Two weeks ago, we returned from a wonderful, six-day ski trip in Breckenridge, Colorado.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-couple-first tracks

Over the years, we’ve enjoyed a number of memorable family ski vacations to Steamboat, Snowmass and Aspen in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains. Another trip took us north of the border to Whistler, Canada, where we skied glaciers. But, this is the first time just hubby and I went on a ski trip together.

When my husband retired last fall, I knew the best ‘present’ I could give him was a ski trip out West. He loves to ski and is quite advanced. But, there’s limited opportunity within a few hours drive of Pittsburgh.

Originally, we had hoped two of his brothers and their wives would join us. That would have given my husband companions to ski more advanced, black diamond trails — something way beyond my skill set and comfort level.

When neither couple was able to come along, I worried that Mr. Buzz wouldn’t truly enjoy himself if he was limited to skiing with me on easy and intermediate terrain. But, you know what? Much to our surprise and amazement — I skied the best I ever had!

I use affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission that helps to offset website operating costs with no additional cost to you. Your support is appreciated! Disclosure Policy.

Mile High Arrival

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-street-log-buildings-peaks

We were fortunate to have direct flights from Pittsburgh to Denver. Although, I could have done without the 4:15 AM wake-up in order to get to the airport in time! I did catch a little sleep on the flight. And, because of the time difference, it was still early in the morning when we landed in Colorado.

After picking up the rental car, it was a beautiful, clear day for the two-hour drive from the airport to Breckenridge. Since there had been a major snow event the day before, I was relieved the roads were in good condition. It also meant there would be lots of fresh powder on the slopes.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-street-peaks-view

You may have been heard about the over 300, record-breaking number of avalanches they’ve had in Colorado recently? The snow has been falling since we left; accumulating over six feet and counting! So, we are very thankful for the weather and driving conditions during our ski trip.

Walkable Breckenridge

After arriving in Breckenridge, we spent the first day acclimating to the time change and high altitude. We also  explored the town and settled into our accommodations.

Our spacious studio was right at the mountain base; with a wall of windows and balcony view of the forest and peaks. It had a full-size kitchen, living area, large bath and cathedral ceiling. Best of all, it was ski-in, ski-out. All we had to do was take the elevator to the garage level, pick-up our ski equipment, and traverse the snow-covered bridge to board the Quicksilver SuperChair lift.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-Marriott

Behind Mr. Buzz is Peak 9 and the frozen pond adjacent to our lodging, a Marriott Vacation Club Resort.

After parking the car at the resort, we never needed it again until heading back to the airport. Everything was walkable in Breckenridge.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-gold-mining-dredge-Deb

Behind me is the last of what once were 19 gold mining dredges in Breckenridge — now a restaurant and bar. Lower mountain ski slopes are seen in the background.

We started with a wonderful lunch at nearby Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant and Cantina, overlooking the Blue River. It was so good, we ate dinner there another evening.

Gearing Up

Afterwards, we collected our ski lift tickets — actually plastic cards with microchips that slip into a jacket pocket. As you enter a lift line, a staffer scans the card right through your coat. Pretty niftie. We purchased three out of five-day ski passes online, ahead of time for a discount.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-carved-bear

Next, we headed over to get our rental ski equipment — boots, skis and poles. It just didn’t make sense to pay airline baggage fees and schlepp our equipment from Pittsburgh. Located just steps from the resort elevator, it was super convenient to pick up and drop off our equipment everyday.

Hubby did an outstanding job figuring this all out ahead of time.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-street-scene-mountains

Finally, we walked the charming town for a quick orientation; heading to the grocery to pick up breakfast and snack foods. We also stopped in a gourmet cheese shop for a delicious sampler box for two.

ski-trip-Swiss-Haven-fondue

For dinner, we headed to Swiss Haven for fondue, hot cider, and Belgium beers in one of the town’s charming Victorian buildings located in the historical district.

Travel Tip: It’s best to make dinner reservations in advance; even before arriving at Breck. Restaurants can be packed, particularly on weekends.

