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Breckenridge Ski Resort

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Overview

Breckenridge Ski Resort Overview

Breckenridge Ski Resort is one of Colorado’s most-visited ski resorts and ski towns, located approximately 100 miles west of the Denver International Airport and less than a two-hour drive from the Denver metro area. The mountain first opened on December 16, 1961, consisting of trails on Peak 8 serviced currently by the Colorado SuperChair, and is now considered a large, international ski resort.

Skiers and riders from new to seasoned have five peaks and 2,908 acres of skiable terrain to explore. A towering summit elevation of 12,998 feet, among the highest in the state, is the jumping-off point for Breck’s impressive 3,398 feet of vertical drop. Breckenridge ski resort is home to four award-winning terrain parks and a 22-foot superpipe.

Feeling a bit peckish? Fuel your alpine adventures at one of Breckenridge ski resort’s 11 on-mountain restaurants or stroll Breckenridge’s charming, historic downtown district. Take in the Rocky Mountains’ breathtaking views at 2,500 feet from the Gold Runner Alpine Coaster, shop at more than 156 unique and locally-owned boutiques and enjoy a libation at Breckenridge’s many restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. 

After a long day of hitting the slopes, shopping and dining you will want to relax and recharge at one of the countless lodging options, including ski-in/ski-out resorts, condos, and hotels so you can get right back to another ski day on Breckenridge’s 187 trails.

Transportation

Breckenridge is about 2 hours by car from Denver.
Breckenridge offers a host of unique lodging options, including spacious hotels, quaint bed and breakfast inns and comfortable homes and condominiums, with something perfect for every taste and budget. Tiger Run RV Resort has a hookup available.

Restaurants

Best Restaurants and Bars in Breckenridge

► For Breakfast & Brunch

Clint’s Bakery & Coffee House: Clint’s is the perfect grab-and-go spot where piping hot coffee, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches are as ready as you are to hit the slopes!

Columbine Café: Columbine Café is a sit-down breakfast place located right off Main Street and is known for its heavy, hearty fare. Columbine Café can have long waits, so be sure to arrive early.

Crepes A La Cart: Suitable for any meal, this crepe stand is practically an institution in downtown Breckenridge, and its crepes are practically its own food group.

► For Lunch

Ollie’s Pub: This family-friendly Breck pub welcomes visitors and diners from across Colorado and the U.S. Ollie’s features generous servings of American fare and pub grub.

Seven’s: One of the 11 restaurants on Breckenridge’s mountain, Seven’s is located on Peak 7 in the Grand Lodge. At Seven’s you have the flexibility of eating and getting right back to those groomers or sitting back to enjoy and take in the stunning views from inside or on the back deck.

Pioneer Crossing: Pioneer Crossing is Breck’s newest on-mountain dining experience, located on Peak 7. Pioneer Crossing pairs freshly-made comfort cuisine with a one-of-a-kind Western dining experience complete with spectacular views thanks to its panoramic windows.

► For Dinner

Relish: Situated in downtown Breckenridge off Main Street, Relish features fresh, seasonal Colorado cuisine coupled with a warm and inviting environment and spectacular views of Breckenridge’s resort.  

Hearthstone Restaurant: Hearthstone’s Victorian architecture and distinctive menu create an elegant dining experience unlike any other. Located on South Ridge Street in downtown Breckenridge, Hearthstone has been a staple dining experience for over 20 years.  

Giampietro’s: This cozy Italian bistro is a family-friendly dining option serving up delicious pizzas, calzones, salads, and sandwiches. Take a pie back to your hotel/condo or kick back and enjoy a glass of vino after a day of hitting the slopes. 

► Après Ski

T-Bar: There is a short checklist for the perfect post-slope party scene known as après in Breck, and T-Bar hits all of them. Located at the base of Peak 8 in One Ski Hill Place, T-Bar offers an expansive deck, 40 craft beers on tap and food specials to keep hunger at bay until dinner. Jump on the BreckConnect gondola in no time to get ready for a night out on the town. 

Mi Casa: Unwind after a long day of tearing up the slopes with a refreshing margarita made from fresh ingredients and your choice of more than 100+ tequilas. 

► Nightlife

Cecilia’s: Recently ranked Among The 10 Hottest Dance Clubs in Colorado by Best Things Co, Cecilia invites partygoers to slip out of those ski boots and let your hair down. Dance the night away with a live DJ, drink specials 7 nights a week and a martini bar.

Continental Divide Winery: Touted as the world’s highest altitude winery (at 10,361 feet) and located right off Main Street in downtown Breckenridge, Continental Divide Winery features Colorado and California wines to please even the most discerning palate. 

Napper and Tandy’s Irish Pub: Napper and Tandy’s is the kind of casual, party environment where you can kick back with a few pints and let loose.

Terrain

Breckenridge Ski Area

► Alpine Ski Area

Breck is situated in the Rockies and is nestled along the Tenmile Range—making it an ideal location for skiers and riders of all skill levels. The mountain features four base areas that make up its 2,908 acres of skiable terrain including smooth groomers, a 22-foot halfpipe, and some standout steeps.

On a bluebird powder day, skiers and riders should head up to Horseshoe Bowl, North Bowl and Whale’s Tail on the Imperial Express SuperChair—the highest chairlift in North America. You can also access this area via the T-Bar on Peak 7. Here you will find wide-open, double black diamond skiing. If steeps are your thing, head left from the top of the Imperial chair and work Easy Street and the rest of the Lake Chutes.

Because this portion of the ski area is above treeline, visibility can be compromised during snowstorms. If that's the case, Breck’s tree runs off the back of Peak 9 and E-Chair are a good alternative. For the experienced and fit, there is excellent hike-to, inbound terrain off the top of E-Chair. Once the bowls get tracked out, head over to the Falcon Chair and ski The Burn or the countless black diamond runs that Peak 10 has to offer.

