Breckenridge Travel Guide

The beautiful Colorado high mountain valley and holiday destination of Breckenridge first attracted settlers back in 1859, when the glitter of gold drew hundreds of hopeful prospectors to the banks of the Blue River. The gold wore out in the 1940s but, like Aspen, Breckenridge soon boomed again, this time as a world-class ski resort where visitors came seeking thrills and spills on the white powdery slopes. When it comes to snow-sports, Breckenridge is acknowledged as one of the finest places in the USA to experience them all, and it has a reputation for being the best place to learn to ski in the US, with more than 600 professional instructors and plenty of gentle beginner slopes available. Breckenridge is also a haven for snowboarders, having been one of the first resorts in the country to cater for this now booming sport. The quaint mining town with its charming Victorian buildings forms the nucleus of the Breckenridge resort, and has become a year-round popular holiday destination with a host of activities on offer during the summer months as well as exceptional skiing in winter. The resort's popularity is enhanced by its easy accessibility from Denver via the Eisenhower Tunnel, the drive taking about an hour and a half.

Skiing

The high altitude of the slopes means abundant, long lasting snow. While Breckenridge is largely a paradise for intermediate skiers and snowboarders, there's terrain suited to all levels from beginners to expert skiers. Peak 8 and the area between Peaks 9 and 10 are excellent for beginners, as there are a variety of long, flat trails, and Peak 7 has gentle, but more difficult runs to progress to. Intermediates can enjoy moguls, wide-open bowls and miles of groomed trails, while the steep canyon between Peaks 8 and 9 is one of the expert slopes for advanced skiers, along with Lake Chutes, tree skiing on Peak 9, and Horseshoe or Imperial Bowl. The longest trail in the area is Four O'Clock, which is a four-mile (6km) run.

Shopping

Avid shoppers are extremely well catered for in the historic town of Breckenridge and holiday makers with a view to spend won't be disappointed. Although downtown Breckenridge is fairly small, with the main street less than a mile long, there are more than 250 shops and boutiques offering a vast array of goods, from log furniture to wigs! A good percentage of the stores offer sports goods and outdoor clothing, so visitors have a wide choice from which to equip themselves for the slopes. Speciality, jewellery and gift shops also abound, along with a crop of galleries, meaning Breckenridge is pure pleasure for browsing if visitors want to take home a genuine Stetson, Navajo rug or one of hundreds of trinkets, novelties, paintings or pots.

Restaurants

Holiday visitors will find that eating out is essential in Breckenridge because there are just so many good options to choose from. Those craving Alpine fare will enjoy the fondue and rosti potatoes at the Swiss Haven, while any sweet tooth will be well satisfied with the delicious desserts for which The Hearthstone is renowned. There are several fine dining establishments, but cheap meals are also available.

Nightlife

Apres-ski in Breckenridge is a feast of fun, with the evening usually kicking off in one of the many lively bars and restaurants, which offer happy hour specials. Nightlife establishments come and go but there's always somewhere to dance the night away at Breckenridge. For a change of pace visitors can enjoy a production at the Backstage Theatre, which offers a programme of live shows through the season.

Holiday activities

Besides the excellent skiing and snowboarding there are plenty of activities both during the winter and summer that cater for the whole family. Ice skating, sleigh rides, dog sledding, snowmobiling, as well as cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing make the most of the snow; mountain biking, fly fishing, golf, hiking, horse riding, rock climbing and white water rafting are possible during the summer months. Hot air balloon rides are available throughout the year, as are activities such as historical and mine tours in the Victoria era town.

Any negatives?

Because of the high elevation of the resort and its mountains, which range from 9,603ft to 12,999ft (2,927m to 3,962m), some people may suffer from the effects of altitude sickness and require a few days of inactivity to acclimatise. The north and east facing slopes are prone to high wind-chill factors.