The Grand Tetons, Everything you need to know about Jackson Hole Ski resort

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

Quiet possibly one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the United States, the Tetons, which are part of the Rocky Mountains, lie about 40 Miles long on the north west side of Wyoming. Surrounded by these breath taking peaks is Jackson Hole Resort, a playground for winter enthusiasts that ski or snowboard. Riding the resort and being in this part of Wyoming gives off a wild west feeling, God’s Country if you will. A feeling that can’t be found at many other ski resorts.

About twenty minutes from the resort is the town of Jackson, a quaint western style town filled with shops, restaurants, lodging and old time bars. There’s a handful of lodging options close to downtown Jackson and the town itself is easy to get around. If you don’t have a car, no problem, public transportation can take you to and from the resort as well as different parts of town.

One trip to Jackson and the resort, town, and mountains will leave a lasting impression. In this post I’ll be going over how to get to Jackson Hole, where to stay/eat, what to expect, ski resort info and where to ride. Alright, lets gooo

Photo Keegan Rice

Photo Keegan Rice

History of Jackson Hole

The name for Jackson Hole came from the geological formation of the Tetons millions of years ago. As the mountain range rose, the valley sank, hence the name Jackson “Hole”. While the mountain range is one of the youngest in the country, the rocks themselves are some of the oldest. Some of the first groups of people to enter Jackson Hole were the Native Americans before the 1800’s to hunt for game in the valley as well as the surrounding area. To this day bison, elk, and other wildlife roam this part of the United States. It is said that John Colter who was one of the guides for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, went through part of Jackson, which is now Yellowstone National park, making him the first European-American to do so.

Mountain Stats

Hours of Operation- 8:30 am-4pm

Base Elevation- 6,311 feet/1924 meters

Summit Elevation- 10,450 feet/3185 meters

Skiable Acres- 2,500 inbounds

Number of Trails-133

Beginner terrain- 10%

Intermediate- 40%

Advanced-50%

Average annual snowfall- 465 inches/1181 cm

The first part of the 19th century brought many fur trappers to the area, due to an abundant Beaver Population. Most of the trapping occurred outside of the Jackson Hole area, yet there were routes that still went through Jackson. Like most of the western United states in the Late 1800’s, Jackson became a sought out destination for Mining. Unlike California and Colorado, the Jackson Hole area didn’t have any major success with Mining.

After World War II the popularity for Skiing increased and by 1946, Snow King, a resort in the town of Jackson installed their first chairlift. Barry Corbet and Paul McCollister first made their way to Rendezvous Mountain in 1960 to check out the area. It was at this meeting they discovered the famous Corbet’s Couloir, a steep run down a rocky chute with a mandatory cliff drop at the top. By 1965 Jackson Hole Ski resort was open and by 1966 the Tram started taking people to the very top of Rendezvous. Today Jackson remains a destination for many outdoor and travel enthusiasts in the winter and summer due to the ski resort, Grand Teton National Park, as well as Yellowstone National Park!

How to get to Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole is going to be on the North West side of Wyoming, pretty close to the Idaho border. The resort is about 20 minutes from the actual town of Jackson. I personally like staying in the town because of the history and ease of walking around. Also, the drive to the mountains is pretty easy and the views are incredible as you head to the base of Teton Village. Jackson has an airport and if you decide to fly, there are plenty of options for transportation to Jackson or Jackson Hole resort. Jackson’s airport is the only commercial airport located within a national park, so you should be able to book a flight with most major Airline Companies.

Also, if you don’t rent a car, public transportation to the resort is an option. If you keep reading, I’ll go over that in more detail. Below I’ve listed times and distances to the town of Jackson as well as the resort.

If you decide to drive Please Be Cautious of Wildlife and Icy Roads. Make sure to have an emergency kit and proper winter tires. AWD is recommended as well. Times are an estimation and weather will typically add time to your trip.

