Kyle_and_Jenn

Hi,

I'm planning a trip to Breckenridge this winter with a bunch of old college buddies (we're all in our 30's now). I'm trying to figure out where the best place to stay will be. Access to the slopes is a priority (I'd prefer ski in/ski out), but we'd also like to be able to get into town in the evening for dinner/drinks without too much trouble (this is our rare getaway sans wives and kids). From what I've read, it sounds like Peak 9 is the closest to the nightlife, but I'm concerned that the lifts will be crowded. We're all good skiers, so we'd prefer to stay away from the lifts that service the beginner slopes as much as possible. Would Peak 7 or 8 be a better option? I know that you can catch the gondola there, but is most of the action toward the south of Main Street? We won't have a car, so we'll be relying on public transportation/walking.

Thanks so much for your help!

Gretchen

How are you getting TO Breck from the airport. I think you would enjoy having a car and it would be more economical than relying on aiport shuttles.
You might like to go to Frisco for dinner. There is bus service but...

Tabernash2

Why Breckenridge? Everyone and their brother goes to Breckenridge. I know doctors who call it Breakin'Ridge, because it gets crowded and so many newbie skiers get hurt there. (I'm sure I'll get flamed for saying this, but Summit County is not our favorite.)

Look into Winter Park, especially since you are all good skiers. You can take Amtrak or Home James to get there, and use the free shuttle throughout the area.

There are several lodging options at the base of the mountain.

Or Steamboat. Or Aspen.
All more appealing than suburbanized Summit County, IMO.

Bitter

Unless something has changed, no matter what peak you start at, you can get to the other peaks. Most of the base lifts will be pretty busy throughout the day. We often would stay on the higher lifts/slopes for a good part of the day (which often serving more advanced slopes). Depending on the amount of snow, Breck has some decent fun/challenging slopes. However, you will also have access to the other summit slopes should you want to ride the shuttle to them. I personally prefer keystone or copper (if I have time) but really like staying in Breck.

As for where to stay to have true ski in and ski out, I think your best options would be in the area at the base of Peak 9, if that is a necessity.

That said, with a little flexibility I would open up your search to anywhere west of the blue river within the length of downtown, but not too far up the mountain (for downtown access purposes). There are numerous condos that are accessible by four o'clock run at the end of the day, and you can then walk to either Peak 9, Snowflake, or the BreakConnect? Gondola in the a.m. I've walked to all three without much difficulty from River Mountain Lodge. Or catch the shuttle.

Take a look at ski map and you'll see what I mean by 4 oclock run.

FWIW I have used Summit Mountain REntals (not an ad) to book condos. They have been fair with me about condition of condos (even suggesting better units).

I'm not sure what the comment about WinterPark is. Nothing against it, but while I haven't been there in years, I don't remember it being void of skiers.

Gretchen

Tab just prefers Winter Park. I like Summit County better and access to more "stuff"--areas, towns, restaurants.
But OP, do do the numbers on whether you want to rent a car while you are there, compared to price of shuttle from DIA. There are the buses that go around Summit County, but not sure I always want to be on their schedule--and get full for days end, I'd guess.
And do take a look at Keystone.

Bitter

FWIW: while Breck Brewery gets most of the press (b/c they distribute), but I like Dillon Dam Brewery (near where you turn off I70 south), and Backwoods Brewery in Frisco (along the way to Breck).

Christina

I didn't rent a car last year when I went, had no use for it, anyway. ALl I wanted was to go to/from the airport, I just skiied every day. I did go to COpper Mtn one day, but there's a bus where it's easy to do that. Had no problem getting on it at end of day but I didn't wait until 5 pm or anything. I stayed right in the center of town at the lodge owned by Breckenridge, it's most convenient. I think there are a few other condo type places that are also ski out.

