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About Breckenridge
When you book a Breckenridge ski vacation through Ski.com, you're not just planning a trip; you're embarking on an adventure to one of the premier ski resorts in Colorado, and indeed, in all of North America. Known affectionately as "Breck" by the Summit County locals, this destination offers the quintessential Rocky Mountain ski experience, combining world-class skiing that caters to all skill levels—from beginners to advanced skiers and riders—with an electric nightlife scene that ensures the fun doesn't stop once the slopes close.
In addition to its varied ski terrain, Breckenridge boasts a wide array of lodging options to suit every taste and budget, from cozy mountain cabins to luxurious resort accommodations. Foodies will delight in the town's great restaurants, offering everything from quick bites to gourmet dining experiences. The lively base area is a hub of winter activities, ensuring there's never a dull moment, even for those who prefer to take a day off from skiing. Historic Main Street is lined with charming shops, art galleries, and restaurants, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Ten Mile Range. It's the perfect place to stroll, shop, and soak up the local culture. Just an hour's drive from the Denver International Airport, Breckenridge is easily accessible, making it a favorite destination for both domestic and international visitors.
5 best things about Breckenridge according to our Mountain Travel Experts
Exciting mountain town
2900 skiable acres
High-alpine lifts
Winter festivals such as Ullr Fest
World-class terrain parks and halfpipe
MOUNTAIN STATS
Snow reports
Where to stay in Breckenridge
Breckenridge Trail Maps
How to get to Breckenridge
Breckenridge is located just two hours from Denver International Airport (DIA) via Interstate 70. The resort is also accessible from regional airports such as Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) and Colorado Springs Airport (COS).
Getting around
Breckenridge offers a complimentary bus service, making it easy for visitors to explore different areas of the resort without hassle.
Skiing in Breckenridge
With more than 2,908 acres of skiing and riding terrain for all levels, a handful of world-renowned terrain parks and half pipes, and a state-of-the-art ski and snowboard school, it's easy to understand why Breckenridge is one of the most popular ski resorts in Colorado. Beginner skiers can comfortably learn to ski at the base of Peak 8 and 9, while intermediates have their pick of pristine groomed runs at Breckenridge, as well as intermediate bowls from the new Peak 6 terrain. Expert skiers can ski challenging lines off of the summit of Peak, or get air on one of Breckenridge’s five world-class terrain parks. The terrain options for every skier are limitless on a Breckenridge ski vacation.
Beginner Skiing in Breckenridge
There are plenty of beginner runs and easy-to-ride magic carpets and chairlifts throughout the ski resort that make Breckenridge a great destination for people looking to learn how to ski or snowboard. The bottom areas of Peak 8 and Peak 9 are the main Breckenridge beginner skiing zones. Getting to these areas is easy from anywhere on the mountain. Boasting over 90,000 lessons a season, the Breckenridge ski school is one of the best in North America for getting new skiers and boarders on snow. Every beginner should take at least one lesson to learn the fundamentals of skiing or snowboarding. You’ll be happy you did.
Ski School
Breckenridge has an amazing ski school that offers a variety of lessons to help beginners gain confidence and improve their skills. Whether you prefer group lessons or one-on-one instruction, they’ve got you covered. Taking a lesson is a great way to get a solid start and feel more comfortable on the slopes. Even if you are confident in your skills, taking a lesson can help you up your game in a short amount of time.
Expert Skiing in Breckenridge
The Breckenridge expert skiing ranges from wide-open bowls filled with fresh snow to tight trees and long mogul runs. Known for having one of North America’s most popular terrain parks and half pipes, the caliber of freestyle skiing found in Breckenridge will blow you away, too. X Games competitors, pro-skiers and -snowboarders spend a lot of time in Breckenridge because of the world-class jumps, rails, and pipes.
Whether you’re looking for long bump runs, wide-open bowls with powder, tight trees to navigate, or massive kickers to practice your park jumps, the Breckenridge expert skiing is definitely challenging. Head to Breckenridge if you think you can ski it all: park and powder, moguls and trees.