Jackson Airport

To Town- 9 Miles/15 Minutes

To the Resort- 21 Miles/33 Minutes

Salt Lake

To Town- 277 Miles/4.5 Hours

To the Resort- 304 Miles/4.75 Hours

Boise

To Town- 369 Miles/6 Hours

To the Resort-346 Miles/6 Hours

Bozeman

To Town- 217 Miles/4.5 Hours

To the Resort- 218 Miles/4.5 Hours

Denver

To Town- 512 Miles/8.5 Hours

To the Resort- 521 Miles/8.75 Hours

Where to Stay

As mentioned above you can stay in the town of Jackson or at the base of the resort or even halfway between both. The one thing I love about lodging in Jackson is it is much cheaper then other resort towns. I guess Jackson is more of a summer destination because of the national parks.

If being closer to the resort is more your thing check out Continuum in Teton Village and the Aspens, a group of condos in between Jackson and the resort, or Gravity Haus at the base of Teton Village.

I stayed right in the town of Jackson at Mountain Modern; great amenities, good parking, really nice rooms, and close enough to town. Also it was about a 20 minute drive to the Mountain from this hotel depending on traffic. On powder days make sure to leave earlier!

What is the town like

I honestly love the town of Jackson, it has western feel to it, mixed with your standard tourist shops like t-shirt stores and souvenirs spots. Some people might say it’s too wealthy and not original, but I still like it. There will be some side streets with restaurants and shops too. But the majority of shopping and eating will be right in the center of town. If you like ice skating, there’s a town ice rink as well.

A popular photo spot downtown will be the Elk Horns. Lots of couples and families get their picture taken here!

From town you can see Snow King Resort. What is kind of surprising is that the mountain could be getting a lot of snow, but the town might only get a dusting of snow. So don’t let that fool you when waking up in downtown Jackson, check the snow report!

What is the mountain like and where should we ride

Beginner to Intermediate Trails

Jackson is one of the coolest mountains I have ever ridden due to the layout, scenery, and terrain. Although the resort continues to improve and add more intermediate terrain, most of the mountain is steeper compared to other resorts I have snowboarded at. When you arrive you will see that there is one central base area with retail/rental shops, a Lift Ticket office, coffee shop, food, and even a general store. To your left is the tram and if you keep walking you can see two gondolas; Bridger and Sweetwater.

The Sweetwater Gondola is a good place to start if you want to get the blood flowing. It will also stop about halfway up where the lesson area is for people who have never skied or snowboarded before. Once at the top of Sweetwater you can either ride down through more challenging trees or cruise some of Jackson’s blue runs right to the base.

If you decided to take Bridger gondola, you have access to a lot of terrain. It’s an awesome starting point if you’ve never been to this resort before in my opinion. Follow Sundance all the way down to get a feel for the steepness of the resort, even though you’ll be on blue runs most of the way down! Lots of good groomers off of Bridger!

Not too much beginner terrain in Jackson, but there is still enough runs for those wanting to experience Jackson, being in the mountains, while still learning. With that being said, beginner areas will be off of Eagles Rest Chairlift, Sweetwater Gondola, Teenwinot Quad Chair, and Union Pass Quad Chair. The Teenwinot chair will be green runs and once you start to get comfortable, graduate to the Apres’ Vous chairlift. Go left off the lift and there are a number of intermediate blue runs. It’s also a fun area to venture to if the lines are longer on other parts of the mountain.

Some of the best blue and easy black runs can be found on the Casper and Teton Quad lifts. On powder days if upper terrain is closed or takes a minute to open up these are fun areas to ride. The Saratoga will be not as steep and will have some nice powder stashes on snow days. I don’t think as many people venture over there compared to other areas of the mountain, kind of a quiet zone. For families with young kids who can keep up, the Casper area is great!

As mentioned, runs that would be considered easier at other resorts will be a little more challenging at Jackson Hole. Lower Sundance just under the Bridger Gondola, I swear, even on the deepest powder days, it gets icy towards the end of the day.

One of my favorite parts about chasing storms is towards the end of the day when there’s still a lot of untracked areas, and the light starts to peak through the clouds. Riding through some of the trees if you have the energy at the end of the day can be magical. Photos below were from Trees off the Casper Lift and Apres Vous.

