Breck extra
The Breck lifts that are busy at 9am, slow all day or awkward in the wind, and what to ride instead.
Photo: DReifGalaxyM31, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Save time
Every lift at Breck is worth riding at some point. Some are just better avoided at certain times. The worst lines are at the base areas between 8:30 and 10, especially at weekends and over the holidays, and the worst rides are the long ones on slow doubles.
We've split them into busy, slow and tricky lifts. For each one there's an alternative that gets you to the same place.
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Queues
Busy · Peak 8 base
Where everyone starts.
The gondola, the Peak 8 lots and the ski school all empty out at the Peak 8 base, and the Colorado SuperChair is the obvious way up. It's a six-pack, so the line moves, but on a weekend it's the longest wait of the day.
Our tip: Start at Peak 9 on Quicksilver instead, then cross to Peak 8 on the SuperConnect once the rush has gone.
Busy · Peak 7 base
The gondola crowd’s first chair.
The gondola's first stop is the Peak 7 base, and plenty of people get off there and head straight for Independence SuperChair. It's the lift most often named as one to avoid on weekends and holidays.
Our tip: Ski down to Freedom SuperChair, which is usually quieter and serves similar blues.
Busy · town
Rush hour, twice a day.
The free gondola is the main route from the town lots to the mountain, so it's busy first thing and busy again when everyone heads down at the end of the day.
Our tip: Take the Free Ride bus to Peak 9 in the morning, and ski Four O'Clock home in the afternoon.
Busy · any base
The resort’s own advice.
The resort's own advice is that base area lifts are the busiest, because everyone arrives at once. Once you're on the mountain, stay up there and use the upper lifts.
Long rides
Slow · Peak 9
A double with 1,253 feet to climb.
The C-Chair climbs almost as much vertical as the Colorado SuperChair, on a two-seat fixed-grip chair. It's a long, cold ride.
Our tip: Use Mercury or Beaver Run to get up Peak 9.
Slow · Peak 9
Another long double.
The E-Chair is a slow double with 967 feet of vertical. You ride it for the North Chutes, so it's worth it, but don't use it as a way up.
Slow · Peak 8 and town
A double from the edge of town.
Snowflake is a handy way onto the mountain from the edge of town, but it's a slow two-seater. If you're anywhere near the gondola, take that.
Wind and surface lifts
Tricky · Peak 8
A long surface lift.
The Horseshoe Bowl T-Bar pulls you 1,234 vertical feet up the high bowls. That's a long way to stand, and it's hard work for snowboarders. If you fall off, you'll be skiing down from where you fell.
Tricky · Peak 8
Often on hold.
Imperial SuperChair is the highest lift in North America, and it's often on wind hold. On powder days it also tends to open later than the rest of the mountain while patrol does avalanche work. Don't wait in line for it at 9am.
Our tip: Check the My Epic app before you head up, and warm up lower down.
Tricky · Peak 6
Exposed and high.
Kensho SuperChair is above treeline and one of the lifts most likely to go on hold when the wind picks up. If it stops while you're on Peak 6, you have a long way back.
FAQ
Avoid the base lifts at Peak 7 and Peak 8 between 8:30 and 10am. Start at Peak 9 instead, ski weekdays when you can, and once you are up the mountain, stay up and ride the upper lifts.
Keep exploring
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.
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.
One short email a week in season: what fell, what's open, and where to ride this weekend.