Ski Breck

I confess to being apprehensive about this ski trip. It had been nearly two years since I’d skied, and I’m not getting any younger! Plus, I didn’t want to be a drag on hubby enjoying himself. Sweet, amazing guy that he is, spending time with me was more important than the number or difficulty of ski runs.

What a huge difference that rental equipment made! My skis and boots are nearly two decades old. I just don’t ski often enough to warrant purchasing new ones. Despite my old lady bunions, the rental boots were super comfortable — unlike mine at home. And the latest shorter, curved skis were much more manageable and responsive.

Best yet, the more in control and at ease I felt, the tighter curves and straighter lines I skied down the mountain — requiring less physical effort and strength to hold an edge.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-couple-first tracks

Hitting the slopes early for “first tracks” on freshly groomed, “corduroy” trails makes for smoother, easier skiing — and shorter lines on the lifts. Although, it can be colder.

Hubby was practically giddy watching me improve and gain confidence. After one day on our ski trip, I went from low-level intermediate to solid, even high-level intermediate. Who’d thought?

Do you ski?

Rocky Mountain High

By mid-morning the second day, I was brimming with confidence and having a blast!  Clear, sunny weather made for excellent visibility.

There are four peaks to ski at Breck (out of ten), and we worked our way from Peak 9 all the way over to Peak 6. My husband couldn’t believe it when I told him I wanted to take the upper Kensho lift to ski the bowl.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-high-elevation-Kensho-peak-6

There, the elevation was over 12,300 feet!  About halfway up that last lift, takes you above the alpine tree line. It’s just snow and cliffs up there. We could feel the effect of the high attitude in our lungs, and it was much windier up there — so much so, we had trouble staying in place to take this photograph.

Hydrating is key, along with avoiding caffeine and alcohol.

Breckenridge-ski-trip-alpine-bowl-Deb-skier

Here I am ready to take the Bliss route down into the bowl for the second time that morning. Geronimo!

As we headed down the mountain, trails diverged to the right and left through Aspen trees. It’s a wonderful, long run all the way back down to the base area.

Enjoy the View

Can you believe these breathtaking views?

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-Peak-6-bowl-mountain-view

On our last day of skiing, we returned and skied Reverie down the opposite side of the bowl. It was supposed to be the easier way down. But, I found it very windy, narrow and crowded with snowboarders. In fact, one of them sideswiped me from behind, running over my skis! I didn’t get hurt, but it was quite jarring and knocked me out of my skis.

Darn whippersnappers! One and done on that route!

Family Fun

I’m not sure what the best part of our ski trip was; the fun we had or how proud my husband was of me. He kept singing my praises to our sons who are expert skiers like their dad.

ski-trip-Killington-Vermont

As I write this eldest son is skiing off-trail in Jackson Hole, Wyoming after an earlier ski trip to Vermont. Younger son is heading out to Park City, Utah on an annual holiday his pack of friends.

I use to be able to keep up to them when they were young. But, their lack of fear and love of speed quickly outpaced my skill level.

Here we are on our first family ski trip to Steamboat, Colorado many years ago when the boys were quite young — and I’m still wearing the same coat LOL!

See how I use vacation photographs as Ski Lodge Theme Decor in the Family Game Room.

You don’t have to be a skier to enjoy Colorado. Visiting the Rockies is great year-round for it’s natural beauty and bountiful activities to enjoy. Check out, Steamboat Springs Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Breckenridge-Colorado-ski-trip-alpine-bowl-Deb

I’m so glad hubby took those pictures of me at the bowl, or I’m not sure anyone would have believed him — a picture is worth a thousand words!

Watch Out Below!

We did have one major mishap at the end of day two. After skiing the bowls and having lunch up on the mountain, we headed out for new blue terrain on Peaks 7 and 8.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-chairs-mountain-view

I was bursting with confidence and mile high (pun intended)! I remember thinking the trail name, High Anxiety, didn’t sound like an intermediate run — it wasn’t. Next, I noticed the hill seemed awfully steep, but figured it was just getting late in the day and I was probably tired.

