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Breckenridge, CO, USA
 
  
  • Get your air on!
  • Dredge boathouse
  • Mule deer
  • Night lights
  • Flowers
  • Bobsled
  • Peak 9
  • Super pipe competition
  • Beautiful Breckenridge
  • Peak 8
  • Blue skies and lots of snow
  • Replica of a gold mining dredge
  • Entering Breckenridge
  • Blue river tubing
  • Brewery
  • Fly Fishing
  • Foot bridge
  • Frozen stream
  • Full moon night
  • Garden tour
  • Gondola line
  • Winter forest
  • Town
  • Town view
  • Wide angle summer
  • Snow trail
  • Slopes
  • Runner
  • Rivercenter
  • Public square
  • Peak 8 Gondola
  • On the Slopes
  • Main street
  • Main street
  • Hot tubs
  • Horse carriage
  • Mainstreet
  • Historic building
  • Mainstreet in winter
  • Mountain bikers

Click here to see more photos

Breckenridge Travel Guide: Reviews, photos, & videos

It’s easy to see the attraction of Breckenridge: a near-guarantee of snow, more trails than one can count and a cute-as-a-button downtown district. The historic downtown of this former gold-mining town, with the Blue River winding past turn-of-the century commercial buildings, has been declared a National Historic District. A much newer construction is the BreckConnect, a 7,600-foot-long gondola ferrying skiers from town to the mountain in ten minutes. Once there, there are around 30 lifts to choose from. Ah, so many choices…

Unlike its glittery neighbors Aspen and Vail, Breckenridge still gives off a laid-back vibe, where your worth is determined on the slopes, and not by your hedge funds. That may change soon, with multimillion-dollar condos casting their shadows over old miners’ cabins and faux-rustic restaurants outside the budgets of most ski bums popping up all over downtown. One too many eggnogs by the fire last night? Blame it on the altitude—the Imperial Express SuperChair holds the North American record for the highest chairlift at 12,840 feet. Ready for something new? Take a telemark lesson, or steer those cross-country skis away from town to explore some 30 miles of cross-country trails. Feeling a bit lazy? Leave the work to a pack of Siberian huskies on a dogsled tour.

  • Colorado, Eco-tourism, Luxury, Mountain, Relaxing, Romantic, Rustic, Snow, Snowskiing, Wildlife
  • 85%

 
 
link39.498185-106.04622512Breckenridge, CO, USA
link39.5007293658-106.0415840149Skiing at Breckenridge
link39.4811230025-106.0455322266National Historic Downtown District
link39.4311216429-106.0411548615Breckenridge Whitewater Park
link39.479305-106.046924Riverwalk Center
link39.477201-106.04637Mountain Top Children's Museum
link39.498185-106.04622512Breckenridge, CO, USA
 
 
 
 

   

 Directions 

The closest commercial airport to Breckenridge is Denver International Airport, about 100 miles northeast of Breckenridge. There are shuttle services between the airport and the town for those who don’t feel comfortable driving on sometimes treacherous roads, and once in town, a free bus system will take you almost anywhere you’d want to go.

 

   

 Weather 

  • Current conditions

    Cond164

    A chance of snow showers and rain showers in the evening. Snow after midnight. New snow accumulation of 2 to 7 inches...heaviest east of the Continental Divide. Lows 13 to 23. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph becoming northeast.
    Low: 18° F.

  • Tomorrow's forecast

    Cond008
    Snow. Snow accumulation of 4 to 13 inches...heaviest east of the Continental Divide. Highs 20 to 30. Northeast winds 10 to 15.
    Hi: 23° F, Low: 2° F.


    • Weatherbug's weather page.
 

