Breckenridge

Closed
John "Fritzski" Fritz
SnowPak Local Insider
John "Fritzski" Fritz
Pros
  • Breckenridge has tons of activities besides skiing such as dog-sledding and snowmobiling
  • Experience the unforgettable nightlife in this vibrant Colorado ski town
  • Offers a diverse range of resort lodgings from affordable to lavishly high-end
Cons
  • Due to its popularity, big crowds at the resort are a pain

Overall

4.4

Breckenridge is one of the most popular ski resorts in North America. Over a million and a half people visit every season, and it’s not hard to see why. A mecca for big mountain shredders and trick stomping freestylers, Breckenridge is all about the new school! When it comes to high alpine terrain, no-fall zone chutes, and wide open bowls, it tops every other ski area in Summit County. Nowhere else in North America gets you higher on a lift, with Breckenridge ski resort’s crowning glory the Imperial Express Super Chair whisking skiers and boarders up to 12,840 ft.

Best month to go

January

Thanks to its spot high up in the mountains, the ski season in Breckenridge usually lasts for around five months, from mid-November to mid-April. Slopes can be a bit patchy at the start and end of winter, but an extensive snow cannon network keeps the lower trails white for as long as it’s cold! As far as proper snowfall goes, it really starts cranking from January, tailing off by the end of March. Events like Ullr Fest and the International Snow Sculpture Championships are held in January, making that month an awesome time to visit. If there was ever a time not to visit Breckenridge, it’s the Christmas and New Year holidays, Martin Luther King Day, and Presidents’ Day. Crowds peak during these times, leading to monstrous lift queues and a spike in accommodation prices.

FLY TO

Denver International Airport

SHUTTLE TO

Breckenridge (approx. 2.5 hours)

Base of Breckenridge (Walk)

  • Popular lodging areas include Peak 7,8 and 9
  • Ski-in/ski-out accommodation
  • Peak 8 and Peak 9 are great areas for beginner's to stay

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Historic Downtown (1-2 mi)

  • Best dining and nightlife is on Main Street
  • Wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets
  • Shuttles available to and from the Breckenridge slopes

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Dillon/Silverthorne (15-20 mi)

  • Both towns are around 30 mins drive away from Breckenridge ski resort
  • Plenty of affordable lodging options
  • Limited nightlife

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Frisco (10-15 mi)

  • 25 minutes drive away from Breckenridge
  • Inexpensive lodging; has many hotel and motel chains
  • Easy access to Copper Mountain

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For beginners

Breckenridge has some of the best beginner skiing in Colorado. Check out the beginner terrain on the lower half of Peak 9 and base of Peak 8 or try out the speed-controlled Family Zones.

More beginners tips

For intermediates

There's intermediate terrain across all the Peaks at Breckenridge but Peak 7 is where you'll find plenty of perfect corduroys and gently rolling runs. Take on Claimjumper for big sweeping turns down the mountain, it's our favorite for intermediates here!

More intermediates tips

For experts

Don't underestimate Breckenridge, it's got expert terrain well above the tree line (unlike many Colorado resorts!), slopes as steep as 55 degrees and vertical cornices you gotta drop over! Take on the Six Senses area for steep narrow chutes and cornices or drop into some epic bowls such as Serenity Bowl, Horseshoe Bowl or from the highest point in the resort at 12,998 ft, Snow White Bowl!

More experts tips

Find freshies

Breckenridge's high elevation keeps the snow nice and fresh, but it gets tracked out quickly so go to the hike-to terrain on Peaks 6, 8, 9 and 10 for freshest stuff.

Ditch the crowds

Head to Peak 6's Kensho Super Chair and Peak 10's Falcon Super Chair to escape the crowds.

Non skiers

Breckenridge has some of the best nightlife that will keep non-skiers partying all night long. There is also snowmobiling and dogsledding available too.

Families

For families with beginners, there are easy trails that access the ski-in/ski-out accommodation between Peak 8 and Peak 9, where you'll find beginner terrain on the lower half.

Save up to 36% when you book a Breckenridge package!

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Breckenridge Reviews

Fabulous 4.4 / 5
based on 258 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Average!3.4 / 5Oct 15, 2021
Breckenridge ReviewsCole A.
advanced snowboarder
Breck is a cool place. The resort and town. It is the ideal experience for those seeking the destination ski experience. And peak 6 has some amazing tree lines. As a part of the Vail Corp, I do have some salt in my mouth while saying this due to the constant rise of price in addition to the growing crowdedness at this resort.... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Oct 15, 2021
Breckenridge ReviewsJoe F.
intermediate snowboarder
Lots of area near the top so crowds aren’t as packed in. Definitely try to stay in upper half of mountain on crowded days. Lots of different terrain to ride.... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Oct 15, 2021
ANAdam N.
intermediate skier
Breckenridge is great. It has many slopes, and definitely something for everyone. It's a very easy place for beginners, but you also won't get bored as an expert. The town has a lot of shops, restaurants, and spas for when you get tired of playing in the snow as well.... More
Good!3.8 / 5Oct 15, 2021
YYasin
intermediate skier
Excellent resort. Great variety of runs. Slight wait during December peak season for lifts. A lot more beginner runs at Peak 9. Beginner runs at Peak 8 slightly more difficult.... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Oct 15, 2021
Breckenridge ReviewsJohn C.
advanced skier
From the double Black diamond bump runs on peak 10, through the more beginner-friendly runs on peaks 8 and 9, to the long top-to-bottom blue & black groomed runs on peak 7 & 6, Breckenridge has a wide selection to cater for just about any family skiing or boarding group. Easy to navigate with reasonable lift wait times on the middle 2 peaks, It is... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Oct 15, 2021
Breckenridge ReviewsChristina P.
advanced skier
Amazing resort - large, easy drive from Denver due to infrastructure being well planned, amazing snow, good hostel/hotel options, lively town, and great all around spot. The town is more lowkey - not super upscale or anything, but it’s fantastic! Great bars and restaurants and so walkable. There’s also hood public transport. Snow quality in Breck... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Oct 15, 2021
DTDries T.
intermediate skier
The resort was truly a beautiful and historical place. Offers a wide variety of slopes for skiers and snowboarders of every level. This was my first time here and I will be back again because of the wonderful and positive experience.... More
Very Good!3.9 / 5Oct 15, 2021
CACamilo A.
advanced snowboarder
Very good for beginners and just ok for advanced. The base area is a little poor in stores and night life. The Gondola is basically the only way to get to the "real base area" wich makes it a little hard to handle when you get there at the same moment that the crowd, especially on weekends, that line took us an hour. Honestly, I do not plan to... More
Average!3.4 / 5Oct 15, 2021
MPMichael P.
advanced skier
Resort was nice. Getting around was easy. Time to lifts was minimal. Need a are to buy snacks, bottled water, etc . Had issues checking in to hotel with debit card... More
Superb!4.6 / 5Oct 15, 2021
AWArtur W.
intermediate snowboarder
Breck is really nice place for snowboarders. Becouse it lay on 5 different peaks, everyone can find something good for yourself- variety of terrain is huge, same as difficulties of trails... More