Advanced and Expert Terrain

What Jackson is known for; steep and technical. I’ll talk about a few advanced areas if you keep reading that are my favorite places to ride, however going to mention a number of advanced and expert areas worth skiing or snowboarding if your skill level is there. The first area if you don’t mind waiting is going to be the tram. For awesome snow days, arrive early! Be prepared for wind at the top and tough visibility. Rendezvous Bowl, the Hobacks, Cheyenne Bowl, and Bernies Bowl will all be fun areas to ski or snowboard if the snow is good. I can imagine if it isn’t spring riding or a powder day that these areas would be tough to go down.

Sublette chair will also have a number of advanced runs like the Alta Chutes as shown in the two photos right below.

The Hobacks are these steep wide open fields with boulders and cliff drops in certain areas. The area will pop you out to Union Pass Traverse. Needless to say it is a fun place to ride once it is open for the season.

The Casper Traverse, will have some nice tree riding, although make sure to follow signage and don’t just “send” it as you might come up on some cliffs and rocks. I like to drop in to Woolsey Woods and pop out kind of where the Stash Park is.

Views of the Laramie ski run from Grand Trees. A more popular run that funnels people down to the Sublette Chair or South Pass Traverse.

Amphitheater is a well known run at the resort in the photo below

Don’t feel like hiking the headwall, you can still take Ten Sleep Bowl and ski or board down the Cirque Bowl!

Off the Thunder Quad lift and right under the Tram will be some spread out trees that are fun to ride through and not too steep. I believe this run is called Cannett, but I could be wrong. Take the Riverton Bowl to end your lap. There’s a few boulders to jump off of in this bowl if the snow is deep.

Jackson is full of cliff drops including these ones below off of the Sublette chair! I’ve seen tracks going off cliffs from taking the lift up that I can’t believe someone would take, in terms of height and technicality.

Steep runs off in the distance including the Laramie bowl, a pretty steep blue run at Jackson.

Most people like to ride the Hobacks, but don’t forget about Cheyenne Gully to Lower Sublette Ridge. A narrow run through trees that will open up into either a powder field or skied out/mogul run.

Photo Keegan Rice

Jackson Hole Tram

The tram is what separates Jackson from all the other resorts in North America. A giant gondola that can fit up to 100 people and takes 12 minutes to get you to the top. If the line looks long, don’t worry!, it moves quick. This tram will take you 4,139 vertical feet/1261 meters to the top with awesome views of the different mountain ranges and the resort. Once the tram stops there is a brief speech about not going into the Back Country uneducated and unprepared with the words “If you don’t know, don’t go!” (there are gates on the resort to access back country terrain). Back Country terrain is areas of the mountain that aren’t monitored by ski patrol or the resort. You’re essentially on your own.

At the top of the Tram you will see, Top of the World Waffles, a must stop for hot fresh waffles. I like the traditional with brown sugar butter, but they also have ones with whip cream, peanut butter, and chocolate. Although, I read that the Waffle cabin will be torn down with a bigger restaurant, hopefully Jackson Hole still keeps making waffles in the new location.

After you get a few pictures, you can ride down Rendezvous bowl and then from there you can take a few different routes down. Once you’ve ridden down the face of Rendezvous Bowl, take Laramie Traverse to Laramie Bowl or Rendezvous Trail down to other trails and chairlifts. Rendezvous trail is a cool traverse that opens up to awesome views of Laramie Bowl from below and the surrounding trails. Hop on the Marmot double chair to ride back to the central area of the resort, the top of Bridgwater Gondola.

Please note, there is no beginner terrain off the tram, don’t let this deter you from taking the tram up for scenic views and waffles as it can take you back down. You don’t have to ride any of the terrain to get the tram experience and to take your photo at the top. There’s a new tram every 10 minutes and you can take it back down if you just want to get the experience!

Rendevous Bowl on a clear, fresh snow, none windy day, is pretty special. When the trees get caked with snow we call them ghost trees. Ghost trees make some of the coolest photos.

Favorite places to ride on the Mountain

I’ve ridden Jackson a handful of times and I always discover somewhere new to ride each time. Snow will be a large determining factor on where you decide to ride. If the resort lacks snow or has been skied out, just be cautious when riding steeper more technical terrain as there could be exposure of rocks, icy conditions, and bumps. However if the snows great, it’s fun to explore as much of the mountain as possible. Also make sure to review the trail map if you decide to ski or snowboard more up top terrain as there are cliffs and drops that aren’t always marked. It is not a fun experience to get cliffed out if you aren’t comfortable with 10 foot plus drops!

