deadheadskier wrote: ↑Nov 12th, '21, 08:03
I'm not saying Vail is without challenge, but Breck has considerably more of it. That is not a subjective opinion
I've never skied Breck, so I can't really compare the two. I will add two backcountry options at Vail for Boozetan to consider. Hire a guide to take you backcountry to the East Vail chutes, there's plenty of challenge there, even scary stuff. A great way to end a ski trip to Vail for a last run is the famous Minturn Mile (back country-more like two miles) to the village of Minturn and beers at the Minturn Saloon. It's about a mile walk from the end of the trailhead to the Saloon (Mexican food), but well worth it and a lifetime memory.
East Vail chutes are definitely scary and plenty of challenge and very prone to avalanches. Nearly every year there are fatalities and they are not tourons. It is unpatrolled, unmaintained and easily accessed. https://www.vailmag.com/best-of-vail/2015/02/powder-keg
I agree the terrain in way out and seldom (Sun Up / Sun Down bowls) is awesome and I have enjoyed, but I can get more vertical in at Breck and have the great variety of glades, bumps, above terrain all in the same day becuase of the improved lift network and the compactness of the mountain even though it is spread out from peak 6 to peak 10. Also, can't beat the higher elevation that maintains the snow better. High Alpine terrain can get wind scoured in places but that generally means some great snow where it has been deposited.
Skis - Blizzard Brahma 88, Nordica Enforcer 104
Age - over 45 years @ Killington
When the sun is out and there has been some fresh snow, the upper alpine terrain at Breck is magic. Love laps going up Imperial, into Whales Tale then across into Peak 7 bowl, up the T-bar and down Horseshoe Bowl, over to Chair 6 to Imperial, and repeat.
E chair, as others have mentioned is amazing. Steeps both sides of the #10 chair are great with one side facing south and other side facing north. Late season, early corn snow on S facing runs then move to North runs [incl. Echair] in afternoon.
High alpine terrain is very good once you figure out the lay of the land. Way cool starting up high and crossing over to peak 7 [which is gentle terrain except for Ore Bucket.
Relatively new Peak 6 has cool stuff as well.
Etc.
Side note: Vail back bowls face mostly South so not real good in springtime.
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i'll go w breck for reasons stated. e chair rocks. peak 10. enjoy the burn over there as well as steeps on both sides. imperial, horseshoe. think for the most part, fewer liftlines.
having said that, always have a great time at vail. steep bumps p-p-l, highline. last time out spent most of the time in the trees in back bowl and though a trek, blue sky basin.
also a big fan of beaver creek. that's my pow day choice because the rich texans don't ski the tough stuff. and like spanky says, enjoy keystone. lacking bowls but long bump trails and trees.
when i go out, rent a car and do the smorgasbord. a-basin is awesome and mary jane is bump heaven.
Stay in Breckenridge. You can easily ski Breck, Keystone and A Basin from there and drive over to Vail for a day. Vail is too damn expensive to sleep and eat. Breck has more options.
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If you're looking for a deal, stay in Silverthorne or Frisco. Frisco is like 9 miles to Breck, Silverthorne a few more.
Don't underestimate the lack of oxygen at 13,000 ft. Vail is lower.
Vail's back bowls are vast, and well worth skiing on a good day. Breck has less width above timberline, but has excitement. And being higher gets more snow.
And FYI. the Lake DIllon shield is real, Keystone has the worst snowfall amounts in Summit County.
I too was pleasantly surprised with Keystone. My buddy who used to live out there said Keystone was "easy" I thought it provided plenty of challenge. Lots of great tree skiing on the back two peaks. It is lower elevation so that should be considered.
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Keystone will be totally different 22-23 than what it has ever been, givent he new chair going in next summer that will access the high terrain above the outback Gondi for the first time (it is hike or cat right now). Also a good reason to go check it out this year before the hoards have easy lift access to the vast majority of that terrain.
machski wrote: ↑Nov 25th, '21, 16:46
Keystone will be totally different 22-23 than what it has ever been, givent he new chair going in next summer that will access the high terrain above the outback Gondi for the first time (it is hike or cat right now). Also a good reason to go check it out this year before the hoards have easy lift access to the vast majority of that terrain.
that will be pretty cool. have done cat thing. will fill a serious need there. some great wide open terrain up there.
Minor correction. It's the Outpost gondola, not Outback. The are bowls from you can get to from the top of the Outback chair by hiking or cat, but that's not where the new chair is going. It's going into Bergman Bowl.
PinnacleJim wrote: ↑Nov 25th, '21, 19:07
Minor correction. It's the Outpost gondola, not Outback. The are bowls from you can get to from the top of the Outback chair by hiking or cat, but that's not where the new chair is going. It's going into Bergman Bowl.
Yeah, all three Keystone peaks have hiking access to high bowls above right now. The new Bergman access will be closer to the frontside stuff than Outpost's high bowls. But everything the new chair will access is already on the map, just have to put the effort in this season to get to it.
