Why Go?
Because it’s everything a ski resort should be: a colorful winter playground for the family with plenty of slopes for everyone and a lively Victorian town. It’s one the biggest family favorites in the United States and at the heart of Colorado ski country, yet still an easy journey from Denver by car or shuttle. Breckenridge is one of the best places for beginners to find their feet on vast, perfectly groomed novice areas away from the often frantic slopes of faster skiers.
The Skiing
There are five linked sectors between Peaks 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 along a lengthy ridge line with excellent options for both newbie youngsters and hardened parents. Head on over to Peak 9 for some of the best and safest long and wide nursery slopes, although it’s rivaled by Peak 8’s offering. There are endless miles of easy, tree-lined pistes lower down but also extremes, too, with Peak 8’s Imperial Express being North America’s highest chairlift, reaching 12,998 feet, and a wealth of above-the-tree line double black diamond bowl runs. There are plenty of interconnecting green runs so learners can quickly progress to safe safaris across the width of the mountain vista. Experienced skiers can head off for the day barely taking the same run twice (there are 187 trails are spread across 2,908 acres) as they traverse the resort from side to side, keeping high above the moderate terrain below. Four terrain parks, including a 22-foot super pipe, entertain boarders. The Epic Pass, which must be used for a minimum of four days, also includes skiing at four other local but major resorts (Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin).
The Resort
The old mining town was one of the first to truly latch onto the value of the white gold that covers its streets during winter. Converted architectural gems sit alongside newer buildings that reflect the town’s classic style. Mile-long Main Street is now lined by more than 200 shops, many a world away from the usual chains. These are interspersed with a variety of family dining options—feast on crepes while cozying up to a fire pit or big burgers in a mountain man setting in what is a ski metropolis. Children will also love the Red, White & Blue Fire Museum with its Victorian era equipment. There are several large slope side hotels such as Beaver Run, but also plenty of condos and family rental properties throughout the town.
The Facilities
The Ski and Ride school offers lessons, both individual and group, for ages three and up, in several locations. Three childcare centers keep youngsters from two months to three years busy with indoor and outdoor activities and lunch. Little Rippers gives children aged two-plus a private introductory ski experience with an instructor.
There’s plenty for families who want to spend some time together, with several outdoor ice-rinks with rentals. Don’t miss pretty Maggie Pond at the base of Peak 9, sledding in Carter Park, an alpine coaster and sleigh rides on the golf course. Breckenridge Recreation Center is a place for a warming afternoon with its swimming pools, waterslide and sauna, as well as a gym, rock-climbing wall and basketball, tennis and racquetball courts.
Getting Around
A number of shuttle services connect with Denver International Airport, around 90-minutes away, and downtown with its Amtrak-served Union Station. Free buses link the various base areas in Breckenridge, but most things are walkable. Free resort buses run to Keystone and Arapahoe Basin, with low-cost buses to Vail and Beaver Creek. You don’t need a car here, although it does mean you can drive down to the three-village factory store heaven Outlets at Silverthorne.
Nick Dalton, a U.K.-based travel writer for newspapers, such as The Times, has visited nearly 90 U.S. ski resorts (and another 20 or so in Canada). When not skiing he’s also an expert on cruises, and his children, Georgia and Henry.