There’s no denying it – Breckenridge has made its mark on Popular culture. Starting in the 20th Century, the little Rocky Mountain town began to make appearances in film, sports, and other prevalent activities. Breckenridge continues to leave a mark as a charming place that encompasses mountain culture and draws in visitors from across the world.
With 2,908 acres of skiable terrain on Breckenridge Ski Resort, choosing just one favorite ski run is hard. Somehow, the Best of Breck team has compiled a list of our go-to spots on the mountain. Check these out next time you’re in town!
Wondering when the best conditions are at Breck? How about when the different Peaks open? We’ve got you covered!
Lining the mountainscape above the town of Breckenridge is the aptly named Breckenridge Ski Resort. Spanning across 5 peaks of the Ten Mile range, it is nearly impossible to not be in awe when you drive down the highway and see the town, mountains, and resort for the first time. With Breckenridge’s base elevation of 9600 ft above sea level, you can often find amazing snow conditions and lots of sunshine. Although, different times of the year present different terrain, conditions, and things to know about your time on the slopes. Having lived in Summit County for nearly ten years, let me share some helpful knowledge on what to expect when visiting the resort.
Early Season: Mid-November to Mid-December.
Breckenridge typically opens the second weekend of November. While not the first resort to open in Colorado or even Summit County, they usually have some of the best early-season snow. With recent snowmaking systems upgrades, the “White Ribbon of Death” days are gone. Opening Day is a great time to visit as it is full of energy, and the town is still waking up from the off-season. Early in the season, Breckenridge Ski Resort’s dedicated snowmaking and grooming teams follow a standard pattern of terrain openings: Open the mountain at Peak 8 with the Colorado chair and a few trails underneath it, usually a green and blue level run. After Colorado chair, with natural snowfall and favorable snowmaking conditions, the Rocky Mountain Super Chair will shortly open.
The resort team usually aims to have Peak 9 with its long mellow sloping groomers open by Thanksgiving. For the first big holiday of the season, the Quicksilver, Beaver Run, and Mercury chairlifts are spinning. During this time, more and more terrain will open from natural snowfall, but be cautious on ungroomed runs as natural terrain and “snow snakes” (sticks, rocks, or natural obstacles) that could be hiding under shallow snow. The snow on groomed runs will be good and great, even with a bit of natural snowfall. Temperatures will be milder these months, with November usually having highs in the upper 30s and lows in the mid-20s, while December begins to cool off with highs in the upper 20s and lows in the high teens.
If enough natural snowfall has occurred, Ski Patrol and Resort Ops teams will begin to expand up the mountain and look to open the famed T-bar or 6 Chair on Peak 8. These areas depend heavily on natural snowfall as they are a high alpine environment where snow making equipment is not installed. Getting the first run down Contest bowl or Horseshoe bowl could be an exhilarating experience, but with early season conditions still, caution must be exercised!
The next to open will be Peak 7! This depends a lot on favorable snowmaking temperatures and natural snowfall, so the range of dates for when the Independence and Freedom Super Chairs begin to run is quite large. On average snowfall years, you can expect this peak with its long blue groomed runs to open before Christmas.
The Holidays: Late December – Mid-January
With three peaks open and plenty of visitors wanting to spend their holidays in a winter wonderland, more advanced terrain will begin to open up (once again, natural snowfall and good snowmaking temps dependent). The following terrain openings vary from year to year, but more often than not, once conditions are right, Peak 10 and its steep advanced runs will open up for some leg-burning fun. The average daily temperature this time of year is in the 20s, with lows in the low to mid-teens. During this time, skiing on the weekdays is crucial to get more runs and avoid long lift lines. This peak, which opened in 2013, is the latest addition to Breckenridge’s expansive terrain. Peak 6 has a little bit of everything: Groomed runs, trees, open bowls, and a hike to high alpine chutes, all accessed by the high-speed Kensho 6-pack chair. Peak 6 has several blue runs, which are great for the intermediate skier or snowboarder.
Mid Season: Mid January – March
The heart of the season. Hopefully, your ski legs will warm up as the final pieces of the mountain to open will be accessed by the highest chair lift in North America. Unloading at 12,840ft above sea level, the Imperial Chair stands above them all. From here, you can access black diamond and double black expert terrain in the Imperial Bowl and Whale’s Tail – or take a groomed single black-rated run, Imperial Ridge, back down to lower elevation. The views from the top of this chair and the mountain are stunning, and you can see mountain tops to Pike’s Peak!
This is the time of the season when Breckenridge is most likely to have a good base of snow and your best chance to catch a powder day! March is typically Colorado’s snowiest month, and when the snow starts dropping & the whole resort is open, it is game on! Colorado enjoys over 300 days of sunshine annually so that you can soak up some rays on a bluebird day in the Mid Season. January and February typically have a high temperature of around 30 degrees and low temperatures in the low teens.
