Best Ski Resorts in Colorado, A complete guide to Breckenridge Ski Resort

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Skiing and snowboarding can be dangerous activities, please ride within your ability levels and respect others around you

Interested in taking a ski or snowboard trip out west? Honestly there are so many amazing resorts, but one of my favorites is Breckenridge in Colorado. The mountain is located right in the town and has a lot of different options for people with different ability levels. You’ll find a number of beginner/intermediate runs as well as steeper more technical terrain at this resort. Which, in my opinion, is what makes Breck so unique. Although people like to hate on the resort every now and then, “It’s too flat, too crowded, too windy, etc", catch Breck (shortened nick name for the area) on a powder day or sunny blue bird day with no wind or crowds and you’ll see what makes this place so special!

What draws so many people to the town itself is the historic home like feel with surrounding mountain views of the resort and ten mile range. It’s pretty magical when driving into the town with mountain peaks all around. In this post I’ll be going over where to stay, best times to visit, things to know, where to ride, places to apres’, and recommended ski/snowboard shops. Alright lets goooo.

History of Breckenridge and the Resort

Originally Founded in 1859, Breckenridge started out as a mining town. The Late 1800’s brought gold prospectors to many western parts of the United States and towns across Colorado. If you venture out a little bit from downtown to places like Boreas Pass Road (Sawmill Museum) or past the Wellington neighborhood (Country Boy Mine/Wellington Mine) on French Gulch Road you can see old mines as well mining runoff.

You can also walk through the Breckenridge Visitor Center to read up on the history, look at old photos, and also see the progression from a mining town to a ski town. It’s cool stuff, even if you aren’t a history nerd. You’ll even notice a lot of the original buildings are still in town, which is part of the historic district. This history is what gives Breck that unique feel when riding the resort or hanging out downtown.

The ski resort was founded in December of 1961 on Peak 8 by Bill Rounds, Sigurd Rockne, and Trygve Berge. The resort opened with one double chair and one T-bar. By 1984 Breckenridge became the first resort in Colorado to allow snowboarders. In the 80’s and 90’s Breck hosted a number of world cup events for skiing and snowboarding and by the late 2000’s they started to host Dew Tour, a freestyle ski and snowboard event, which lasted for 11 years!

Over the years Breck continues to expand and grow, which I think is just always the natural path with most ski areas, even though there can be backlash from locals for all the added expansion. I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of it either, but Breck still has that mountain charm that can’t be found in too many places.

Where is Breckenridge and How do you get there

Located on Highway 9 in between a town called Frisco and a small town called Blue River. The downtown area of Breck is mostly located on a street called Main Street with shops and restaurants as well as neighboring side streets close to Main Street. There is a north side of Main Street and a South side of Main Street, which is helpful to know when figuring out your way around town. The resort can be seen from town and is on Ski Hill Road, about 1.5 miles from downtown Breckenridge. In 2007 a gondola was built from the town to the resort, to shuttle skiers up to the mountain quicker. However, busses still run up Ski Hill Road to the base of the mountain.

There are different shuttles that run to Breckenridge from Denver International airport, with the two main ones being Peak One Express and Epic Mountain Express. Shuttles are a great way for transportation if you only plan on skiing or snowboarding Breck and maybe Keystone on your vacation. Shuttles can either drop you off at your rental property/check-in location or at the Breckenridge transportation center for a cheaper price. The town of Breck has a great public transportation system and it’s also easy to walk everywhere too.

I-70 is the main freeway to access highway 9, however in the winter it can get pretty busy so there is also route 285 if I-70 is closed or has too much traffic. Below I’ve listed times and distances from major areas in Colorado. Please note mountains passes can get pretty snowy, slick, and dangerous. Please have good tires, extra blankets, food, water, etc when driving to the mountains. Times below are estimations.

Denver International: 2 hours/105 miles

Boulder: 1 hour 55 minutes/87 miles

Colorado Springs: (Taking US 24 W to Highway 9 driving through Hartsel, Fairplay, and Alma)- 2 hours 11 minutes/106 miles

Fort Collins: 2.5 hours/140 miles

What is the town like

I love the downtown area of Breck with shops and restaurants lining the streets. Most everything will be on Main Street with a few restaurants located off of Ridge Street, the next street over that runs parallel to Main. Parking is paid on Ridge and Main, but if you go up to Harris street, there’s two hour free parking. After 8pm parking will be free!

If you’re looking to grab a photo with your significant other or family, I think the best place in town to do that is the central square, right next to the visitor center. Breck also has workshops, an arts district, concert venue (the River Walk Center), information center, a movie theater, rec center, and a library all in town. So if you are looking for things to do outside of skiing or snowboarding, check those places out!

Does Breckenridge Get a lot of Snow

It really depends on the season to be honest. There are seasons where the snow doesn’t stop and then there are seasons where Breck only gets a small amount of snow storms. With that being said, the average annual snowfall is 300 inches or 762 cm.

Where to Stay in Breckenridge

There are soo many places to stay in Breckenridge and I can imagine it being somewhat overwhelming if you’ve never been. A few things to consider when looking for lodging are.. ski-in/ski-out, close to town, on a bus route, parking, and amenities (hot tub, community pool, gym, restaurant-on-site). A common misunderstanding with ski-in/ski-out is that you can ski right back to your place or hop out your back door onto the slopes. Although this is the case for some properties, this usually just means the lift is within close vicinity from your place.

What I like about the lodging is everything is fairly close to either the mountain, downtown, or both. Public transportation can shuttle you to the mountains. From condos, to private homes, town homes, and bed/breakfast there is just about every lodging option available. I stayed in a nice 1 bedroom right off Ski Hill Road, close to downtown, walkable distance to the Gondola. The building had an old school feel to it, but the unit itself was recently remodeled.

I’ve also stayed in Val D’ Isere, a complex close to town that I booked through VRBO.

Other great places to consider staying are One Ski Hill Place, Main Street Junction, Placer Ridge, and Los Pinos. Rates will vary through out the season with Holidays being the most expensive, especially Christmas!

Where to Rent or Buy Ski and Snowboard Gear

There’s a lot of shops in Breck that sell ski and snowboard gear as well as outdoor clothing. I’ve listed some of my favorite shops below. Most stores will have knowledgeable staff for ski and/or snowboard equipment. You’ll be able to find pretty much everything you need for a day on the mountain or mountain environment , if you don’t ski or snowboard. Most shops below also rent equipment. It’s best to make a reservation ahead of time (can be made through the shop’s website). Shops will be able to set you up with the right equipment based on experience, riding style, and your weight/height. Make sure to show up early the morning of or the afternoon/evening the day before you plan on riding, to pick up your equipment.

