Welcome to Breckenridge, Colorado. Breckenridge is a 149-year-old quaint Victorian town in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. As one of the nation s premier year-round resorts, Breckenridge has an incredible selection of recreational activities. Breckenridge Central Reservations offers the widest variety of lodging options with local experts to guide you.
In the 1800s travelers flooded into Breckenridge with the hopes of earning their riches in gold. Today, travelers experience a vacation rich in activities as well as history. This is the most comprehensive site to learn more about all Breckenridge has to offer for your next getaway. Of course, at the Breckenridge Resort Chamber, we believe that experiencing our town is ultimately the best way to learn about it!
The Breckenridge Ski Resort offers up a lot for everyone. From the challenging terrain of the Lake Chutes, to the gentle rollers of Peak 7, the Breckenridge Ski Resort can put a smile on every level of skiers face. Breckenridge has become world renowned for its amazing terrain parks.
Four professionally designed parks are filled with huge kickers, jibbing features, and several world class half pipes. On any given day, you ll see renowned athletes honing their skills for the many freestyle events Breckenridge hosts.
The Breckenridge Ski Resort is spread out on the spine of the Ten Mile Range. The Breckenridge ski area claims peaks 10 through 7. The Ten Mile range stretches from Hoosier Pass to Frisco (South to North) and contains ten miles of beautiful snow capped peaks. The rugged and beautiful landscape of this area claims home to some of North America's highest peaks.
Linking Main Street to the Mountain
The BreckConnect, which debuted Dec. 31, 2006, has transformed the way visitors access the town and mountain. The gondola enables the town and resort to strike the ideal balance that maintains the character and vibrancy of Breckenridge s Main Street and Downtown.
Peak 10
Peak 10 at the Breckenridge ski resort encompasses long mogul runs, perfectly groomed corduroy and amazing tree skiing. You are sure to have amazing views of the Upper Blue Valley while cruising through the trees in 'The Burn'. Drop down on the south side of Peak 10 for some great steeps and hidden powder stashes throughout Mustang.
Peak 9
The lower portions of Peak 9 at the Breckenridge ski resort are home to some of Summit County's friendliest terrain. The Quicksilver lift accesses perfectly manicured green runs which are a great place to practice your intermediate turns. Often a beginner zone, Peak 9 at the Breckenridge ski resort is a perfect place for youngsters and beginners alike.
The Beaver Run lift will whisk you to the top of Peak 9 where lies more challenging terrain. From here you can drop into one of the local favorites 'Devil's Crotch and Mine Shaft'. These two steep runs are often covered in moguls and are sure to get your heart beating a little faster! Once you reach the bottom, make sure you hop on the E-chair for another round of steep bumpy terrain at the Breckenridge Ski Resort. Don't forget to check out 'The Windows' located just off the E-chair for some tight tree runs.
Peak 8
Peak 8 and the Breckenridge ski area can now claim the highest chairlift in North America. With an elevation of 12,840 above sea level, the New Imperial Express Superchair accesses some of Colorado's steepest terrain. The east facing lake chutes and great snow combine for a chest thumping experience. Possibilities atop the Imperial Express Superchair are endless. You can cruise down the Imperial Bowl, or drop off the other side to Whale's Tail. Either way, you're sure to find great snow with amazing views.
Peak 7
The Peak 7 terrain was introduced in the winter of 2004/2005 and added great cruisers and wide open runs. Typically less crowded, the Peak 7 area at the Breckenridge ski resort is the perfect complement to Breckenridge's steeper terrain. A lot of locals ride the T-bar to the top of Peak 8 and then make the long run all the way to the bottom of the Independence Superchair. Peak 7 is the perfect place to lay down some arching turns.
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History
With the approach of Breckenridge s 150th Anniversary in 2009
, it is important to reflect on the history and heritage that made this Victorian mining town what it is today. Breckenridge, which was inadvertently left off the official U.S. maps in the mid-1800s, became known as Colorado s Kingdom until the mistake was discovered nearly a half a century later in 1936 when it was finally incorporated. Today, the community embraces this unique aspect of its past through Kingdom Days
, a celebration of Breckenridge s heritage.
Breckenridge s rich history is full of gold finds and mining, exploration and adventure, brothels and saloons, booms and busts. Founded in 1859 by a small group of men and one woman, the town s Gold Rush brought settlers in droves seeking their fortune. People came from across the country and around the world from New England, Europe, South America and China all to strike it rich. While some found gold, each adventurer discovered the glory of the Ten Mile Range and the bounty of its beautiful landscape.
