Skiing at Breckenridge – Practical Tips for Intermediate Skiers

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Skiing at Breckenridge – Practical Tips for Intermediate Skiers

Every year during President’s Day week my husband and I take a ski trip. This year, we decided to go to Colorado. We rented a condo in Breckenridge and explored three different ski resorts: Breckenridge, Keystone, and Vail. I enjoyed them all but one truly stood out to me – Breckenridge. I must say that skiing at Breckenridge was amazing!

Skiing at Breckenridge

Breckenridge is my favorite ski resort in Colorado. For an intermediate skier who does not like steep runs, Breckenridge provided a paradise of gradual blue runs across different peaks.
 
Peak 7 seems to be the choice for lots of people. The runs are incredibly wide and offer beautiful views of the valley and rugged mountain peaks. My favorite runs here were Claimjumper, Angel’s Rest, and Monte Cristo.
 
Peak 8 has several long green and blue runs, and a lot of black diamonds. Again, the views are beautiful and the runs are really wide. The 4 O’Clock run was my favorite on Peak 8.
 
Because of the multitude of green runs, Peak 9 seems to be the choice for families with little kids as well as beginner skiers. However, the blue runs, in particular Upper Lehman, Country Boy, and Briar Rose are not very crowded.  There are also several lifts on Peak 9, which helps to disperse the crowds.
 
While I didn’t ski other peaks, my husband definitely enjoyed the whole mountain. If you like to ski black diamonds,  Peak 10 as well as the Horseshoe Bowl T-Bar and the Imperial Express Chair off of  Peak 8 will provide lots of great options for you.

Parking

Unlike in other states, you typically have to pay for parking at the larger ski resorts in Colorado.
We parked right by the gondola and paid $14 for the day. From what I’ve read, different prices are in effect during different months, so double check on the website.

Taking the bus

After hearing great things about the Breckenridge bus system, we decided to take a bus on our second day at the ski resort. We had a condo along Boreas Road, about 7 minutes away from the gondola,  and the bus stop was just outside.  So, it was quick and easy, and definitely convenient. The schedule is well marked and buses run multiple times a day every 15-30 minutes. The system is very well designed and different lines operate different routes. Consequently, you are never on the bus for long. The buses are free and drop you off by the gondola. They also stop at a variety of locations downtown, so you don’t need to worry about needing a car in town.

Avoiding the gondola

I bet I’m not the only skier who doesn’t like gondolas. I don’t like them because I’m slightly claustrophobic but others may not like the hassle of taking their skis off and putting them back on. So, I investigated how to get to Peak 7 directly without taking the gondola. Here is how to do it:
 
Take the bus or park in one of the gondola parking lots. This are is known as the Breckenridge Transit Center. From there, take the Black Route bus to Peak 7 or 8. The bus runs every 15 minutes and the ride takes less than 10 minutes. If you want to start at Peak 9, you can also take the Black Route from a stop right by the information center. Definitely easy and quick.

Enjoy the town of Breckenridge

Full of sport shops, restaurants, and cafes, Breckenridge is a fun town to stay in. The lovely scenery, great mountain town atmosphere, and an occasional moose in town, make Breckenridge a charming place.

Where to eat?

We enjoyed the brewery in town and went there a couple of times. They have a great happy hour on beer and appetizers and delicious meals for dinner. I loved their hazy IPA and the burgers and meatloaf were delicious.
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