Planning a Colorado vacation? Breckenridge could be for yo

Breckenridge – or ‘Breck’ to locals – in Colorado is consistently voted one of the most popular ski resorts in the US, and it’s not hard to see why. High up in the Rocky Mountains just 90 minutes west of Denver you’ll find 3,000 acres of fun, with 187 trails and runs to suit all abilities. The earliest ski trails were cut in 1961 when Breckenridge became the first ski resort in Colorado, but the town has a much older history. Gold was first discovered here in 1859, paving the way for a flood of prospectors who set up a thriving gold-rush town – much of the old town structure still remains, and Breckenridge is home to the largest protected historical district in the state. Powder hounds will, of course, find all the slopes their hearts desire, but the beauty of Breck is that there’s a whole lot of other stuff too, from a list of adrenaline rushes as long as your arm, to kid-friendly days out, and a handsome historic center stretched along the town’s Main Street.

So you like to be active? Yeah, you’re gonna like Breckenridge. Skiing is the top dog around here, and with 5 hills to choose from it’s hard to know where to start. May we suggest Peak 9? The second oldest peak in the park has a little something for everyone. The bottom half has nursery slopes for beginners, while the upper level features intermediate-level blue runs and the North Chutes, on the north face, are double black diamond-rated, for those of you who really know your stuff.

But skis and boards aren’t the only options around here. You can go hiking, biking, sledding or tubing, you can ride a snowmobile, a kayak, a white-water raft or a sled pulled by huskies, and you can ride a zip line at 45 miles an hour at the TenMile Flyer. If you want to get out and explore the snow-covered terrain at a gentler place, the Breckenridge Nordic Center is the place to go. The center offers several different trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing across 1,400 acres with soaring mountain views, and you can either strike out on your own or join a tour with a knowledgeable guide. Remember, Luxury Retreats can arrange for ski lessons, guided tours, and equipment rental before you arrive.

Breckenridge's Main Street is a reminder of its Wild West mining-rush days, and many of the original buildings are still standing. On a chill winter’s day, its cozy bars beckon you in from the cold, and whatever your poison there’s something to whet your whistle. For a tour of the town’s old-style saloons, sign up at the town’s Welcome Center – you’ll also get to taste the award-winning spirits of the Breckenridge Distillery. Oenophiles can have fun at the Continental Divide Winery, playing winemaker for a day by blending the winery’s varietals to create a personal wine blend – and you even get a souvenir bottle to take home. A short way out of town but with a regular shuttle to whizz you to the good stuff, the Broken Compass is a brewery and tap house with a typically chilled-out Colorado vibe and unusual craft brews like their coconut porter and ginger pale ale. But for the ultimate buzz, what you need is a blast of oxygen. The O2 lounge, AKA the oxygen bar, will pump air with 90% oxygen into your very own O2 station while you sit and sip a healthy smoothie, thereby combating that nasty altitude sickness that can hit when you’re up this high in the Rockies.

Kids in tow? If you’re on skis they’re likely to be whooshing past you with ease, but there’s plenty to do away from the slopes too. Just a few minutes from the center of Breckenridge is Carter Park, the best sledding hill in town – take along your own mean machine, or rent a sled from one of the stores on Main Street. On a larger scale, the Golden Horseshoe Tour Co will wrap you and your family up in warm blankets, give you a steaming cup of cocoa, sit you in one of their handsome sleighs and drive you through trails of powdery snow.

Experience the luxury of our Breckenridge cabin rentals

Whether you’re traveling with a big group of friends, taking the family on vacation or even looking for a snow-sprinkled honeymoon, our Breckenridge ski house rentals offer an ideal base in this atmospheric town.

For the perfect honeymoon in Colorado or a special summer vacation in the breathtaking mountains, Breckenridge is hard to beat. Choose a slope-side chalet where you can snuggle up by the fireplace with a movie and in the morning wake up to blue-sky views without even having to get out of bed. Or perhaps you’d prefer to be just minutes from historic Main Street, with access to its cozy bars and restaurants, perfect for a romantic evening. Whichever way you go, you’re sure to find a lovers’ retreat here in the Rockies.

Planning an awesome family skiing vacation ? We have chalets sleeping as many as 26, with all the amenities you could hope for. How about a wet bar, a games room, a pool and a movie theater? A big bunk room for the kids with comfy seating and an Xbox? A private outdoor hot tub, a wood-burning fireplace or an invigorating steam shower? You’ll find a selection of homes with all of the above, plus mountain views, beautifully appointed kitchens and tables big enough to sit the whole family around for that memorable celebratory meal.