I’d have to say my favorite snowboard shop in Breck is Underground Snowboards because of the local shop hangout vibe and knowledgeable friendly staff. The home like feel of a locally owned shop will never get old, makes you realize why you got into snowboarding or skiing in the first place! The best shop if you need goggles or a helmet will be Craniologie because they have a large selection and in-depth fitting process. For Ski’s either Slope Style, Racer’s Edge or RMU. For ski boots the best place in town will be Racers Edge, just make sure to book an appointment ahead of time.

The ski and snowboard shops listed below should also have a demo program which is a try before you buy rental set up for those looking to try out equipment before it is purchased. The shop will usually let you apply 1-2 days of rental credit towards the purchase of skis or a board.

Local Snowboard Shops

Underground Snowboards

Mountain Wave

Base Mountain Sports

Local Ski Shops

Blue River Sports

Slopestyle

Carvers

Alpine Sports

Racers Edge

Helmets/Goggles

Craniologie

Branded Stores

Burton

Patagonia

North Face

Columbia

Breck Sports

Helly Hansen

Outdoor Clothing/Winter Footwear/Backcountry

Mountain Goat

Underground Snowboards

Epic or Ikon Pass at Breck and are lift tickets expensive

Breckenridge is managed and operated by Vail Resorts therefore the pass you’ll use will be the Epic. Other passes under the Epic umbrella that work are the Epic Local (unlimited at Breck and Keystone with no black out dates) and Summit Value (unlimited at Breck and Keystone with black out dates at Breckenridge). To learn more about season pass options check out the post, What season ski pass should I buy?, Everything you need to know about the Epic and Ikon Pass. If you plan on riding 3 or more days, buy a season pass early!

Lift tickets at a resort like Breckenridge can be pretty expensive at the window (typically 200+/day) and will go down in price the more days you book in advance. Holidays and peak times will raise prices for lift tickets. If you decide to not buy a season pass, purchase your lift tickets ahead of time on Breckenridge.com. Lift ticket offices will be at the base of the gondola, base of Peak 8, and also at the Base of Peak 9. If you’re looking to pick up your tickets the day before, offices typically close by 4pm.

Best time to snowboard or ski the resort

Resorts in Colorado typically open in early to mid November and Close by Mid April. The cool thing about Breck is that it opens mid November, but stays open until May, weather depending. A few things to consider when deciding what time of year to ride the mountain are; price, terrain open, and crowds. With ski resorts you have an early season, mid season, and late season. Unfortunately snow varies each year so it’s hard to determine how much of the mountain will be open ahead of time when planning a trip, unless you book last minute. My best advice if you can swing it, is to avoid holidays, spring break, and weekends. If you plan a trip during those times, expect traffic, lift lines, grocery lines, and restaurants being booked up.

Nightly rates for lodging are also much cheaper during none-peak times as are lift tickets. The best times to come out and ride Breck are January (Not MLK weekend), February (not Presidents weekend), and April. Early April is a great time to come out because the mountain is practically empty, lodging is cheap, days are longer, and sometimes amazing snow storms roll in, mixed with blue bird days. January and February are also good because by this point the entire mountain is open and there’s a chance of a good powder day.

Can you take a lesson for skiing or snowboarding at Breck

Yep, Breck offers Private along with Group lessons for kids and adults. If your new to snowboarding or skiing I’d recommend taking a group lesson. Group lessons will be on Peak 8 and Peak 9, where the terrain is less steep and you’ll be able to learn the fundamentals. Private lessons will be much more expensive! but instructors can take you all over the mountain, providing a more unique experience.

Are there good Terrain Parks

If you are looking to get into the terrain park, I believe Breck offers lessons for that style of riding too. My advice for that would be to start small and work your way up in the terrain Park. There’s a Large sized park on Peak 8 called Freeway and two parks on Peak 9, an intermediate (American) and beginner (Eldorado). The main park will have jumps, rails, boxes, sometimes a hip as well as transition.

The beginner park usually has a couple very small jumps with small boxes mixed in. The medium sized park his going to really be a progression park with intermediate rails, boxes, and jumps. Make sure to wear a helmet if you ride in the terrain park!

Xander Hitting a jump in the terrain park off Peak 8

Shot by Phil Bahner

Shot by Jake Rickey

What is the Mountain like

Peaks

There’s no back side to Breck and the resort has 5 different Peaks to ski and snowboard on; Peak 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Each area is unique in its own way with Peak 8 being the centralized base area. What I and many other skiers and snowboarders love about Breck is the variety of terrain it offers for different ability levels. There’s something for everyone. The resort has plenty of blue and green runs, but also steep, above tree line terrain and bowls.

10

This will be the farthest peak on the left if you are looking at the mountain and typically will have the smallest lift line. The runs here will be a bit steeper and will only be blacks and double blacks. Ride down Crystal or Centennial for less technical more wide open runs. Runs such as Mustang and Spitfire are really good on powder days, but are un-groomed and hard to ride if the snow isn’t great.. Tree Runs are amazing on Peak 10 too! Be prepared for a small cat walk at the bottom If you rode through any of the terrain on the right side of Peak 10.

FYI, If you plan on going through the gate at the top of Falcon Chair, make sure you have the proper tools, knowledge, and a partner.

9

This peak will have a lot of beginner to intermediate runs with a small amount of advanced terrain. It’s honestly great for families or people starting out. There will be a couple learning areas and two main chairlifts, Mercury and Beaver Run. Quicksilver lift is a beginner lift that can have very long lines at times, but if you’re new to the skiing or snowboarding it’s the only way to get up the mountain your first go. After that, if lines are long I would get on A Chair as a beginner.

E and C chair, although much slower chairs will access steeper more advanced runs off 9, with hike-to-terrain off of Mercury lift. Some of my favorite runs are Volunteer and Upper Lehman! To get over to Peak 8, just hop on the Super connect chairlift.

8

Probably the largest Peak on the Mountain, Peak 8 is pretty awesome to say the least. It has groomers, above tree line open bowls, the highest lift in North America, the main terrain park, and even a T Bar. This is a peak you can really dial in your riding because of the endless options. It also has a learning area for lessons and some green runs off chair 5 for those looking to improve from the magic carpet.