Taking the Sublette chair will allow you traverse over to the Headwall and Casper Bowl hikes. This particular chair gets extremely windy at times, luckily it was replaced recently from a two person to a 4 person lift with more coverage on the back of the chair.

I love to hike the Headwall , although the bowl is a short run, I like how mellow the hike is along with the terrain. It’s a pretty open area to drop into and doesn’t get tracked out as quick as the rest of the mountain. Just make sure to follow the boot pack, and if someone is faster then you, step to the side and let them pass. It’s more relaxing when your not being pressured from behind, so take your time and enjoy the hike. To get to the hike you take the Tram or Thunder Quad Lift up and then ride down to the Sublette Chair. You’ll then take Ten Sleep to the top of Cirque and from there start hiking the boot pack. The hike closes at 2pm!

The last area that is a gem if open, is Casper Bowl. This terrain is really for advanced to expert skiers or snowboarders, but what I love about it is the free ride/backcountry feeling, even though it’s inbounds. It has wide open bows, steep chutes, and even a tiny bit of tree riding in areas. It’s honestly the ultimate experience if you make a trip to Jackson Hole in my opinion. To ride this terrain you’ll want to take the same hike you did up to the headwall, but keep hiking!

As you hike across the ridge you’ll eventually see a sign for Casper Bowl. I dropped pretty much right in the middle and it was wild. Steep, lots of snow and some amazing turns. There’s a number of places you can drop so use your best judgement and be cautious riding this terrain! I would also recommend riding with a partner even though it is inbounds. I wish I had one once I was on the ridge.

What is Corbets Couloir

Corbets is a very steep narrow run at the top of the Tram with a drop into the run. I’ve never tried it, I would imagine it would be a rush to ride something like that. Jackson will put on an event called Kings and Queens, a snowboard/ski competition of athletes doing spins and flips into Corbets.

Side Country/Back Country off the resort

There are a few gates on the resort for Back Country Access. Make sure to have the proper education, equipment, and riding partner before you venture into the back country. Cody Bowl and Rock Springs Bowl are right off the resort and you exit through gates to access them. Cody Bowl is still considered inbounds as they do avalanche mitigation there, but depending on weather and snow conditions it’s recommended to still have the proper knowledge and avi gear when riding this face. I personally ride alone when I go up to Jackson Hole, so I have yet to ride in these areas, but Cody Bowl looks amazing if you are prepared.

Is Jackson Hole Ski resort Ikon or Epic and are Lift Tickets expensive

Jackson Hole is on the full Ikon pass. With the full Ikon you get 7 days with no black out dates. You will also get two days at Jackson with the Mountain Collective pass, no black out dates.

If you’re looking for a full season pass at Jackson Hole, they offer four different passes; The Midweek Bypass, the Grand Bypass, The Grand Pass, and the Rendezvous Peak Pass. The Rendezvous pass allows unlimited riding at Jackson Hole, but also includes an Ikon Base pass and other perks. There are only so many passes sold each season, so my best advice is to purchase one when they first go on sale in the spring/summer. Prices will also be the cheapest when passes are first available to purchase. These passes will also contain black out dates, so make sure to check the fine print when purchasing. Something to keep in mind is that prices will vary within each pass option. You have Adult, Senior, Teen, Youth, and College options.

Jackson Hole has automated pickup boxes at the base for pre-purchased lift tickets in places like Bridger Center and the Guest Service Center at the base. That way you can get on the mountain faster.

Like most resorts Lift ticket prices are expensive and can get over $200/day depending on the time of year. Booking ahead as well as multiple days can save you money. Ikon also offers buddy passes that can save you up to 25% off the ticket window price. Since supplies is limited, it’s best to purchase tickets ahead of time and also make a reservation if you plan on using an Ikon Buddy pass.

One thing that is really rad that Jackson Hole does, is if you own a season pass anywhere in the world (Not just Jackson Hole) you get half off lift tickets during specific date periods early and late season. It’s called the Golden Ticket. This also applies to Ikon pass holders after their days expire.

