Number 07
Summit County — the heart of Colorado’s skiing community —is loaded with top-notch resorts, and Breckenridge sits atop the pile as one of the most-visited resorts in North America. The resort lays claim to arguably the best park and pipe in the world (see Park Guide, page 91), attracting pros, wannabes and tourists alike. With a track record of park and pipe events that’s a mile long, it’s no wonder that all the best pros have migrated to freeskiing’s epicenter-du-jourfor pre-X Games and Dew Tour training.

If park isn’t your cup of tea, Breck still has plenty to offer. It’s not Jackson, but when it snows, there are goods to be found. Take a quick hike off the T Bar or Imperial chairs and you’ll get a sampling of Summit County-style steep and deep in no time. (Read into that what you will.) Just be mindful of the wind, it can get nasty.

The town of Breckenridge, the heart of Summit County, sits right at the base of the hill. Grab a mouth-watering burger at Empire Burger or some appetizers at Mi Casa and you’ll be ready to roll for the night. Summit County gets a bad rap for being a sausage-fest, but check out Cecilia’s or Liquid Lounge on the weekends and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Whether you’re a weekend warrior from Denver or a ski bum looking to relocate, the fusion of a park paradise and lively town is more than enough reason to give Breck a visit.

Resort Ranking:
Snow Quality-7
Terrain Quality-5
Hike-to Access-6
ParkQuality-10
Nightlife-9
Accessibility-8

Vital Stats:
Breckenridge.com
Vertical: 3,398 feet
Acreage: 2,358 acres
Snowfall: 300 inches
Ticket: $86 (2008-2009)

Web Cam

North America’s Top 10 Ski Resorts

1. Whistler Blackcomb, BC
2. Aspen/Snowmass, CO
3. Mammoth Mountain
4. Jackson Hole, WY
5. Squaw Valley, CA
6. Alta/Snowbird, UT
7. Breckenridge, CO
8. Telluride, CO
9. Heavenly, CA
10. Vail, CO

Back to Top 10 Index