I used Summit Express shuttle, they were terrific. Besides, I didn't want to be driving in that area in the dark, which is what is was when I had to leave (about 5 am). I'm not sure renting a car would be cheaper, but you can check if you want. Of course you'd probably want a 4WD. They charge about $160 roundtrip for 3 adults, so around $50-60 per person.

Anyway, I found where I stayed really convenient, the Village Hotel. It is right near the Peak 9 lifts which can get crowded, I only used them once in the morning (and to return), at least down at the bottom. I did like skiing peak 7 and 8 better, but you can get everywhere from Peak 9. Some of the base lifts at those peaks were not any better than Peak 9, actually, in terms of crowds at cetain times. I was there on a weekend, though, about the last week or so.

I really like Breckenridge mountain for skiing, actually, and wasn't that crazy about Copper but I know people who feel the opposite.

I was just there for skiing, believe me, "suburbanized" Summit COunty if you are just there for skiing is not inferior to some lodge at Park City or Snowmass, as I've been to both. And even though it was pricey, it was cheaper than Aspen which is a whole other issue (in town). I don't like how rich that place is, people walking around downtown in fur coats, for example, and all the designer stores. ugh. I like the skiing, but that ambiance isn't superior.

So I did really like Village Hotel and it fit everything you want, but there are plenty of other condos nearby that would, also, I'm sure, which might be better for a group.

Tabernash2

This has been my several experiences in Vail: "people walking around downtown in fur coats, for example, and all the designer stores. ugh. I like the skiing, but that ambiance isn't superior."

Winter Park gets busy, too, but my point about Breck is that it attracts newbie skiers. Winter Park is more a locals' skiers' mountain, in our experience since the 60s.

fmpden

Some opinions are only supported by strong personal opinion. I once ask my young doctor if he had heard of Breckeniridge being referred to as Break ridge. Never had. I doubt if any statistics support that reference. I would assume that Keystone or Copper attracts more beginners. Once of the bottom at Breck you don't need to return to the bottom. No beginners on 10 or 7. Breck has a lot of ski in places along 4 O'clock and if you stay above the Snowflake lift you probably ski out.

The base at 9 has the 12 pack chair that moves a lot of people up hill in a hurry so you might consider that area also.

The Breck area provides lots of options for other ski areas. Vail is great if you are all above average skiers. The is a bus between Breck and Vail.

Winter park might attract more locals but it is a little isolate over another mountain pass and no easy access to other ski area. It is good but attracts a lot of beginners also.

And the Breck restaurant options are very good.

Tabernash2

Haha. Good one, fmpden. You asked one one doctor. Awesome. I won't go into more detail.

Of course, everything said here is personal opinion.

Tabernash2

I'd delete that if I could.

Instead I will amend my message:
Go to Summit County, y'all. Everybody, stay there.

fmpden

You could if you wanted to Tabernash2. Hit the triangle. If it just that you don't like to have your "opinions" challenged. You are the only one I have ever heard that constantly refers to Breckenridge as Breakridge.

The exact question to my doctor, "Have you heard of any of your colleagues or yourself referring to Breckenridge as Break ridge because of an unusually high accident rate?" "Nope - never had." Actually he is a pretty good source of information. As an avid skier he is generally there most weekend (his office is closed on Friday) and serves as some type of a voluntary medical staff and carries a radio while on the slope. So he is fairly familiar with the situation.

Tabernash2

No further comment.

Skiergirl

I've been to all of these resorts and I'm an excellent skier, so I'm a little picky about where I ski.

My personal favorite is Vail but yet I don't walk around with a fur coat or stay in fancy accommodations. I just love the variety of restaurants, challenging terrain, good shopping, and proximity to Eagle Airport. It's so much easier to get to than flying into Denver and taking the shuttle to Breck (which is great, BTW, and I've only heard it called BreckenFRIDGE because it gets cold there) or Copper or wherever.