How long is the season and when is the best time to ride Jackson Hole

The resort typically opens around Thanksgiving and typically stays open a few days after the first week of April. The reason resorts don’t stay open later is because they usually have a lease with the National Forest Land that doesn’t allow them to operate later, regardless if there is a lot of snow on the mountain still. Like most ski resorts, the busiest times of the season are Holidays followed by weekends, making weekdays and none holiday periods the best time to ski or snowboard. Since Jackson isn’t close to any major city, the resort isn’t as busy as other ski resorts and every time I’ve gone, lift lines are almost none-existent.

That being said, the Ikon pass has brought a lot more visitors to this mountain which has it’s positives yet also negatives. Snowfall can differ from season to season with December and January being the snowiest months on average at the resort. However, past seasons, February produced record numbers in snowfall. If you like skiing or snowboarding in warmer temps with less snowfall, historically March can be a great time to visit. April can still bring snow storms and is a great time to visit because lodging is cheaper and the town and resort are less crowded.

Is Jackson Hole working towards Sustainability

In 2019 The lifts, buildings, and base operations all became powered by Wind Energy, pretty cool stuff in my opinion. They also work with brands such as Mammut, Burton, Yeti, and Smartwool to name a few, that work towards reducing their environmental impact and improving sustainability.

Where can you Rent and Buy Ski or Snowboard gear

There’s a lot of outdoor gear shops in the town of Jackson with great footwear, outdoor clothing, gloves, hats, and winter Jackets. However, I didn’t see hardly any ski or snowboard shops. With that being said there is a Surefoot in town if you’re in need of ski boots and the resort in town has a retail/rental shop, Snow King Mountain Sports. Hoback Sports will be the best Local shop in the town of Jackson specializing in retail, rentals, and tunes for skiing and snowboarding. For outerwear, check out Stio, founded in Jackson. A good pro tip if you plan on renting is to book online ahead of time with shops, to not only secure your equipment, but to also save up to 20% on rentals.

My favorite shop that seems to have to just about everything you would need for skiing, snowboarding, and the outdoor winter environment is Jackson Hole Sports at the base of the mountain in the Bridger Center. They have a tune shop for overnight services, a snowboard department upstairs (Hole in the Wall snowboard shop), and ski department downstairs mixed in with outdoor clothing, footwear, and accessories. It’s a really cool shop with a knowledgeable, friendly staff.

They also have an entire rental department for skiing and boarding, as well as top of the line ski boot fitting services. One service offered by Jackson Hole Sports that you won’t find at many ski resorts is outerwear rentals for people in need of a jacket or pant, but are not looking to purchase.

Does Jackson have a Terrain Park

Jackson has couple terrain parks and what makes this mountain unique is they also have a handful of Stash parks. Burton Snowboards are the brains behind Stash Parks and they built the first one in 2006. It was a way to bring natural features you find on the mountain into a terrain park setting.

Traditional Terrain Parks

These can be found near the base of the Teenwinot chairlift. Although these parks don’t have the number of features you would find at a Woodward park, there is still a lot of fun stuff. What I like about these parks is they are at the bottom of the mountain, so you can still lap everything the mountain has to offer and then roll through either one of these parks towards the base.

Antelope Flats- Smaller boxes, rails, jumps, and a couple smaller hips. This is a fun park to just lap.

Bronco- This park will have larger Jumps, rails, and features for the intermediate to advanced park rider. Nothing too “insane” in this park making it also a fun place to cruise through.

What other terrain parks are on the Ikon

Although Jackson has a terrain park, the resort really is for those looking to ride the mountain. However, If you are looking for a more advanced terrain park that is on the Ikon Pass. Three of my favorites will be Copper Mountain, Bear Mountain, and Mammoth Mountain. These parks will have a wider variety of features, more advanced park builds, and the park lap will be much longer.

Photo Chip Proulx

Another favorite of mine is actually Steamboat because it has a simple/old school feel to it. Steamboat has two different parks for different ability levels, one being pretty close to the base of the resort.

Stash Parks

Log rails, Wooden Platforms, and the famous Jackson Hole wooden quarter pipe are some of the features you will find in the stash parks.

