4 perfect days for a 5-star experience

You came for the skiing, but it’s the luxury perks that keep you coming back. Sure, hordes of college kids descend on Breckenridge each winter for their turn at the shot-ski. But, you, my friend, are no longer a college kid. You revel in the resort’s attention to detail and incredible amenities as well as Breck’s variety of expert terrain. Your experience is an elevated one, unrivaled, inimitable. Here are your four perfect days.

Day 1

After awakening in luxurious comfort at One Ski Hill Place, mosey to the Living Room, the in-house restaurant, where you’ll fortify with a hearty breakfast and equally delicious views.

Morning
Head out to the base at Peak 8 to Breck Sports to pick up your ski or board demos (save time and money by renting online), and then choose one of the four lifts ready to sweep you onto Breck’s famed slopes. The resort now has five peaks spanning 2,901 acres, which means there’s terrain for every ability. Warm up on the perfectly-groomed slopes for a few hours and then refuel with lunch at One Ski Hill Grill, conveniently located at the base of your hotel.

Afternoon
After eyeing them all morning, it’s time to head to the snowcapped peaks that mark the horizon. Whether you’re an expert skier or just finding your balance, you will find a trail for your ability. Take it, and don’t be intimidated by the elevation. Revel in it. You’ll be joining an elite club when you ride Peak 8’s Imperial Express to 12,998 feet.

Evening
The most challenging choice you’ll make all night is whether to order the Colorado lamb or the Arctic char (or some other mouth-watering delicacy) from the Blue River Bistro, one of the town’s treasured dining establishments. If your legs are cooked, take the hotel’s private shuttle.  Blue River Bistro is at 305 N. Main Street and reservations are highly recommended.

Before your arrival, check the schedule at the Riverwalk Center, host of the town’s many classical concerts and music festivals.

Day 2

Morning
Check the snow report and make a game-time decision. Fresh powder? Repeat yesterday’s itinerary. But if your legs want a morning to acclimate, simply head to the Rejuvenation Center at One Ski Hill Place. The name says it all: therapies for the entire body designed to refresh and enliven sore and fatigued muscles. 

Afternoon
Grab a burger and a beer at the Breckenridge Brewery, a local’s favorite spot for more than 20 years. Then spend the afternoon Main Street’s shopping. Find unique and trendy clothes at the Valley Girl Boutique, or stroll through the many galleries showcasing paintings, jewelry, and more.

Evening
No trip to Breckenridge would be complete without a sleigh-ride and dinner at TenMile Station. The prix fixe menu offers a five-star dining experience, and the arrival—literally via a sleigh (drawn by a snowcat), is right out of a fairy tale.

Day 3

You’re never too old or too good to improve. Splurge on one of Breckenridge’s trademark camps or a private lesson. The resort’s premier instructors are among the best in the country. Better yet, they know the peaks intimately and deliver a specialized tour to some of the best stashes on the hill.

Lunch
Enjoy wood-fired pizza at Seven’s, one of Breck’s best on-mountain restaurants. Located in the Grand Lodge at the base of Peak 7, Seven’s has sit-down service and an express window if you want to grab-and-go.

Evening
Relish the mountain air and fine dining at Relish, a bold contemporary dining experience featuring as many locally sourced ingredients as possible.  Finish off the evening with a nightcap at Breckenridge Distillery, where the region’s award-winning, small batch bourbon goes down smoother than fat skis on powder.

Day 4

Morning
Stock up on coffee and baked goods at Clint’s Bakery, a local’s favorite at 131 S. Main Street before heading out on your Continental Divide snowmobile tour. Whether it’s your first time or 50^th piloting a massive, powerful machine over snowy terrain, snowmobiling is a guaranteed thrill. The tour takes you places you’d never experience on your own and offers instruction, warm gear, and delicious libations.

Evening
Make your last night in Breckenridge one to remember with sushi at Mountain Flying Fish, among the best high alpine sushi restaurants in the country, followed by live music at three20south.

— Rachel Walker