The two main chairlifts for intermediate runs will be the Colorado Superchair as well as Rocky Mountain superchair. I would say the Colorado superchair is a good lift to take if you’ve never been to Breck and need a quick warm up. Colorado Superchair can also get lift lines, be prepared for a lil wait or take the Rocky Mountain Superchair. to get up the mountain quicker or over to Peak 7.

Advanced areas off of Peak 8 will be accessed by lifts; T Bar, Imperial, and 6 Chair! FYI for these areas to open there has to be a good amount of snow coverage, which can take anywhere from Mid December-Late January.

You can also hike right off of Colorado Superchair up to contest bowl. It’s an easier-ish hike but does take about 30 minutes to get all the way up to the Ridgeline of Contest Bowl. It’s also typically one of the first upper Alpine bowls to open up! Just make sure to watch out for rocks, small cliff drops, and closed terrain.

6 Chair

This is a good place to start if you want to start riding some more advanced terrain as they are all single black runs. The terrain isn’t too extreme overall and the runs are pretty open with good tree riding mixed in. The lift itself is an old two seater that is pretty quick when your loading it, so be prepared for that.

Lookers left from the chairlift will have more intermediate runs such as; Lobo, Hombre, and Solitude with the right side of 6 chair being more advanced with runs such as Adios and Psychopath. I really only ride 6 chair if its good snow or spring riding. When there’s deep snow it’s a fun place to get a couple laps in.

Imperial Chair

You can get to the base of imperial from 6 chair. The terrain up here is all double blacks and above tree line, so make sure you have good experience to ski or snowboard this part of the mountain. If you want to experience the top of Imperial, but not ride anything extreme, you can take the groomed Imperial Ridge run down to the base! This will be the tallest lift in North America with the peak standing at 12,998 feet! Take a lap down the open bowl or if you want to ride some really steep advanced terrain do the hike at the top which will access Lake Chutes and Snow White (Experts Only).

If it’s open, one of my favorite areas is Wales tale, also accessed off of Imperial. This part of the mountain is considered Peak 7, and can take some time to open up because it needs to be filled in, but also safe to ride. Ski Patrol works REALLY hard to make sure everything is safe and rideable! Huge shoutout to them honestly. You’ll traverse out to get to whales tail, so hold your speed from the start. The quickest way if you want a few laps in this area is to get on TBar and take a left at the top towards Imperial Chair

My favorite part about being up at Imperial is not only the incredible views, but just how humbling the experience is because you feel really small up. Once you’ve dropped into Lake Chutes or Whales tale, speed is your friend and just enjoy the experience of riding down the face of a mountain that size! You can ride down all the way to the base of Peak 7 or 8, which will take a long time, stop and rest if needed!

T Bar

One of the quickest ways to access awesome parts of the mountain will be off of Tbar in my opinion. This part of the mountain is for more advanced riders, so be prepared! It might take a couple practice tries when figuring out how to get on and stay on the lift, but once you get the hang of it, you should be good to go. Head right off the lift for North Bowl runs or hang a left for Cucumber, Horse shoe, or Contest Bowl!

My favorite areas are Cucumber Bowl and Horseshoe Bowl. When the snows good, the turns are some of the best! Cucumber bowl is a quick run through trees, but I just love the exploration feel you get when riding through here, it’s just you and the mountains. Both of these zones will allow you to get back to the bottom of Tbar, so you can take as many laps as your legs allow. This line can get pretty long on good powder days, but always seems to go pretty quick.

Horseshoe Bowl and Contest bowl, both have some nice cliff drops, if you’re looking to jump off some stuff too.

7

Not going to lie, most of the runs on this peak will be flatter, which is great if you have small kids or you’re just learning, or really just want to have a good time without “overdoing” it. Plenty of long blue runs to ski or snowboard on. The two chairlifts over here will be Independence and Freedom. Freedom is a new chairlift and helps prevent the base lift line from becoming too crowded.

If there’s powder, it’s fun to ride through Wanderlust and Ore Bucket, a small area through trees that eventually take you back onto the run, Monte Cristo. Kids can go through here too, I’ve seen families ski or board together in Ore Bucket!

6

Last but not least, Peak 6! This will be some of the best inbounds terrain you’ll ski or snowboard on, once it’s open for the season. Opening in 2014, 6 is a mix of High Alpine steep terrain and some intermediate blue runs. The views are pretty incredible too, so make sure to grab a couple photos.

You gotta take two lifts to get to the top of Peak 6, but it’s worth it! Take Zendo chair to Kensho superchair. You’ll get off Zendo ride down a quick little run and then hop on Kensho! The best intermediate runs down will be Bliss, Reverie, and a personal favorite, Intuition. If you’re up for working for your turns, the hike to the top is pretty amazing. Somewhat of a workout, it will take about 20 minutes. Once at the top, head right towards Beyond bowl or left towards my favorite, 6th senses.

You’ll have to traverse a good amount to drop into Six senses or drop early into Serenity bowl. Turns should be really good days after a storm, because the snow tends to funnel into these areas and the peaks sits at over 12,500 feet. Almost every time I’ve ridden through this area, you can hear the excitement from everyone dropping in and skiing or snowboarding down the face.

Either keep lapping Kensho chair or take the traverse back to Peak 7 after riding some of the best terrain Breckenridge Mountain has to offer :)

Is there good tree riding

If you like riding trees, Breck has plenty. Tree riding can be found off of Peak 7, 8, 9 and 10. Wanderlust off of 7 is a fun tree run. If you are looking for steeper runs not above tree line, you can find those on Peak 10 and off of 6 Chair on Peak 8. 6 chair is a fun place to ride on powder days when upper terrain hasn’t opened yet. Steep runs that are open enough to lay out turns, but also have trees that are spread out, giving you that winter magical feel when riding. Runs such as Adios, Solitude, and Boneyard are some of my favorite as mentioned earlier.

Mountain Stats

Hours of operation- 8:30am to 4pm

Base Elevation- 9,600 Feet/2,926 meters

Summit Elevation- 12,998 Feet/3,962 meters

Skiable Acres- 2,908

Number of Trails- 187

Beginner terrain- 11%

Intermediate- 31%

Advanced- 58%

Average annual snowfall- 356 inches or 904 cm

Download the EpicMix app for interactive trail maps, lift line times, and vertical feet skied.

