If more Australians knew about Breckenridge’s jaw-dropping high alpine terrain, windblown powder stashes and vibrant local après culture, I’m sure it would come up more on ski travel bucket lists. Yet somehow this five-peak megalith of a mountain with a storybook-like town has snuck under our collective radar.
Breckenridge boasts the highest lifted point in North America at the top of its Imperial Superchair at 12,840 feet (3,914m). There are five different peaks you can ski across, with 2,908 acres of trails catering to all skill levels. Families love Breckenridge because it offers much cheaper accommodation and dining than nearby Vail, yet punches above its weight in long, plentiful runs, beautiful grooming and sunny Colorado weather.
But it’s the high alpine terrain lurking above the treeline that should be magnetising for more extreme riders. Despite being so accessible and just a 2.5-hour shuttle bus from Denver airport, Breckenridge’s lifts provide access to some of the most thrilling hike-to terrain in the country.
Terrain
Five different peaks and 187 trails spread the crowds impressively at Breckenridge, so I rarely waited in a lift line and had the bowl skiing up high all to my blissed-out self. From the top there’s a bunch of expert hike-to terrain where you can hike your skis up for 15 minutes, then drop into idyllic trails like “Beyond Bowl”, “Serenity Bowl” and “Whale’s Tail”. These bowls hold snow better than most of the country and continually refill with fluffy windblown powder stashes being cast off the 13,000-foot peak.
Lower down, there are mellower, gladed tree lines and soft, wide intermediate groomers. There’s almost always an option for families of differing abilities to ski different routes and meet up at the bottom. The only potential drawback of Breckenridge’s peaks is they can be bitingly cold on windy days – a reality of skiing high elevation and great snow quality. But you can always stay below the treeline or pop into one of the warming huts dotted across the mountain.
Stay
Breckenridge is just 35 miles (56km) from its glamorous neighbour Vail, yet worlds away in accommodation prices. You can stay in a ski-in, ski-out apartment at the doorstep of the lift line with multiple pools, hot tubs, a sauna, steam room and fitness centre in the building, for a fraction of what you would pay elsewhere. Beaver Run Resort is the most convenient, where a one-bedroom condo comes with the convenience of a kitchen, parking and overlooks the slopes. The enormous conference centre even has an indoor arcade and mini-golf. Ski rental and the ski pass window are right downstairs, and town is just a 10-minute walk away.
Eat
Rootstalk is a highlight dining experience in town – an upscale modern American restaurant run by a local chef who won the prestigious James Beard Award for best chef in the mountain regions of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming. The food is exquisite (think, pink-soft duck breast aside crispy vegetables with jus over delicate white space) but the experienced, knowledgeable servers really stand out. Cabin Juice impresses for a slightly lower price with Colorado short rib that punches above its weight. There are also a bunch of cheap happy hour deals at seriously good restaurants such as the $10 Korean fried chicken burger at Aurum or $9-$16 plates at Tavern Underground. More casually, Fiesta Jalisco has authentic Mexican and Castaways is Breck’s only tiki bar with bangin’ poke bowls.
Things to do
Breck is a charming, historic mining town that has stood since the gold rush of the 1800s and has an off-snow offering to match that heyday. Explore the pastel-coloured Victorian facades of Main Street, visit art galleries, duck into a museum or take a history tour. Try cross-country skiing on 50 km of local trails from the Nordic Centre, go horseback riding, dog-sledding or ice skating at the arena in town. Breck is also famous for its boisterous weekend après scene. TBar at the bottom of Peak 8 has regular Euro-style ski parties and live DJs on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Wash it all down with a visit to Breckenridge Distillery to learn how some of the world’s best bourbon is made and be sure to stay for dinner in the new restaurant.
Location: Breckenridge, Colorado USA
Famous for: Five peaks, the tallest chairlift in North America, bowl skiing above the treeline, a charming historic town and buzzing après.
Elevation: Base 9,600 feet (2,926 metres), Summit 12,998 feet (3,963 metres)
Lifts: 35
Ski school: Yes, with a designated beginner area cordoned off from the main slope
Terrain parks: 3
Pass: Epic Pass, Epic Australia Pass
Accessible travel: Breckenridge Outdoor Education Centre runs adaptive skiing and boarding programs and scholarships. The town of Breckenridge runs a program called “Accessible Breck”, ensuring main attractions are all wheelchair accessible.Best for: High elevation thrill-seekers and multi-level families.