   

 Attractions 

Add Attraction
Skiing at Breckenridge
 
  

Skiing at Breckenridge

You carve through the thick blanket of snow like a knife through a warm piece of cake. White powder flies through the air. The heat of your breath lightly fogs your goggles. Focus. Intensity. You are one with the mountain! This is just a small picture of the average day on the slopes of Breckenridge, one of Colorado's premiere spots for all things skiing and snowboarding. Providing 2,358 acres of premiere Rocky Mountain real estate, snow sport enthusiasts with all different experience levels from all over the world converge upon Breckenridge during the winter months to enjoy some of the best skiing on the planet. With an elevation of 12,998 ft, over 150 trails, 30 chair lifts and an 8 passenger gondola, Breckenridge features some of the most efficient ways to take skiers to the top of the mountain, and some of the most enjoyable and extreme ways to get to the bottom! Popular ski trails have names like Devil's Crotch or Tom's Baby and the difficulty levels can range from extremely easy to extremely dangerous, but one thing is for certain –when you ski Breckenridge, you are one with the mountain. Special Note: For those who have spent a long time away from the slopes, Peak 9, with its well groomed green and blue runs, is the perfect place to regain your ski legs.

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National Historic Downtown District
 
  

National Historic Downtown District

I know what you're thinking, "But people come to Breckenridge to ski." I get it. I really do. But while the skiing in Breckenridge is phenomenal, some people –believe it or not- occasionally get tired of wildly careening down steep cliffs on two thin pieces of plastic. So thankfully, the National Historic Downtown District of Breckenridge helps provide a much needed break from the bumps and bruises often suffered on the slopes. Still ingrained in much of the mining and frontier culture of the past, the 254 building National Historic District is one of the largest in Colorado and possesses an authentic charm rarely found in other, more commercialized ski towns (I'm looking at you Aspen). Peak your head into the 1875 Carter Museum and Barn (said to be the oldest museum in Colorado) or venture into the abandoned Country Boy hard-rock mine, where you can test your fortunes panning for gold (I didn't find any). Main Street also hosts quite a number of festivals every year like the International Ice Carving Festival and the Ullr Fest (celebrating the Nordic god of snow), and of course, the four mountain peaks flanking this quaint town provide a view both intimate and grand. So make sure you get plenty of skiing in during the day, but come nightfall, get your butts down the mountain and check out all that the National Historic Downtown District of Breckenridge has to offer.

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Breckenridge Whitewater Park
 
  

Breckenridge Whitewater Park

Is flying down a mountain at 50 miles per hour barely extreme enough for you? Does the lack of snow in Breckenridge in the summer months make you slightly depressed? Do you enjoy the feel of cold water stinging your face as you attempt to navigate the roaring currents and waves of the Colorado rapids? If you answered yes to all those questions then have I got the place for you! Breckenridge Whitewater Park is Colorado's largest kayak park and features some of the most intense and enjoyable controlled rapids in the world. Stretching over 1,800 feet of the Blue River at the north end of Breckenridge, the park is a city maintained, open-to-the-public white-water park that has over a dozen features including play waves, drop structures, eddie pools, s-curves and splash rocks, all with varying levels of difficulty. Open from April to August, the park is absolutely free (although if you don't own your own kayak you might have to pony up some dough for a rental). So stop crying every time you walk past your unused snowboard and throw on a wet suit to prepare yourself for some extreme kayaking courtesy of the Breckenridge Whitewater Park! Did I mention it was free?

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Riverwalk Center
 
  

Riverwalk Center

Because most people spend time in Breckenridge engaging in physical activities like skiing or whitewater rafting they simply overlook the vast amount of culture and entertainment options available just a few footsteps away at The Riverwalk Center. Nestled in the heart of downtown Breckenridge, the Riverwalk Center is a hub for such diverse events as the Sounds of Summer presented by the National Repertory Orchestra, the Vintage Car Show or the Breckenridge Festival of Film. The center recently underwent some serious renovations (4 million dollars worth!) and can now hold over two thousand patrons and features state of the art acoustics, temperature control and lighting within the facility. Surrounded by the majestic hills and flowing water of the Blue River, the Riverwalk Center is the perfect location to celebrate some of the finer (and indoor) things that Breckenridge has to offer.

