Ski the Summit
Your Trip to Breckenridge
The legendary Lake Chutes on Peak 8 at Breckenridge Ski Resort.
Plan
It all begins with an idea, yearning for adventure, desire for cold mountain air. Planning for your trip should be nearly as fun as the experience itself. At this point your excitement should be growing as you get the itinerary in order. The internet is loaded with travel information these days, with websites like TripAdvisor, you can learn many of the options you have for activities, transportation, lodging, and dining with just a little bit of research. Due to COVID-19, it is a good idea to check the Summit County website for current restrictions. The ski resort also has a new reservation system in place in order to limit crowding on the mountain, so checking for lift ticket availability is a good place to begin. For more detailed information on reservation, check out the Epic Pass website.
1) Make reservations for your lift ticket.
It would be a bummer to get to Breck and find out that the mountain is fully booked for your desired ski days. These reservations add an extra layer to planning and timing of your visit, but I have heard that last minutes spaces may become available on the morning of.
2) Book a flight.
If you are skiing in Summit County, whether Breckenridge, Keystone, or Copper Mountain, Denver International Airport is the most popular option. Google Flights is a great tool for comparing prices and times for nearly all airlines. Most major cities should have a direct flight to DIA.
Flying into Eagle County Regional Airport is another option. Benefits of EGE include a shorter commute and there is often less traffic on this section of I-70.
3) Arrange additional travel logistics.
100 miles stand between Denver and the mountains of Breckenridge, so you will have to choose from a few ground transportation options:
A) Private Car Service - this option will be the most convenient for you and your crew. Ease of pickup at the airport and delivery to the front door of your lodging. Private cars will cater to your every need, even additional stops along the way for groceries or rentals. Depending on your group size, this choice can be cost effective as well. Book your private car here.
B) Shared Shuttles - going this route may be more attractive if you are on a tighter budget. Shuttles are a popular way to get a large group of people from the city to the mountains, either being several groups of strangers or one large party. They can be arranged to drop you off at your hotel or a transportation center. A downfall of this is that it can add on extra hours of travel time dropping off each separate group. Book your shuttle here.
C) Bus - travel by bus will be your cheapest option. If you are traveling alone, or do not have much luggage, it will help you save some money for other areas of your trip. This option is the least customizable, as you will have to arrange for additional transportation to and from the bus station pick up and drop off points. Book your bus here.
D) Taxi / Uber - just like in your daily life, you can catch an Uber or Taxi to your destination. Rates and availably cannot be pre-determined, so it could be a bit of a gamble.
E) Car rental - if you think you will need to do a lot of driving while you are in town, this may be a good option for you. Though, in Breck there is a free bus that can get you to and from the resort, as well as places around town. If you are planning an activity other than skiing, like snowmobiling or sight seeing, a car would be nice to have available. Rent your car here.
4) Find accommodations.
Summit County has no lack of places to stay. With website like AirBnB, VRBO, and Kayak, it should be a breeze to find the perfect place to suit your parties size and preferences. Don’t forget to find a place with a fireplace and a hot tub. Also, remember to take into account your proximity to the ski resort. If you want a cabin tucked away back in the woods, it may be a good idea to have a car to get you back and forth. If ski in, ski out is more your speed, you could be car and worry free all week.
Alternate form of transportation.
Travel
It’s finally here! If you planned properly, your travel days should be a piece of cake. Though, always remember there is a chance things will not work out as expected, especially when traveling in the high country. From delayed flights to road closures, snow storms can put a halt to travel. If you experience this, the hot tub will feel even better once you finally arrive. Don’t forget to bring snacks, traveling on an empty stomach will make almost everyone hangry. Having a plan b incase something doesn’t work out is always a good idea too.
Pro Tip - the town of Breckenridge it 9,600’ above sea level. Altitude sickness is a common thing, so don’t think it wont happen to you. Stay hydrated, drink Pedialyte or Gatorade and plenty of water. Local stores offer altitude adjusment vitamins and oxygen cans if you experience headaches or nausea.
Quandary Peaks offers backcountry skiing and snowshoeing.
Fun
Thats the whole point of the trip right? Breckenridge Ski Resort is a great place for the whole family, as it offers terrain for every experience level. For the most part, its pretty straight forward - the higher you get on the mountain, the more difficult the terrain. For beginners, you will enjoy your time much much more if you take some lessons. There are three base area ski schools at the resort, Peak 8, Beaver Run, and the Village, so one is bound to be close to your lodging. For the experts, there is tons of upper mountain skiable acres, with unbeatable bowls and chutes.
After a day on the slopes, nothing hits the spot more than a little apres. What is apres yoou may ask? Apres ski can mean something different for everyone, but for most it means to enjoy a well deserved drink and some snacks after a long day on the mountain. Breckenridge is a special place because it’s more than just a resort. The quaint historic mining town at the base of the resort is full of restaurants, bars, shopping, and breweries. With classics like Kenosha Steakhouse and Ritas tacos, to Hearthstone Restaurant and Blue Fish sushi, you will find something for every palate. Don’t forget to visit the Breckenridge Brewery and Breckenridge Distillery tasting rooms.
City Market and Breckenridge Market and Liquor are the two main grocery stores in town. City Market is the larger option, Breck Market is right in the downtown area and can be more convenient. For those looking for dispensaries, you will have to get a ride down airport road where they are all conveniently located. There are plenty of liquor stores around town as well.
For those that are not the skiing type, not to worry. There are other snow activities such as snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, sledding, shopping, spas, and dog-sledding. Good Times Adventures will take you snowmobiling or dog-sledding deep in the Colorado mountains for an unforgettable day. The Breckenridge Nordic Center offers snowshoeing and cross country ski rentals as well as tons of trails. Frisco Adventure Park makes it easy to tube/sled with a surface lift that carries you to the top of the hill! Carter Park is a great in-town sledding hill as well. If your not feeling too active, theres nothing better than relaxing by the fire with snowy mountain views right outside of your window.
Enjoy your stay!
Snowmobile tour with Nova Guides near Vail, CO.