Tips & Advice

Where to stay:

• The accommodation tends be cheaper around the Snowflake Lift (most accommodation is steps from the slopes and much of the larger condos and townhomes are based here) because it’s a 10-15 minute walk from town. However, Breckenridge does run a good shuttle service to Main Street which takes a couple of minutes. There is also a good cluster of big condo options for groups or families making this great value. The Snowflake Lift is a 2 person chairlift taking you straight to the top of Peak 9 avoiding all the base areas and queues, meaning you can be first on the mountain!

Eating & Drinking:

• On Mountain - Breckenridge has 5 big mountain restaurants, The Vista Haus on Peak 8, Bergenhof at the base of Peak 8, The Base of Peak 9 by the Maggie Pond, Peak 9 Restaurant and The Ten Mile Station. The Ten Mile Station is a good sun trap and great for an end of day well deserved drink. The food is reasonably priced around the mountain and offers everything from chilli, burgers, wraps and pizza.

• Self Catering - best value and biggest supermarket is City Market on the outskirts of town. Don’t forget Gourmet Cabby (breakfast, lunch and dinner deliveries) and Windy City Pizza will deliver direct to your door!

• Reservations - Breckenridge is very popular resort with international travellers and also locals. If you’re travelling over peak dates (Christmas, New Year, President’s Weekend 15th February, Half Term, US Spring Break – March 10 – 24th and Easter) I would highly recommend pre-booking restaurants. If you’re self catering there will be a dining guide in your condo and local calls are free, however if you’re in a hotel, ask the Front Desk as they may charge for local calls.

• Best Après - The Maggie Pond at the base of Peak 9 has ‘live’ music at the end of the day. Mi Casa’s offer free chips and Salsa with happy hour margarita’s (this is where a lot of the ski instructors hang out).

Restaurant Recommendations:

• Mi Casa’s – best Mexican in town. Although you can't pre-book at weekends, turn up early and pop your name on the list, then head to the bar for a margarita – again best in town.
• Taddeo’s – excellent Italian food with extensive wine list.
• The Hearthstone – special occasion – make sure you pre-book this one.
• Bubba Gump’s on Main Street for the best seafood..
• The Goldpan Saloon – a real Western bar, the oldest bar in town dating back to 1879.

Ski School:

• At peak 8 and 9, so if you have small children who are not able to take the easy green run in the morning from the Snowflake Lift to ski school, you may choose to stay at The Village, Beaver Run or Main St Station to avoid using the shuttle to get to and from ski school.

Altitude:

• Don’t be put off when chatting to people or reading about the altitude in Breckenridge - yes it is a high resort at nearly 10,000 feet and the Peak is 13,000 feet, but it’s all about taking it easy.

• Ways to avoid Altitude sickness:
  1. If you do find yourself feeling ‘light-headed’, stay on the easier slopes to give your lungs time to adjust. 
  2. Stay off the alcohol - vodka, black runs and lack of oxygen are not a good mixture! Remember, there isn’t much oxygen up there, and don’t forget you’re in the Rockies, where it’s dry weather. 
  3. Carry a small bottle of water at all times, plus there are lots of mountain restaurants to take breaks.

Weather:

• Colorado prides itself on 300 days of sunshine a year, and at 10,000 feet even on a cloudy day, you will need protection.  Have your sunscreen with you at all times and remember on a sunny day you need to apply it every 2 hours. 

Car Hire:

• As Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin are included on the same lift pass, I would highly recommend hiring a car. You’re going all that way and can ski these other resorts for free! It also gives you a good insight into what the other resorts have on offer, so if you decide to head back to Colorado you’ll be able to choose to stay at another resort from your previous experience.

Shopping:

• Silverthorne factory outlet shopping is just 30 minutes away. You’ll find great bargains here in the discount ski shops, together with Nine West, Levi’s, Timberland, Nike and Ralph Lauren. www.outletsatsilverthorne.com