Where can you eat on the Mountain

Peaks 7, 8, 9, and 10 all have restaurants at the Base with Peaks 7, 8, and 9 both having restaurants at the top as well. Sevens at the base of Peak 7 will be more like a traditional restaurant with servers and a hostess. However, most indoor dining will have the traditional Burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups, and wraps. I usually pack snacks when I ride, but it doesn’t hurt to have a hot meal indoors every now and then.

Most of the on mountain restaurants will have a bar with indoor and outdoor seating such as Coppertop and Tbar.

Pro Tip

Avoid waiting in the Gondola Line and take the 4 O’ Clock run at the end of the day to get back to town, parking, or your condo.

Also start your day on Peak 9 during busier times as Peak 8 can be pretty crowded.

Where can I park

Paid Parking lots will be at the Base of the Gondola (North and South Lots), Stables Garage (Base of Peak 8), Wellington Lot (near the Gondola), and Peak 9 (close to Beaver Run and the Double Tree).

Street parking and the majority of parking lots in the town of Breck are paid parking by the hour. However, there are two free day lots; The Ice Rink Lot and the dirt lot off of Airport Road. The ice rink lot is on the south end of town on Boreas Pass road. Both free lots will have a free in-town, bus that can take you to the mountain. Just know that buses to the Airport road parking lot stop running at 6pm.

Overnight Parking

Airport road and the Ice Rink lot both offer overnight parking. Parking is limited in town and at lodging properties, which is what these overflow lots are great for. Airport road parking is $5/night on weekdays and $10/night on weekends. The Ice rink is $15/night.

Public transportation

Breck has a great transportation system that costs nothing and has routes (color coded) to and from the resort as well as around town. Buses run every half hour depending on the route and time of day. Hours can vary depending on the route, but typically run from 6 in the morning to 11 O’ clock at night.

Bathrooms

Located at the Base of the Gondola in the new parking structure and at the base of the resort in One Ski Hill Grill. Also located in the Maggie off of Peak 9 as well as every restaurant on the mountain.

Where are the best places to Après at in Breckenridge

Breck has a lot of different places to Après at after a day on the hill. Most happy hours are within the hours of 2-6 pm and vary depending on the restaurant. Aurum off Ridge St. has a great happy hour menu, as well as drinks. They are a farm to table restaurant with awesome dishes sourced from local farmers. The environment inside is also welcoming and the staff is friendly, giving it that home like feel.

Below are a handful of my favorites and I would recommend making a reservation ahead of time to get a table. I also like RMU if you’re just looking to grab a drink. Cool spot, especially in the spring when the days are longer and warmer, you can chill on the outside patio right on Main St.

A couple other places that are great for Apres’ include the Blue River Bistro on the north end of town, and the Tavern Underground, located below the Carlin. The Tavern Underground is a modern take on classic bar food with a late night happy hour too. The Bistro will be known for their cocktails and with an upscale menu and ambience.

Aurum

The Tavern Underground

Blue River Bistro

RMU

Where to eat in Breck

Lots of different places to eat in Breck, making it hard to choose, however! these will be my favorite. For fine dining I really liked Radicato right in the heart of town. This restaurant takes Italian cuisine and makes it family style with amazing pastas, drinks, and entrees’. They also have a sister restaurant, Rootstalk that will be fine dining as well.

Not only is Aurum great for Apres’, but also dinner. If you are looking for less expensive options I also really like Breckenridge Brewerey or Empire Burger and for Pizza, Giampietros. During busier times make sure to book a reservation ahead of time! (sometimes weeks in advance) or expect wait times for getting a table or not being able to get a table at all..

Breakfast/Coffee

My favorite breakfast place is Amazing Grace located in an old historic building, with a local mountain town feeling inside. They have healthier, organic options and baked goods. For coffee I really like Mimi and Pim right by the gondola. Mimi and Pin also sells waffles and churros! Some of the best donuts you’ll ever have are at Daylight and Columbine will be your classic diner styler breakfast.

Another favorite breakfast place for locals is Cool River Coffee house, located on main street on the south end of town. They have a creative menu with a number of healthier options too, highly recommend this coffee shop and breakfast spot!

What Grocery Stores are in town

The main grocery store is City Market and then there is a smaller more expensive grocery store on Ridge Street next to the Post Office.

Bars, Brewery’s, and Night Life

The old saying in a lot of ski towns is “a drinking town with a skiing problem”, and Breck has plenty of bars to choose from. If you’re looking for live music check out Napper Tandy’s and RMU. If you’re looking for a good Brewery, I mentioned Breck Brewery above for food, but it’s also a fun spot to grab a drink at. Broken Compass on the south end of town and on Airport Road is a locally owned Brewery with the location off Airport road having a chill local atmosphere that you can even bring your dog to.

Also on Airport road, make sure to check out, The Breckenridge Distillery, that will have food, cocktails, and spirits. The Gold Pan is going to be the oldest bar west of the Mississippi! and is your classic bar that can get pretty busy on the weekends.

Any Pot Shops in Breck

All of the weed stores will be off of Airport Road, requiring an ID showing that you are at least 21 years of age, cash only.

Are there any disadvantages to riding Breck

Like anything, there will always be a few disadvantages. With the recent increase in pass sales, crowds appear to be much greater on weekends and holidays. I listed a handful of disadvantages below

-Traffic in the town can get congested and busy

-Expensive Lift tickets and Lodging

-Long Lift lines sometimes

-Breck is notorious for high winds at time. If you see that it’s going to be a really windy day I would recommend going elsewhere, such as Keystone.

-Flatter on the lower areas of the mountain (disadvantage for some, yet positive for those learning to ski/snowboard)

-Upper Mountain terrain doesn’t always open after a huge storm

-High altitude location can cause you to get sick. Breckenridge is at 9,600 feet/2,926 meters and the altitude effects everyone differently.

What Tips do you have for Altitude Sickness

A lot of Colorado ski areas are at higher altitudes, which can cause nausea, headaches, and upset stomach. As mentioned above the altitude effects everyone differently and my best advice would be to drink lots of water and to stay away from alcohol and caffeine for the first few days if you’re effected. Typically, it takes a couple days to get acclimated to the elevation. Most retail locations will sell bottles of oxygen (a temporary fix) and there is also an Oxygen bar in La Cima Mall on the south end of town.

