Breckenridge

Gold was found in the Blue River valley in 1859 and the town's Victorian main street dates from that period, with a large historic district of painted timber buildings. Skiing began in 1961. The resort spreads across five peaks with the Imperial Express chairlift reaching 3,914 metres, the highest chairlift in North America, serving above-treeline bowls that are genuinely expert terrain. The town sits at about 2,930 metres, high enough that altitude sickness is a real and common problem for visitors arriving from sea level the same day. In summer the same terrain carries hiking and biking, and the Ten Mile Range is directly above. The free bus system links town and mountain.

What you actually see

• A Victorian main street - from the 1859 gold rush.
• The highest chairlift in North America - topping out at 3,914 metres.
• Above-treeline bowls - expert terrain off the top lifts.
• A town at 2,930 metres - high enough to affect arrivals.

When to go

December to April for skiing; June to September for the mountains. Several days.

Honest expectations

Altitude sickness is common - arriving from sea level and skiing the same day is a bad idea. I-70 traffic on winter weekends is severe in both directions. It is expensive. Holiday periods fill entirely.

Nearby

Frisco and Dillon Reservoir are north; Hoosier Pass is south.