Breckenridge’s hidden gems

On powder days or busy weekends, ditch the crowds for first tracks and explore some of Breckenridge’s hidden gems.

Skiers often pass by Boreas, heading to its neighboring runs. But this lower mountain area of Peak 8 offers up playful moguls, steep pitches and gladed runs. While you wait for the upper mountain to open, check it out and fire up your quads and lungs .

Nestled between Peak 6 and Peak 7, the Dunes offer breathtaking views and long, open and rolling runs. Here you can escape the crowds and often enjoy fresh, untracked lines.

Tucked away on Peak 6’s north facing slopes, Wonderland rewards its infrequent visitors with smooth, chalky snow. Cruise over for powder laps late in the day, and marvel in its steep pitch.

Way Out off of 6 Chair is, well, way out there.  When conditions don’t permit upper mountain travel, spend a few minutes sidestepping out to a private and gratifying run. Or keep going, past Way Out, to Double Barrel, for an equally amusing and rewarding slope.

On the skier’s left side of Contest Bowl lies Joker, with wind blown snow and natural terrain features. Cruise the ridgeline from the top of the T-Bar for a long, top-to-bottom run.

E-Chair is a leg burner, delighting mogul-seeking skiers and boarders. Tom’s Mom is one of the highest runs, dropping quickly to the creek bed below. It is often skipped for lower exits – making it a hidden favorite among locals.

Peak 10 sees less crowds even on the busiest of days. Elan, a French word for liveliness and panache, is a spirited, breathtaking tree and mogul run. Hit it after a few fresh inches and you’ll be smiling for the rest of the day.

Up for a hike? Hidden away on the upper end of Peak 9, Twin Chutes requires about twenty minutes of uphill travel, but is worth every step. Cruise open chutes or dip into the trees early on, but please don’t tell too many about your powder stashes later on. We like to keep Twin Chutes and the others secret for a reason!

Let us know what your favorite hidden gem is in the comments below.

– Jesse Ambrogi-Yanson