A Travel and vacations forum. TravelBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » TravelBanter forum » Travel Regions » USA & Canada
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Questions about visitng Colorado - Denver, Boulder and Aspen



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old January 7th, 2004, 11:02 PM
Haroon
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Questions about visitng Colorado - Denver, Boulder and Aspen

Considering Colorado (Denver, Boulder & Aspen) for early April 2004
one week vacation. Got two young kids. Would like to know what the
weather would be like? Would there still be snow as we never get it
where we live and would love to experience some. Is driving between
the above mentioned 3 cities pretty straight forward? In case of snow
are chains required etc. Also any other ideas for things to do with
young kids while in Denver would be appreciated. Not familiar with
Colorado at all. Thanks.
  #2  
Old January 8th, 2004, 01:14 AM
Bob Myers
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Questions about visitng Colorado - Denver, Boulder and Aspen


"Haroon" wrote in message
om...
Considering Colorado (Denver, Boulder & Aspen) for early April 2004
one week vacation. Got two young kids. Would like to know what the
weather would be like? Would there still be snow as we never get it
where we live and would love to experience some. Is driving between
the above mentioned 3 cities pretty straight forward? In case of snow
are chains required etc. Also any other ideas for things to do with
young kids while in Denver would be appreciated. Not familiar with
Colorado at all. Thanks.


It's unlikely but not at all impossible that you'd have snow on the ground
in Denver or Boulder in early April; actually, throughout the winter
and into early spring, snowfall in the Front Range cities just east
of the mountains tends to come and go quickly. Aspen will
certainly have snow, at least on the mountains (and the ski area
will likely still be open, albeit with "spring skiing" conditions),
and you can still encounter pretty sizable snowstorms, with
chains or at least "adequate snow tires" required (the State Patrol
gets to decide what's adequate, at roadside checkpoints, if the
chain law goes into effect.

Travel between Denver and Boulder is trivially easy; in fact,
it's ALMOST difficult to tell where one ends and the other
begins, although there's still a bit of open space on the Boulder
end of that drive (which is straight up - well, diagonally up, to
the NW - US 36 from Denver). Aspen is a much longer drive,
and can take 3-4 hours or more depending on road conditions.
Take a look at a road map; Aspen from Denver involves going
west on I-70, south on US 24, and then west again on CO 82,
something like 180 miles or so and all on mountain roads.

Kid-friendly attractions in Denver include the U.S. Mint (which
offers a tour), Six Flags Elitch Gardens, Coors Field (the Colorado
Rockies baseball team), the 16th Street Mall (a pedestrian shopping
mall in downtown Denver), the Denver Museum of Nature and
Science, the Denver Zoo, the Botanical Gardens, the Butterfly
Pavilion, and Ocean Journey (an aquarium). I'm sure you can
find detailed information on any of these via the web. Depending
on how long you'll be in the Denver/Boulder area, you might also
want to consider going further up US 36 to the town of Estes Park
and into Rocky Mountain National Park.

Bob M.


  #3  
Old January 8th, 2004, 01:17 AM
Miles
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Questions about visitng Colorado - Denver, Boulder and Aspen



Haroon wrote:
Considering Colorado (Denver, Boulder & Aspen) for early April 2004
one week vacation. Got two young kids. Would like to know what the
weather would be like? Would there still be snow as we never get it
where we live and would love to experience some. Is driving between
the above mentioned 3 cities pretty straight forward? In case of snow
are chains required etc. Also any other ideas for things to do with
young kids while in Denver would be appreciated. Not familiar with
Colorado at all. Thanks.


It can snow in April in Denver and Boulder but generally not that much.
Aspen can get considerable amounts of snow, especially early april.
It is quite possible for the higher elevation portions of your drive to
have icy road conditions. Denver much less likely.

