Hotel Mountain Thunder Lodge, Breckenridge

Breckenridge skiing

Breckenridge is small by US standards, though does still have a good range of pistes. A haven for beginners with its excellent ski school, Breckenridge also provides some fun but short runs for advanced skiers, with top bowls offering good off-piste opportunities (Lake Chutes). Intermediates also have some enjoyable (but limited) cruising. Better skiers will want to use the shared lift pass, with access to Keystone, Arapahoe Basin and Vail for more variety. Snow reliability is exceptional, as is the lift system, making the idea of queueing an (almost) distant memory. freestylers have also got a nice park to play on

Breckenridge ski resort

Breckenridge has a 19th century feel to it, as it was a gold-mining town, but with all the bright colours does seem a touch "Disneyland". The resort has every type and price range of accommodation, from self-catering to top hotels, but some are quite far from the lifts requiring the use of a free shuttle bus. With a wide selection of restaurants and bars, après ski is lively without being too rawcus. Breckenridge also provides lots of non-skiing activities such as sleigh rides and ice skating as well as a cinema, swimming pool, art gallery and good shopping.

Overall, Breckenridge is a solid ski base from which to explore the Summit County resorts. Lastly, though, please be aware of altitude sickness that, when combined with jetlag, can make for a few uncomfortable days.