Yo, Tweaks, if you can cut through all the BS here and bickering, you might get your questions answered.
Here's some more info that you will find helpful.
1. Job. With tuning experience you can get work, and I would seriously suggest you get on
www.dexonline.com and start contacting shops now. You may find that you will have a job by the time you arrive.
2. Eldora. A controversial subject, for sure. Here's the scoop. It's 30-45 minutes away depending upon road conditions and traffic. The mountain is on the wrong side of the Continental Divide which means lots of wind, less snow. However, when there are upslope storms (storms hit the mountains from the east) you can have a damn good time. There's also a backside which has the best/steepest terrain there including a couple of small avi chutes. Hit the mountain ONLY when the backside is open and only during or immediately after upslope storms, or in the spring when everything is nice and soft. Avoid it on weekends.
3. Season Pass. You're going to score a good deal regardless if you choose the Copper/WP pass or the Colorado pass. The benefit of the Colorado Pass is you get Beaver Creek, Vail, Keystone (which isn't really a place I'd ski, personally although it must be noted that they do pay attention to their park features, especially rails) and Breck. With apologies to the Winter Park crew, I never seem to ski there, either, because you drive right by a little spot that averages 500 inches of snow each year called Berthoud Pass. See all that snow and I have to stop!
Both deals are sweat and you'll have fun regardless. My choice is the Colorado Pass because of the one-two punch of Vail and Beaver Creek. Beaver Creek is really good, with plenty of Backcountry access. You'll notice no one has mentioned it because it's a pain in the ass, you drive farther than most of the other resorts and then you have to park and then take a shuttle.
4. Road Shuttles. Berthoud Pass, Loveland Pass, etc. You don't even have to own a season pass for these places, just a car, some backcountry knowledge (avi gear essential) and a willingness to hike. Colorado is full of snow and mountains, and ditching the crowds at the ski areas is easy.
5. Road Trips. Save some coin for road trips. There are some amazing resorts worthy of long weekend trips. Crested Butte, Aspen, Telluride, the list goes on. Sample some of them. Even Loveland ski area can be fun when conditions are right and it's pretty close to Boulder.
I'll leave it to the others to argue over which mountain is best, the best for you will be your own decision. The fun will be in figuring out exactly which mountain that is. . .
