Breckenridge

Breckenridge was founded in 1859, when gold was discovered in the surrounding hills. For the next several decades the town's fortunes rose and fell as its lodes of gold and silver were discovered and exhausted. Throughout the latter half of the 19th century and the early 20th century, Breckenridge was famous as a mining camp that "turned out more gold with less work than any camp in Colorado," according to the Denver Post. Dredging gold out of the rivers continued until World War II. Visitors today can still see evidence of the gold-dredging operations in the surrounding streams.

At 9,603 feet above sea level and surrounded by peaks that climb much higher, Breckenridge is the oldest continuously occupied town on the western slope. The town was originally dubbed Breckinridge, but the spelling was changed after its namesake, a former U.S. vice president, became a Confederate brigadier general in the Civil War. Due to an error by a cartographer, Breckenridge wasn't included on the official U.S. map until 1936, when the error was discovered by a member of the Breckenridge Women's Club.

Much of the town's architectural legacy from the mining era remains, so you'll find stores fit into authentic Victorian storefronts, restaurants, and bed-and-breakfasts tucked into Victorian homes. Surrounding the town's historic core, Breckenridge is packed with condos and hotels both in the woods and along the roads threading the mountainsides toward the base of the Peak 8.

Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding

With plenty of facilities for snowboarders, Breckenridge is popular with young people. There are several terrain parks and an area where you can learn to freeride. The resort's slopes are spread across four interconnected mountains in the Tenmile Range, named Peaks 7, 8, 9, and 10. The highest chairlift in North America—a high-speed quad lift on Peak 8 tops out at an air-gulping 12,840 feet. Peak 7 and Peak 8 have above-the-timberline bowls and chutes. The lower reaches of Peak 7 have some of the country's prettiest intermediate-level terrain accessible by a lift. Peak 8 and Peak 9 have trails for all skill levels. Peak 10 has long trails with roller-coaster runs.

Owing to the town's proud heritage, some runs are named for the old mines, including Bonanza, Cashier, Gold King, and Wellington. During one week each January the town declares itself an "independent kingdom" during the wild revel called Ullr Fest, which honors the Norse god of snow. 970/453-5000. www.breckenridge.com. Nov.-Apr., daily 8:30-4.

Facilities

4,337-foot vertical drop; 2,358 skiable acres; 14% beginner, 50% intermediate, 36% advanced; 29 lifts; 1 gondola, 2 high-speed six-person lifts, 7 high-speed quad chairs, 1 triple chair, 6 double chairs, 12 surface lifts.

Lessons & Programs

Contact the Breckenridge Ski & Ride School (888/576-2754) for information about lessons and specialty clinics. The Children's Ski and Ride School at Peak 8 has its own lift.

That's not my wife!

Lift lines dragging? Pull the local skip and hop in the singles line with your significant other. You might get lucky and ride together, or you might get even luckier and meet some new friends.

Lift Tickets

Few skiers and riders pay the mid-season walk-up rate of $86 for a one-day lift ticket. Breckenridge skiers use a variety of season passes sold by Vail Resorts, which owns Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Keystone, and Vail. Most vacationers purchase lift and lodging packages, or buy advance multiday lift passes at discounted rates online.

Rentals

Rental packages (skis, boots, and poles; snowboards and boots) start at $30 per day. Prices vary, but not dramatically. If you can't find your brand of high-performance equipment in the first store you try, you're sure to find it elsewhere.

Child Care

Breckenridge has a variety of child-care programs. All-day classes or half-day classes for kids are available. Early drop-off is an option if you want to get to the slopes before everyone else. Classes meet at the Kids' Castle at Peak 8, and Beaver Run and the Village on Peak 9.

Nordic Skiing

Backcountry Skiing

They don't call this place Summit County for nothing—mountain passes above 10,000 feet allow for relatively easy access to high-country terrain and some of the area's best snow. But remember this word of caution: Avalanche-related deaths are all too common in Summit County (more often involving snowmobilers than skiers). Don't judge an area solely on appearances, as slopes that look gentle may slide. Never head into the backcountry without checking weather conditions, without wearing appropriate clothing, or without carrying survival gear. For information on snow conditions and avalanche dangers, contact the Dillon Ranger District Office of the White River National Forest (970/468-5400).

One popular touring route is the trip to Boreas Pass, just south of Breckenridge. The 12-mi-long trail follows the route of a former railroad, with good views of distant peaks along the way. The Summit County Huts Association (Box 2830, Breckenridge, 80424. 970/453-8583. www.summithuts.org) has four backcountry cabins where skiers can spend the night (two are open for summer hikers). If you're traveling farther afield, there are also cabins available through the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association (970/925-5775. www.huts.org).

Track Skiing

The Breckenridge Nordic Center (970/453-6855. www.breckenridgenordic.com) has 18.5 mi of groomed tracks for classic and skate skiing, as well as ungroomed trails in the Golden Horseshoe. There are also 6 mi of marked snowshoe trails.