10/12/21 Breck’s First Snow

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Photo taken in downtown Breckenridge, 10/12/21

Updated: 10/13/21

We woke this morning with snow on the ground, contrasting beautifully with the las colors of fall.

It’s Happening… Winter officially kicks off in Breckenridge

 

Over the past few days there has been humidity in the air, dusting of snow on the peaks and a blowing wind of change. After an absolutely stunning fall full of warm colors, the only color that has been on minds of residents, visitors and those waiting for winter has been white. Although the day started out with clear skies, a front blew in quickly and with it, the first snow to reach town touched down.

If your mind hasn’t been thinking forward towards winter, it’s hard to imagine that it isn’t now. The slopes have been blanketed with snow and snow making machines around the county began to fire up this weekend in preparation of the upcoming winter season. Breckenridge Ski Resort plans to open on November 12, 2021 with other resorts around the county aiming sooner, some even for an October start!

Stay Slopeside This Winter at the Grand Colorado on Peak 8 for as Low as $78/night!

 

Need more reasons to get hyped for winter? Breckenridge Ski Resort is adding a new lift on Peak 7, The Freedom SuperChair!

If you weren’t thinking about a winter trip before today, we’re sure you are now. Have you purchased your ski pass for the upcoming season yet? One of our lodging partners, the Grand Lodge on Peak 7 is offering huge winter discounts when you bundle lift tickets and lodging! Bundle and book by 11/11 (before ski season kicks off) and you can ski and stay slopeside for as low as $143 per person, per night!

GL7

Grand Lodge on Peak 7 in the heart of winter.

Breckenridge is the place to be in winter whether it be with family or friends, and the first snow of the season always gets us excited for a new season, new memories and to experience the best of Breckenridge all over again.

Photo taken in town on 10/12/21

Family Skiing & Family Sized Savings – A Local’s Tips

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A Breckenridge local’s tips (and a warning!) for saving and enjoying a family ski vacation.

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Backcountry Skiing in Summit County

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Skinning in Summit County

There is no doubt that uphill skiing has become all the rage within the past couple of years. Between light-hearted touring, ski mountaineering (Ski-mo) and aggressive back country for pow stashes, the lot of locals and new comers all seem to take a slight interest in this activity. We’d like to start off by saying, ANYTIME you go into the back country please be prepared. Check the CAIC website for avalanche safety and if you heir on the “more extreme” side of things, we highly recommend at LEAST completing an AIARE Avalanche Level 1 course which teaches you how to make calculated decisions in avalanche terrain.

OK! Now let’s get to the fun stuff. Here are some fun ways (and places) to get outside in the fresh air and NOT have to wait in lift lines.

Hut Trips

Grab a group of friends, spend some time outside, sleep in a “cabin in the woods” and possibly experience some all-time skiing around the area. Hut trips can be as demanding or as lax as you make them, but getting out into the wilderness and “unplugged” for a night or two hasn’t seemed to do many people harm these days. Check out these two organizations below that offer huts around Summit County and beyond. Locals note: Book in advance. These huts gets booked 8-10 months prior so if you know which hut you’d like, get on top of it!

Summit Huts

Summit Huts was designed and created to provide meaningful backcountry experience for self-propelled mountain recreational users. Currently there are four huts within the system; Francie’s Cabin, Janet’s Cabin, Section House and Ken’s Cabin. These are located within Breckenridge. Francie’s Cabin is one of the most popular huts in Colorado, featuring a kitchen, sauna and solar powered lights. Although there CAN be some exceptional skiing in the areas surrounding these cabins, they are also very good options to just get out and experience something different for a night or two.

Mike from Summit Huts recently took some TV guys up to Francie’s Cabin. This was great exposure for Summit Huts and includes some awesome interviews with the kids who were staying up at the hut at the time. Check out the video here.

10th Mountain Division

Stuff can get real now. With options around Summit County (and very much beyond), the 10th Mountain Division is a non-profit organization that manages 34 backcountry huts in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The 10th Mountain Division honors men of the U.S. Army who trained during World War II at Camp Hale in central Colorado.

This website gives you tons of resources on how to plan your hut trip, family and kids trips as well as how to make your reservation. Plus tutorials on hut set up and hut clean up. Each hut has tons of information including both winter and summer routes and trailheads, hut location, layout capacity and much more.

For more huts not listed by either of these organizations, click here.

 “Safe” day tour areas

We use quotes around “safe” because you never know what can happen in the backcountry. You need to always be prepared. Below are three recommendations we offer for new, less experienced OR for people who are just looking to get their exercise on and maybe run your pooch. Please advise that in no way are we condoning that you go out blind. Please do your research before entering ANY backcountry terrain.