However, if you really want to rip it up I would go to Crested Butte or Telluride. Both have quintessential western towns and fun nightlife for you and your friends. I liked Steamboat but felt it was definitely more family oriented and only the back chute area was challenging for me. The one issue I have with CB or Telluride is that they are harder to get to, although it depends on where you are coming from. I flew a direct flight from Chicago to Montrose (Telluride), but for Crested Butte you fly to Gunnison, CO, and those little plane rides tend to get cancelled easily if the weather is bad.

Or better yet, REALLY challenge yourself and go to Jackson Hole! I finally made it out there this year and OMG....I went to the Steep and Deep Camp and there was a group of about eight guys doing a brovacation like yours. We stayed at the base of the mountain to avoid driving 20 minutes each way into the town of Jackson, but there was plenty going on in Teton Village. Getting to town is not hard and the airport was very reliable. The night before we left there was a 17 inch snow storm and unfortunately my flight took off easily.

It really also depends on where you are coming from, how much you want to pay, etc. I just wanted to let you know some other areas I've been too that were what you are looking for in case you were not set on Breck. I've been there several times as well and it's a lot of fun.

Have a great time! Ski safe!

BetsyG

Kyle - there are restaurants all along Main St in Breckenridge, not just at the south end. Not sure if there's a big night life, but after skiing all day, happy hour, & dinner, you may not want a long night out. Do make dinner reservations, especially if for a group. Can give you restaurant recs if you decide on Breck.

fmpden

Just went back and reread your original postings. There is a tendency here for the discussion not to respond to the original question after a few postings.

I would support Skigirls generally assessment of the area. I am guessing that while you all may have been good skiers years ago, a little weight, age, and rust has settled in.

Whether you stay near one of the peaks is not significantly important. Breck has an excellent free bus system that covers most areas with at least 30 min service and more more frequent during the day. It is fairly easy to move between peaks. Peak 10 is nearly all black with very short lines. The upper portions of 9 can be challenging since grooming on that area is little less. Peak 8 is the original ski area with an older design and typically crowded. Top of 8 gives access to the highest chair lift in N Am and the bowls.

The gondola to 8 is primarily for transit from the public, paid parking lots with a couple of in-between pick up points on the way to 8. (You can get off at 7). The base at 7 and upper 9 have the best places for one beer and then we go home.

And once the rust has wore off this is bus service (not free) to Vail. Probably should a day there. My favorite place is Beaver Creek but hard to get to without a car.

Jean

I agree with Skiergirl's comments. We've skied Vail for 40 years, and I don't own a fur coat! Easy access, great skiing, loads of dining options...

All this debate about Colorado... You don't say how many days this trip is, but I'd also consider Park City.

fmpden

While I have spent a week in Park City for many years, I still don't think that Park City as a ski area compares well with Breckenridge. I do like Deer Valley but the good slopes at Park City are so short. The big advantage to Park City is that it is about a half mile lower in elevation. That helps with the breathing if coming from the low lands.

Skiergirl

Thanks for agreeing with my assessment of the area but this??
"I would support Skigirls generally assessment of the area. I am guessing that while you all may have been good skiers years ago, a little weight, age, and rust has settled in."

They are in their THIRTIES!!!!!! I don't know about your, fmpden, but I'm in my mid-40s and still skiing like a champ. There were a lot of people way older than I was in my Jackson Hole Steep and Deep Camp that were putting me to shame (one guy in my group was 77 and had just finished a back country tour as well).

Not everyone gets rusty. I also reread the thread before posting this, and I don't see anywhere that Kyle says his crew - of men in their 30s which is still YOUNG - says they all got fat and rusty.

Jean - see you at Vail sooner than later, I hope!

fmpden

Reading between the lines - "rare get away". If they are not skiing ever year, has been several years since they skied anywhere, I am guessing they are rusty. Doesn't say they cannot get it back but doubt if they could do the back bowls at Vail or the Birds of Pray at Beaver Creek. Maybe by the end of the end but not to start. You used the fat. Not me.