Breckenridge or Vail?
 

We will be driving to Colorado for a holiday ski trip. We usually ski Winter Park but want to try something new. Does anyone have a favorite? It seems like Breckenridge has many different areas like Snowflake, in-town, Peak 9, etc. Any lodging recommendations appreciated. We are travelling with another family. Thanks so much!

You will find Breckenridge more affordable with a family. Sorry no lodging recs as I stay at a friends.

barblab, thanks! Do you have a favorite area in Breckenridge? One site lists South Breckenridge, Peak 9, Peak 8, In Town and Snowflake. Also, since you visit, can you recommend any activities, restaurants that you enjoy?

I would answer that it depends on what's more important to you... skiing or the town? I love both Vail and Breck, but Vail is my favorite place to ski... there's a lot of variety in terrain for all levels. The Breckenridge atmosphere is my favorite for ski towns.

This has been discussed on this forum before... you might want to do a quick search. You'll also find a ton of info on restaurants, lodging and other activities. Have a great time!

I went to Breckenridge a few years ago and loved the town - really charming, great little restaurants, etc. I believe the place where we stayed was called Beaver Run.

Thanks Yale....did find other strings with helpful information. We booked a place in Breckenridge. Not much left out there for the holidays. We will ski 4 of the 6 days. Are there other activities you would recommend trying with a family i.e. snowmobiling and tubing (where?). Thanks!

We did a sleigh ride that was really fun - very picturesque, sitting in the sleigh under a cozy blanket while it snowed lightly all around us. Some of the outfits will cook dinner for you. If you do a search, I'm sure the company names will pop up.

You could try cross county at Frisco. Copper Mt has an excellent tubing hill. Where did you find lodging? The Peaks are numbered from 7 to 10 beginning from the north. When you stay is not super critical. The town has an excellent free bus sytem to get you around.

Between Breckinridge and Vail, I'd rather ski Vail. LOTS of terrain. In recent years we stay at a family cabin in Silverthorne and ski Keystone. It is a nice area also.

As fmpden stated above, Frisco has a very good nordic center for cross country and snowshoeing. Breckenridge has two nordic centers of its own and tickets are shared with Frisco, so you could theoretically hit them all in one day. Frisco is right by Lake Dillon and on some of the trails you get really pretty views of the lake. Breckenridge also has a very nice ice arena, complete with outdoor skating and rentals.

The best place to ski is always a personal choice depending on a number factors. My first preference is Snowmass followed by Beaver Creek BUT both are harder to get to from Denver. And they do not like day skiers at BCreek. While Keystone and Breckenridge are very similar I tip to Breck over Keystone became (IMO) Breck is a easier mountain to move around on. And they do have the 12 pack chair lift that moves a lot of people uphill in a hurry.

Vail is a big area with lots of terrin but getting off the base for drive-in skier is more difficult.

We are getting a lot of good early snow. Should be very good my TG. I think you will find that Breckenridge works well for your group.

<i>And they do not like day skiers at BCreek</i>

What do they do to discourage day skiers?

Obviously you have not been a dry skier at Breaver Creek. It is the parking. The parking is always the key for day skiers. The main lot for BC is in Avon. It is long and skinny and not very large. So if you don't get there early, parking can be a problem, and you will walk a long ways from the back of the lot to the bus pickup point at the front of the lot. Then it is a long bus ride up to the base. And of course that is repeated at the end of the day.

You're right, I've never been there. Thanks for the head's up.

mc - just a warning, restaurants may be very crowded. We like Mi Casa but the last time we went(last winter) service was not very good &amp; had a long wait.

Mcfamily, I just have one resturant req for you as we stay with friends and enjoy eating in and playing games at night. If you want an alternative to mid mountain cafeteria lunch (especially if the weather is cold) go to Spencer's at the base of peak 9. You can order off the menu or get the buffet. Way better food, you get waited on, and only costs a dollar or two more.

If you are looking for a little different non-ski activity one day you could go dog sledding. Don't know what company my friend used , but it was arranged through town, and she said it was fun. Enjoy Breakenridge, you will have a blast!