A Guide To A Skiing Vacation At Breckenridge

Vital Info

Visitor's Bureau
203 South Main St.
Breckenridge, CO 80424
(970) 453-2918
www.gobreck.com
www.breckenridge.com

How To Get There

Breckenridge is easily accessible from Denver and is about a 90 minute drive from downtown (at least 2 hours from the Denver Airport). There are no airports in Summit County where Breckenridge is located. The closest airport is in neighboring Eagle County, but flights are limited, expensive and most transport there serves the Vail Resort area. To drive to Breckenridge from Denver, take Interstate 70 west to the Eisenhower Tunnel. On the other side, you'll be in Summit County. Once you drive down from the Tunnel, you'll go through Dillon on I-70 and then look for the exit (mm 203) for Frisco/Breckenridge. That will force you to head south on Hwy. 9 which takes you past the heart of Frisco. Continue on Hwy. 9 along the southwest side of Lake Dillon for about 9 miles (15 minutes) and you'll find yourself in Breckenridge.

Breckenridge sits in a valley of sorts with mountains to the east and west. The town itself is 7 miles long and 2 miles wide. While people live or lodge up the mountain sides to the east and west, the heart of the business district is concentrated within a few blocks of Main Street which runs right through the center of town.

Where To Stay

Breckenridge is perfect for a single-day skiing trip or a multi-day winter vacation. There is a variety of lodging options from traditional hotel rooms to rental condos where you cook your own food in the comfort of a kitchen. Obviously, staying at a ski-accessible facility "on the mountain" is ideal so you can just park your car and break out the skis each day without having to worry about driving. Other hotels and lodges may offer free shuttle services for guests to get you to the base areas or even around town when it is time to eat or shop. Do your homework and make sure where you stay offers everything you want. If they don't offer parking, keep in mind that parking isn't free in Breckenridge, unless you park way outside of town. Much more about lodging can be found at www.breckenridge.com.

Your lodging facility is also a good place to inquire about discounted or multi-day lift tickets. People who plan to spend several days on the slopes can save money with package deals that tie lodging, skiing and other activities together. The ski area itself also offers multi-day pricing at www.breckenridge.com.

What To Do

There is also a Nordic center and plenty of cross-country skiing trails in Breckenridge. The Nordic center, which rents skis and has trail maps is located off Ski Hill Rd. Learn more at www.breckenridgenordic.com.

If you are parking at one of the main pay lots in town or need to get from the Peaks 7 or 8 base areas back into town, there is a gondola service called BreckConnect. It runs from the center of the parking area off Park Avenue up to Peaks 7 and 8 during normal ski area operating hours. The ride from the parking lot to Peak 8 takes about 10 minutes with stops at Shock Hill and Peak 7. The idea is to cut down on the number of people riding buses from the parking lots up to Peak 8. Skiers parking at the outlying free lots will probably still stay on shuttle buses to get up to the base areas.

Hitting The Slopes

When you hit the slopes for downhill skiing, remember that Breckenridge is a large resort with four peaks and base areas, so you'll certainly want to carry a trail map while enjoying the snow, especially if you're new to the ski area. You can ski (or board) from one peak or base area to the others pretty easily. Just make sure you can handle the terrain. Peak 10 and the bowls above Peaks 7 and 8 are all advanced or black runs. If you're a beginner or intermediate skier, stick to Peaks 7, 8 and 9 and stay below the bowls. There are 2,358 acres or total terrain, so there is plenty to explore, so you shouldn't be bored, no matter what your skill level is.

While out for a day on the mountain, there is always the option to eat at number of restaurants in the base areas, or even at the top of some of the higher ski lifts. Consult your trail map when the stomach starts growling, but remember you'll be paying a premium to eat on the mountain (base areas are a little cheaper, maybe). Or for those staying somewhere that is ski-accessible, heading back to your room for a snack or lunch is always a great money-saving option.

Where To Shop

If you need to buy food or other groceries while in Breckenridge, the City Market located in the shopping center on the north end of town near Main Street and N. Park Avenue is your best bet. The Kroger owned grocery store has everything you would find at any large supermarket back home. There is also a a good liquor store a few doors to the north if you're looking for beer, wine or other spirits. Remember that prices in Breckenridge will probably be a little higher than you're used to, but nothing like a professional sports stadium concession (that's more likely when you eat on the mountain).

Once those legs get tired and you need to do something else besides bending those knees and pushing off your feet, head into town for some shopping, entertainment or fine food. If you're staying close to the center of town near Peak 8 or 9 base areas, you can probably walk if you don't mind the cold. Given the limited amount of parking, that might your best bet. Even the free hotel/lodge shuttles or public buses can be hard to wait for if you are impatient. If you're staying further away, definitely wait for the shuttle or bus unless you want to take a serious hike.

There are too many restaurants, shops and other forms of entertainment to list them all. You'll find a wide variety of businesses ready to take your money up and down Main Street from one end to the other. You can probably find just about anything you're looking to buy somewhere along the main stretch, from nick knacks to jewelry to artwork and clothing. Your lodging facility probably has a book or guide in your room that can help you narrow down your choices. Or ask the front desk if there is something with which you need more help.

Where To Eat

If you're looking to eat, be sure to wander a couple blocks east of Main Street to Ridge Street where there are some hidden local restaurants between Washington and Adams that offer lots of good food as well (It is pretty easy to stay focused on just the things you see on Main Street). As for types of foods and dining experiences, if you want it, you'll find it in Breckenridge. There is a Starbucks and Subway, but those are about the only chains you'll find.

What About Pets?

Breckenridge is a very dog friendly town. Some of the lodges or condos for rent even allow pets (sometimes at a slightly higher rate). If you can bring your family pet on vacation with you, there is a large, well-kept fenced-in dog park on southeast end of Breckenridge near the elementary school. Take Adams Ave. east from Main Street, then turn south on High Street which dead ends at the dog park and some tennis courts.