Believe it or not, there’s a science to having a great day trip to the mountains. Sure, you can just do the usual routine and wing it if you want—wake up at ten, leave at noon once all your hungover friends find their gear, get to the mountain at 2 p.m. and ride tracked up snow for two hours at best—sure. But if you really want to get the most out of your time and money, simply follow this schedule. A little bit of guidance can go a long way, and you might just end up having your best day trip ever.
8 p.m. Lay out everything you need to wear to the mountain on the floor (snowpants, jacket, long underwear), and pack the rest in a backpack (helmet, goggles, gloves). In order to make sure you aren’t forgetting anything, go through the process of getting dressed in your head from the feet up.
8:30 p.m. Pack a bag full of food and water. My go-to combo to is a sandwich, a piece of fruit and a couple of granola bars. This will save you lots of money tomorrow, and lots of energy, too. And if you’re planning on hitting a bar after the slopes tomorrow, don’t.
10 p.m. Be sleeping. You’re waking up at 6 a.m., and in order to get your eight hours of shuteye, you better hit the sheets nice and early.
6 a.m. Wake up, and don’t press snooze. Every time you press snooze, the I-70 traffic gets worse and the lift lines get longer.
6:05 a.m. Have a healthy and wholesome breakfast—you’ve got a very long day ahead. I usually chow down on a bagel and some yogurt. Also make sure to chug a cup or two of water, because you’re about to go through some dramatic elevation changes.
6:30 a.m. Grab your backpack of gear, your bag of food, a bottle of water and head for the hills. If you leave now, you’ll avoid most traffic and get to the mountains by 8:30 a.m., which is exactly when the lifts open.
If you’re heading to Breckenridge, Vail or Beaver Creek, leave at 6:15 a.m instead because these mountains are a tad further from campus. Also, if you’re getting a ride from someone else, give them gas money the second you get in the car. It means a lot to the driver, and there won’t be any weird tension throughout the day just because you didn’t chip in.
7 a.m. If you’re already hitting traffic in the Beaver Brook area (around exit 250 on I-70), get off on exit 248. This will get you on Route 40, which weaves alongside I-70 for about three miles and then takes you straight back onto the highway around exit 244. This detour can save you a half hour if the I-70 traffic is at its worst.
8 a.m. If you’re going to Keystone or A-Basin, get off I-70 at exit 216 for Loveland Pass (Route 6). This will take you over Loveland Pass, which is incredibly scenic, and down to both mountains in about 15 or 20 minutes total. This also keeps you from going through the Eisenhower tunnel, down to Silverthorne, and backtracking to the mountains. However, if the weather is really bad, don’t take the pass. There aren’t many guardrails, and it can be extremely dangerous.
8:30 a.m. Arrive, get dressed in the parking lot, re-pack the backpack with food, water and an extra layer, and go hit the slopes.
10 a.m. You’re having a blast because you got to the mountain so early, and you don’t need much advising anymore, but keep this in mind: You haven’t eaten anything since 6:05 a.m. and your body needs replenishing. Have a snack, chug some water and get back to shredding.
12 p.m. Eat lunch. Thank goodness you packed something, and you don’t have to go spend $15 on a sandwich in the lodge. And speaking of the lodge, avoid it. You’ll only be tempted to spend money there, and Colorado’s weather is usually so nice that there’s no need to go in anyways.
1:30 p.m. You’ve been on the hill for about five hours now, and it’s time to call it a day. It may be tempting to stay, but the I-70 traffic is about to get brutal.
2 p.m. If you weren’t able to avoid the traffic and find yourself in the Georgetown area, hop off exit 228 and follow Argentine st. alongside I-70 for as long as possible (up to 7 miles if you go all the way to Downieville).
3 p.m. Arrive back at DU safe and sound with a couple hours of sunlight left for another awesome adventure.
