Breckenridge Colorado
Ready
to do some serious skiing folks? This ski bum is, because nestled in the heart
of the Rockies, in Breckenridge, Colorado, is some of the best Nordic and
alpine recreation I've seen anywhere. Less than two hours west of Denver,
via I-70 and Colorado 9, this scenic and historic getaway is not only a winter
haven for seasoned skiers. It's great fun in the summer sun too, with Colorado
activities ranging from alpine sliding to horse-drawn carriage rides, gold
panning to white water rafting. But let's talk skiing shall we?
The town, Breckenridge Colorado, was founded in 1859 on silver and gold mining, now spreads out more than five square miles, has a year-round population upwards of 2,800 and is filled with 100 restaurants, 39 bars and clubs, and more than 200 shops and boutiques. So much to choose from! Not only that, there are plenty of places to hang your hat as it abounds with more than 500 hotels, inns or beds and breakfasts, nearly 2,300 condominiums, and more than a dozen museums and art galleries. In fact, 171 of Breckenridge's historic structures are listed on the national register!
Just how did this 40-something, mid-western guy like me get turned on to skiing Breckenridge, Colorado? Good question. Well, I'd already done my share of good-time skiing in Wisconsin, just across the border from where I grew up in Taylor's Falls, Minnesota. At the time I thought that was the cat's meow, and it was a great place to start out. Then some college buddies talked me into spending spring break in the heart of the Rockies. At first, my inner skier was a bit intimidated by the enormity of it all. The sheer vertical expanse, the breathtaking 9,600 feet in high-alpine elevation, the majestic peaks disappearing into the mystic clouds above, the sun breaking gently through as to beckon me to give it a try. In the days to come, my skiing did some serious evolving.
Of course I'd heard a lot about the area—all serious winter bums know that skiing the Rockies is every snow bum's dream. So off to Breckenridge, Colorado we went. Unfortunately, I did so much skiing after returning to the Midwest that it interfered with my anthropology studies. I dropped out of school and headed back for the Rockies to hone my craft. With no transportation to speak except for a pair of weathered Nordicas, I hitched a ride to the great red state (reading my stash of Jack Kerouac in between rides), shacked out in a remote place among the snowy pines, and took long walks along wooded creeks to clear out my head. I began doing some odd jobs, and finally earned enough money to do some serious, rather outlandish skiing—I guess I'd have to say that today I'm a real ski bum at heart.
But folks, don't take my word for it. Experience the unmatched beauty and exhilaration of Breckenridge, Colorado for yourself. And whether you choose to take in the winter fun, or revel in the summer craze, the experience will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. It did me some good.
More facts about Breckenridge Colorado
Rising in elevation of 9,603 feet or 2,927 meters at the base and 12,998 feet or 3,962 meters at the summit, the average winter temperature in Breckenridge, Colorado is 28 degrees in the daytime, 15 degrees at night. Average summer temperature runs about 70 degrees during daylight hours, and 50 degrees at night. With about 300 days of sun shining on Breckenridge yearly, humidity levels average about 30 percent, with an average snowfall in excess of 250 inches. Winter daytime temperature runs about 28 degrees F. on average, about 70 degrees in the summer daytime.
Breckenridge is interconnected with three neighboring ski areas in Summit County: Copper Mountain, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin, and is just minutes away from the Vail/Beaver Creek area.
Historic Breckenridge, Colorado, named after Vice President John Cabell Breckinridge, dates its settlement to 1859 as a gold and silver mining town. Failing to survive the gold rush bust, Breckenridge became a ghost town. But it wasn't long before the “new gold” (snow) had ski entrepreneurs breathing life back into it, inspiring the renovation of its vintage Victorian buildings and the expansion of the downtown business district.
Be sure to check out some of these links too:
Breckenridge Colorado Homepage - My
Ski Tour Sponsor Ski.com - Breckenridge
ski vacation
Breckenridge Real Estate
- Ski Rentals - Lift
Tickets - Carter Park
