Finding the right skiing resort in Colorado is an excellent idea, and there are a variety of incredible options to keep in mind. You will be quite impressed with various lodging and skiing resorts, all of which stand out in their own way. With that in mind, options like Breckenridge or Vail stand out because not only do you get the best skiing experience and great resorts, but they provide you with all kinds of amenities and features to try out. Here you have a list with some of the top options to take into consideration.
Breckenridge is all about the Breck effect. They are basically stating that they are indeed up for anything, and they want people to have a sense of fun and adventure all the time. On the other hand, Vail has a Never Settle attitude. They do want to bring in adventure opportunities that are fun and very engaging. They want to show that Vail is unlike anything on Earth, and you are bound to have a whole bunch of fun there, which is exactly what you need to keep in mind.
Since Vail Resorts own both resorts, they are quite similar because the same business manages them. However, they also need to stand out from one another, which is why they have their own different vibe and offers. It does take a bit of research to figure out where you can get the best lodging or dining, but in the end, it will be well worth it.
Summer activities
It’s important to keep in mind that both locations give you a variety of summer activities. These include biking, hiking, ziplining, 4×4 tours, alpine coasters, and many others. Vail is a little better here because they have rafting, summer tubing, and fishing, as well as golfing. Then you have Breckenridge, which comes with interactive arts, climbing walls, and their own local troll.
Simply put, both of these are great options, and you have all kinds of activities to try out. It’s just up to you to find what works for you and what you like the most. In the end, that’s what will give you a great range of opportunities, and the outcome as a whole can be second to none all the time.
Winter sports
During the winter, both Breckenridge and Vail are prime locations for skiing. Vail, in particular, is widely known for being the largest ski resort in the US and even in the entire world by acreage. You have a lot of terrain diversity, and you also get snowboarding and skiing opportunities to boot here. Around 53% of its terrain is suitable for advanced snowboarders and skiing pros. So if you are indeed looking for a challenge, this is by far the best place for you, and you should totally give it a try for yourself.
Vail has 7 bowls on the back of the mountain, and you are getting pretty many opportunities for every level, no matter if you are a beginner or expert. The same thing can be said about Breckenridge; you have simple routes, but also very difficult. The Breckenridge alpine terrain is the highest one in the US that you can access via the lift service. Around 40% of the entire resort is over the tree line, so you have a great view and incredible skiing opportunities here.
What you can see here is that both options offer something for everyone during the winter season. You have simple but more challenging routes on both sides, so you have to pick what you like the most. Breckenridge is covering more space with snow pipes and snow guns. Vail is also expanding their own snowmaking solutions, so it all manages to pan out very well. Only time can tell which one will become better, but for now, they are both perfect and convey a lot of value, which is what matters the most here.
Their own features
Breckenridge is an amazing town that has a historic main street and great nightlife. Another thing to note here is that you have a gondola that can get you close to the peak. Some skyways bring you to the slopes you want as well. They have the highest chairlift in the country, and you get all kinds of amenities and shops.
On the other hand, Vail is the largest resort in Colorado, and they have 7 amazing back bowls. They also have some of the best terrains on the planet, which really makes them stand out quite a bit. Add to that the fact that they are very close to the town of Avon, and you can see there are a plethora of accommodation options regardless of the situation.
Nightlife
It’s important to note that both Breckenridge and Vail have a pretty good nightlife. You have plenty of options to unwind and relax after you enjoyed your time skiing and snowboarding all day. In the case of Vail, there’s a tradition of actually ringing the bells to signify that yes, the apres tradition is starting for the evening. There are great places to drink in both resorts, not to mention all kinds of different bars with music, restaurants and so on.
This mostly comes down to personal preference. A lot of people like Breckenridge because it has lots of nightlife on the historic street. Vail also has a plethora of amazing restaurants and bars with immediate access to everything you need. So it all comes down to what you like the most and what resorts bring in better skiing and snowboarding ventures. Because in the case of nightlife, both options are pretty impressive.
Events
Breckenridge has its Ullr Fest that takes place during December. It’s actually a really cool event since it brings in all kinds of Viking hats, ice plunges, parades, and a massive bonfire. Put, if you love partying, you will love this Breckenridge event, and you will have a great time. Vail has the Revely Vail during Thanksgiving week. This comes as a nod to the many European Christmas markets, and it recreates that really nicely. On top of that, Vail also has the Burton US open every year. They also have a ski day that raises funds for breast cancer and a great party that starts the new skiing season. It’s just a whole lot of fun, and you will totally enjoy it and have fun with it.
Restaurants
Based on our experience, both Breckenridge and Vail bring you on-mountain dining options. You get incredible vistas here, and the menus are delicious too. Vail has 4 fine dining options directly on the mountain. Breckenridge, on the other hand, has a single full-service establishment on the mountain. But even if you have fewer options in Breckenridge, you will still be impressed with the amazing menus and service quality. That’s what matters the most after all, and there’s no shortage of high quality here. They really provide you with an unforgettable dining experience, and that says a lot.
Lodging
In the case of Vail, many lodging options are offered via resort websites. That includes hotels, beds, and breakfasts, or even chalets. The Vail villages are all connected with cobblestone streets, all of which are heated. It’s important to keep in mind that many of these buildings found in Vail were constructed during the 60s, and they retain many European architectural ideas. The villages in Vail are all connected with a dedicated transportation system. This means you can easily get from one place to another really fast without worrying about delays.
On the other hand, Breckenridge was established during the 1800s, more specifically during the Gold Rush. It’s a town with a rich history, which is one reason you may be attracted to it more than Vail. That being said, ever since Vail Resorts acquire Breckenridge, they did invest a lot of time and money into delivering high-quality lodging options. They also made a variety of improvements to the mountain itself. The luxury homes found in Breckenridge and the amazing condos are second to none. You won’t have a problem finding great lodging options; it all comes down to what you like the most and your budget.
Conclusion
As you can see, both Breckenridge and Vail are a perfect option for skiing and just spending some great time with your family and friends. You can use the Silver Mountain Express services to get to any of these two destinations fast and easily. At the end of the day, you have to assess the service quality, what slopes you favor the most, and your budget. Based on that, you will have no problem identifying the right option for you. Take your time, avoid any rush, and you will be incredibly impressed with the results!