So, I stopped at the top of the next drop-off to catch my breath. That’s when I saw it. A steep hill, completely covered from left to right with moguls (big bumps or mounds of snow). There was no access between trees to another, easier trail. Steep terrain is difficult, but moguls for me are impossible.

Short of taking off my skis and attempting to walk down, there was no other exit.

Get Back Up on That Horse

I tried, really I did. Pretty quickly I fell and lost a ski and pole. Not hurt, but shaken and frightened. My husband retrieved the lost equipment and we struggled to get me back into the ski bindings on the steep incline. Hubby stayed with me every inch of the way, encouraging, coaching and at times physically supporting me.

He showed me how to kinda slide, skid at an angle to the mountain; about several yards at a time. It took awhile. My leg muscles and ankles were pretty much jello after that. Hubby kept blaming himself, but I’m not convinced it wasn’t me who made the wrong turn onto the black diamond trial.

This 1940’s skier is more vintage than me! Originally from my dad’s childhood Christmas tree platform, she’s part of the centerpiece in Downhill Dinner at Ski Cabin Winter Table.

I got back up on the horse — so to speak — and continued to ski several more slopes as we worked our way back to Peak 9’s base and our condo. As on most afternoons, I skied until about 2:30 in the afternoon. Hubby would spend another hour or so exploring more expert terrain; until the lifts closed at 4. Then, we’d both enjoy apres ski activities at our resort and in town.

Gold Mining Town

Breckenridge is known not only for its ski resort, but also for year-round alpine activities and a Gold Rush history. A free museum at the visitor’s center is well-worth a visit.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-log-cabin-shop

The Victorian core of the former mining town is preserved in the Breckenridge National Historic District.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-yellow-cottage-shop

Colorfully painted buildings from the 1880’s and ’90’s house shops, galleries, restaurants and bars.

ski-trip-breckenridge-colorado-red-cottage-shop

After skiing two days in a row, we took off a day to explore the town and recharge.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-street-western-style

In addition to the Victorian buildings, there are log cabins and cowboy Western facades up and down Main Street.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-snowshoes

Snowshoes hang in the front window of my favorite shop in Breckenridge.

They reminded me of the ones in our lodge-theme decorated gameroom featured in, Welcome to the Apres-Ski Lodge Buffet.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-lodge-signs

If I had any remaining wall space, I would have loved to bring home several of these cute signs.

Apres Ski Dining

As gorgeous as the views were during the day, Breckenridge took on a magical quality in the evenings. Little white lights twinkled everywhere.

Breckenridge-ski-trip-town-twilight

Dining options run the gamut. Craft beer choices are extensive and very popular. On Saturday and Sunday nights, places were packed. Many locals come to Breck for the weekend, or just to spend the day on a ski trip.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-Blue-Stag-Saloon

On Sunday night we dined at the Blue Stag Saloon, where Mr. Buzz had a bison and game stew. Another evening we headed down into the atmospheric Ollie’s Pub, and split a large burger and order of wings.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-Ollies-Pub

For out last evening, we decided to splurge. But, we were torn between two restaurants; both highly-rated for their food and vintage buildings. Twist was charming on the outside, with a hip, modern interior.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-Twist-restaurant

Instead, we ate across the street at Hearthstone, a Victorian manor with a romantic atmosphere.

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-Hearthstone-restaurant-Victorian

I had Colorado lamb chops, while Mr. Buzz tried their famous elk. Hubby claims they have the best carrot cake he’s ever tasted. It might have had something to do with the fact it came with a bourbon milkshake shooter?

Breckenridge-ski-trip-town-street-twilight

I hope you enjoyed this virtual ski trip to Breckenridge. We’d love to return in the summer months sometime. Have you ever been?

Debbee-signature-very-sm

 

 

Winter 2020 Update: Be sure to see Terrific Telluride, Colorado Ski Vacation and Charming Old Telluride Mining Town in Winter.

Pin Me!

ski-trip-Breckenridge-Colorado-pin

Featured Post

Link Parties

I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Crafty Creators, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.

Debbeesbuzz-bee-icon

Subscribe Today!

Join the hive and receive periodic email messages when Debbee publishes new posts.

Thanks for following The Buzz

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This