Need help with a ski trip to Denver

The SportsJournalists.com faithful made the Boston trip this summer such a hit, I'm coming back for advice on Denver.

The plan is for a January ski trip, probably the second or third weekend. Flying Midway to Denver (unless you know of a cheaper rate than the $65--one way, per person--Southwest is offering).

I've been looking at this site: http://www.coloradoski.com/
It's very helpful, but I'm looking for tips from the natives or those who have visited.

We're looking for skiing that's relatively close to Denver (60-90 miles), but still a top notch place. We want to avoid Aspen, Breckenridge and Vail because we expect cost to be through the roof. Where would you recommend?

We've read that cheaper lift tickets can be purchased at places outside the resort. We've also had advice to rent skis, poles, boots, etc. at a shop outside the resort. Can anyone confirm these ideas as good?

Any other general advice?

Thank you.

 

Silver Creek, Colorado.

www.innatsilvercreek.com

Thank me later.

 

Link is dead, Chef.

Would this be the place: http://www.silvercreeklodging.com/

 

Make sure you really know what you are doing on the slopes. I will never go on the slopes again because when I was 16 years old and went on a class ski trip, I lost my navigation skills quick and suffered a terrible fall. I suffered from whiplash, a broken leg and a concussion.

After that moment, I never took to the slopes again and Nova Scotia has nice ones.

Anyway, my advice is to make sure anyone who doesn't know how to ski have an option to learn how to properly.

 

Affirmative

That link worked before though...oh well.

 

Uh....you didn't take a lesson?

 

Forgot to mention this in the first post, but I thought it worthy:

The Future (who isn't a big fan of SportsJournalists.com, probably like many SOs of posters. That said, she doesn't question my time on here either.) and I are at Border's last night looking for books on Colorado skiing. We flip through a couple and I turn to her and say, "You know, we don't really need a book. I need to start a thread about Denver on SportsJournalists.com."

The Future actually agreed and said, "They did really well with Boston ... that cheesecake was really good." (speaking of Bova's in the Northend).

 

Could be my connection. I'll try again on a different machine later.

 

I took a lesson a few years ago. Problem is I only go skiing once a season. I felt pretty good last winter, and I hear the fluffier snow (than the ice pack of the Midwest in January) is easier to learn.

 

It starts so innocently. First she thinks it's weird. Then she's jealous. Then she sees it for what it is and soon enough, she's hooked! Great job BBAM! Don't know if there's a finder's fee, but way to go!

 

give winter park a look:
http://www.skiwinterpark.com/homepage/index.htm