Ski Report: Breckenridge Ski Resort
Breckenridge Ski Resort
Breckenridge: The Perfect Mountain Town
Breckenridge has been the most popular ski resort in North America for the past few years. In the 2007-2008, it boasted an astounding 1.63 million skier visits, making it the most popular ski area in North America. Breckenridge is also highly favored among out-of-state and international travelers. Breckenridge was named one of the top five ski locations in the world by the BBC in October 2006 and was ranked as the ninth best resort in the U.S. by SKI Magazine in 2008.
Peak 10 is the southernmost part of Breckenridge, servicing mainly difficult and a substantial amount of intermediate terrain. Peak 9 services mostly intermediate terrain, with a significant number of beginner runs on the lower part of the mountain, though it can also access expert runs such as Devil’s crotch and the Windows hike to terrain that leads down to E-chair on the north side of Peak 9. Peak 8 is accessed from the Colorado SuperChair, Rocky Mountain SuperChair and the Peak 8 SuperConnect. The lower part of Peak 8 accesses mostly intermediate runs with some advanced runs. The back bowl on Peak 8 can be accessed via 6 chair or the T-Bar, both can be used to access the Imperial Express lift and the northernmost (Peak 7) and westernmost bowls (Lake Chutes), which include some very difficult terrain with slopes up to 55 degrees. The lower part of Peak 7 can also be accessed from the Independence Super Chair which accesses intermediate terrain.
On August 2, 2005, construction began on the Imperial Express Superchair, which opened in time for the 2005-2006 ski season. It is the highest lift in North America, reaching a peak elevation of 12,840 feet (3,910 m). It can be accessed from lift 6 and the T-Bar.
The view from the Peak 8 summit facing East.
The view from the Peak 8 summit facing West.
Hiking from the top of the Imperial lift allows access to the peak of Breckenridge (Peak 
and some of the best terrain on the mountain, including some cornices with very nice, soft landings. It gets very windy and cold at the top, and in poor visibility conditions the peak will usually be closed.
The Lake Chutes, a series of small chutes with an incline of up to 55 degrees is reachable from the top of Peak 8. The chutes are some of the steepest terrain in the region, however they only run for about 400 vertical feet.
Construction of a new 8-person gondola was announced on March 12, 2006 and the grand opening was January 18, 2007. The eight passenger gondola runs from the downtown Breckenridge transportation center to a mid-station at Shock Hill, through the Cucumber Gulch Preserve, to a mid-station at the Peak 7 base area and ends at the Peak 8 base area. It serves as a base transportation system designed to reduce dependence on buses to get between the town and the northern two peaks. The lift has a maximum hourly capacity of 3,000 people and takes 7 and a half minutes to reach the Peak 7 base area from the transportation center and another 2 and a half minutes to reach the Peak 8 base area.
On September 13, 2006, the town and ski resort announced the name and logo of the new gondola as the BreckConnect Gondola.
Today, the Breckenridge lift system now includes several renowned lifts such as having the sole double-loading lift in North America and the highest lift in North America.
* First High Speed Quad in the World (Quicksilver Quad, 1981, now runs at Owl’s Nest in Quebec)
* First (and only) double loading lift in North America (Quicksilver Six, 1999)
* Highest Lift in North America (Imperial Express SuperChair, 2005)
The resort’s 146 trails span through four interconnected mountains, making Breckenridge Summit County’s largest ski area. Each peak is fantastic in its right, providing skiers and riders with a mass mixture of terrain.
The all-blue rated runs at Peak 7 feature terrain for the intermediate-level skiers and riders. A must visit for those who enjoy groomed runs and average-angled slopes. Above the Independence life, however, rests the Peak 7 bowl, which offer audacious chutes and vertical slopes that funnel down to the blues. Reaching the Peak 7 summit means skiers and riders must begin their journey at Peak 8.
Peak 8 is best known for its massive Freeway Superpark. Countless freestyle competitions are held every year at Freeway. The park is said to be one of North America’s most acclaimed terrain parks, receiving numerous awards from various magazines and readers polls. Aside from Freeway?s enormous locale is Twister, a park for beginners that offers entry-level jumps, rails and fun boxes. The peak as a whole offers runs for all levels, including a trailhead on one side and T-Bar on the other that will bring skiers and riders to the glorious High Alpine bowls that lie above the Peak 7 and 8 resort lifts.
Peak 9 caters to both beginner and intermediate, supplying athletes with green and blue runs, as well as terrain parks. Eldorado Terrain Park shows learners the basics by offering small jumps, boxes, rails and even a mini-pipe. Intermediate?s can practice their style at the Gold King Park, built specifically for midway skiers and boarders. Chutes are available by foot access at the top of the Mercury Lift as well. Hiking has never been so rewarding!
Peak 10 is for the expert skier and snowboarder only. Both sides of the mountain are for those who crave trees, steeps and bumps. If you feel woozy at the top and need an easy way down, stick to the blue-black runs such as Crystal, Centennial and Doublejack.
If four intense peaks aren’t enough to feed an appetite, neighboring Keystone Resort is linked by a free direct shuttle service and interchangeable lift tickets all season long.
Once off the slopes, Breckenridge offers snowmobiling, ice-skating, historic tours, dogsledding, a live theater and many more activities.
If variety is the spice of life, Breckenridge’s nightlife offers visitors a lot of flavor. Post-ski options run the gamut from raging nights in clubs, to new age relaxation in oxygen lounges, to kicking back with a micro-brew at one of many laid-back bars.
Popular and packed, or off the beaten path, Breckenridge guests can pick their potion for fun. With a number of bars & restaurants, visitors can choose from cozy little bistros featuring gourmet flavors to dine and sip. Late night, visitors move on to the outrageous dance floors where the masses gather to cut loose & shake a tail feather.
There is a wide variety of lodging to suit any taste. Guests can choose from ski-in/ski-out lodges, to quaint mountain inns or bed and breakfasts. Make the most of the mountain and town activities by staying within walking distance to Main Street.
This unprecedented vacationing variety and value in combination with a real town and unreal skiing, makes Breckenridge a Colorado classic.
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