  #4  
Old January 8th, 2004, 06:45 AM
alohacyberian
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Questions about visitng Colorado - Denver, Boulder and Aspen

"Miles" wrote in message
news:hk1Lb.427184$J77.300119@fed1read07...
Haroon wrote:
Considering Colorado (Denver, Boulder & Aspen) for early April 2004
one week vacation. Got two young kids. Would like to know what the
weather would be like? Would there still be snow as we never get it
where we live and would love to experience some. Is driving between
the above mentioned 3 cities pretty straight forward? In case of snow
are chains required etc. Also any other ideas for things to do with
young kids while in Denver would be appreciated. Not familiar with
Colorado at all. Thanks.


It can snow in April in Denver and Boulder but generally not that much.
Aspen can get considerable amounts of snow, especially early april.
It is quite possible for the higher elevation portions of your drive to
have icy road conditions. Denver much less likely.

And it's extremely unlikely chains will be required in April. KM
--
(-:alohacyberian:-) At my website there are 3000 live cameras or
visit NASA, play games, read jokes, send greeting cards & connect
to CNN news, NBA, the White House, Academy Awards or learn all
about Hawaii, Israel and mo http://keith.martin.home.att.net/


  #5  
Old January 8th, 2004, 07:34 AM
Go Fig
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Questions about visitng Colorado - Denver, Boulder and Aspen

In article ,
(Haroon) wrote:

Considering Colorado (Denver, Boulder & Aspen) for early April 2004
one week vacation. Got two young kids. Would like to know what the
weather would be like? Would there still be snow as we never get it
where we live and would love to experience some. Is driving between
the above mentioned 3 cities pretty straight forward? In case of snow
are chains required etc. Also any other ideas for things to do with
young kids while in Denver would be appreciated. Not familiar with
Colorado at all. Thanks.


There is generally 1 good snowfall between Apr and even mid May in
Boulder... goes away quick. The hwy between these points is very good.
If you leave from Boulder to Aspen, this is a World Class Drive.

Out of Boulder take route 93 to Golden Co., home of Coors (they have a
tour). Connect to US 6 towards Central City and I70 (worth a stop, not
directly on route- but very close.) Take I70 all the way to Glenwood
Springs and connect to route 82 - Aspen. About 4.5 hours.

The last 25 miles of I70 before Glenwood Springs is incredible
roadwork...I lived through some of the 10 years it took to construct...
but it is incredible. If they cut a shrub down like-$500 a tree
like-$10K and it crosses to the other side of the Colorado River and
goes directly into a tunnel. They also constructed a bike path through
Glenwood Canyon.

In Apr, Independence Pass will still be closed so you will have to go
back via I70. I70 has both Eisenhower Tunnel and Vail Pass, both a
little over 10K ft.

jay
Wed, Jan 7, 2004


--

Legend insists that as he finished his abject...
Galileo muttered under his breath: "Nevertheless, it does move."
  #6  
Old January 8th, 2004, 12:20 PM
BobS
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Questions about visitng Colorado - Denver, Boulder and Aspen

We travelled from the UK and stayed in Denver for the last week in May 2002.
People in shorts in the evening we arrived, in the morning a covering of
snow - it didn't last thank goodness. The 16th Street Mall is
pedestrianised but has a free bus which goes up and down at regular
intervals.

We didn't go to Aspen but we did go to Boulder and Estes Park and the high
road back round to Denver - plenty of snow up there and magnificent views.
We also went to Colorado Springs and up Pikes peak on the rack railway -
more snow. May not be open in April so check. We had a great week, I'm
sure you will enjoy your stay. BobS
--
Reply without question to


"Haroon" wrote in message
om...
Considering Colorado (Denver, Boulder & Aspen) for early April 2004
one week vacation. Got two young kids. Would like to know what the
weather would be like? Would there still be snow as we never get it
where we live and would love to experience some. Is driving between
the above mentioned 3 cities pretty straight forward? In case of snow
are chains required etc. Also any other ideas for things to do with
young kids while in Denver would be appreciated. Not familiar with
Colorado at all. Thanks.



