Colorado's oldest Victorian mountain town, dating back to 1859, Breckenridge is a resort of contrasts: timber-fronted shops and houses and old street lamps create a quaint ambience akin to a living museum, an impression somewhat marred by modern expansion in the form of concrete and glass hotels, condominiums and shopping centres.

Breckenridge is one of the top 3 destinations in the US for British skiers and among the most popular with boarders. Of particular merit is its specialist park and half-pipe. For skiers there is a decent range of pistes across 4 tree-lined peaks, but Breckenridge is small by US standards. Advanced skiers will find some good but short runs, while the expanded top bowls offer some worthwhile off-piste (Lake Chutes). Intermediates have enjoyable but limited cruising, while beginners benefit most, with an excellent ski school at which to learn. Better skiers will want to use the shared lift pass, with access to Keystone, Arapahoe Basin and Vail for more variety. Snow reliability is exceptional, as is the lift system, which removes queuing almost entirely.

As it is one of the nearest resorts to Denver (80 miles), pistes and the town can be overcrowded during holidays and weekends. The usual high standard of childcare is offered and families will like the largely non-smoking town.

Locality:

Breckenridge is situated in W-central United States, in the central portion of Colorado State. 85 mls W of downtown Denver, 12 mls SE of Frisco, 17 mls SW of Keystone, 90 mls SW of Denver international airport. Breckenridge is nestled in the broad, undulating Blue River Valley to the E of the 10-ml-long Front Range Mountains.

Ski Information:

Highest lift: 3962m (12998ft), Lowest lift: 2926m (9599ft), Vertical drop: 1036m (3399ft), Number of lifts: 27, Uplift capacity: 36680 p/hr, Number of slopes: 139, Beginner: 13%, Intermediate: 32%, Expert: 55%, Snowboard parks: 1