Hi, a couple of questions:

1) Is there good snow come late November/early December?

2) Any suggestions on locations? I know of Aspen and Vail, but also heard they are rather expensive areas?

3) We'd rather stay in a resort/hotel which has proper breakfast, than a condo/chalet. Anything decent around $200 - $300 per night possible?

4) Any spectacular sights around Denver/Colorado one should visit?

Thanks

If there isn't, all the resorts are heavily invested in snowmaking machines that'll put enough out there. Believe me, they are absolutely committed to having operable terrain available before Thanksgiving. Will it be 100% picture perfect champagne powder? Not unless nature cooperates.

They are. Keystone, Breckenridge and Winter Park are alternatives.

Hmmm...cheap, close to slopes, great breakfast. Pick two, I'm afraid. Keystone Lodge can give you a regular breakfast in the morning including room service, but is a drive or shuttle to the slopes. Austria Haus in Vail has a good breakfast buffet in the mornings and is walkable to the slopes, but probably $400 or more per night in season. In Breck, the Village Hotel has been renovated, though the rooms remain somewhat basic; it's ski in/ski out; and breakfast is on site. Could be rates below $300 on your days.

For Christmas lights, the Civic Center downtown. As you go up the mountains to ski...it's all spectacular.

If you aren't interested in the I-70 corridor, you could also try Wolf Creek, Telluride or Crested Butte. These areas tend to get more snow than the I-70 corridor but are much further from Denver. A bit pricey during the season but you might be able to find early season deals as they don't have the benefit/burden of Denver traffic. No idea on prices for hotel or breakfast options.

1)It really just depends on what the season is looking like. I was in Beaver Creek/Vail and Aspen the week of and after Thanksgiving last year and it was pretty bad. At Beaver Creek they had only enough snowmaking machines to open up two or three trails that week. At Aspen, the mountains ended up opening late as well. However, right after I left Colorado they had an amazing snow, so its all subjective.

Just thought i'd throw my opinion/experiences in.

FWIF, I've been in Steamboat twice around Thanksgiving weekend in the last several years. Downhill was not open either time. Though one of those visits cross-country was open.

Several threads in this forum on general things to see/do in CO; no need to repeat here. Specific for that time of year, while the road across Rocky Mt. Nat'l Park will in all likelihood be closed at higher elevations, you may be able to drive up to a point and then walk or bike on the road further. It will probably be cold, but there could also be some spectacular views on the right day.

Also, this sight might give you some idea of events: http://www.coloradolinks.net/Colorado_Festivals.htm