If you follow my social media, you’ll know that SVV and I slipped away for four nights in Breckenridge this past week. But with direct flights as low as $80 one-way from Nashville, how could we not?
We’ve done a lot of skiing as a pair in our decade together, but it had been three years since our last cold weather trip out to Colorado. Three years too long, but with ski season lining up in direct competition with tax season—not to mention, the two of us no longer being within driving distance to a decent hill—it’s been hard for us to get out.
So this trip was a long time in the making, even though we wound up impulse-buying our flights less than three weeks out.
There were so many things I absolutely loved about Breckenridge: the town itself, the ski-in, ski-out access from our lodge, the wide open groomers that seemed custom made for an intermediate like me.
I think it’s safe to say there were very few things about Breck that I didn’t like (mainly, only the lack of parking … but that’s easily remedied by taking the convenient and free shuttles to and fro).
I’d go as far as to proclaim that it’s my favorite ski resort town yet (shhhh, don’t tell Vail or Keystone!).
I was worried I’d be rusty after a three-year hiatus from being on skis, but as it turns out, skiing is very much like riding a bike, cliche as it may sound. Other than a rough tumble the very first run due to a loose binding, I didn’t fall at all. In fact, I was even contemplating moguls by the end of the last day. And then I quickly decided I might reserve that for Heavenly next month on terrain I know well. =)
When are you going to Heavenly? My family and I will be in Tahoe Feb 20-22. I haven’t been skiing for probably 4 years or so but I’m looking forward to getting out there again!
Ahhhh just missing you! I’ll be in SF Feb. 26-March 1 for Women’s Travel Fest (come!) and then we’re driving out to Tahoe March 1-4.
Darn! That would have been cool if it had been the same weekend. 🙂 Have fun!
Vail is still my No. 1 because of the size of the mountain and variety in terrain, but Breck is a close second. I love the town, and Peak 7 is a favorite of mine with its rollers. As a kid I used to love to race my parents from the top of Peak 9 to the bottom, and, well, I still do!
I felt like Vail wasn’t ideal for a skier-boarder combo with all those bumps. Which is why I liked Breck so much—plenty of intermediate/challenging terrain that I could ski while he rode without having to deal with moguls =)
We spent the entire weekend on Peak 7!
I’ve never been to an American ski resort, but it sure looks good! I’m an intermediate skier too so I prefer low-key areas. My absolute favourites are in Andorra or the Czech Republic. In fact, I’m in a little Czech skiing village right now, as it’s the school winter break in Germany so it’s now or never!
I’ve got the flu at the moment so I’m not doing much skiing. 🙁 I’ve got to get better. I’ve got to get better!
However, my pre-teen is having the best time in his advance group of only 5 kids so that I can relax knowing that he’s being looked after. You just can’t beat the prices. For his ski class just €215 for the week and a daily ski pass costing a very low €7.00 per day!
And I’ve never been to a European one—we should switch sometime! =)
Hope you’re feeling better. That does not sound fun AT ALL!
Thanks babe! It was pretty dismal. I was down all week. All that snow and I wasn’t allowed to ski. Germans take insurance pretty seriously…! I’m fine now and ready to shout out that European skiing is. the. best!
I’m not much for snow, but man! You make this look appealing. Though I’d probably spent a ridiculous amount of time in the lodge sipping hot chocolate.
Does the hot chocolate have bourbon in it? If yes, then sign me up.
Oh, I REALLY missed the snow this year. I love the feeling of gliding down the slopes…At least I can enjoy your photos I suppose! Thanks Abi x
And I miss the beach like mad, so I’ll enjoy *that* via your photos 😉
Oh man – I have major dilemmas if I like Breck or Vail better. My brother lives in Denver so I’ve been out there quite a few times – and actually recognize some of the photo vantage points in this post! 🙂
I was in Jackson Hole last January and that was incredible as well.
I’ve only been to JH in the summer. I fear it’s far too advanced a slope for me—I envision it as all double blacks with moguls, when I’m more of a blue/single black kind of girl myself =)
We are totally the same level – I’m Blue/single black skiing too! Jackson Hole had a ton of trails on our level – and they even have free ‘guided tours’ where they take you through and recommend other slopes. Don’t fear and do it! 🙂
Oh that’s great to know! Maybe we’ll go there in 2016 =)
I’ve gotten serious altitude sickness at Breckenridge but absolutely loved the town/restaurants/skiing etc. Next time, I’ll acclimate a bit in Denver first I think then head to Breck. A little dizziness isn’t going to keep me away from Breck!
Funny thing is that while I got really out of breath doing basic things like climbing stairs, I didn’t get nearly the pounding headaches from altitude sickness in Breck this time as I did Vail last. Altitude sickness is no joke!