Howdy! Meeting a friend in Denver this weekend, staying in the CBD. Wanting to know great places to eat/drink in the area. We are foodies. Also any local microbrew pubs that we need to hit up.

We had planned on going skiing (yes it is early) at Loveland or A-Basin. We are just excited to get out of Texas, away from responsibilities. Not much of the mountains are open but enough to just entertain ourselves. Opinions please. She is a novice skiier and I am average. Again just enjoying getting out of Texas and into the mountains.

Also is there a spot where a bunch of Aggies will be watching the game, if we don't get to the ski lifts?
Thanks in Advance. My e-mail andrablancasteratyahoodotcom

That should be a cool trip. I'd definitely get some skiing in, and Loveland is probably the safer bet. I say this because early skiing at A-Basin often results in 10-minute lines at the lifts. I do a ton of Friday afternoon skiing at A-Basin where a 2-minute line is a long wait, but Oct/early Nov can have waits. Loveland is not part of the Epic/Summit pass, so there should be less people skiing there. Be sure to stop in Idaho Springs on the way back to Denver & get a beer at Tommyknocker Brewery. THe food is pretty good there, or you could walk 100 yards and eat some great pizza at Beau Jo's. Also, Main Street Cafe has great breakfast if you head up early.

Fainting Goat is where the Denver A&M club watches games.

Breweries: Great Divide & Epic are my nominations.

Breakfast: Snooze & Syrup are my favorite downtown. For Snooze, get there by about 6:45-7:00 or the wait will be 45+ minutes.

Lunch/Dinner: D'Corazon is some of the best Mexican food in Denver (best carnitas I've ever had, great salsa, guac, rice, beans). Rio Grande is across the street from D'Corazon & has great margs and good food. Tamayo for high-end Mexican. Hit up Larimer Square (Larimer between 14th and 15th). Numerous bars/restaurant & cool area.

Freshcraft has great beer and good food. Euclid Hall as well.

Thank you for the amazing recs. we skied Loveland and used several suggestions. Great weekend in Denver!

I'll be spending the week in the Boulder area, and doing some snowboarding at A-Basin. I've never been to Colorado or snowboarding.

Any part of the area I can't miss? I'm driving from College Station to Boulder, and I just purchased some new all weather tires, but I'm still apprehensive about the road conditions. Any areas a newbie should avoid?

I always tell people to take 35 to 70 and then to Denver.

This is not a good time of year to head through Raton Pass IMO.

Good to know, thank you.