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Mountain Top Children's Museum
 
  

Mountain Top Children's Museum

If your family is anything like mine (large and slightly crazy), then by about day three of the annual family vacation you need some time apart. Not a full day or anything, but a good 10 to 12 hours away from each other, so kids can act like kids and adults can stay sane. So if you happen to need one of these days while in Breckenridge, make sure to drop your little munchkins off at the Mountain Top Children’s Museum for a full day of fun, learning and excitement. Located in the heart of downtown Breckenridge, The Mountain Top Children’s museum is an educational institution that “promotes informal learning through interactive exhibits and programs, imaginative play and engagement in active experiences for children ages 10 and under.” Translation: it’s a place where kids can have fun and (maybe) learn. Featuring a wildlife exhibit, a mini-planetarium and a “Kidstruction Zone” (think Legos but cooler) there’s enough activities to keep any kid (or adult for that matter) engaged and entertained for hours. So give yourself and your kids a break one day and drop them off at the Mountain Top Children’s Museum. You’ll be glad you did.

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 Reviews(Average Rating: 85% for 8 reviews) 

  • pleshaw
    pleshawReviews: 1
    Posts: 0

    The Best Place For Snowboarding

    10/09/2008

    91%

    Breckenridge, CO, USA

    I have been all through Colorado snowboarding on the peaks of almost every mountain range and have yet to find one better then Breckenridge. If you are new to snowboarding, it is a great place to start as all the locals are very nice and helpful in helping you pick the right trails and equipment. Hope you enjoy yourself as much as I have.

    People found this:  Useful (0)  Disagree (0) 

  • ndmeador
    ndmeadorReviews: 5
    Posts: 5

    The best in Summit County, but not Colorado's best

    09/19/2008

    75%

    Breckenridge, CO, USA

    Breckenridge is a great place for both kids and adults – just not for those who fall in between. People looking for thrills will have to search long and hard, but even when you find them they might be closed due to inclement weather or insufficient snow. Most of my time at Breckenridge was spent riding Chair #6, where the slope is more protected from wind and tends to hold powder a lot better. There are also some fun glade runs on Peak 10, and Horseshoe Bowl off of the T-Bar can be great. Watch out for the ski school, a massive army that clogs up all green runs at the mountain base. The town of Breckenridge is truly awesome, and many nights out easily turn into bar crawls. But with a base elevation at 8,000 feet, Breckenridge has given me worse elevation sickness than any other resort.

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    The best in Summit County, but not Colorado's best
     
      
    • Looking up from the base
    • View from a chairlift
    • Dave Meador on a rail
    • Superpipe
    • View from the T-Bar
  • Maxfocus
    Maxfocus
    • Top member
    Reviews: 15
    Posts: 44

    What to do when the powder dries?

    08/04/2008

    96%

    Breckenridge, CO, USA

    Okay, so we know Breckenridge receives an average 300 inches of fine powdered snow each year and that the skiing is incredible. It also has 300 days of sunshine each year and the powder dries in summer. If you have not been here before what you may not know is that the town is located in Colorado’s Summit County which has developed an extensive network of paved bicycle trails. One can rent mountain bikes in Breckenridge for the whole family and hit the trail to Frisco, Keystone resort, ride around beautiful Dillon Reservoir, and even cycle to the top of Vail Pass, 22 miles away, without having to deal with highway traffic. This is a great way to see the countryside and explore other towns in the area. A few years ago my wife and I were dropped off at the top of Loveland Pass at 11,998 ft. and pedaled all the way to Breckenridge (at 9,600 ft). It is, of course, mostly downhill! It’s important to remember the high altitude, the extremely dry climate and the high intensity sunshine. So take it easy, take an extra water bottle and use plenty of sunscreen.

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    What to do when the powder dries?
     
