Breck’s best tree runs

When the wind is whipping and the storm is rolling in, duck into the trees! Breckenridge has a vast amount of tree runs that will shelter you and give you some softer snow to play around on. Skiing or riding through the trees can be inherently dangerous. When skiing in the trees, bring a partner and always protect your head.

Wide tree runs:

Ore Bucket:

If you like deep snow after a storm, Ore Bucket is a great choice. This fun tree glade run offers you a mellow pitch for open turns. Ore Bucket is located skiers left of Independence SuperChair on Peak 7.

The Burn:

This is a must for first-time visitors to Breck. This steep run offers multiple line choices around wide-open trees. Don’t get too comfortable, at the end of the Burn it gets steeper and slightly tighter. Head up Peak 10 and roll over the ridge on skiers left a quarter of the way down Crystal run.

Medium-width tree runs:

Windows Chutes:

Windows offers skiers a wide-variety of tree chutes to ski through. Save your leg strength, because at the bottom of the chutes is a gully that takes you winding this way and that over bumps, stumps and everything in between. To get there, take E-Chair and then a quick right off the lift at the top.

 

Needle’s Eye:

You won’t see Needle’s Eye on a Breckenridge trail map. This tighter tree run is steep and usually full of good snow. To get to Needle’s Eye hug the north ridge of Peak 9 below the Peak 9 Restaurant. Take Volunteer until you see a small access gate on your left labeled Needle’s Eye. Muster up some courage and drop in.

Tight tree runs:

If you are looking to hop turn your way through some tighter trees, you are in the right place. There are dozens of unlabeled secret stashes all over the mountain that will give you fresh tracks for days after the storm. That is…if you are willing to wiggle your way through a few tight spots. If you don’t already know these spots, talk to a stranger on the lift to see if they have any suggestions. I wouldn’t want to take away all the fun of exploration by simply telling you the best secret stashes.

—Michael Suleiman