Breckenridge (Winter)

Breckenridge is a small, quaint mountain town that happens to have one of the best ski areas in the U.S. as a backdrop. The mountain's four peaks, all of which are around 13,000 feet in elevation, are challenging and fun, especially for expert skiers, despite the complex maze of narrow, frustrating "catwalks" connecting the slopes to each other. The views on the slopes, of the 14,000-foot Grays and Torreys peaks, are universally amazing, even if Breckenridge skiing remains a step or two below Vail. Also big in "Breck" is cross-country skiing, officially at places like Peak 8 and the Gold Run Nordic Center, and unofficially in the hundreds of ...

Breckenridge is a small, quaint mountain town that happens to have one of the best ski areas in the U.S. as a backdrop. The mountain's four peaks, all of which are around 13,000 feet in elevation, are challenging and fun, especially for expert skiers, despite the complex maze of narrow, frustrating "catwalks" connecting the slopes to each other. The views on the slopes, of the 14,000-foot Grays and Torreys peaks, are universally amazing, even if Breckenridge skiing remains a step or two below Vail. Also big in "Breck" is cross-country skiing, officially at places like Peak 8 and the Gold Run Nordic Center, and unofficially in the hundreds of miles of backcountry trails. The town isn't nearly as hoity-toity as Aspen, and the restaurants are diverse and the 2,300-some condos affordable. Breck is also a big area for history buffs — gold was first discovered here in 1887, and the Washington Gold Mine offers tours. Also, the 12-block downtown Breckenridge district has more than 250 historic buildings.

About the Expert

Steve Knopper is the Denver-based author of Moon Handbooks Colorado as well as a contributor to numerous Fodor's city guides.