  #7  
Old January 11th, 2004, 12:54 PM
Dave F
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Questions about visitng Colorado - Denver, Boulder and Aspen

"BobS" wrote in message ...
We travelled from the UK and stayed in Denver for the last week in May 2002.
People in shorts in the evening we arrived, in the morning a covering of
snow - it didn't last thank goodness. The 16th Street Mall is
pedestrianised but has a free bus which goes up and down at regular
intervals.

We didn't go to Aspen but we did go to Boulder and Estes Park and the high
road back round to Denver - plenty of snow up there and magnificent views.
We also went to Colorado Springs and up Pikes peak on the rack railway -
more snow. May not be open in April so check. We had a great week, I'm
sure you will enjoy your stay. BobS
--
Reply without question to


"Haroon" wrote in message
om...
Considering Colorado (Denver, Boulder & Aspen) for early April 2004
one week vacation. Got two young kids. Would like to know what the
weather would be like? Would there still be snow as we never get it
where we live and would love to experience some. Is driving between
the above mentioned 3 cities pretty straight forward? In case of snow
are chains required etc. Also any other ideas for things to do with
young kids while in Denver would be appreciated. Not familiar with
Colorado at all. Thanks.


We also travelled from the UK. Was a little disapointed with Denver.
The Mall was ok - worth a visit/walk also the mint was closed for
tours (alert status will have this effect on a few tours).

Boulder was ok but Estes Park was fantasic (a trivia must for S King
fans)- as was the views! You don't say how old your kids are - if it
is a snow experience (10 paces and start throwing!) then I'd def give
Estes Park a go.
  #8  
Old January 17th, 2004, 07:16 AM
Chris the Liberal
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Questions about visitng Colorado - Denver, Boulder and Aspen

(Haroon) wrote in message . com...
Considering Colorado (Denver, Boulder & Aspen) for early April 2004
one week vacation. Got two young kids. Would like to know what the
weather would be like? Would there still be snow as we never get it
where we live and would love to experience some. Is driving between
the above mentioned 3 cities pretty straight forward? In case of snow
are chains required etc. Also any other ideas for things to do with
young kids while in Denver would be appreciated. Not familiar with
Colorado at all. Thanks.


In early April it's still winter in the high country.
Certainly there will be no trouble getting around Denver and Boulder,
tho a bit of snow is not impossible.
Aspen is likely not a problem, but you get up over 10,000 feet on
Vail Pass and the Eisenhower Tunnel where there COULD be a problem.
I've been stuck there even in late April. The road is in one of 3
conditions: closed, open, open only to vehicles with 4 wheel drive
or chains.
Enroute to Aspen, be sure to enjoy Glenwood Springs. Natural
hot springs are good for swimming year around. If you want to
be well-done, jump in one end of the (huge) pool; for medium-rare,
the other end. My grandkids swim there all the time.
The Interstate highway through the Glenwood Canyon, E of
G Springs, is a fantastic piece of engineering.
You should visit Rocky Mountain National Park, where the lower
elevation roads will be open, except just after a snowfall; the
high road, Trail Ridge, will not be open until the end of May.
  #9  
Old January 17th, 2004, 07:23 AM
Chris the Liberal
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Questions about visitng Colorado - Denver, Boulder and Aspen

"Bob Myers" wrote in message ...
"Haroon" wrote in message
om...
Considering Colorado (Denver, Boulder & Aspen) for early April 2004
one week vacation. Got two young kids. Would like to know what the
weather would be like? Would there still be snow as we never get it
where we live and would love to experience some. Is driving between
the above mentioned 3 cities pretty straight forward? In case of snow
are chains required etc. Also any other ideas for things to do with
young kids while in Denver would be appreciated. Not familiar with
Colorado at all. Thanks.


