

We have a place in Steamboat and will be up there the weekend after your trip. There is plenty to do and tends to not be as crowded as Vail, Breck, etc. The drive from DEN isn't terrible. Or you can fly into Hayden and its only a 20-30 minute drive.

If you end up picking SB let me know and would be happy to have you stay at our place. Ag discount in full effect.

What's your email or you can email me: JustJHavens @ gmail.com

Aggie_Boomin 21 said:

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I love Vail for skiing, but I don't think I'd go there for any other reason. I'd prefer an actual town as opposed to a resort village, so for those reasons I'd look more closely at Breckenridge or Estes Park which are both closer to Denver airport than Vail. Breckenridge and Vail are near each other so you could still make it over there if you wanted.

I would do a little research over where you choose to go into making sure that there aren't too many places that shutdown as that time of the year could be considered part of the off-season. This will especially be important for the ski resorts/towns.

Edit to add: I'd throw Leadville into consideration for this as well. Just a tiny bit longer drive than Vail.

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Could not disagree more....we spend time every summer and some falls in Vail and its heaven on Earth. Breck has a lot to do in town and surrounding areas but the vibe and people there leave much to be desired IMO.

100% FACTS

The Silverback said:

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Aggie_Boomin 21 said:

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I love Vail for skiing, but I don't think I'd go there for any other reason. I'd prefer an actual town as opposed to a resort village, so for those reasons I'd look more closely at Breckenridge or Estes Park which are both closer to Denver airport than Vail. Breckenridge and Vail are near each other so you could still make it over there if you wanted.

I would do a little research over where you choose to go into making sure that there aren't too many places that shutdown as that time of the year could be considered part of the off-season. This will especially be important for the ski resorts/towns.

Edit to add: I'd throw Leadville into consideration for this as well. Just a tiny bit longer drive than Vail.

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Could not disagree more....we spend time every summer and some falls in Vail and its heaven on Earth. Breck has a lot to do in town and surrounding areas but the vibe and people there leave much to be desired IMO.

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I'll throw it back at you.. different strokes for different folks clearly.

I'd choose Breck any day over Vail for the town. My aunt and uncle live in Vail, so been there plenty of times.
We've been to Breck maybe a dozen times in the last decade, all 4 seasons.

62strat said:

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The Silverback said:

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Aggie_Boomin 21 said:

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I love Vail for skiing, but I don't think I'd go there for any other reason. I'd prefer an actual town as opposed to a resort village, so for those reasons I'd look more closely at Breckenridge or Estes Park which are both closer to Denver airport than Vail. Breckenridge and Vail are near each other so you could still make it over there if you wanted.

I would do a little research over where you choose to go into making sure that there aren't too many places that shutdown as that time of the year could be considered part of the off-season. This will especially be important for the ski resorts/towns.

Edit to add: I'd throw Leadville into consideration for this as well. Just a tiny bit longer drive than Vail.

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Could not disagree more....we spend time every summer and some falls in Vail and its heaven on Earth. Breck has a lot to do in town and surrounding areas but the vibe and people there leave much to be desired IMO.

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I'll throw it back at you.. different strokes for different folks clearly.

I'd choose Breck any day over Vail for the town. My aunt and uncle live in Vail, so been there plenty of times.
We've been to Breck maybe a dozen times in the last decade, all 4 seasons.

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Put another one in the Breck column for me too.

October is the best month to visit basically any spot in the US. Weather is perfect unless you are a beach sun worshipper.

Colorado in October is heaven on earth.

Estes Park is just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. Lots to do for your family - hiking, horseback riding, great food, very family friendly, Gorgeous views first week in October with the leaves and all. Only issue is the timed entry permits for the park itself. Not hard but it does take the spontaneity out of the day. October passes go on sale September 1. September passes already on sale.

Vail has the best manufactured charm on the side of a highway in all of Colorado!


jk...(but only sort of)...I've had great times in Vail (mainly partying when I was younger)...but it wouldn't be my pick either.

Moomba,

What day and how many people? I'm having lunch w the Charter Crew and they were asking Shouldn't be a problem they just want to make sure isn't a fam of 12 lol.

JustPanda - Will be in Grand Lake same dates as CellarDoor, any recs I might of missed. 2 + 2 teenagers... Planning on hanging around RMNP. Hoping for no snow...been snowed out 2x off Trail Ridge Road in the last 10 years, 1st week in October coming from Estes Park, plus its Elk Fest and I hate crowds, thus Grand Lake choice. TIA!

2030

Be sure you know about the timed entry permits for entry into the park in September and October.

Sylvan Lake and Hanging Lake w also be stunning at that time of year. So will Turquoise Lake near LV and the entire stretch of CR 390 up to the Missouri Gulch TH.

I can't post pictures, or I'd share some killer leaf change shots from Vail through BV.

recommending that you visit Sylvan Lake, Hanging Lake, Turquoise Lake, and the stretch of County Road 390 up to the Missouri Gulch Trailhead in October, when the leaves are changing color. These places are all located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and are known for their stunning scenery.

Moomba,

Go online and make a reservation:

https://www.chartersports.com/book-now-lion-square-lodge-north

It will ask you for a CC but it won't charge you until pickup. Once done, lmk and I'll go in and mark it as comped. Saves you $85/person.

We have an oxygen compressor at the house. It's a lifesaver. Electrolytes and water. Pickle juice is a great cure all for elevation and prune juice for elevation induced constipation. It sounds weird but I promise it helps.

Surf Hotel in Buena Vista. You can go hang out at the Mt Princeton resort, go hiking. Collegiate Peaks are fantastic.

That is great! We are already going to Pagosa Springs but would love to look at your place for a future trip if you don't mind sharing the details?

TIA!

JustPanda said:

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Leadville's a great idea but just know it's above 10,000ft so if you're flying up and driving from sea level it can be a real face crusher if you aren't acclimated to the altitude or have circulatory system issues, COPD, etc.

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Just did a week in Leadville in early August. An actual town, not an overpriced resort. My kids and I ran the 11.6 mile Mineral Belt Trail, then hiked Mount Elbert and Mount Massive, my first 14ers. I had no desire to drive anywhere else like Breckenridge, Vail, etc.

It's a cute little town. Changing fast but it still has a small town vibe (for now).

It's about to get COLD in the morning in LV.

I never have any desire to drive to Vail and 1000x less desire to drive into Scummit.

Starting to touch the 30s here in the mornings. Color Shane should start here soon.

Appreciate the response. For that I'll leave you a pro tip, lol. If you like cute little towns, try Cloudcroft, NM. I could live there all summer...every summer.