Spring: March – April
Let the sun shine! While we often get big dumps of snow in March, when it isn’t snowing, the temperatures are heating up to almost 40 degrees! Did someone say sweatshirt weather? These are great days for those who love skiing but maybe not the cold temps that are often associated with it. Breckenridge’s elevation keeps the snow in excellent condition, and you can find stashes of powder for days after a storm.
April – May: Late Season
Still yearning for a ski day? In the late season, you can often find warmer temps and less crowded slopes. The mountain will begin to scale back operations and close down Peaks 10, 6, and 9 and the conclusion of April, leaving Peaks 8 & 7 open for the final month of the season. By this time, you can expect to be surfing the slush on warm sunny days – although I’ve experienced a handful of sneaky late-season snow storms at the beginning of May before! In April, highs are consistently in the 40s and creep up even higher in May! Usually, the slopes are quiet this time of year, and the town also has a little less foot traffic.
Once May rolls around, terrain availability is all dependent on the weather. The Resort intends to stay open until Memorial Day, but that is all weather dependent, and trails will begin to close down. Closing day, whether on May 31st or earlier, is usually a blast. You’ll see (and should participate in)lots of costumes and celebrations of a season well spent.
Sometimes it is hard to think back, months and months ago, to the first time you strapped in on a board or skis, but if you spent any of that time during one of the previous seasons, hopefully, the interim is filled with happy memories. This guide on terrain, temperatures, and conditions is all very weather dependent and it is best to check our Breckenridge Ski Resort’s snow report and lift & terrain status page before planning your visit. In addition, you can utilize the great weather reporting service, OpenSnow to check on how much snow has fallen or what is in the forecast. No matter the season you decide to visit Breckenridge, staying slopeside offers amazing access to the slopes; I’d highly recommend the special offers at the Grand Colorado on Peak 8 or the Grand Lodge on Peak 7! Click here for some exclusive offers for these properties!
While October is considered our “off season” here in Breckenridge, the town has a lot of exciting festivities to offer during the fall months. This is your final chance to appreciate all of those snow-free activities before the powder hits!
Breckenridge is full of hundreds of miles of trails and national forest land, so picking the right trail for the family can be a difficult task. Luckily for you, there are plenty of family-friendly trails that are just the right distance to keep everyone happy. Read on to find trails that are short and sweet but jam-packed with Colorado beauty.
This is one of the most accessible and popular trails in Breckenridge as it is close to downtown. The majority of the trail follows closely along a creek shaded by trees before emerging at the reservoir. Sawmill Reservoir is dotted with benches so you can rest and enjoy the calm reflection of the mountains, or you can cast a line with a valid Colorado fishing license.
Distance: 1.3-mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
This is a great out-and-back trail that goes on for 4 miles, but don’t be intimidated by the distance, you can turn around at any time to make it the perfect length for your family. The hike starts right at the base of Peak 9 near the Quicksilver Chairlift, conveniently located close to downtown Breckenridge. The hike features pine forest, a creek, meadows and a plethora of wildflowers.
Distance: 8 miles out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Need an easy stretch of the legs for the family? Head to the Blue River Trail, a gentle out and back trail that provides shaded forest, open meadows and ends at a creek. Be on the lookout for wildflowers and wildlife and be sure to stick to the trail as the route travels along private property lines.
Distance: 3 miles out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
Take a step back in time with this historical hike. Along the route you’ll see many mining relics and rock piles left from the glory days of mining in Breckenridge. You’ll come across the Reiling Dredge, a 114-year-old mining boat still standing on a small pond. Many other trails connect to this area like the Minnie Mine trail so you can take a loop and discover even more mining history.
Distance: 2.1 miles out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Cucumber Gulch is a designated wildlife preserve in Breckenridge that contains 52 acres of wetlands and is home to moose, elk, deer, beaver and over 47 bird species. Along the route, you’ll encounter serene beaver ponds and pine forest. After your hike, catch the free gondola to town at the base of Peak 8 and get an aerial view of the trails you just strolled. Since this is a wildlife preserve, you’ll need to leave your four-legged friend at home.
Distance: 2.7 miles out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
Leave No Trace
Always make sure to follow the Leave No Trace principles when enjoying the outdoors: pack it in and pack it out (trash, waste, dog poop, etc.), pick up trash along the trail, stick to the trail (avoid side trails and shortcuts) and leave the trail better than when you arrived.
Bring Layers
The weather can change quickly in the high alpine! Make sure you are always prepared with moisture-wicking layers. Afternoon storms are common, so having a packable rain jacket and a warm layer will ensure you are prepared no matter the weather.
Pack the Necessities
Always make sure to pack a reusable water bottle and fill it up before your hike! In addition, the sun is much stronger due to the high altitude of Breckenridge, so make sure to apply sunscreen ahead of time and bring extra to reapply as needed.
Now that you and the family have a plan, it’s time to hit the trails! If you’re looking for more challenging hikes with amazing views, check out our picks for the most scenic hikes in Breckenridge. Happy trails!