Last minute tips for a ski or snowboard trip to Breck

Plan ahead, this includes making reservations for rental equipment, restaurants, and lessons on the mountain! If you don’t have a season pass, purchase lift tickets ahead of time online through the resort website. Also do your homework by checking out the trail map and seeing what trails would be suitable for your riding style and ability level. Most 4 person+ chairlifts will also have trail maps, so you can plan things out as you sit on the lift.

Packing the right gear will also help. Make sure to pack a good winter jacket, the right base layers, gloves/mitts, neck warmer, and a few beanies. You’re in the rockies, so make sure to be prepared for whatever kind of weather shows up.

Check out the Boreas Pass Overlook

If you have a vehicle, I highly recommend going up to Boreas Pass to catch the view of the ten mile range, downtown Breck, and ski resort! It’s a fun activity off the mountain.

Other items I recommend having for a day on the mountain

1. Snacks

2. Packable water bottle, I like Hydra Pak

3. Chapstick

Remember to always zip your pockets up when riding and to drink plenty of water and take breaks when needed

Alright that’s a wrap and I hope this post inspires you to take a ski or snowboard trip to this special mountain town at 9,600 feet! Thanks for checking out the blog and if you have any tips or information to add please drop a comment below, it’s always cool to connect with people on here. Also, If you like this post subscribe to our email list below for the latest updates and posts on ski resorts, gear, surf trips, and outdoor information.

Looking for other ski trip ideas? Check out a trip to Aspen Snowmass!

Taking a Ski or Snowboard trip to Vail Colorado, Everything you should know

Disclosure: When you buy something through the Affiliate product links I have created below, I earn a small commission. I only promote products and companies I support as well as believe in.

Skiing and snowboarding can be dangerous activities, please ride within your ability levels and respect others around you. A Black/Double Black is a more advanced run, a Blue is going to be intermediate, and a Green run will be beginner.

Known as the largest ski resort in Colorado, and the 5th largest in North America, riding a mountain such as Vail will open your eyes to a whole new world of what winter can look like for skiing and snowboarding. Known for their back bowls, this magical place, drives tourists and employees from all over the world each season to enjoy the outdoor playground that Vail has become. I first rode Vail after a surprise snow storm, we ended up riding through trees, jumping off side hits/cliffs, and laying a few turns out on wide open bowls. I had never been to resort that was this large, and it felt like a never ending exploration of new runs, spots, and terrain, I was hooked.

The Gore Creek runs right through town, a popular spot for photos in Vail Village with loved ones

The Gore Range off in the distance is one of the most stunning mountain ranges in Colorado

The mountain itself sits in what is known as the Vail Valley, tucked away off the highway. To actually see what the mountain looks like, you need to get on the resort to experience what this place has in store for you. In this post I’ll be laying out the details, secrets, and my personal tips for a ski/snowboard trip to Vail Colorado! Things like how to get to Vail, where to stay, favorite restaurants, where to rent equipment, and some of my favorite places to ride.

Where is Vail and how do we get there

Vail is actually not going to be your classic mountain town, it’s more of a resort with two different base areas/villages (there’s talks of expansion). Located essentially right off the I-70 corridor, the resort will be in between Copper Mountain and the small town of Avon. If you plan on driving, to get to the mountain you’ll need to drive over the infamous Vail Pass, which can be kind of dicey in the winter. It’s a pass that see’s a lot of truck activity and can get a lot of snow. So be careful, and make sure to have the right tires! If you don’t feel like renting a car, you can take a mountain shuttle (Peak 1 Express is my favorite) and then just use In-Town public transportation to get around!

Within the actual town of Vail you will have east Vail (the first exit) and West Vail. This is where you’ll be able to find lodging if you don’t want to stay in the resort area. Below I listed times and distances from major Colorado areas.

Denver - 96.6 miles and just over 1.5 hours depending on weather.

Breckenridge- 35 miles and about 45 minutes

Colorado Springs- 164 miles and about 2.5 hours

What is the History behind Vail Mountain

There’s actually a ski and snowboard museum located in Vail Village at the transportation system, it’s a fun activity to see all of the unique history. After World War II, skiing and recreation in general started to become more popular. Two men, Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton both avid enthusiasts of skiing decided to open Vail Mountain in 1962 after scouting years prior for a place to start a ski resort. They had hiked up to the back bowls of Vail and decided that it would make a great resort.

Hard to believe, but lift tickets were only $5 and there was only two lifts and one gondola at first. The people who moved to Vail and skied the mountain at first were passionate mountain enthusiasts who viewed skiing as a way of life.

Where can we stay and is Vail expensive

Vail is going to be a more expensive mountain to stay at, which is one of the downsides to riding here. None the less, there are still some options that aren’t far from the resort and some right by the chairlift, if want to spend a little bit of cash. Below I listed places I believe will give you an awesome lodging experience!

The Arrabelle - Located in Lionshead, this is a true luxury resort, with a restaurant on site, pool, spa, and walkable distance to the chairlift. It’s also close to ski shops and the Burton Store that sits below the hotel!

Lodge at Vail- Pretty much in the heart of Vail Village, this hotel will also be a more luxurious stay. With room service, a swimming pool, and not far from the Vail Village gondola. Staying in a place like this will make you feel like a king or queen for your stay.

Gravity Haus- Also in Vail Village and walkable distance to the slopes, this lodging option has a restaurant on site, coffee shop, and a small breakfast menu. Don’t forget their spa and workout facilities. A newer household name in destinations around the country, this is probably one of my favorite options in Vail for lodging.

Residence Inn- More budget friendly, the rooms will be more like a standard hotel room. Farther from the mountain, however the hotel does offer a shuttle service to the resort!

Highline- Another option if you want to save money while vacationing in Vail. This hotel will be located on the west side of Vail close to the highway exit. They also offer a shuttle service.

Where can we rent/buy ski or snowboard equipment

There are going to be a number of ski shops in Lionshead and Vail Village with the two main snowboarding shops being Burton in Lionshead and Buzz’s boards in Vail Village. There was a Burton store in Vail Village for years, however it has recently closed down. These shops will offer Rentals, Demos (Try before you buy), and also sell just about everything you would need for a ski or snowboard trip to Vail, including a board bag to take your gear back home with you.

