fmpden says, "I agree but PeaceOut is consistent. He/she doesn't like Breckenridge and never misses an opportunity rip on it."

Hmmm. Truth is, fmpden never misses an opportunity to rip on me. Whatever.

Last I checked, this forum is for people to express their own experience and advice.

If you want to follow the crowd, go to Breckenridge and Summit County. Keeps people away from the places we like so much better.

My favorite ski areas are Snowmass and Beaver Creek but I don't recommend them to the exclusions of others. You are welcome to your opinion but what I commented on are comments that are misleading at best if not factual wrong.

I guess it how you define "authentic" but Breckenridge is pretty authentic since it is 41 years older than Steamboat. Breckenridge at a 153 is far more representative of the mining heritage of Colorado and even the skiing heritage. While Steamboat can claim a heritage back to Howelson Hill and a ski jump in 1915. The same Norwegians were jumping off of mining slag hills at the mouth to Ten Mile Canyon (Dillon/Frisco) in 1910. Modern downhill skiing came to Steamboat in 1963 a couple of years after Breckenridge. So suggesting that Steamboat is some how more authentic just shows you don't know your history.

Since I ski nearly about every other week, I do follow the crowd to Breckenridge. Of course that crowd is generally pretty small in the middle of the week. So I don't think it is a negative. But a big reason for small crowds at Steamboat is because is it much harder and longer to get to especially if the weather is marginal.

Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone may remind some of mountain suburban but not Breckenridge with its many old Victorian buildings. And the residents of Breckenridge are just as real as any other Colorado town.

Yes, fmpden, you are the ultimate source of all Colorado information. Your knowledge is superior to all others.

Now tell me how historic are the big box stores in Summit County.
And the outlets in Silverthorne.
And the chain fast food joints everywhere.
And the neighborhoods on the holls with their look-alike suburban-type homes with LAWNS..
And the history of lovely downtown Frisco.

BTW, I said this, "I would choose Steamboat, hands down. Because I don't enjoy Summit County and its over-development and fake 'mountain suburban' feeling. Blech.". Note, I said SUMMIT COUNTY.

Breckenridge is a cute little place, co-mingled with the sprawl of Summit County. It is a shame it has been practically surrounded.

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We went to Breckenridge, stayed in Breckenridge, skied at Breckenridge, ate and shopped in Breckenridge. Except for a drive to Vail one day, we didn't notice the "sprawl of Summit County".

Thanks for your comments BetsyG, very helpful and the advice I needed.