It's unlikely but not at all impossible that you'd have snow on the ground
in Denver or Boulder in early April; actually, throughout the winter
and into early spring, snowfall in the Front Range cities just east
of the mountains tends to come and go quickly. Aspen will
certainly have snow, at least on the mountains (and the ski area
will likely still be open, albeit with "spring skiing" conditions),
and you can still encounter pretty sizable snowstorms, with
chains or at least "adequate snow tires" required (the State Patrol
gets to decide what's adequate, at roadside checkpoints, if the
chain law goes into effect.

Travel between Denver and Boulder is trivially easy; in fact,
it's ALMOST difficult to tell where one ends and the other
begins, although there's still a bit of open space on the Boulder
end of that drive (which is straight up - well, diagonally up, to
the NW - US 36 from Denver). Aspen is a much longer drive,
and can take 3-4 hours or more depending on road conditions.
Take a look at a road map; Aspen from Denver involves going
west on I-70, south on US 24, and then west again on CO 82,


Ooops. I think you made a booboo. Colorado 82 is closed
at Independence Pass in "winter" and I think it most unlikely
it would be open from the Leadville area in early April; as I
recall it does not open until the middle?? of May. Instead,
ake I-70 west to Glenwood Springs, and up Colorado 82 from there.

something like 180 miles or so and all on mountain roads.

Kid-friendly attractions in Denver include the U.S. Mint (which
offers a tour), Six Flags Elitch Gardens, Coors Field (the Colorado
Rockies baseball team), the 16th Street Mall (a pedestrian shopping
mall in downtown Denver), the Denver Museum of Nature and
Science, the Denver Zoo, the Botanical Gardens, the Butterfly
Pavilion, and Ocean Journey (an aquarium)


I'm not sure about the status of Ocean Journey. It went
bankrupt last year, and I think perhaps no one has been found
to open it up.

.. I'm sure you can
find detailed information on any of these via the web. Depending
on how long you'll be in the Denver/Boulder area, you might also
want to consider going further up US 36 to the town of Estes Park
and into Rocky Mountain National Park.

Bob M.

  #10  
Old January 17th, 2004, 07:26 AM
Chris the Liberal
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Questions about visitng Colorado - Denver, Boulder and Aspen

(Dave F) wrote in message . com...
"BobS" wrote in message ...
We travelled from the UK and stayed in Denver for the last week in May 2002.
People in shorts in the evening we arrived, in the morning a covering of
snow - it didn't last thank goodness. The 16th Street Mall is
pedestrianised but has a free bus which goes up and down at regular
intervals.

We didn't go to Aspen but we did go to Boulder and Estes Park and the high
road back round to Denver - plenty of snow up there and magnificent views.
We also went to Colorado Springs and up Pikes peak on the rack railway -
more snow. May not be open in April so check. We had a great week, I'm
sure you will enjoy your stay. BobS
--
Reply without question to


"Haroon" wrote in message
om...
Considering Colorado (Denver, Boulder & Aspen) for early April 2004
one week vacation. Got two young kids. Would like to know what the
weather would be like? Would there still be snow as we never get it
where we live and would love to experience some. Is driving between
the above mentioned 3 cities pretty straight forward? In case of snow
are chains required etc. Also any other ideas for things to do with
young kids while in Denver would be appreciated. Not familiar with
Colorado at all. Thanks.


We also travelled from the UK. Was a little disapointed with Denver.
The Mall was ok - worth a visit/walk also the mint was closed for
tours (alert status will have this effect on a few tours).

One of the most interesting places to me is the Colorado Historical
Museum, which is just across the street from the Capitol.

Boulder was ok but Estes Park was fantasic (a trivia must for S King
fans)- as was the views! You don't say how old your kids are - if it
is a snow experience (10 paces and start throwing!) then I'd def give
Estes Park a go.


The National Park Service has a "winter play area" at Hidden Valley.
There is also lots of cross-country skiing/snowshoeing from points
along the Bear Lake Road.
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:00 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 TravelBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.