Breckenridge

In winter, Breckenridge Ski Resort spreads across five peaks above town; in summer, the same slopes and valleys offer hiking, mountain biking, wildflowers and fly fishing on the Blue River, with Lake Dillon and other Summit County towns close by. Vacation rentals range from ski-in, ski-out condos and townhomes to Victorian houses near Main Street and larger mountain homes in the surrounding forest. The town licenses short-term rentals and limits their number in parts of town; rules change, so check the town's current rules and that a rental holds a valid license.

Where to stay in Breckenridge

Downtown, along Main Street and the streets of the historic district, condos and restored Victorian homes put restaurants, shops and the Blue River path at your door. It suits couples and families who want to walk everywhere, and the gondola and town buses link it to the slopes.

The Peak 7 and Peak 8 bases, reached by Ski Hill Road and the BreckConnect Gondola from town, and the Peak 9 base on the southwest edge of downtown have the condos and townhomes closest to the lifts. They suit winter visitors who want to ski straight from the door, especially families with young skiers.

Residential areas in the hills around town offer larger homes with mountain views for groups and longer stays, though a car or bus is needed. Other Summit County towns, including Frisco about 10 miles north, are alternatives with access to several ski areas and Lake Dillon.

Skiing and winter

Skiing came to Breckenridge on December 16, 1961, when the first trails opened on Peak 8. The resort later spread to Peak 9 in the early 1970s, Peak 10 in 1985, Peak 7 in 2002 and Peak 6 in 2013, and today covers about 2,900 acres across five peaks, with a base elevation of around 9,600 feet. Terrain ranges from wide beginner slopes near the bases to high alpine bowls above the trees.

The BreckConnect Gondola, opened in 2007, carries skiers from the edge of downtown up to the Peak 7 and Peak 8 bases. Summit County also has other ski areas within a short drive, including Keystone, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin.

Winter events include the International Snow Sculpture Championships each January and Ullr Fest, a celebration honoring the Norse god of snow. The ski season usually runs from November into April; check the resort's dates each year.

Summer and the outdoors

Summer turns Breckenridge into a base for hiking, mountain biking and fly fishing, with wildflowers in the high meadows and cool evenings. Many trails start near town, and the Blue River runs through downtown.

Quandary Peak, the highest summit of the Tenmile Range at 14,271 feet, rises about 6 miles south-southwest of town. Its standard route is a non-technical trail, which makes it a popular first fourteener, but it is a long, high-altitude hike: start early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms and turn back if storms build.

Boreas Pass, at 11,481 feet on the Continental Divide, follows an old gold-rush wagon and railroad route south of town. Its gravel road is closed to cars in winter but in summer is popular with cyclists and drivers for its views of aspen forests. Lake Dillon, a reservoir to the north, offers boating and lakeside paths, and summer concerts fill the town's outdoor venues.

Gold-rush history and Main Street

Prospectors arrived in 1859, during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, after gold was found in the gravels of the Blue River. The town was founded in November 1859 and named for prospector Thomas Breckenridge. Its spelling was changed to honor Vice President John C. Breckinridge to win a post office, then changed back in December 1861 after he joined the Confederate army.

Mining moved from river gravels to hard-rock veins and later to huge dredges, which worked the Blue and Swan rivers from 1908; their gravel ridges can still be seen, and the remains of one dredge float in a pond off the Swan River. The district is credited with about a million troy ounces of gold. The Town of Breckenridge incorporated in 1880.

The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance looks after historic sites, including the 1875 cabin of naturalist Edwin Carter. Each June, Kingdom Days recalls a 1930s story that the town had been left off the map.

Getting there and around

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the main gateway, roughly two hours or more by car via Interstate 70 and Colorado 9, depending on traffic, weather and mountain road conditions. Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), west of Vail, has seasonal flights and is another option in winter. Many visitors use shared airport shuttles rather than driving mountain roads in snow.

Colorado 9 links Breckenridge with Interstate 70 at Frisco to the north and crosses Hoosier Pass to the south. Winter storms can close or slow I-70 and the passes, so carry winter gear, check road conditions and allow extra time.

In town, the Breck Free Ride buses and the gondola make it easy to manage without a car, and parking downtown can be limited. Summit Stage buses connect Breckenridge with Frisco and other Summit County towns, but a car is handy for trailheads and day trips.

Weather and altitude

Breckenridge has a high-alpine climate with long, snowy winters and short, mild summers. Freezing temperatures have been recorded on nearly every date of the year, and the humidity is low. Summer days are often sunny and pleasant, with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. Snow usually covers the slopes from late fall into spring.

Winter, from December to March, is peak ski season, with holiday weeks the busiest. Summer, from late June to early September, brings hiking and festivals, and September has golden aspens and quieter trails. Late spring and late fall are the quietest periods, when some businesses take a break.

At about 9,600 feet, the thin air affects many visitors. Drink plenty of water, take it easy on the first day, limit alcohol, use strong sunscreen and seek medical advice if you develop severe headaches or shortness of breath.