Breckenridge Local Guide
Breckenridge, Colorado is an old mining town high in the Rockies that has now transitioned to a family friendly town that offers world class skiing, excellent nightlife, arts and culture, and tons of other things to do off the hill. Set high up at almost 10,000 feet above sea level, the winter months stay cold enough to have consistently great skiing conditions throughout the entire season. That high altitude also means that summer days in Breckenridge are very rarely above 80 degrees, making it a great place to escape the heat. With the largest number of skier visits in the country every year, there are a ton of reasons to come see what all the hype is about!
Image Credit: Breckenridge.com
ON MOUNTAIN
Breckenridge Ski Resort is truly a diverse place, offering everything from beginner trails to hikeable expert-only terrain in the backcountry. The higher up you go on the mountain, the more challenging the skiing becomes and the deeper the snow gets. The design and natural topography of the resort allow for beginner skiing to be segmented in a variety of ways from intermediate to advanced runs so that skiers are typically able to pick an area of the mountain and know what they are getting themselves into. “Breck,” as it’s referred to by the locals, has over 34 lifts with one of them being the highest lift in North America. With 2,908 skiable acres, 155 total runs, and over 350 inches of annual average snowfall, it truly is a world class resort. Casual skier? No problem. Our recommendation for intermediate skiers is to check out the new area of the resort called Peak 6, and you can even hike to a more remote run from the top of Peak 6 if you are feeling up to the challenge. Good luck exploring it all in one trip!
OFF HILL ACTIVITIES
A great benefit of visiting Breckenridge is that it offers a number of activities in addition to skiing in the winter. Breckenridge runs a full service ice rink, where they offer skating to the public as well as semi-professional hockey games on some weekends in the winter when the Breckenridge Vipers team is not traveling. The Recreation Center is only $10 for a day pass, and has everything from an indoor rock climbing wall, to a full gym and hot tub. Hop on the Summit Stage bus or drive over to the Frisco Tubing Hill, where they have lift access tubing for those who want a change of pace from skiing. The Frisco Adventure Center also offers fat biking trails and rentals, as well as cross-country skiing opportunities. On a cold day, spend some time exploring the rich culture and history of Breckenridge as a mining community, where it all began, right on Main Street. Go find out why so many businesses, ski runs, and streets have a number of mining references.
Another one of the best parts of visiting Breckenridge for your ski vacation is that it has a thriving town at the bottom of it, rather than a resort style community. Tons of locals live in town proper, leading to a bustling community with so much to offer besides the skiing. If you are in the mood to check out a unique local restaurant, head to Angels Hollow. Tucked one street off the main drag, Angel’s Hollow has big portions of delicious Mexican — American food with a twist, and makes the best margarita in Breckenridge. If you want to have a more formal sit down style dinner, make a reservation for dinner at The Hearthstone, where incredible views of the resort only increase the experience of the great tasting locally inspired menu. For a fun night of entertainment via arcade games, bar food, sports games on TV, and laser tag, head to Downstairs at Eric’s, where they make the best baked wings in town. After you finish up grabbing a bite to eat, throw on some late night attire and check out the Brown Hotel and Bar, which recently remodeled to add a stage to their basement, making an awesome small feel concert venue. Or, for a unique experience, go enjoy a cocktail at Rocky Mountain Underground (RMU), which is a ski shop, bike shop, and bar all in one. When you’re here in the winter, make sure to check the date as Ullr Fest could be happening while you are here. With the world’s longest ski shot, a parade celebration the God of Snow called Ullr, and free concerts, this is a festival that can’t be missed. 
TRANSPORTATION
Want to avoid the process of getting a rental vehicle to get you from the airport to your accommodations? Use Summit Express, a shuttle service that offers free WiFi and takes the hassle away by bringing you directly to your accommodations. Breckenridge is in Summit County, which provides multiple free transportation services to guests and locals. The Summit Stage brings people between towns, as it is a free service provided from the county as a whole. This allows you to check out the rest of the county such as the town of Frisco, which offers a different experience than the resort community of Breckenridge. Within the town of Breckenridge, there are many routes that will take you anywhere you want to go within a reasonable distance called the Breck Freeride. Local tip: Both the Summit Stage and Breck Freeride buses offer a free app where you can track the progress of the buses coming to your stop, making it easy to understand the schedule and maps. With convenient transportation options, great dining options, a local culture that can’t be beat, and one of the best ski resorts in North America, be sure to check out Breck for your next ski vacation.
