Breckenridge
Travel Guide
Visiting Breckenridge
A quick 2 hours from Denver lies a true winter wonderland, with gorgeous mountains, breathtaking views, endless wildlife, and a vast array of outdoor activities! Whether you’re a seasoned skier, new to the slopes, or visiting for other adventures, this charming town will leave you wanting to go back again and again. And thanks to it’s gorgeous weather, it is one of the few destinations that we recommend visiting year-round, offering endless opportunities for adventure (think: hiking, white water rafting, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, etc.). In this Breckenridge travel guide we will include everything from where to stay, where to eat and drink, what to pack, and more!
Quick Tips
WEATHER
With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, 300 inches of snow each winter, and mild 70-degree temperatures throughout the summer, Breckenridge truly is a year-round destination! If visiting in the winter months, be sure to keep an eye on the weather, as Colorado conditions can be impossible to predict! 4WD and snow tires are a must.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
This completely depends on what adventures you are wanting to do! The high mountain climate provides breathtaking scenery and perfect conditions for dozens of seasonal outdoor activities. In the winter months you can expect snow storms to roll through, providing fresh powder for some of the best skiing and snow sports in the world! As things start to warm up, Breckenridge offers sensational spring skiing conditions. And finally, the summer months are beautiful, perfect for hiking, white water rafting, mountain biking and more.
ELEVATION
Breckenridge is higher than most Colorado resort areas and towns, perched at an elevation of 9,600 feet above sea level. High altitude conditions can take a toll on even the most physically fit of visitors, so it is important to take precautions to prevent altitude sickness. We recommend drinking double your standard water intake, taking it easy the first day to let your body adjust, and avoiding alcohol when possible. If you are prone to altitude sickness, consider discussing a Diamox (Acetazolamide) prescription with your doctor.
Getting There
The easiest way to get to Breckenridge is by flying into the Denver International Airport, then heading to the mountains. The drive from Denver to Breckenridge takes about 2 hours with low traffic conditions, but the main highway (I-70) is notorious for congestion and bad traffic. As such, we recommend planning your drive time around peak traffic, avoiding Friday afternoons, Sunday afternoons, and holidays. We have included the two most accessible travel options in our Breckenridge Travel Guide below.
RENT A CAR: If you are comfortable driving in snow and are not planning on staying at a ski in / ski out hotel, then we recommend renting a car. This will allow you to check out the surrounding resorts such as Vail, Beaver Creek, etc., drive to and from the ski resort each day, and make it easier to get around town.
TAKE A SHUTTLE: The Denver airport offers numerous door-to-door, roundtrip shuttle services, costing around ~$150. This is a great option if you are staying at a ski in / ski out, if you are not comfortable driving in snow, or if you are looking to save money. One of our favorite companies is EPIC Mountain Express.
What To Expect
HOW TO GET AROUND BRECK?
Getting around Breckenridge is easy and convenient, thanks to numerous free transportation services and the pedestrian-friendly vibe of the town. Check out the free shuttle that runs along Main Street, the Summit County Shuttles that travel between Breckenridge and other nearby towns, and ask your hotel for further recommendations. There are also daily ski shuttles to-and-from the main parking lots and gondola pick up. If you have a car, be sure to head to the slopes as early as possible to snag a decent parking spot. Also keep in mind that finding parking on Main Street can be difficult.
WILL I NEED SUNBLOCK?
Yes! You may not be laying on a beach, but at higher elevation the sun is actually much stronger than at lower elevations. Make sure to protect yourself by wearing sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and goggles, even if the clouds are out.
HEELS OR NO HEELS?
Similar to most ski towns, Breckenridge is a laid back, casual destination. Leave the heels at home and pack your workout clothes, layers, and boots! The streets and walkways can be extremely icy, so don’t forget to bring shoes with good traction. For outdoor activities like skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing, we recommend stacking on layers with a warm base layer, light jackets and neck gaiter, followed by a warm winter jacket, snow pants, wool socks, snow boots, hats, gloves, glove liners, and goggles. If you are hitting the slopes, don’t forget your helmet!
** Pro Tip: If you tend to struggle with the cold weather check out heated glove liners and heated boot liners!
Is Breck Expensive?
SNOW SPORTS CAN BE COSTLY, BUT THEY ARE SO MUCH FUN! COSTS TO KEEP IN MIND INCLUDE:
- Around $50 a day for ski equipment
- Around $200 a day for lift passes
- Around $100 – $200 for round-trip shuttle between airport and Breck / Cost of rental car
- Around $80 – $400 per night for hotel rooms
- Cost of flights
MONEY SAVING TIPS
- Book accommodations far in advance
- Take public transportation to the slopes
- Avoid expensive purchases on the slopes by showing up prepared
- Bring your own lunch / snacks / beer on the slopes
- Borrow ski apparel from friends, it can get expensive!