► Breckenridge Terrain

Peak 6

They don’t call it “Serenity Bowl” for nothing. From the top of the super chair, hike about 10 minutes to the 12,573-foot Peak 6 summit, head skier’s right, and drop in. With boot-deep powder and a wide-open bowl, it feels like backcountry—but with regular ski patrol avalanche control, it’s safer.

Peak 7

Serviced by the Independence SuperChair, Peak 7 is packed full of blue cruiser runs which are ideal for intermediate skiers and riders. Skirt the northernmost boundary of the resort on Monte Cristo or rip fast laps on Pioneer. Whether you want to be mellow or work on your GS turns, this is the place for you.

Peak 8

What isn’t there to love about Peak 8? First, there’s the Imperial Express, the highest elevation chairlift in North America (which delivers you to some of the resort’s best terrain, by the way). Then there’s the T-Bar, a buzzing watering hole with an extensive beer, wine, and cocktail choices. There’s also the outdoor stage that comes out in the spring and hosts live music and, finally, there’s Freeway, where you might catch Shaun White practicing on the four massive jumps, myriad rails, and boxes or the 22-foot Superpipe.

Peak 9

Chances are, you’re no Olympian, but that doesn’t mean you can’t push your own limits. This season you can race on the EpicMix racecourse. Race yourself, your friends, or even four-time overall World Cup Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, Lindsey Vonn. Find the EpicMix Race Course on Peak 9: from the Beaver Run Superchair, ride Sundown to the race location.

Peak 10

Challenge yourself on some of Breck’s toughest terrain and get there fast on the speedy Falcon SuperChair. Known as a “Bi” or Bicentennial Peak, it’s on the top 200 highest in the state of Colorado and offers spectacular views of the Tenmile Range.

► Tubing Park and Snow Play

Breckenridge doesn’t have its own tubing park, but you can visit the Frisco Adventure Park just 20 minutes from Breckenridge. It features a multi-lane tubing hill and beginner ski & ride hill, both serviced by an easy-to-use surface lift. The Adventure Park also includes the Frisco Nordic Center, which offers 27 kilometers of ski trails, 20 kilometers of snowshoe trails, rentals, skate or classic lessons, and ski tuning seven days a week.

Carter Park, Breck’s sledding hill, is located at the south end of High Street adjacent to the Breckenridge Elementary School. It’s free--just bring your own sled and some hot cocoa!

► Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing

The Breckenridge Nordic Center is located just a minute’s drive from downtown Breckenridge and 90 minutes from Denver. It has 2,000 acres of groomed cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails. After your day out on the trails, enjoy food and drink specials and beautiful views from their handcrafted log lodge.

Inside Scoop

Things to Do in Breckenridge

► Breckenridge Essentials

As one of the most popular resorts in Colorado, Breck can get crowded very fast, especially on a powder day. Avoid a long line on T-bar or Imperial on Peak 8 by hitting runs like Little Johnny’s, which still offers plenty of powder under the Rocky Mountain Super Chair while you wait for a break in the T-bar queue.

Escape the crowds and go where the locals go, Motherload Tavern. This family-friendly establishment offers a relaxing atmosphere, chill back patio and home-cooked meals. Kick back, enjoy a game of corn hole and unwind after an epic day on the mountain.

► Non-skiing Activities

Need a break from the skis? Top winter activities in Breckenridge include dog sledding, snowmobiling, fat biking, sleigh rides, scenic cat tours, historic tours, and mine tours.

► Top Winter Events in Breckenridge

Breck offers a calendar full of competitions, concerts, celebrations, parades and week-long special events. One of the top events is the International Snow Sculpture Championships in January, in which 16 teams from around the world hand-carve 20-ton blocks of snow into enormous, intricate works of art.

In December, don’t miss Ullr Fest, in which more than 12,000 Ullr enthusiasts in Viking hats fill the streets for the Ullr Parade with crazy float participants skiing off jumps on Main Street or gliding along in a hot tub. The party continues with the biggest bonfire in town and breaking the Breckenridge Distillery Shotski® “unofficial” World Record.

► Ski School

Breckenridge has a wide variety of ski school options to choose from, including family sessions, child and adult lessons, and women’s programs.

For the inside scoop on Breck’s best terrain, book a Breck Guide. You'll learn basic backcountry skills and where to find the freshest powder. Breck Guides is available for Levels 8+ skiers and snowboarders only.

► Child Care

Breck’s Child Care Centers offer a fun environment where your child can play during your stay. Children are grouped according to age and development. Their experienced staff will provide fun activities and projects. Children 2+ can also do the Little Rippers Program, a private introductory ski experience as a part of a full-day reservation while you’re off enjoying the slopes.

Best Time for Snow

Average Snowfall

71"
44"
30"
15"
0"
30"
Nov
59"
Dec
57"
Jan
54"
Feb
58"
Mar
36"
Apr
6"
May
0"
Jun

Terrain Overview

13%
Beginners Runs
23%
Intermediate Runs
36%
Advanced Runs
28%
Expert Runs
187
Runs in Total
3.5 mi
Longest Run
2908 ac
Skiable Terrain
600 ac
Snow Making

Total Lifts: 35

1
Gondolas & Trams
5
High Speed Sixes
7
High Speed Quads
1
Triple Chairs
6
Double Chairs
15
Surface Lifts

Elevation

12998'
Summit
3398'
Vertical Drop
9600'
Base

Important Dates

November 11, 20222022/11/11
Projected Opening
May 28, 20232023/05/28
Projected Closing
199
Projected Days Open
204
Days Open Last Year
62
Years Open
300"
Average Snowfall
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