If you are looking
for Breckenridge lodging
or a ski vacation getaway the Town
of Breckenridge is what is on the menu. Breckenridge is
located about 1hr 45min from Denver International Airport.
The town itself is only 5.3 square miles with a permanent
population of 3100. Despite it's relatively small size Breckenridge
ski area accommodated 1,468,518 skier visits in 2002 second
only to Vail. At 9,600 feet in elevation Breckenridge enjoys
a high-alpine climate. The average annual snowfall is in excess
of 250" and the average winter daytime temperature is 28 degrees
F. The average summer daytime high is 70 degrees.
Breckenridge is
located in Summit County. The County boasts 4 ski areas; Breckenridge,
Copper Mountain, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin, all with incredible
snow. Each ski area has a wide variety of terrain for skiers
at all levels of ability. Breckenridge, Copper, and Keystone
have ski schools for beginners, advanced skiers or those just
wanting to improve their techniques. Breckenridge Ski Resort
has 2208 acres. 13% is beginner, 32% intermediate, and 55%
expert, on a total of 146 runs. This brings the total number
of lifts at Breckenridge to 27 with a capacity to move 36,680
skiers per hour, making it very easy to get around the mountain.
Breckenridge has one of the best ski schools in the nation,
so if you are a beginner, this is the place to learn.
The history of
Breckenridge is quite fascinating. Breckenridge was settled
in 1859 as a gold and silver mining town. In hopes to gain
a post office in 1860, this town was named after Vice President
John Cabell Breckinridge. Following the boom and bust cycle
of the gold rush Breckenridge actually became a ghost town.
The ski business brought Breckenridge back to life and provided
the motivation to renovate the town's vintage Victorian buildings.
There are many newly built Victorian-style structures, as
well, housing shops, restaurants, stores, bed-and-breakfasts,
and cafes. An attractive river walk follows the Blue River
through town. Almost all new construction or renovation in
the town must conform to the Victorian style of architecture.
This Victorian ambience is most noticeable along Main Street.
The Dining, Nightlife,
and Shopping options are enormous. You can pick from over
more than 400 boutiques, galleries and restaurants. The selection
of food option ranges from the simple fast food to the elegant
dining with a view. Most Breckenridge
restaurants are conveniently located along Main Street.
Once you taste the cuisine you will find that Breckenridge
has attracted some of the most world renown Chefs. Specialty
retail shopping, spans the storefronts of Main Street as well.
Whether you're looking for that perfect Christmas tree ornament
or new ski jacket, the retail shops cater to all budgets and
peculiar tastes. The nightlife in Breckenridge is always hopping.
The selection of Microbrews will often fulfill even the most
discriminating of pallets. The locals are know to engage in
dialogue and help to create a pretty friendly atmosphere if
you are just visiting.
Many improvements
to the Breckenridge
ski area combined to make Breckenridge one of the best
ski vacation destinations this winter. Vail
Resorts International has invested over 40 million dollars
into the Breckenridge Ski Resort this year with the addition
of more terrain and more lifts. The addition of 165 acres
of intermediate terrain on Peak 7 includes seven new trails.
Angels Rest, Wild Dog, Fort Mary B, Swan City, Lincoln Meadows,
Pioneer and Wirepatch will be served by the new high-speed
detachable, six passenger Independence Super Chair. The new
Peak 8 Super Connect, also a high-speed detachable quad-lift,
replaces the old 4 chair and simplifies transferring from
Peak 9 to Peak 8. It starts a few hundred yards above the
Beaver Superchair and terminates near the Vista Haus at the
top of Peak 8. Breckenridge was the first major resort to
offer snowboarding (in 1985): Today, boarders will find two
terrain parks. Freeway Terrain Park, the more advanced of
the two, is home to a superpipe. Winter in Breckenridge offers
excitement and romance with skiing, snowboarding, ice skating,
snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and helicopter skiing.
Other fun activities include snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sleigh
riding, site seeing, and hot air ballooning.
In the summer,
the wooded mountainsides surrounding the town are good places
for hiking and mountain biking. Whether you want to hike or
bike the local peaks (over 40 miles of paved cycle paths and
200+ miles of off road trails), golf at the Breckenridge Golf
Club which has a course designed by Jack Nicklaus, fish in
the Blue River, paddle boat on Maggie's Pond, or just wander
along Main Street and window shop; Breckenridge has what you
are looking for in Summer fun.
Activities for
the adventurous as well as the relaxed range from concerts,
golf, hiking, camping, biking, fishing, kayaking, horseback
riding, shopping or simply relaxing at the spa. Breckenridge
is not just for the adventurous at heart, but great for families
as well. Spend a day with the kids at Peak 8 Fun Park, the
Human Maze, Amaze'n Breckenridge, miniature golf, horseback
riding, or even panning for gold. If culture is what you desire,
then the RiverWalk Center, the Breckenridge Music Festival,
museum tours, or antique shows should fit the bill.
Whether it's a
winter wonderland or summer fun in the sun, Breckenridge is
the ultimate resort destination for all seasons!