      
    • Summer slopes
    • Bike trail to Frisco
    • Public square
    • Main drag
    • Garden tour
  • River rafting Misty
    River rafting Misty
    • Top member
    • Travel guru
    Reviews: 16
    Posts: 254

    Pass Over Breckenridge, Take the Side Roads

    08/04/2008

    76%

    Breckenridge, CO, USA

    I-70 may be the easiest and most direct route to take to get to Breckenridge from almost everywhere. The road is usually clear in the winter although the traffic can be a nightmare. Less accessible in the winter, but definitely more beautiful is Mosquito Pass. From Fairplay, you take Colorado 9 over the mountains that straddle Park and Summit County. At the summit, you can stop your car or bike and walk to an overlook. Towering over you are some of the 14,000 foot peaks that Colorado is famous for, plus the ones that you can actually ski down. During the summer, Boreas Pass takes you from Breckenridge to Como. The road is dirt, but well maintained. The wildlife and wild flowers that line the forest floor is well worth a little dirt on the wheels and shoes should you decide to take a hike. It's also a way to avoid bumper-to-bumper traffic. Traffic that flows easy and a beautiful view, is there really any other way to go?

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    Pass Over Breckenridge, Take the Side Roads
     
      
    • Mosquito Pass
    • Road to Nowhere
    • Rainbow over Boreas Pass
  • MCA
    MCAReviews: 2
    Posts: 0

    Breck a Break from Summer Heat

    08/02/2008

    100%

    Breckenridge, CO, USA

    Just a 90-minute drive west of Denver, Breckenridge is a great escape from the city buzz. Most folks visit Breck in the winter for its world-class skiing. I prefer the summer for its vivid wildflowers, its charm on a summer evening, and to dip my toes into the Blue River. Admittedly, Main Street is touristy, but I can’t resist its charm. I enjoy strolling through the toy store, the art galleries, then stopping for ice cream. Grab a seat on a park bench and watch kids play on the mountain-themed playground at the Blue River Plaza. For those who prefer to burn calories, you’re surrounded by countless miles of mountain bike trails, hiking trails, golf fairways and fishing streams. There’s a concert or festival in Breck most weekends. If those attractions aren’t enticing enough, Breck is usually at least a good 10 degrees cooler than the city!

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  • SamanthaR
    SamanthaRReviews: 1
    Posts: 0

    Skiing deck to deck in Breck

    07/30/2008

    50%

    Breckenridge, CO, USA

    The Breckenridge Ski Resort lays on the spine of the Ten Mile Mountain Range in the Rockies, which makes it pretty easy to ski the resort north to south, or vice versa. I love to take advantage of nature’s great layout and ski from peak to peak, hitting the bar decks as I go along. My favorite deck at Breck is the Ten Mile Station, sitting mid-mountain at Peak Nine, just north of the lift to Peak Ten. This mining-styled building has a large deck with plenty of adirondack chairs to kick back in, wafting smells of burgers cooking on the outside grill, music playing on the speakers, and outdoor heaters just in case it’s too chilly. There’s something about sitting mid-mountain that’s just cool. And if the smell of the burgers doesn’t tempt to grab a bite to eat, then maybe the crepes cooking inside will. After a few runs on the way, I next hit the Vista Haus at the top of the lift on Peak Eight. At an altitude of 11,059 feet, there are impressive views of the Continental Divide and the Keystone Ski Resort across the valley. Here’s the place where someone in my ski posse will break out with a little “Rocky Mountain High.” Even though John Denver was singing about Aspen at the time, I’m sure he would have felt the same emotions here looking over the divide. The last stop of the day is a short backtrack from Peak Seven to the Bergenhof at the base of Peak Eight. Sit outside at the Bergy Beach (made of snow) with its sweeping view of the base area, Breck’s Freeway Terrain Park, and the giant half pipe. It’s a great way to end a day of great skiing or shredding. When you head back into town, downtown Breckenridge has more than 200 shops and 100 restaurants and bars, offering everything from the most upscale in dining to deep-fried Twinkies and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Nothing better than a PBR for après ski!

