Take advantage of these eight ways to make the most of Colorado’s favorite resort this winter.
Five huge peaks. 2,908 skiable acres. Four terrain parks. Eleven bowls. Fifty miles of town-owned trails ready for snowshoeing, fat biking and cross-country skiing. An impressive culinary scene, an award-winning arts district, and a vibrant mountain community. Breckenridge packs a lot of fun into winter, but if that’s not enough of a draw for you, here are our top eight reasons to get your butt up here this winter.
New Nightly Nordic Snowcat Adventures
Sip champagne and enjoy historic tales in the lap of luxury: This new, heated, all-glass snowcat makes a s’mores-and-hot-chocolate pitstop at a nearby cabin. breckenridgenordic.com/nordic-snowcat-adventures/
The New Backcountry Hut
Unplug and explore at the Sisters Cabin, a 2,090-square-foot retreat perched at 11,445 feet in Weber Gulch on the northern flank of Bald Mountain not too far from town. This hut, the first new structure built on Summit County public lands in two decades, comes with a wood-fired stove and sauna, and offers the ideal basecamp for up to 14 guests. summithuts.org.
Slopes For All
Breck’s five peaks, each with its own vibe and varied terrain, will entertain and challenge skiers of all levels. Intermediates will dig the blissful, high-alpine bowl skiing of Peak 6 and the rolling, groomed terrain of Peak 7. Peak 8, the heart of the resort, deals out a wide range of terrain via the Imperial Express, North America’s highest chairlift, which ferries riders up to pow stashes and hike-to treats. Family-friendly Peak 9 is where nubes and kids head to learn. Full of groomed steeps, well-sculpted moguls and technical tree chutes, Peak 10 keeps experts on their game. Plus, an abundance of slopeside lodging, ski-to-town trails, and the BreckConnect Gondola all make it feel as if the whole town is ski-in, ski-out.
High Alpine Thrills
Breck’s not in the conversation often enough when it comes to big-mountain kicks; the mountain’s steep, adrenaline-inducing in-bound pitches (and stunning views) keep core rippers happy. You can find powder stashes for days after it snows on Whale’s Tail off Imperial Express, or hike to almost 13,000 feet to drop Peak 8’s renowned Lake Chutes. Peak 7’s Ore Bucket delivers incredible gladed terrain and classic, vertiginous runs like Y Chutes, CJ’s and Magic Carpet. Or hike out to Peak 6’s Beyond Bowl, Serenity Bowl and The Six Senses, where wide-open expanses, cliffs and technical chutes await.
Come Early, Stay Late
At a base level of 9,600 feet above sea level, temperatures and altitude conspire to create ideal conditions for early season snowmaking, to deliver abundant snowfall throughout the year, and to help slopes hold onto snow late into spring. Plus, this year Breck fired up 50 new, high-efficiency snow guns to make more white stuff faster, using less energy. All this means that Breck has one of the longest ski seasons in the country.
Elevated Guided Experiences
Get the inside scoop on where to find the best snow based on current weather and conditions, and discover areas you’d likely never find on your own with an experienced guide who will not only hone your skills, but will also help you ski like a local and push your limits. Depending on which one you choose, this unique take on ski school, which is broken down into three different programs (Elevate, Explore, and Go Beyond) offers special access to ski patrol’s morning meetings and a behind-the scenes look at how patrollers work with Breck’s unique weather patterns to manage terrain: breckenridge.com/plan-your-trip/ski-and-ride-lessons/category/guides.aspx
New Food for the Soul
If you spend all day working up an appetite on the slopes and trails, you deserve to indulge in satisfying food and drink that fuels you up for another round the next day. Breck’s ever-expanding culinary scene doesn’t disappoint. With more than two dozen new restaurants opened on Main Street in recent years, there are plenty of choices. Hotspots celebrating their first winter in Breck include The Waffle Shop in The Maggie at the base of Peak 9; Sancho Tacos and Tequilas, serving up street tacos and craft tequila; Aurum Food and Wine, a modern yet laid-back bistro serving an array of creative cocktails and dishes that run the gamut from kale salad to Colorado lamb ribs; and Carboy Winery, a unique Colorado spot offering bottled and on-tap selections and sharing a historic building with The Gold Pan Saloon.
Can’t Miss Events
Lighting of Breckenridge
December 8, 2018
Watch Breck transform into a winter wonderland when Kris Kringle arrives to light the town tree. Stay for the Race of the Santas, a six-block dash in which runners and walkers don Santa suits and run to benefit a local non-profit.
Breck Dew Tour
December 13-16, 2018
This four-day mega event includes the world’s best skiers and snowboarders facing off for bragging rights in individual halfpipe and slopestyle competitions, Dew Tour’s signature team challenge and streetstyle competitions.
Ullr Fest Rocks Breckenridge
January 9-12, 2019
Grab that Viking helmet and join the town-wide tribute to Ullr, the Norse god of snow. Enjoy an iconic Main Street parade, take the Ullr Ice Plunge, (unofficial), witness the world’s longest shot ski attempt and find more wacky celebrations throughout town.
29th Annual International Snow Sculpture Championships
Beginning January 21, 2019
Watch artists from around the globe transform 25-ton blocks of snow into an experiential outdoor gallery.
