BRECKENRIDGE SKI RESORT GUIDE
Images courtesy of Breckenridge
Breckenridge Ski Resort Overview
Of the many ski resorts in Colorado, Breckenridge Ski Resort stands out. In fact, the majority of other ski resorts do not offer anything close to the breadth of trails and peaks that you find at Breckenridge. With Five Peaks, 34 lifts, and 187 trails spanning more than 2,900 acres, Breckenridge, or "Breck," as the locals call it, stands out for its size and terrain variety. This is a high-alpine experience. Breckenridge Ski Resort is home to the highest chair lift in North America, the Imperial Express, which brings riders to 12,840 feet.
The town of Breckenridge is a genuine, old mining town with a vibrant shopping and restaurant scene. Historic Main Street has more than 200 shops. Visitors here can quickly come to feel like locals by taking part in endless town events. Lodging is available slopeside and in town. Main Street is less than a mile from the resort with multiple access points; thus, access is easy from most accommodations. Outside of skiing, families can enjoy local sledding hills, head to Eric's Downstairs for a fun arcade atmosphere with excellent food, or venture ~20 minutes away to Frisco for a sled park and local escape room.
The Epic Pass provides unlimited access to Breckenridge Ski Resort. The Epic Local pass has unlimited access with holiday restrictions. The Summit Value Pass offers access to Keystone and Breckenridge with holiday restrictions.
Snow Reliability
Snow-Making & Grooming
Ski School
Travel Convenience
Accommodations
Terrain Variety
On Mountain Dining
Extreme / Off-Piste Terrain
Quick Take
Let's Go
Breckenridge stands out for its authentic, vibrant town and nightlife.
Unrivaled skiable terrain variety. It can easily take a week to explore everything from long groomers to steep, hike-able chutes.
Convenience. ~2 hours driving from DIA, Breck is one of the easiest resorts to access in Colorado.
High-altitude skiing! The Breckenridge Peaks.
Outstanding lift infrastructure. It is an easily navigable mountain, especially in light of its size.
Long season. With a base elevation of 9,600 feet, Breck tends to remain open through Memorial Day.
Hesitations
Lots of Breck's terrain is above the tree line and can become extremely windblown (“Breckenfridge” is a local nickname).
Crowds. Breckenridge is one of the most visited resorts in the United States.
Parking can be a challenge during peak periods, so take advantage of resort shuttles and ride shares.
The scene is not for everyone. Time your visit carefully. Beware that Breck is a popular destination for youthful spring breakers (this may be a pro or con, depending on your perspective).
Insider Tips
Ski the peaks or top half of the mountain in the morning and lower parts in the afternoon. You'll have more sun exposure and will remain warmer with softer ski conditions later in the day.
If you are sick of spending all day long in a mountain town, there are several hiking trails around Breck, including the White River National Forest.
The hike-to terrain at Peak 6 has some of the best 'big mountain' skiing in Colorado. It is well worth the boot pack-up for anyone looking for truly challenging terrain. Get there early to mid-morning as it tends to become skied off later in the day.
Get your season going with Ullr Fest, Breck's annual celebration of Winter in early December.
Understand how best to access the mountain from where you are staying prior to your arrival. Lessons are offered in three locations - Peak 8, the Village, and Beaver Run; plan accordingly.
Frisco (~20 min away) can be a more cost-effective base to stay; there are free busses running between Frisco and Breckenridge.
Trail Map
For an in-depth breakdown of Breckenridge's terrain, head to our Mountain Guide. Top trails and mountain stats included.
Getting To & Around
Denver (DIA) is the closest, most convenient airport to reach Breck. There are many shuttle options, and top hotels like One Ski Hill Place offer shuttle services to and from the airport. Having a car is not essential, but it can be helpful for grocery shopping, exploring surrounding towns, going to the outlets in Silverthorne, or visiting nearby Epic Pass resorts, including Vail, Keystone, or Beaver Creek. Breckenridge is also close to Copper Mountain, but Copper's ownership is not part of the Vail Resorts Group.
Getting To
Closest Major City: Denver, CO
Distance: ~80 miles west
Travel Time: ~1.5 hours (without traffic)
Closest Cities
Frisco, CO; Distance ~10 mi, ~17 minutes drive
Silverthorne, CO; Distance ~14 mi, ~24 minutes drive
Dillon, CO; Distance ~15 mi, ~25 minutes drive
Neighboring Resorts
Closest Neighbors on the Epic Pass
Vail (36 miles ~45 mins)
Beaver Creek (50 miles, ~1 hour)
Keystone (17 miles, ~40 minutes)
Other Neighbors
Arapahoe Basin (542 miles, 1 hour)
Copper (32 miles, 40 mins)
Winter Park (65 miles, 1 hour 20 minutes)
Travel by Plane
Closest major commercial airport: DEN (Denver International Airport)
~100 mi East, ~1 hour, 50 minutes
Closest regional airport: EGE (Eagle County Regional Airport)
EGE has direct service to 14 different locations
~70 miles West, ~80 minutes
Travel By Bus
The Town of Breckenridge and the ski resort collaborate to run Free Ride, a network of free shuttles to and from Breckenridge Resort and throughout the town. The Summit Stage offers free transport to neighboring communities including Frisco, Silverthorne, Dillon, Summit Cove, and Keystone
Airport shuttle services is available to / from DEN and EGE through Epic Mountain Express owned by Vail
Travel by Car
Cars are not essential if staying in Breckenridge or the sourrounding area.
Pros: Conveniece, useful for getting groceries, greater optionality for dining and off mountain activities
Cons: Parking is limited and Breckenridge charges for space in its structures at the base. You can find free parking offsite, but be ready for a walk or even a bus ride
Rideshares: This area is Uber/Lyft accessible