The first settlers did more than erect a bustling town; they drew a community of colorful individuals who put their stamp on town history. Throughout Breckenridge s existence, the spirit of the community and surrounding landscape has inspired residents to participate in the town in their own unique way. And, as with Breckenridge townsfolk of today, the early settlers lived lives full of stories worth telling.
Father John Lewis Dyer, an itinerant Methodist minister who embraced the mountain life, made his way to Breckenridge in the 1860s. Father Dyer regularly skied across the Continental Divide on 12-foot long wooden skis to deliver the Gospel, sacks of gold and mail to the mining population. He founded a Methodist Church in 1880 and is well remembered today as the church remains active.
While Father Dyer was skiing across the mountains, Naturalist Edwin Carter was busy collecting specimens of local wildlife. Carter first came to Colorado to participate in the 1859 Gold Rush, but when he saw the destruction that mining and a growing population wreaked on local wildlife, he changed goals and embarked on a career as a naturalist. During his lifetime, Carter assembled over 15,000 specimens, many of which were used to launch the Denver Museum of Natural History. Today, many pieces can be seen at the Carter Museum on Ridge Street in Breckenridge.
In 1879, Ford s Chophouse opened in the heart of town, at the corner of Washington Avenue and Main Street. This is a seemly small event in the town s history, unless you consider the owner. Barney Ford became Breckenridge s first black businessman when the Chophouse opened, and he is considered Colorado s first great leader of African American heritage. He owned several businesses in Breckenridge, and at one time owned the finest house in town, which is now the Barney Ford House Museum. Highlights of Ford s life story include his escape from slavery, work with the Underground Railroad in Chicago, far-flung business endeavors and starting the first adult education program in the state. He also invested in the Oro Mine and Mill site in French Gulch in Breckenridge. He became rich from this investment and helped create Colorado history. His wife, Julia Ford, earned a listing in the Denver Social Register, the first time that exclusive society admitted an African American.
Any mining town worth mentioning has a tale of the big strike. On July 23, 1887, the largest gold nugget ever found in the state of Colorado was discovered in Breckenridge. Tom Groves walked into the town cradling the blanket-wrapped bundle that gained the name Tom s Baby and weighed in at 13.5 pounds. Three days later, the nugget was put on a train to Denver. It was not seen again for 85 years. Rumors surrounding the nugget s disappearance include that it was shown at the Smithsonian, the Peabody Museum, Harvard University and Chicago s Field Museum, but none can be verified. In 1972, the Colorado State Historical Museum was prodded to examine gold specimens that had been deposited in a Denver bank in 1926. Sure enough, Tom s Baby was found, but over five pounds of the nugget remain missing. Essentially, Tom s Baby was kidnapped!
Breckenridge Facts and Stats
Permanent Population (from 2006 Breckenridge Overview)
Breckenridge Year-Round 3,335
Breckenridge Peak 35,026
Summit County Year-Round 27,952
Summit County Peak- 141,709
Elevation
Base- 9,603 feet / 2,927 meters
Summit- 12,998 feet / 3,962 meters
Amenities
Restaurants and Bars 76
Shops/Boutiques 203
Liquor/Grocery Stores 11
Historic District Structures 249
Hotels/Inns/Bed & Breakfasts 494
Condo Units 2,583
Parks 2 parks, 1 preserve
Nordic Centers 2
Skating Rinks 1 indoor, 1 outdoor (covered)
Golf Course 1 public (27-holes)
Tennis Courts 2 indoor / 12 outdoor summer
Museums/Art Galleries 18
Libraries 1
Churches 6
Fitness Facilities 3
Whitewater Kayak Park 1
Ball Fields -2
Soccer Fields 2
Outdoor Amphitheater 1 (Riverwalk Center)
Daycare Centers 3
Public Parking Lots 13
Average Temperatures
Summer
70 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) daytime
50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) nighttime
Winter
28 degrees Fahrenheit (-2 degrees Celsius) daytime
15 degrees Fahrenheit (-9 degrees Celsius) nighttime
Weather Averages per Year
Humidity 30 percent
Days of Sunshine 300
Inches of Snow 300
Town Size
3,690 acres/5.5 square miles
7 miles long/2 miles wide
2,200 Developed Acres
1,100 Undeveloped Acres
536 acres of town-owned land set aside for open space
41 acres of community parks
For more information on town statistics log on to www.townofbreckenridge.com
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