For rentals, especially holidays and weekends you’ll want to make rental reservations ahead of time. Epic mountain rentals, Christy Sports, and Gorsuch will have a way to reserve equipment before your trip. Buzz’s doesn’t require a reservation. Either get to the shop the night before or arrive early in the morning!

Other stores worth checking out for gear include North Face, Patagonia, Stio, Oakley, and Craniologie! Craniologie will have the best selection of helmets and goggles. Patagonia, North Face, and Stio will have options for ski outerwear with Oakley having some of the best goggles and some clothing/outerwear options.

Does Vail get a lot of snow

I would say Vail gets a good amount of snow each season. Of course it can depend on the season, but from what I’ve noticed is that the mountain sits in that valley where weather patterns seem to drop deep snow storms. On average Vail gets around 354 inches of snow/year.

Not everyday will be a powder day, so sometimes it could be icy, which in that case, you’ll want to stay on the groomed runs more.

How long does the season last

Vail stays open from Mid November through Mid April per national forest rules. Due to the mountain sitting at a lower elevation. Early season is usually just a few runs that require taking the gondola in Vail Village to chair 4 and then downloading at the end of the day. Depending on the year, Vail will start to fill in around Thanksgiving through December, slowly opening up different parts of the mountain! Just remember, Vail has 5,317 skiable acres, almost twice the size of Breckenridge!

What Season Pass options are there and are lift tickets expensive.

The full Epic pass will get you unlimited access to Vail with the Epic Local getting you up to 10 days. The best thing to do, is if you plan on riding 4 days or more, I would purchase an Epic Local. Peak season lift tickets will get to over $300/day. Season passes can be purchased the previous spring and this will be your best option to save money!

Should I take a lesson, and what are my options

If you have never skied or snowboarded before, I would recommend taking a lesson. Lessons are usually given off chair 2 or in Golden Peak off the Gopher Hill Lift. Your lesson options are private, group, first timer, and even adaptive for people with handicaps. Vail also offers options for more advanced skiers or boarders looking to explore the mountain called the all terrain program. It’s for kids/teenagers ages 7-15.

Just note, lessons can be very expensive, and can fill up quick. So book months in advance before your winter trip!

Where is the best place to grab coffee and breakfast

There’s a few coffee shops right in Vail Village that are worth grabbing a cup before you head to the gondola. Two Arrows is going to be your local spot and is steps from the Gondola. Yeti’s right in Solaris Village is your grab and go coffee shop, less elegant, but also a local favorite. A newer coffee shop in town that is also pretty damn good is Unravel, which is inside Gravity Haus. Each of these coffee shops will also have food options like breakfast burritos and avocado toast.

For Breakfast there’s the Little Diner in Lionshead, classic spot! It can get busy in the morning so be prepared for a wait. There’s also Vintage, which is going to be a lot more upscale. If you’re just doing a day trip from Denver or the front range, I would recommend Westside Cafe, near City Market.

What about dinner, where should we go for that

There’s 3 restaurants that I think are some of the best restaurants in Colorado and they just happen to be in Vail. My personal favorite restaurant is Mountain Standard. It has an open kitchen with locally sourced Colorado ingredients. Also open for lunch, make a reservation here and you will have an awesome meal.

Sweet Basil is the sister restaurant to Mountain Standard. I would say that it is a little more expensive and upscale, while still having food sourced from parts of Colorado, giving it that mountain feel. Amazing wines, starters, and just overall service. This place is the real deal.

Inside Gravity Haus will be Slope Room, with incredible ambience and the menu is pretty solid too. Whether you’re staying here or not, I would recommend this restaurant for a night out in the Village.

The last restaurant that should be added to your list is going to be Matsuhisa. Another fancy restaurant but with a sushi bar and hot kitchen. Matsuhisa is a global name started by chef Nobu combining Japanese and Peruvian flavors. I think it’s about as good as it gets for sushi in the mountains.

In Lionshead, two restaurants I recommend are Montauk Seafood Grill and Tavern on the Square. Tavern on the Square is connected to The Arrabelle and they also do breakfast. If the sun is out, it’s a nice place to grab something to eat or a drink at the end of the day on the patio.

Best Bars, Apre’s, and Nightlife

There’s a number of bars in Vail, mostly in Vail Village if night life is what you’re searching for. My favorite bar is Garfs in Lionshead. It’s bar food with a fairly large menu, the atmosphere is welcoming, and it just has a ski town vibe to it. It can get pretty busy in the winter, but there’s a lot of tables and the bar itself is pretty big. Other popular bars include Shakedown, The George, and Root & Flower. .

What is the town of Vail like

The town of Vail is split into different areas; Lionshead, Vail Village, and Golden Peak. There’s talks of expansion towards West Vail, but that could be years down the road.

Vail Village

This will be where the most restaurants and shops are as well as the best area to walk around while catching mountain views. Walk across the bridge and check out Gore Creek or stroll around to the different stores before you grab dinner somewhere in town. When it’s snowing and the Village is lit up, it is pretty magical.

Lionshead

Less going on in Lionshead, however if you are looking for more peace and quiet this is a nice part of Vail to spend time in. For starters, there is an ice rink, a fun activity with kids or a date night. You’ll also find a handful of restaurants, ski shops, and name brand stores. If you feel like going over to Vail Village for a night, just hop on the in-town bus and it will take you right over.

Golden Peak

The 3rd base area in Vail is going to be incredibly small, and that is Golden Peak. You’ve got lodging options, Avanti food & beverage, and a large rental shop for skis and boards.

What is the mountain like and where should we ride

Vail just feels never ending when you ride it and that’s the best way I can describe it. The complete opposite of a mom and pop ski resort. Lots of options on where to ride, but I would have to say my personal favorites are; Chair 11 and Sundown Bowl. Below I’ve listed detailed info on different areas of the resort!

Chair 11

Also known as the Northwoods Express lift. This area of the mountain is my favorite part of the frontside to ride. It has groomers, cliff drops, trees, and some fun hidden stashes. For more advanced skiers or snowboarders take North Rim to North Star or if you just want to cruise, take the catwalk and drop into Northwoods. If the snow isn’t great, this area can get skied out with Moguls, so make sure to scope it before you drop into any of the more advanced runs.

For an easier way down, take the catwalk (Timberline catwalk) down to the bottom of 11 or over to the Sourdough Express chair..

Views from below that overlook the North Rim area. Be aware of rocks and exposed terrain when going through this area!

