Breckenridge Colorado. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Today Breck delivers the full bill of fare of alpine activity.
The Gold Medal waters of the Blue River run through
Upper Blue Basin, offering epic fly-fishing opportunities
for several species of trout, while hiking trails lace the
Tenmile Range to the west and the Continental Divide
to the east, drawing visitors looking to test themselves—
or to just experience life at a whole new elevation. In
spite of its preeminence as a year-round vacation
destination, Breck’s roots as a mining town still lie at the
core of its identity.
T
he town possesses a bracing quality. Distilled
up through 9,600 feet above sea level, the air
itself is dry in midsummer, crisp and bitingly
cold in winter, and often touched with
the scent of woodsmoke. Brightly painted Victorian
homes, taverns, restaurants and boutiques populate the
grid—many dating back to the late 19th Century. The
surrounding mountains reveal granite outcroppings and
snow cornices, while moose, black bear, elk and deer
roam the neighborhoods and surrounding national forest.
“If you’re looking to ‘get away from it all,’ this is where
you go,” says Mike Durian, a frequent Breckenridge
visitor from Boulder.
Since its founding in 1961, the Breckenridge Ski
Resort has managed to transform the town into an
iconic winter vacation destination. Its intrinsic beauty,
topography and proximity to Denver have been key
drivers of Breck’s growing profile as a world-class ski
and snowboarding capital. Heading west from Denver
International Airport, visitors can be driving through
downtown within two hours, and soaking in hot tub
with epic alpine views from the deck of a mountain
chalet shortly thereafter.
Breck’s five peaks feature miles of groomed green and
blue cruisers, along with a legendary ski school, making
it a favorite for the beginner. The resort also offers
some of the most extreme terrain—including above-
treeline chutes and bowls—many of them accessed by
the Imperial Express Superchair, the highest chairlift in
North America. Topping out at nearly 13,000 feet, it
makes Breckenridge a one-of-a-kind destination.
“You come for the winters,” Durian says, “and stay for
the summers.”