Winter Is Coming, Let's Enjoy the Snow At Breckenridge

Everyone knows that Colorado has premier snow, however finding the right resort to fit your needs can sometimes be difficult. This article is about my favorite place, Breckenridge, but if Breck does not sound like the place for you, check out my post on BuzzFeed for a more complete Colorado ski resort list.

In winter, catch the early-morning lifts at the Breckenridge Ski Resort, to explore miles of diverse ski slope terrain. With five huge peaks spanning 2,908 acres, four terrain parks, one super-pipe, eight bowls, the highest chairlift in North America, it’s no surprise that this vibrant mountain town is my favorite ski resort in Colorado.

Locals know that getting a seasonal ski pass is the most cost effective way to enjoy the slopes. Single lift tickets cost $175 at Breck, but a four day pass will save you $67.75 a day and a seven day will save you even more. The Epic passes are good for more than just Breckenridge, they will allow you to enjoy the slopes in Colorado, Utah, Lake Tahoe, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Check out the Pass Finder tool here. Here is a local tip. If you are going to have to drive to the slopes every day, purchase a parking pass. The first year we lived in Denver we payed $10 a day for parking and then found out that there was a $30 parking pass for the lot we always used. It is the one for Peak 7 and you can ski in and ski out of the lot. Give it a try when you visit.

A must on the mountain, when you need a break from skiing, is the Alpine Coaster. Strap on you GoPro and enjoy riding down the mountain on 2,500 feet of coaster track, Ride alone or with a friend and control your own speed through the turns, dips and twists around and above the ski runs and through the forest.

Breckenridge boasts of more than 30 miles of perfectly manicured cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails at the town’s two Nordic centers. I also love the FREE sledding at Carter Park in Breck, but make sure to bring your own toboggan, saucer, inflatable sled or anything else you can slide on, because this location will not supply you with any sliding tools. Adventure-seekers can fire up snowmobiles or my personal favorite, tour the Breckenridge backcountry by dogsled. The best part of the tour is the hot coco at the end, where you get to meet all the dogs in training and if you really want to take the experience home with you, adopting a retired sled dog is always an option.

The lodging selection is also vast, so I find it important to find a place that is ski-in ski-out, especially if you plan on hitting the slopes everyday and an added bonus is that you can save a little cash by eating lunch in your room. The city of Breckenridge is just as vibrant as the mountain and has a good mix of both Mom and Pop shops and chain stores. You are sure to find a great place to get a cocktail and dine, as well as shop. And who could forget about the restaurant at the top of the mountain, where a carriage takes you to your reservation. What's not to love about Breck in the winter time?!

When snowy slopes give way to green mountain sides, you have to see Breck’s expansive trail network by bike, hike or horseback. Five nearby rivers are the perfect stage for rafting, kayaking and fly fishing. And on the greens, golfers can play rounds on the world’s only 27-hole, Jack Nicklaus-designed municipal course. I am not a golfer, but my husband says that nothing beats mountain golf, but do not take his word for it, book your own tee time.