Two photos, views of the Gore Range right before dropping into some trees and also what it can look like on a powder day when riding up Chair 11.

One of the best beginner to intermediate areas in all of Vail, Northwoods to Flapjack.

Sourdough Express Lift

If you are new to skiing or snowboarding this chairlift is your jam. Mostly green runs with one blue run, Whiskey Jack. I actually like Whisky Jack to get back to chair 11 or to ride all the way down to the Village Gondola.

Village Gondola Frontside

Although more of a mode of transportation to get from point a to point b, there is some fun runs off the gondola, such as Ben’s Face or for those who like steep, try Pumphouse.

This area isn’t my favorite part of the mountain, but it is a great way to warm up and the gondola is a way to access other areas of the mountain. Just note, on weekends as well as holidays I would avoid standing in the gondola line. Instead, start at the Lionshead gondola and then head over to Chair 2. From there, follow the Eagle’s Nest Ridge catwalk, dropping into Ouzo trees.

Shot By: Matias Zanotti

Lionshead Frontside

A less crowded area on Vail Mountain, skiing or snowboarding in Lionshead is fun if you have a family or if you don’t want to wait in lift lines. Runs like Born Free, Bwana, and Simba will be long intermediate blue runs.

I like riding right under the Eagle Bahn gondola or pretty close to it. It’s more challenging and not as groomed, but on a powder day, it’s a fun area to lap in the morning as seen below.

Game Creek

Not considered to be part of Vail’s infamous back bowls, Game Creek Bowl is still worth checking out. Go in the morning after an overnight snow storm, drop into Ouzo trees or lay down some turns on Showboat. Just note, Showboat, once it gets skied out, can get pretty bumpy. If that happens, ride down some of the less skied areas such as Deuces Wild. I’ve snowboard that area in the afternoon and there was still fresh lines to be found!

Showboat below, although short, runs right under the lift. Pop into some of the trees, lay out a turn in the bowl, or hit one of the side hits towards the bottom of the lift. Either way, can’t go wrong in Gamecreek!

Chair 2

Quiet possibly the most central area on Vail Mountain, not only is it a great place to link up with friends and family, but it also is a chill part of the mountain to take a few laps before heading to the back bowls. Lodgepole is a favorite run off Chair 2. A lot of the runs are pretty wide and there’s some good tree stashes if you cruise to the Mid Vail area!

My go-to is taking Chair 2 up, taking a left off the lift, and snowboarding Mid Vail Express down to chair 4.

Chair 3

Not my favorite lift in Vail, however if you want nice wide runs that are groomed, there is Hunky Dory and Eagles Nest Ridge. There’s also some smaller rock drops right under the chairlift, which I would only hit if the snow is soft.

Does Vail Mountain have Cliffs

With all of the resorts I have been to in Colorado, Vail I think has some of the best Cliffs to jump off of on a good powder day. Places like Blue Sky Basin (Lovers Leap) and Northwoods/North Rim will have cliff areas for thrill seeking enthusiasts. If you do decide to jump off any of these, always make sure to spot your landing, know the risk, and jump off these when the snow is soft.

Skree Field and Lovers Leap

Shot by: Matias Zanotti

Is there any Beginner to Intermediate terrain

If you aren’t the most experienced, no problem, Vail still has parts of the mountain that allow people who are new to the sport, be able to enjoy this beautiful place. To me, the best beginner terrain will be off of Chair 4, Golden Peak, Sourdough Express and Chair 2. These chairs will offer a number of green and blue runs for the beginner to intermediate skier/snowboarder. It is also some of the earliest terrain to open.

Whether you’re a kid or adult, Chaos Canyon will weave one through a series of race like turns until the catwalk that runs back to Chair 2.

Should we check out the Back Bowls

The short answer is.. yes. The back bowls are infamous and are what make Vail what it is today! What makes the these bowls so unique is how long and wide they are. Not too steep or above treeline, on a deep snow day, Vail’s back bowls are something else. 7 bowls total; Sun up, Sun Down, Inner & Outer Mongolia, Tea Cup, Siberia, and China!

Sun Down

This is my favorite back bowl that Vail has to offer, and with the recent Chair 17 addition you can lap it as many times as you want without traversing to get back to the same runs. What I love about it is the steepness and of course views. Runs like Ricky’s Ridge will leave a lasting smile on the face and make your vacation or trip to Vail that much better. This bowl requires you to traverse out to runs like Widges and Seldom, so make sure to hold your speed!

This area really allows you to see how large this mountain is and has gullies, pillows, and just wide open fields of terrain.

A hike up Ptarmigan Ridge is a fairly easy inbounds hike in Sun Down Bowl that will give you that extra little amount of untouched terrain when dropping into Sundown Bowl. It’s also the hike used for out of bounds legendary back country terrain and local favorite, the Minturn Mile. But to do that you’ll need a partner, plan, and proper back country equipment.

Shot By: Mitch Webb

Sun Up

One of two original bowls at Vail, This is the first one you’ll come up on as you start to explore the back bowls! It’s best to ride this one early before the snow gets kind of sticky or variable. There is a groomed run called The Slot in case you don’t feel like riding ungroomed runs. Some favorites in this bowl for me are Apres Vous, Yonder, and the trees in Over Yonder.

The Headwall Ridge above the Sleepy Time catwalk, may or may not be untouched

Over Yonder, which is right next to the Sun Up Express Lift offers some wide open tree riding.

Inner and Outer Mongolia- As far removed from the Resort as you can be these bowls are accessed via chair 21 to 22. It’s almost as if you feel like you’re in the back country when you are riding back in this area because they are so far from any Village or on-mountain restaurant.

Siberia- Also really secluded, this area tends to be more low angle. But if you’re looking to escape the crowds it’s a good one to go to. You can’t see any lifts in Siberia, giving it that off resort feeling. But don’t sweat, this area is still in bounds and mitigated by ski patrol.

China- The largest back bowl and probably the most popular, China Bowl has something for everyone. The reason it is so well known is the large Cliff band that allows you to drop off of at different heights depending on your comfort level. For steeper terrain, check out Dragons Teeth and Genghis Khan. China feels like it goes on forever, So you might need to take a break if the legs get tired!

On busy days, a little known secret is to start in Golden Peak instead of Gondola 1. This lift will go up and then down and drop you off on runs to the Sourdough Express lift (Chair 14). Take that up and you will be at China Bowl.

