The view north along the Tenmile Range from the top of the Kensho SuperChair

Breck guides

Breckenridge insider tips

Breckenridge ski tips: the things locals know and first-timers learn the hard way. Ten tips to spend less time in lines and more time skiing.

The tipsAll guides

Photo: DReifGalaxyM31, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Insider tips

Ski Breck like a local

None of this is secret, but most visitors don't know it on their first trip. Ten habits that make a real difference to your day.

Want the full route? Our "Breck in a day" plan links all five peaks without backtracking.

See Breck in a day
  1. Start on Peak 9. Most people head for Peak 8 first. Quicksilver at the Peak 9 base gets you up to TenMile Station, and the blues off Mercury are a good warm-up.
  2. Use the gondola, not your car. The gondola is free, runs from 8:30am, and drops you at Peak 7 or Peak 8. Driving to the bases means paying to park and walking in ski boots.
  3. Eat early or late. On-mountain restaurants get busy around midday. Eat at 11 or after 1:30 and you’ll get a table and an emptier lift line while everyone else eats.
  4. Watch the high lifts. The Imperial SuperChair, Kensho and the T-Bar are the most exposed to wind and often open later after storms. Check status before you commit to Peak 8’s top.
  5. Peak 7 when Peak 8 is busy. Independence on Peak 7 is the escape valve. Long groomers, and usually a shorter line than the Colorado SuperChair.
  6. Check the snow stake cam. The official snow stake cam on Peak 8 shows overnight snow before the morning report comes out.
  7. Ski home with care. Four O’Clock back to town gets crowded and skied off at the end of the day. Take it slow, or ride the gondola down.
  8. Ride the free buses. Free Ride buses and the resort’s base-to-base shuttle mean you rarely need a car once you’re in Breck.
  9. Respect the altitude. Half-days on your first day are smart, not lazy. Hydrate and save the bowls for later in the week.
  10. Check out the town. Breck is a real town, not just a resort village. Main Street’s historic buildings, shops and restaurants are worth an evening.

Useful before you go

Breckenridge ResortLift & terrain status →What’s actually open today.Breck360Webcams →The snow stake and live cams on Peaks 7, 8 and 9.Breck360Weather at three elevations →Town, mid-mountain and upper mountain.Breck360Lifts by peak →Every chair and what it’s good for.

Keep reading

More Breck guides

All guides →
The ski runs of Breckenridge seen from town under winter cloudsGeneral guideBreck in five minutes: the peaks, the town, the altitude and how a day works.Teams carving blocks at the International Snow Sculpture Championships in BreckenridgeHoliday guideWhen to come, how long to stay, lessons, kids and the big winter events.The open upper slopes of Peak 7 under a blue skyTrail guideAll five peaks by ability, the bowls, the parks and the run home.
Quick tip

Ski & snowboard rental

Book online before you arrive and pick your gear up in town the evening before. The morning rush at the base shops can eat your first hour, and booking ahead can be cheaper.

Quick tip

Lift tickets & the Epic Pass

Breck is on the Epic Pass. Buying a ticket at the window on the day is the most expensive way up the hill, so buy ahead online or look at an Epic Day Pass if you're here for a few days.

The Friday snow email

One short email a week in season: what fell, what's open, and where to ride this weekend.