Breckenridge is one of America’s favorite resorts. Among Europeans it’s the number one ski destination. Based on skier visits, it’s American skiers’ second favorite ski resort. Located just 80 miles from Denver, and easily accessible by interstate highway, this massive resort features more than 2,000 acres of skiable terrain scattered across four big peaks. With a vertical drop of 3,398 feet, a peak elevation of 12,142 feet and about 255 inches of annual snowfall, Breckenridge offers something for virtually everyone.

Off the slopes there’s plenty to do. Shops and activities abound and numerous restaurants offer a possibly unparalleled range of international cuisines, ranging from Native American and Cajun to Rastafarian and Japanese. Nearby Summit County sister resorts insure that no skier need ever grow bored. Lodging capacity exceeds 23,000, and all those rooms mean that this is perhaps not the best choice for those hoping to avoid crowds both on and off the slopes. Due to its reputation as a family-friendly resort that is easily accessible from Denver, Breckenridge is far from uncrowded in the high season.

Lift tickets are interchangeable with nearby Keystone Resort, and multi-day tickets entitle skiers access to Vail/Beaver Creek lifts. Breckenridge is a charming old gold rush town. Originally founded in 1859, it’s the oldest continuously occupied community in the Colorado Rockies. Breckenridge has spent millions of dollars on community amenities in the recent past, including an indoor ice-skating rink built to National Hockey League specifications. Other improvements added in the 1990s include a performing arts center, a recreation center and additional golf courses.

Snowboarders are welcome and will usually gravitate to the resort’s terrain garden and halfpipe. In good years, the season begins in late October and runs through early May. Expert skiers will probably want to head for the more challenging runs on Peaks 8 and 10, while the 307 acres of newer Peak 7 are classified as “expert only.” Fortunately for the rest of us, Peak 9 has about a quarter of the resort’s terrain and features intermediate and beginner runs, which are served by almost half of the resort’s lifts and snowmaking capacity. New in 1999/2000, the resort added a remarkable new chairlift, which allows 12 passengers to load onto two chairs simultaneously.

Breckenridge for Lovers
Breckenridge has earned a reputation as destination for couples from all over the world who want to enter into sacred matrimony amidst the splendor of the Colorado Rockies. Slopeside weddings are a popular pastime at this immensely popular resort.

After the nuptials, there’s plenty to do in the charming town of Breckenridge to keep even the most jaded occupied, and there are enough exotic restaurants to keep the hungriest of lovers satisfied.

Breckenridge for Families
Families can enjoy numerous activities at Breckenridge, not the least of which is the opportunity to ski nearby sister resorts, such as Vail, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin, on interchangeable lift passes.

Check out the $5 million indoor ice rink in town when you’re ready to stay on a horizontal surface for a while, or treat the family to exotic delicacies at one of the countless ethnic restaurants in town. Excellent ski and snowboard schools provide quality instruction for young beginners and advancing skiers alike.

Breckenridge on a Budget
The key to affordable Colorado skiing is going late in the season. Fortunately, the area’s high altitudes mean long, lingering seasons with comfortable daytime temperatures, plenty of sunshine and slashed prices on everything from lodging to lift tickets. Perfectly acceptable ski conditions may persist (depending on the weather) well into May, and sometimes even into June. And added benefit: crowds are minimal. Check out the following early bird special (book by July 31, 2001):

Sidebar: Where to Ski
Beginners
About a quarter of the resort’s immense terrain is found at Peak 9, which features intermediate and beginner runs. They’re served by almost half of the resort’s lifts and snowmaking capacity, so this is a beginner skier’s best bet.

Intermediates
With more than 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, intermediates should never grow bored at Breckenridge. Best bets are found on massive Peak 9. Some skiers feel that a majority of the blue runs at Breckenridge are relatively short, and that they become green halfway down, but most agree that its still fun.

Experts
The 307 acres of newer Peak 7 are classified as “expert only”. Breck offers a lot to expert skiers, including several bowls and other areas of steep terrain, but some complain that runs are neither steep enough, nor long enough. To each his own. If Peak 7 doesn’t satisfy, make tracks for challenging runs on Peaks 8 and 10.

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