These Resorts Have the Best Party Scenes in the West
If you're going to choose a resort based on its after-dark activity, these ski areas are a great place to start.
If you’ve skied Breck and don’t like it … it’s you, not the mountain. Let’s talk stats. Just shy of 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, six peaks, four terrain parks—one with a 22-foot superpipe. High-alpine terrain like few other resorts in Colorado. Fast and efficient lifts, plenty of on-mountain eats and suds. Oh, and the town of Breckenridge, complete with Main Street’s hopping restaurants, bars, shops, and all the mountain-town amenities you’re looking for.
It’s crowded, you say. This is true. It’s expensive. Also, not untrue. Yet, if you know where to ski, it’s worth it. When conditions allow, the high-alpine is the place to be. There’s no magic password. If you’re an advanced to expert skier, this is for you: Colorado Super Chair -> Chair 6 -> Imperial Express. Offload point: 12,840 feet over the majestic Colorado Rockies. At your feet: Double-black-diamond adventure terrain, bowls, and chutes. You’ll never see Breck the same way again. Especially after you recount your day’s adventure over Ahi Tuna Nachos at Main Street’s Blue River Bistro. Best of both worlds. – Sam Berman
AVERAGE SNOWFALL | ACRES | LIFTS | TRAILS |
353″ | 2,908 | 34 | 187 |
Breckenridge is on the Epic Pass, the Epic Local pass, and the Summit Pass. Epic Pass and Epic Local pass holders get unlimited access to the resort with no blackout days. Summit Pass holders get unlimited access with holiday blackouts.
From great new restaurants to hopping nightlife to nearby family fun, check out the SKI Editors’ top picks for what to do in Breckenridge, Colo.
The high-speed quad that’s coming to Breck’s Peak 7 is a big upgrade that will increase uphill capacity at a common bottleneck—the Independence Super Chair. The new lift will help thin out crowds and improve access to Peak 6’s intermediate terrain.
Head to the Blue Stag Saloon for a selection of craft beers, a rotating tap, and a robust wine list in a woody, rustic ambiance.
Slide down the free communal tubing hill at Carter Park, a couple blocks off Main Street.
Geek out over custom skis while enjoying a microbrew at RMU Tavern, a ski shop and tap house combined. Sample the 16 rotating craft beers inside or in the new outdoor beer garden.
Make it to town for Ullr Fest, usually in January, for the annual homage to the Norse god of snow and join in the festivities, including a town-wide snow dance, parade, ice plunge, and more.
The former Village Hotel at the base of Peak 9 debuted last season as the renovated, ski-in/ski-out Gravity Haus, with 60 modern alpine rooms, fitness center, backcountry discovery center, bowling lanes, a co-working space, and a Japanese-inspired onsen.
It may seem counter-intuitive, but when the wind is whipping, head for the Horseshoe Bowl T-Bar and Imperial Express SuperChair. Those gusting winds may be blowing snow in your face, but they’re also blowing grade-A chalk into the high-alpine expert terrain. Grin and bear it, then reap the reward.
“Best skiing on crowded days is off the E-Chair” reveals one local, who will now need to enter witness protection.
First timers, listen up: You don’t have to wait in the Peak 8 gondola line to download. You can ski all the way back to town from Peak 8 on the cruisy, green 4 O’Clock trail.
If you're going to choose a resort based on its after-dark activity, these ski areas are a great place to start.
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