Planning a West Coast Shred Trip

Jana K. Hoffman

In just two weeks I will head to Philadelphia International Airport and hop a direct flight to Denver International, just an hour and 40 minutes from Breckenridge, Colorado. The anticipation for West Coast pow increases by day and is only amplified every time I peek at weather forecasts and snow reports. I, along with my sister and our boards in tow, am heading to shred Breck for five blissful days and for the perfect start to the 2010-11 season.

Talks among my sister and I for a shred trip began in September. I admit I’ve never had the opportunity or money to ride out West. Having not taken a summer vacation, I put my foot down and surfed the Web for flights. Surprised by the inexpensive prices, I began to take travel plans more seriously and sweet talked my sister into joining. It really wasn’t a hard sell.

I eventually found myself hovered over my MacBook at a local coffee shop (I needed to borrow Internet) scrolling through flight options and pouring precious minutes over the best times and days. I’d like to regress and say that this was the first time I’ve ever booked a major trip like this.

Days before, I visited hostelworld.com for cheap room and board options. We’re on a budget here! I scored a room at a cute, inexpensive B&B/hostel situated right in town within walking distance to everything and only five minutes from the mountain via free shuttle service. Although lacking the posh amenities that a resort room would have provided, this B&B seems quaint, offers breakfast and afternoon tea, and has a hot tub (which I may or may not use). Good enough for me! Room = booked.

But I still had to book that flight. It’s interesting, just the night before (it was a Monday) flights to DIA were almost $60 cheaper round trip. Note to self (and to those reading this interested in booking a flight): Don’t sleep on it. Unfortunately, we had to pay a bit extra, but I settled on two direct flights with ample time for exploring on the day we arrive and the day we depart. Flight = booked.

I’ve already begun compiling a mental list of the things I need to pack. I purchased a sweet Rome Escort board bag with plenty of space for first layers, gloves and other items that I’d prefer not to take up space in a suitcase. Words of wisdom I recently received: “Check your board but not your boots.” Good advice; if the airline loses your luggage (knock on wood that doesn’t happen), at least you have your own pair of boots. Demo a board at the mountain and make the airline pick up the tab.

In the meantime, I’ve begun creating a Breck playlist and picked up some new gear including a waterproof Oakley hoodie and a Burton neckwarmer. Weather forecasts tell me the temps are in the negative degrees so I need to be prepared. I was given a sweet, lightweight flip-style video camera as a gift to capture the trip so stay tuned for some sort of montage or footage.

Check back for my post-trip thoughts, too. Last night my snow report app revealed Breck has 91 trails open with snow on the way. I’m pretty bummed that I’m just missing the launch of this year’s Winter Dew Tour by a few days; bad planning on my part. Catch ya on the mountain, anyway!