Breckenridge, Colorado is one of the undisputed heavyweights of the ski resort world: its primary competition for "most visited resort in Colorado" is its own sister resort, Vail. Its popularity is not without reason. With a summer that usually spans all of eight weeks, Breck is one town that takes its winter seriously. Or not so seriously, depending on what time of day it is.
Breckenridge offers a slopeside authentic victorian mountain town full of incredible shops and over 100 restaurants, and nearly 40 bars. The historic mining town had the first post office located between the Continental Divide and Salt Lake City, a feat accomplished with the help of a little simple flattery - the town's founder shrewdly named it after President James Buchanan's Vice President, John Cabell Breckinridge.
Though the population is just over 2,400, Breck, as it's commonly known, has over 20,000 pillows in town for visitors, so you can be sure that the downtown historic district is usually hopping. The original Breckenridge Brewery & Pub is a must-do for quality pub food and hand-crafted ales. The Café Alpine offers unforgettable American cuisine by Chef and Owner Keith Mahoney, and The Hearthstone, located in an historic, 100-year-old Victorian home in the center of Breckenridge, was voted "Best Overall" in the Taste of Breckenridge.
The ski area itself spans four interconnected mountains, and offers over 2,200 acres of skiing on 146 trails accessed by 27 lifts. With a summit elevation 24 inches short of 13,000 feet, Breck is one of the highest ski areas in North America - and as a result offers famously good spring skiing conditions. During the late season a series of mountain competitions, wacky events, shopping and dining specials and concerts is unleashed on visitors and residents alike -- all in the name of spring.
Breckenridge has also long been a hotbed of freestyle skiing and competition, and over the last few years has become the world's recognized benchmark for the sculpted terrain parks that draw young-hearted skiers and boarders.
In late January each year, Breckenridge plays host to the International Ice Sculpting Championships, a larger than life, free event that will have the young and old alike staring in awe at these amazing, temporary sculptures.
In a word, Breck is world-class, whether you're a couple, traveling with kids, or just heading to Colorado with your buddies for some high-altitude fun. If you're one of the few people who haven't checked it out, you should see what you're missing.
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