- Purchase a ‘Buddy Pass’ through an EPIC pass holder
- Buy an EPIC pass in advance for discounted lift pass rates
Accomodations
Breckenridge may be small, but it offers a large variety of accommodations. If traveling with a large group, we recommend renting a large private home, if looking for a more luxurious option we recommend a ski in / ski out hotel at the base of the mountain, and if you fall somewhere in the middle then check out all of the amazing hotels right downtown, within walking distance to everything. Regardless, it is hard to go wrong in this town!
WHERE WE STAYED: Luxurious 4 bedroom home through AirBNB
With a group of 15 people, this was the perfect place to sprawl out comfortably, cook group dinners, enjoy the hot tub with views of the Ten Mile Range, gather with friends and enjoy NYE! The gorgeous space is less than a 7 minute drive from downtown and ½ a block away from the free shuttle service, with direct transportation downtown and to the gondola. We had an absolute blast staying here! Check out some of our other accommodation recommendations in our Breckenridge Travel Guide below.
Additional Accomodations
ONE SKI HILL PLACE
This ski-in/ski-out property is one of the most popular hotels in Breckenridge. First of all, the location is prime, being one of the closest hotels to several ski lifts and being next to the Gondola. The convenience of this property extends further, with washers and dryers in each unit, fireplaces, pools, a spa, three in house restaurants, and even lockers and equipment storage so you don’t have to worry about your gear while you’re warming up by the fire.
CRYSTAL PEAK LODGE
Situated at the base of Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Peak 7, this stunning lodge is just steps from the BreckConnect Gondola and Independence Superchair. It is the perfect location if you are hoping to be right in the action! The property offers one to four bedroom condos, and is well known for its cozy outdoor plaza, which boasts hot tubs, a fireplace and a fire pit.
GRAVITY HAUS BRECKENRIDGE
Located at the base of Peak 9, this new boutique hotel is smack in the middle of all the action: four minutes from a chair lift and six minutes from downtown. If you like smaller properties with distinctive vibes, then this is the place for you! You’ll find a dry sauna or soaking tubs where you can relax the day away or head to the third floor where the mysterious but totally real “supertramp” waits to bounce you to new heights.
Skiing And Snowboarding
THE BASICS
Not only is Breckenridge the closest luxury ski resort to Denver, but it is also one of the best ski mountains for all levels, offering a ton of terrain from beginner to expert. One of the main reasons for this is the size of the mountain. While most ski resorts have 1 or 2 peaks, Breckenridge has 5 different peaks. As a result, you can ski for days without feeling any repetition in your runs. Breckenridge is also home to the tallest chairlift in North America, the Imperial lift, climbing 12,840 feet to some of the most difficult terrain on the mountain.
Another perk to skiing Breck is that it is owned by Vail Resorts, a large entity that owns dozens of mountains around the world. As such, ski passes for Breckenridge are also good for several nearby mountains including Vail, Beaver Creek, and Keystone; and transportation between the resorts is free!
RENTING EQUIPMENT
Whether it’s your first time on the slopes or you’re a pro, you will likely need to rent equipment at some point. Personally, we prefer bringing our own ski boots but renting skis and poles, mainly for the ease of traveling. Regardless, all equipment can be rented from a vast array of ski shops around the town, and the process is usually pretty seamless (they do all the work for you).When choosing a ski shop, we recommend renting from an independent retailer rather than Breckenridge Ski Resort itself. Typically independent ski shops tend to have a better selection, higher quality equipment, shorter wait times, and better customer service. A few of our favorite rental places include: Blue River Sports, Christy’s Sports, Charter Sports, and Ski Butlers.
ADDITIONAL RENTAL TIPS:
1. Making reservations in advance to avoid long waiting times.
2. Learn how to use all of your gear before leaving the shop! There is nothing worse than paying for a $200 one day lift ticket, getting to the slopes, then realizing there is an issue with your equipment.
3. Pick up your equipment the day before you hit the slopes to maximize your time. The slopes usually run from 9am – 4pm.
LIFT TICKETS
Lift passes run about $200 a day and can be purchased online or at the base of the mountain. Generally speaking, the earlier in the season you buy passes, the less they will cost.