The snowfall for the season and the time of year will dictate which features in these park are available to ride. There are 4 different set ups spread through out the mountain.

Little Stash- a good park for beginners or families looking to hit small features. This park is located towards the bottom of the run next to Lower Werner and the Teewinot lift.

Campground- More advanced features located close to the Casper lift. This park has the famous Stash Quarter pipe. There will be a couple of intermediate features as you first enter this park which keeps it fun. I personally don’t always like hitting the biggest features in a park when I’m out of town on a snowboard trip (Have to make it back in one piece lol).

Stashley Ridge- This park will be the most advanced out of all the Stash parks. The features in this park are pretty big and I would only recommend hitting them if you have the experience. Located off the Ashley Ridge run, between the Sweetwater Gondi and Teton chair lift.

Does Jackson offer ski or snowboard Lessons

Yep, they offer lessons for kids, adults, individuals with a disability as well as private options for all different ability levels. These are done out of the Mountain Sports School right off of the Sweetwater mid station. Private lessons include a half day or full day option. Make sure to book your lessons ahead of time as spots fill up quickly.

There’s also lessons offered for people looking to get into the back country. These are full day guided back country tours that educate you on out of bounds terrain. These require bringing your own equipment unless you booked a Mountain Sports School Back Country Booking. These guided tours will take you to Teton Pass as well as have you practice using your equipment at the top of the tram.

What’s unique about Jackson is they also offer multi day camps for more advanced/steep terrain, the back country, and even camps for adaptive skiers and snowboarders.

Where can I park at the resort for free and how does public transportation work

There’s a handful of ways not to pay for parking if you don’t want to. There’s tricks to the trade for avoiding the $30/day. If you don’t mind paying for parking, paid lots will be at the base of the resort consisting of the Village Lot, Crystal Springs Lot, and the Cody Lot. The Ranch Lot is paid if you don’t have at least three people in your car. Get your carpool ticket ahead of time, when entering the Ranch Lot, so that when you exit you won’t have to deal with parking fees. The Ranch Lot is very close to the base and offers a shuttle if you don’t feel like walking.

The Stilson Lot is another alternative to avoiding paid parking. Seven miles to the resort this lot has 850 spaces with free shuttles to take you to the resort. There’s also a transit center with bathrooms on-site.

Public transportation from the Town of Jackson is going to cost a small amount of money. This is a great option if you don’t have a car or don’t feel like driving. There’s bus stops all over the town and I would make sure to keep track of the route you are on (labeled by color), so when you are returning to the town you get on the right bus. I’ve made the mistake of getting on the wrong bus and then wasted time having to walk back to my hotel. Buses run from about 7am to 6pm at night. Head to the Town of Jackson website for a map and bus route times.

Are there any restaurants on the Mountain

Yep, there’s restaurants at the top of Bridger Gondola and also near the Casper Lift. The Casper Restaurant has outdoor seating and a deck with amazing views on sunnier days. This will be your typical ski trip comfort resort food. Just looking for a quick snack? Near the Tram at the base of the resort, you’ll find a General Store.

Where are some of the best Apres’ spots

The Mangy Moose will be at the base of the resort in Teton Village as well as The Handle Bar in The Four Seasons. Both are great places for happy hour to grab a drink or some food after a day on the mountain. Mangy Moose has that local ski town vibe while the Handle Bar is more upscale, but with a great menu. Lastly the Tram Dock will have food and drinks.

I got a recommendation to check out Teton Thai near the Ranch Lot for Apres. It has cool artwork inside mixed with eclectic music and amazing food. Loved the hang out after you ride atmosphere here.

Teton Thai

The Mangy Moose

Tram Dock

Recommendations on where to eat

Awesome restaurants in Jackson if you don’t feel like cooking. I’ve listed a handful of restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and breakfast spots below.

Breakfast

Pearl Street Bagel is perfect if you need something quick and on the go. The Bunnery Bakery is a classic sit down diner style breakfast and Persephone Bakery will have healthier more creative options with ingredients from Local Farmers and Ranchers.

