The resort

Enjoy the friendly and relaxed atmosphere in this historic gold mining town

Many European skiers begin their North American skiing here and many return year after year unable to take themselves elsewhere! It is easy to see why. The ski resort of Breckenridge was a thriving gold mining town in the 1800s and many of the original buildings remain, giving it a truly Old Western ambiance. The variety of restaurants and bars offer great value, frequented as they are by locals as well as visiting skiers.

The skiing and boarding

At 2926 metres, the ski resort of  Breckenridge is significantly higher than most European resorts and the ski area covering Peaks 7, 8, 9 and 10 includes the new Imperial Express Super Chair, the highest in North America, and the highest hike-able ski terrain in North America. A proposed new gondola is also due to open Christmas 2006. Beginners will quickly see that the ski school’s top reputation is well earned. They will enjoy the runs on Peak 9 and the base of Peak 8. Intermediates will appreciate the tree-lined runs and bowls through beautiful scenery on Peak 7 and head for the steeper, groomed runs on Peaks 8 and 10. Experts can head for Peak 8 with its Horseshoe Bowl to seek out the mogul fields and 400 acres of champagne powder.

The apres ski

Apres ski in Breckenridge offers something for everyone. The quaint Victorian buildings on Main Street evoke the Old West, particularly at night when the atmospheric bars and restaurants swing into action. Eating out and nightlife in Breckenridge is warm, inviting and varied. The prime rib at the Hearthstone (gourmet American cuisine) is excellent and should be preceded by an apéritif at one of the Happy Hours - notably Mia Casa, The Gold Pan or The Brewery. For filling pasta try Rasta Pasta - Caribbean style! Breckenridge offers a range of activities for non-skiers including Rsnow mobiling and dog sledding, swimming and a sports centre plus an indoor and outdoor ice skating rink.

Breckenridge overview

It is small wonder that the ski resort of Breckenridge is one of Colorado’s top ski destinations and the most popular with overseas skiers. Ski holidays in Breckenridge are a favourite with skiers from around the world. Breckenridge nestles cosily amid the peaks of Colorado’s Ten Mile Range, and its extremely high altitude makes it ideal for ski holidays. 

The ski resort of Breckenridge was originally founded in 1859 as a gold mining town, and thanks to careful preservation Breckenridge has retained much of the feel of an Old West town and is rightly proud of its old Victorian romance and charm. The ski resort of Breckenridge has many historic buildings and Main Street is lined with old-fashioned, weatherboarded buildings in faded pastel shades. Mining ceased in Breckenridge in the 1940’s, and the town was in danger of disappearing until it tapped into one of the latest trends, and opened itself up for ski holidays.

Breckenridge’s ski area officially opened in 1961, and almost 17,000 ski visitors were recorded that first season, despite a lack of accessibility. Breckenridge has never looked back and retains a relaxed, laid-back and casual atmosphere that draws people back for ski holidays in Breckenridge time after time despite the large number of visitors it attracts.  

With its hidden glades, stunning views and steep cliffs, the ski resort of Breckenridge is renowned for its ski holidays, but there are also plenty of other things to do in Breckenridge. For those who want to take a break from skiing, the ski resort of Breckenridge has a theatre, cinema, and a recreation centre with a gym, indoor pool with waterslides, tennis courts and various other facilities. You could discover more about the town of Breckenridge itself with a historic tour, explore some of the museums and art galleries, or even try your hand at mining for gold. If you are looking to get away from it all, Breckenridge has several spas offering a variety of treatments to rejuvenate and pamper.

Breckenridge has an array of shops and boutiques, including a wide variety of specialist shops filled with unusual treasures. Breckenridge also offers a wide variety of snow activities, including snowboarding, cross-country skiing, telemarking, ski blading, snowmobile tours, snowshoe tours, dog sledding, ice skating and hockey.

The ski resort of Breckenridge has vibrant and lively apres ski,  as you would expect from such a popular ski resort. Breckenridge has 100 restaurants in town (and 7 on the mountains) offering excellent cuisine, and nearly 40 bars and clubs, so there is sure to be something for everyone. Why not try Happy Hour at The Gold Pan Saloon, one of Breckenridge’s most well-known bars? The Gold Pan Saloon opened in 1859 to serve the original mining camp at Breckenridge and is still in business today.  The many restaurants and bars are frequented by visitors and locals alike, adding to the warm, inviting atmosphere of the town. 

No ski holiday in Breckenridge would be complete without dining at The Top of the World restaurant, with its stunning and panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains. If you fancy venturing further a-field during your ski holiday, all within a 20 minutes drive of each other, you can take advantage of the free and easy access to the other ski resorts in the area. With so much to offer, ski holidays in Breckenridge are truly a trip to a Rocky Mountain paradise.

the latest snow and weather conditions

Last Snow	3rd December		Forecast	Moderate or heavy snow with thunder
Lower Snow Depth	53 cm		Upper Snow Depth	68 cm
Conditions	Powder		Runs Open	13 %
Last Report Update	4th December 04:30