Bald Mountain – A most popular scene, this low angle, long approach is great for getting out with friends and the dogs. The path is clear and there is not much avy danger to be concerned. About a 4-mile round trip ski will get you high enough to link some decent turns together, and you honestly can’t beat the view.

Ken’s Cabin / Section House – see above for more information under Summit Huts.

Your favorite Epic Pass Resort – Most resorts offer up hill access prior to lifts turning and after hours. Check your local resort for up hill access, routes and information to stay safe. Pow can be nice but there is also something sweet about getting first tracks on freshly groomed corduroy!

More “extreme” day trips

Like above: Please do your research before entering ANY backcountry terrain. 

Loveland pass – Although no formal reading on what is offered off of Loveland Pass, there are plenty of trip reports and wise words of wisdom from skiers past. The nice option about Lovelandd pass… hitchhiking and shuttling is available. While uphill access is still also an option, this is a great way to get out into some fresh snow with without the work of skinning. Check out some literacy below:

Backcountry Recon

Colorado Ski Authority

East Vail – Also known as EV and also known for avalanche danger and the lives of some, when the conditions are right, the skiing is too. We suggest going with a local, someone who knows the area and following their instructions. There is a vast area of chutes so you may not end up as close as you think. (Defer to your local here). Not much information out on the web, so talk to people and google pictures to get a general idea of the expansiveness of the chutes.

Mt. Guyot – Also a long approach. Mt. Guyot has some lines for fantastic skiing. The Northwest Slope is a fun ski when conditions are RIGHT. Not a far drive if you are staying in Breckenridge, this trailhead and route can also just be a fun tour, hike, or snowshoe.

Breckenridge Winter Packing Guide

Your Breckenridge Winter Packing Guide

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When planning your winter getaway to Breckenridge, excitement will inevitably accumulate into a massive snowball of stoke that storms through your mind, clouding your judgment when it comes to packing. Don’t sweat it, we’ve got your back. As seasoned veterans, we’ve compiled a list of the essential items needed for your trip, and the most effective ways to transport them to Breck.

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To Ski in or Ski out

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Why Ski-in/Ski-Out in Breckenridge?

Breckenridge Resort spans over five skiable peaks and over 2907 acres. With all of that terrain, it can take days to explore! Ski-in/ski-out lodging might typically seem like an unnecessary upgrade, but there are tons of reasons why slope side lodging in Breckenridge is the best option for a hassle free vacation! Check out our top three reasons why ski-in/ski-out is the ideal way to vacation in Breckenridge!

1.) Location

When you stay at a ski-in/ski-out property, you’re guaranteed the best views of the mountains. Whether it’s a famous Colorado sunset or sunrise, lodging at the base of the mountain will guarantee scenery that won’t disappoint! Walk out on your deck or out to the lobby and take in the beauty of the Colorado Rockies. When you’re sleeping just steps from the lifts, you don’t need to stress about getting up extra early. Grab your skis or board and simply stroll on over to the slopes. You’ll be on the mountain in a matter of minutes! The greatest part about ski-in/ski-out lodging is the convenience of not having to lug around equipment. Rent a ski locker or store your gear right in your room. There’s no need to worry about loading or unloading your equipment. You don’t need to stress about getting down from the mountain to move your car. And even more importantly, you’re free to après all you want!

2.) Transportation

Like most resort towns, transportation can definitely be a hassle in Breckenridge. Parking is often limited and in such a small town, traffic can get congested. However, Breckenridge offers free bus transportation that will take you all over town.. Should you have booked your stay with a slope side property, you don’t even need to worry about transportation, though. Most lodges of that caliber have free shuttles if need be, but you would only need that for certain locations, since you’ll be in the heart of all the action. Park your car at the slope side resort you’re staying at and don’t waste money on gas or paid parking; spend it on a day shopping or a night on the town!

3.) Save money!

Speaking of saving money, don’t waste your funds on a rental car; use the free buses or shuttles to get around town. Take what you would’ve spent on that and do yourself a favor: upgrade to a slope side room! Staying ski-in/ski-out provides you with the luxury of eating lunch right in your room instead of doling out ridiculous sums for snacks at an expensive resort restaurant. There are plenty of grocery stores in town like City Market, Local Market and The Food Kingdom, where you can grab supplies or have Breckenridge Grocery deliver right to your room!

Despite the big mountains, Breckenridge is actually a small town that can get overcrowded, especially downtown. Staying right on the hill, a couple minutes from the masses that can flood Main Street is the best way to save time and money and maximize your time for fun while on your vacation! Click below to book your Breckenridge getaway today!

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