For a less steep ride check out the Poppy Fields as these will be more of a blue run, access these from chair 24 (Wapiti) or chair 21 (Orient Express). For trees there is Shangri-La, a decent length tree run all the way down to the base of the Orient Express Lift.

Tea Cup

The actual Tea Cup Bowl itself is pretty short and sweet however, there’s a fun gulley afterwards called the Marmot Valley that keeps the legs burning as you rip through it on skis or a snowboard. The traverse to get to Tea Cup is kind of a mission, but you can drop in early or keep going as far as you want, the earlier you drop the longer your run will be!

Riding around Vail with your friends are the kinds of days that make this whole experience memorable. Trevor, Mitch, and I cruising through the Teacup on Red Zinger and Emperor’s Choice.

Any good tree riding

My all time favorite trees (and I’ve mentioned them throughout this blog post) are Ouzo, back towards Game Creek Bowl.

Some family and kid friendly trees in Minnie-Ha Ha on the Frontside. These can be ridden through on the way back to Lionshead!

It doesn’t take much snow for it to stack up in WFO trees below!

WFO- On the way to Blue Sky you can take these tree’s to get back there instead of taking the long cat walk called Sleepy Time. It’s a quick run, but if there’s fresh snow, definetly worth it. Gets tight in areas, but overall you should be able to cruise through these with no problem. Watch out for fallen down trees in areas and look for the WFO sign when cruising on Sleepy Time!

Ouzo- Hop off Chair 2 towards the catwalk Eagles Nest Ridge, take that down pretty far until you see a good amount of trees, and drop in!

Tea Cup Glades- Also on the way to Blue Sky, these will be much more tight Aspen trees to ride through, so I would say you’ll need some experience. I like how it opens up as you get towards the base where the lifts are. Make sure to stay left and have a good sense of direction on these so that you don’t end up in no man’s land!

Shangri-La- Probably the largest tree skiing area on Vail, these will be located in China Bowl off Chair 21! Spread out in areas and then tight in other spots. This area can be lapped more than once to discover all of the hidden gems it has to offer.

What is Blue Sky Basin like

Blue Sky is its own mountain in a way. Completely different than anything on Vail Mountain. I think what’s cool is that you don’t have to be the most experienced skier/boarder to enjoy this part of Vail. Although the mountain has to fill in quite a bit before this area opens, depending on snowfall it’s typically Christmas. There are going to be three chairlifts; Skyline Express, Earl’s Express, and Pete’s Express. Petes Bowl is the terrain left of Skyline and Earl’s Bowl is the terrain right of Skyline.

The Main chairlift, Skyline gives you access to a vast amount of terrain. With lookers right being a pretty big open field including Earl’s Bowl with options to either ride the Champagne Glades or a more open run with some cliff drop areas called, In The Wuides. Continue to lap this area on Earl’s Express chairlift or take the run down and get on Skyway again.

If you go lookers left off Skyway it will be a series of steeper black diamond runs with some famous cliff areas such as Lovers Leap (see does Vail have Cliffs section) and Skree Field.

If you’re feeling adventurerous there are also hikes to side country areas such as Gate 38. I recommend going with a partner for this and being very familiar with snow safety as this area isn’t managed by the resort. Getting out of the area is a process as you’ll be weave through trees to pop back into the resort.

Petes Express Lift is the 3rd lift in Blue Sky. I haven’t spent too much time on this chair, but there are more trees and it can get tracked out on a powder days right under the chairlift, making the runs more bumpy.

If you’re with a family and just want some easier areas to ski or snowboard in Blue Sky, take the Skyline Express lift to the Cloud 9 cat walk and ride down the Big Rock Park or cut over and go down The Star.

Is there a Terrain Park

Yes, Vail has a terrain park and it will be located on Golden Peak! Not known for their park, Vail Mountain still puts in some nice features each winter. They’ll have a beginner, medium, and of course a more advanced area of the terrain park. One thing to note, is the jump line can be challenging, so make sure to get a feel for them before you just “send” it.

Where can we eat on the mountain

Other than Aspen the food on mountain is second best in my opinion, if you’re willing to pay for it. My personal favorite is the new Avanti in Golden Peak. It’s nice because they have many options to choose from, while still offering a centralized inside and outside eating area.

Other eating areas will be at the top of the Lionshead gondola (Eagles Nest), bottom of chair 3 and 4, BBQ at the top of chair 4, and also Wildwood at the top of chair 3. The views at the top of Wildwood are incredible if it’s a sunny day.

The two large cafeteria style ones will be at the top of the Lionshead Gondola and at the bottom of chair 3 and 4. These ones you grab a tray and it will be more like a traditional ski resort cafeteria. Each will also have bars for that afternoon break too. Lastly, there is Belles camp back in Blue Sky. Not many food options here, mostly snacks, but it is a good place to warm up, and grab some hot chocolate on a freezing day!

Where can we park and is there transportation

Most of the parking in Vail is going to be paid with the two main parking garages being in Vail Village and Lionshead. There’s a couple free zones to park throughout the town, but those can fill up quickly! Visit the town of Vail website for more info! If you’re lodging is in East or West Vail, the good news is, the town of Vail has awesome public transportation that can drop you off in Lionshead, Vail Village, or Golden Peak. During very busy times, these buses can be full.

There’s going to be a Red and Green bus for farther distances and then an In-Town bus for little trips around the 3 different base areas.

Any downsides to riding Vail

I would say the two downsides to Vail are the number of catwalks that you take to get from point A to point B, especially for Blue Sky Basin and the cost of visiting. There’s a reason the name for the catwalk to get back there is called Sleepy Time. With that being said you can always find shortcuts and terrain to ride that will take you to the chairlift without having to take a catwalk all the way to your destination

What to Pack

I’m a snowboarder so, I always get my gear on Burton.com. They will have everything from base layers, to boards, boots, bindings, luggage, jackets, and pants.

Also make sure to bring winter footwear, gloves, and a good hat or scarf to keep you warm when walking around town. And don’t forget sunscreen, as the sun at that kind of altitude is pretty strong!

That’s it for ski or snowboard trip to Vail. As always, if you have any questions drop them below! Thanks for reading this longer blog post and I’ll see you on the next one.

Looking for another ski resort on the Epic Pass? Check out the historic town of Breckenridge, about 45 minutes from Vail.