The Bunnery Bakery

South Cable Cafe (Base of the Ski Resort)

Pearl Street Bagel

Persephone (Love the coffee here)

Coffee Shops

Overview coffee will be at the Base of the resort (just past Teton Village Sports) and is perfect if your like me and can never get to the mountain on time, but are in need of a nice cup of coffee to get the day going (closed Tuesdays). Lastly, local coffee brand, Snake River has a location in downtown Jackson with breakfast food too.

Persephone Bakery

Overview Coffee

Snake River Roasting Company

Dinner

I was able to find some good restaurants to check out after talking with a couple locals. King Sushi had delicious sashimi, rolls, and sake. Make sure to try the deep fried cheesecake for desert! Snake River Grille has been in town for 30 years and has seafood, pasta, steaks, and drink options with creative flavors. Make sure to book a reservation in advance for both places unless you plan on eating at the bar. For a quick stop, check out Jackson’s Drug Store. Classic diner food and awesome milkshakes! Jackson’s Drug store is my favorite because it has this old fashion restaurant feel on the inside and the menu is pretty simple.

I also had dinner at Local right in town, which is another local steakhouse worth checking out! Great ambience, service, and food. Plus it’s right in the downtown square area.

King Sushi

Snake River Grille

Noodle Kitchen

Jackson’s Drug Store

The Bistro

Local

Calico

Pinky G’s Pizza

Bars & Breweries

Roadhouse will be right in town and has food menu too. Beers are really good and if you like sports bar feel, this is the place. Definitely more noisy then Snake River Brewery. Also if you like bars make sure to go into the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

Snake River

Roadhouse Taproom

Is there a Grocery Store in Jackson

There’s a handful of different grocery stores in Downtown Jackson. Albertsons and Smith’s will be your standard Grocery’s. For organic options you’ll find a Whole Foods as well as small markets such as Pearl Street Market, close to the town square. If you’re staying in Teton Village and forgot something there’s a market halfway to Jackson called Aspen’s Market. Keep in mind, smaller markets will be more expensive then traditional grocery stores in resort towns.

Any downsides to riding Jackson Hole

Not too many downsides to this beautiful resort, however a few things to consider when booking a ski or snowboard trip are.. there isn’t a whole lot of beginner terrain. The intermediate to advanced terrain is also steeper then most resorts. The resort can also be more challenging to get to as there is only one nearby airport and flights tend to be more expensive. The positive side to this is the airport is very close to the ski resort.

Like any resort, the mountain can get windy, with poor visibility as well as not ideal snow conditions. It’s the risk you take when booking a ski or snowboard trip.

Last minute tips for a ski or snowboard trip to Jackson Hole

Be prepared for the winter weather. Make sure to pack the right winter clothing and gear. I lised important items below in my packing list. Make sure to look over the trail map and road map if you decide to drive. Make reservations ahead of time for equipment rentals, restaurants, and ski lessons. If you don’t have a season pass, purchase lift tickets before hand.

Make sure to check out Teton Gravity Research if you are into Outdoor Films! Starting in Jackson, TGR has been making outdoor films for the past 25 years and they also have a cool little retail section with t-shirts, hoodies, and hats.

What to Pack

There’s a lot different things you should pack when going on a ski or snowboard trip. If you’re a snowboarder I recommend shopping on Burton.com, They’ve been around since 1977! and have a wide selection of gear. Make sure to check out Step On! if you are looking for something that makes it easy to get in and out of your bindings. Below I listed Items that you’ll need. In case you forget something, as mentioned, there are great shops at the resort and in town to assist you.

• Waterproof Snow Jacket and Pants

• Beanie

• Gloves or Mittens

• Snow Goggles

• Socks meant for skiing or snowboarding

• Base Layers (For under your Jacket and Pants)

• Mid layers (for Colder Temperatures)

• winter footwear

Don’t forget sunscreen and Lip Balm with Sun Bum out of Encinitas California being some of the best. Apply at least 15 minutes before you get on the slopes

That’s it for a trip to Jackson Hole Ski Resort. As always, appreciate every person who reads the blog and would love for anyone reading this to experience this awesome place in the winter! See you on the next post!

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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

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.

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 Mt Baker in the Pacific Northwest!