Advanced Terrain
The Imperial Express SuperChair on Peak 8 is the highest chairlift in North America, and gets expert skiers and snowboarders to some challenging terrain. It used to take committed skiers 45 minutes to hike up to the summit of Peak 8, but now getting up the 12, 840 feet takes a little less than three minutes. The beautiful views are only out-classed by the great skiing. The Lake Chutes are as steep as it gets in Breckenridge, and the Snow White zone gets the “EX” or extreme terrain classification. Both spots will test the most confident and experienced expert skiers. North Bowl, Horseshoe Bowl, and Contest Bowl are three other zones that expert skiers love off of the Imperial Express SuperChair. Traverse towards Peak 7 to hit Whale’s Tail, Art’s Bowl, and Peak 7 Bowl.
Don’t sleep-in when there’s fresh powder in Breckenridge because these bowls get tracked up quickly. The good news is that the snow stays cold in Breckenridge and the winds fill in tracks, so everything off of Peak 8 can be lapped all day.
Peak 10 is the place for expert skiers that love leg-burning moguls and tight trees. Spitfire and Corsair are great runs off of the skier’s left side of Peak 10, and Mustang and Cimarron are good go-to runs on the skier’s right side of Peak 10. On powder days (and even a few days after a storm), Peak 10 is a great spot to go if you’re searching for soft snow. The trees are sheltered, the crowds tend to stay away, and the pitches are steep.
Terrain Parks
Breckenridge's terrain parks are a paradise for freestyle skiers and snowboarders. The half pipes and terrain parks in Breckenridge are world-renowned as being some of the best places to practice freestyle tricks and hit jumps. They're so good that many X Games athletes call Breck home, or come here to train and push their limits. Whether you're just getting into freestyle or looking to up your game, these parks have something for everyone (Breckenridge Ski & Sport).
Family vacations in Breckenridge
A Breckenridge family ski trip will be one of the most cherished memories you and your children will ever create. Breckenridge is such a family-friendly ski resort that parents and kids return year after year. There’s terrain for all levels of skiers, activities for the entire family to enjoy, and a calendar of events made specifically for a family ski vacation.
When the kids aren’t skiing there’s a mountain roller coaster to ride, a children’s museum to visit, and hills to sled or tube down. Downtown Breckenridge is a snapshot of the good old days; kids can run freely along Main Street and jump in shops or candy stores, or head to the arcade to play video games. Whether your family is on the slopes exploring the resort or walking through town, there are plenty of fun things to do together on a Breckenridge family ski trip.
On the mountain, you’ll find several zones specifically designed for family skiing. The Dragon Trail at the bottom of Peak 8 is a great experience for young kids and parents to share. The Dragon Trail is a themed run at the bottom of Peak 8 that children will want to go to time and again. There’s a fun trail for kids into “Ski-a-Lot Castle,” where you cross a moat and encounter dragons. Jump into the dragon’s lair to warm up with a hot chocolate or head back to the bottom of Peak 8 to explore more of the beginner terrain.
Peak 9’s Haunted Forest and Ripperoo’s Forest are fun trails through the trees made for beginner kids. Tweens and teens will be psyched on the terrain parks that are scattered throughout Breckenridge. Aside from Freeway Terrain Park—which is the biggest and where you can find X Games athletes and pros practice—Breckenridge’s four other terrain parks are designed to be progressive and fun for all levels.
FAQs
Breckenridge, Colorado, can be expensive, but it also offers a range of options to fit different budgets. Lodging costs vary widely—luxury ski-in ski-out accommodations can be pricey, especially during peak winter months, but there are also more budget-friendly hotels and vacation rentals available. Dining in Breckenridge ranges from upscale restaurants to casual eateries and breweries, so there are options for both splurging and saving. Activities like lift tickets and equipment rentals tend to be on the higher end, however, comparable to other major ski resorts, particularly during the holiday season.
The best month to visit Breckenridge depends on what you’re looking to do. For skiing and snowboarding, March is often ideal—snowfall is plentiful, the mountain typically boasts deep powder, and the days are warmer and longer. If you like fewer crowds and cheaper rates, January can also be a great month, with crisp, snowy conditions and quieter slopes after the holiday rush. Maybe you’re not necessarily into skiing, but want to enjoy winter activities like snowshoeing or exploring the festive town? December is magical, with holiday lights and plenty of local events.