Breckenridge

A historic gold-rush town and major ski resort in the Rockies, with Victorian buildings lining Main Street and, in summer, hikes to alpine lakes and gondola rides up the mountain.

Breckenridge sits in Summit County, Colorado, in the Blue River valley on the eastern flank of the Rocky Mountains' Tenmile Range, at an elevation of about 2,926 m (9,600 ft). Founded during the 1859 gold rush, it is now one of the most popular ski destinations in the United States. The town has two main parts: the Main Street historic district in the center, with more than 200 Victorian-era buildings from the 19th century and plenty of restaurants, bars and galleries; and Breckenridge Ski Resort on the west side of town, which spans five peaks and is linked to town by a free gondola. Within a 30–40-minute drive are three more ski areas – Keystone, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin – as well as Dillon Reservoir, the town of Frisco and several Continental Divide passes. Seasons: ski season runs from mid/late November to April, and the International Snow Sculpture Championships take place in late January; June–August is the time to hike to alpine lakes and climb Quandary Peak, one of Colorado's 14,000-ft "fourteeners", with wildflowers peaking in July; in late September the aspens on the slopes turn gold. Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms, so start climbs early in the morning. Getting there: about 2 hours from Denver International Airport via I-70, with airport shuttles available; free buses run around town and to the nearby ski areas. Because of the high altitude, take it easy for your first two days, drink plenty of water, and take sun protection and altitude sickness seriously. Plan to stay 3–5 days.

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