Another great option, that we had to include in our Breckenridge travel guide, is the EPIC pass. This multi-resort pass can be purchased prior to the ski season, and is the most cost-effective means of skiing. When purchasing, there are numerous pass options to choose between, which allows for a tailored mountain experience. Passes include a 4-day pass, a local pass, and the full pass. Most EPIC passes can also be used at other Vail-owned resorts such as Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Stowe, Keystone, Park City and more. Finally, the EPIC pass even includes 20% off food, lodging, ski lessons, and rentals!
SKI LESSONS
Whether it is your first day on skis or a snowboard, or you’re riding through the trees with ease, ski lessons are an incredible way to fine tune your skills and make the most out of your time on the mountain! Lessons can be booked in advance through the Breckenridge Ski & Snowboard school, offering private and group options for both children and adults. However, be aware that private lessons can cost upwards of $1000 a day!
Things To Do
HIKING & BIKING
One of the best ways to experience Breckenridge’s breathtaking beauty is to hit one (of the hundreds) of hiking and biking trails in and around town! From gentle dirt roads to challenging summits, there is a wide variety of options for all levels of hikers and bikers.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Breckenridge hosts dozens of events throughout the year, including Beer Fest, Spring Fever, Breckenridge Film Festival, Ullr Fest, October Fest, and the International Snow Sculpture Championships!
SHOPPING
Stroll along the heart of the historic district, known as Main street, and explore over 200 stores! Between bookstores, chic boutiques, jewelry, antiques, sporting goods and more, it’s easy to spend an entire day wandering the streets and shops of Breckenridge.
TAKE A TOUR
Prior to becoming a ski town, Breckenridge was a bustling town of mining! Today, you can travel underground to see what it was like to work in the depths of the earth, you can pan for gold, or even embark on historic hikes and snowshoeing adventures.
SEASONAL: SUMMER
- Mountain Biking
- Whitewater Rafting
- Kayaking
- Fly Fishing
- Alpine Slides
- Zip Line Tours
- Paddle Boarding
- Breckenridge Epic
- Discovery Park
SEASONAL: SUMMER
- World-Class Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snow Tubing
- Snowmobiling
- Dog Sledding
- Fat Biking
- Winter Fly Fishing
- Snowshoeing
- Snow Cat Tours
Restaurants
Breckenridge Travel Guide would not be complete without mentioning the food scene! The robust dining scene explodes with flavor, offering worldly inspired cuisines, fresh takes on culinary classics, and plenty of craft beer made from local brewers. You will find a wide variety of offerings on Main Street for all types of taste buds and budgets. Regardless where you go, keep in mind that dress codes are fairly casual. And if you happen to be traveling with a large group, we also recommend making reservations in advance. Here’s a few of our favorite spots to check out:
Colorado contemporary dining in a vibrant and eclectic atmosphere located in the heart of historic downtown Breckenridge! You can expect New American dishes and an excellent happy hour.
A true foodie restaurant in Breckenridge with an ever evolving menu packed with bold flavors! This is a must-not-miss for our food lovers out there.
The restaurant’s casual yet elegant setting has modern, clean lines, live music, and is known as one of the best happy hours in Breckenridge!
If you are looking for a great, casual spot to enjoy bar food and sports, this is your place! They offer a wide variety of food, some of the best burgers in town, and even have live music on Thursday nights.
Right downtown off Main Street is this adorable crepe joint that is a must-not-miss! The long lines are never-ending, but that should tell you just how delicious this place is! If you don’t have time to wait in line, check out the other location just a few blocks away called Crepe Kitchen.
This legendary Benckenridge sports bar is complete with a wide range of beer and a full arcade of video games to entertain the little ones!
A breckenridge breakfast staple! Be prepared to pay in cash at this delicious breakfast spot on the south end of Main street.
The home of the largest craft beer selection in Summit County! If you are a beer drinker, this is a must not miss.
Additional Recommendations
- Bring reusable shopping bags to the store to avoid paying 10 cents per bag
- Keep a reusable water bottle with you at all times and stay hydrated!
- Snow boots with good traction are a must for walking around town.
- 4 wheel drive is a must if renting a car. Be prepared for snowy roads.
Conclusion
As the home to world-class skiing and snowboarding, amazing hiking and biking trails, and an endless list of outdoor activities, Breckenridge truly is an incredible destination! In addition to being an outdoor paradise, it’s also a bustling town filled with history, a lively arts scene, great shopping, and delicious dining. Breckenridge is a place for everyone and a must-not-miss Colorado destination.
We hope you have enjoyed our Breckenridge Travel Guide! Be sure to head to our Destinations page to access many more worldwide comprehensive travel guides!