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    Skiing deck to deck in Breck
     
      
    • 10-mile station
    • downtown Breckenridge
    • Vista Haus in the summer
    • family of snowmen greeting at the chairs
    • Looking north along 10-Mile Range
  • Lisamarie
    LisamarieReviews: 1
    Posts: 0

    Breckenridge: Not Just a Ski Resort

    07/28/2008

    94%

    Breckenridge, CO, USA

    Sure, it's a world-class ski resort. However, what you don't know about Breckenridge could fill a book! Perched majestically at 9,603 feet above sea level, this is a town that's been influenced by its people, its place and its products. Although white gold, also known as snow, became its prime product in the 20th century, back in the late 1800s, Breckenridge, Colorado was a prolific mining town. While Vail Resorts is dedicated to improving the ski area, the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance, as well as the Summit Historical Society, is even more dedicated to preserving the town's historic integrity. As such, it's illegal to tear down any historic Breckenridge. In fact, as the town prepares for its 150th anniversary in May of 2009, many of the sites and museums are being renovated. The best way to get a feel for the town's history is to take one of the historic walking tours. They leave from the Welcome Center, which is located on Main Street near Washington Ave. The center itself is actually a two-story interactive museum. There are films about long-gone railroads, an original, single -person chairlift from the 1970s and photos of the three-month snowstorm of 1898. The tour guides will explain the original purposes of some of the shops along main Street. For example, the Salt Mine designer pretzel store was once the assayer's office. The Prospector Restaurant is haunted by a ghost named Sylvia, a miner's widow who is still searching for that perfect guy. Be sure to visit the Barney Ford house. Ford was a slave who escaped via the Underground Railroad. Eventually, he became a successful restaurateur here in Breckenridge. If it's open, check out the Edwin Carter Museum. Carter came for the mining, but then discovered that the mercury and cyanide in the soil were causing disturbing mutations of the local wildlife. A mural on the wall displays a two-headed goat, and other oddities. Believing that these animals would soon be extinct, Carter taught himself taxidermy, so that future generations could see the types of creatures that once roamed through the hills of Breckenridge. Fortunately, thanks to intervention from the town, these animals still exist, along with the party animals who visit the slopes during Spring Break!

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    Breckenridge: Not Just a Ski Resort
     
      
  • Lil-K-2028
    Lil-K-2028Reviews: 1
    Posts: 0

    Looking for the Fairy Tale?

    07/25/2008

    95%

    Breckenridge, CO, USA

    The last time I was in this charming Colorado town I was on Spring Vacation and challenged to write a homework assignment on.....the state of Colorado! So what did I do? I went to Breckenridge and bought a book...on Breckenridge. The book was a wonderful resource of farming information and local weather patterns but to experience Breckenridge you really just have to take a stroll through town. Skiing Great! Slopes Groovy! But the magic of this little berg is the feeling you get when you stroll down Main and into that Storybook your Mom was reading you in second grade. That is the fairy tale of Breckenridge..a Happily ever after no matter what you enjoy.

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 Bookmarks (5) 

 



 
 

   

 Top reviewers 

  1. Maxfocus
  2. MCA
  3. River rafting Misty
  4. Lil-K-2028
  5. Lisamarie
 

   

 Photos from flickr 

  • Scrum board 15 sprint 3
    drewgstephens
  • Mid-mountain Pit Stop
    fincher69
  • Breckenridge, CO - July 4, 2009
    staxnet
  • Firecracker 50
    staxnet
  • Couldn't make it to the beer fest. No Dogs Allowed!
    rtadlock
  • Lobster claw
    drewgstephens
  • Mt. Baldy in magnificent sun
    drewgstephens
  • Wish you were here
    drewgstephens
  • January 3, 2009
    lloydcrew
  • January 4, 2009
    lloydcrew
  • Breckenridge Village - Version 1
    fincher69
  • Breckenridge ski area from White Cloud Drive
    drewgstephens

This product uses the Flickr API but is not endorsed or certified by Flickr.

 

   

 Top bookmarkers 

  1. VacationHmQueen
  2. Sweet Caroline
  3. Viscape
 
 
 
 
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