A Local’s Guide to Breckenridge, CO: Where to Stay & Ski

Snow-covered town with illuminated buildings at dusk, surrounded by mountains and trees.

Grab your skiing gear or hiking boots and get ready for some fun adventures! But first, you’ll definitely want to read this guide on where to stay in Breckenridge, CO!

I recently talked with a Breckenridge local, who gave me some incredible tips on how to make the best out of your trip. I also did my own research to ensure that all your questions will be answered by the end of the article. 

This guide has everything on the best areas in town, the top hotels for tourists, and lots of local tips to be sure your trip runs smoothly. Plus, I included a couple of fun activities that you should try while here.

I’d highly recommend booking your hotels here in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the winter season when the town gets packed with tourists and avid skiers! 

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Here are some of the top hotels in Breckenridge, CO:

mid-range hotel
Outdoor pool with clear blue water, surrounded by lounge chairs. A multi-story building and pine trees are in the background against a partly cloudy sky.
budget hotel
Spacious lodge interior featuring a stone fireplace, modern seating, wooden beams, and decorative shelving. Warm lighting enhances the cozy atmosphere.

Overview of where to stay in Breckenridge, CO

Two people walk towards a wooden lodge in a snowy landscape with pine trees and a clear blue sky.

Breckenridge is a resort town set at the base of the Rocky Mountains’ Tenmile Range, just a 1h 30min drive away from Denver, in Colorado.

The town is known for its ski resort and for the fact that it attracts tons of avid winter sports lovers every year, especially since it has the highest chairlift in North America (which is known as the Imperial Express Superchair).

However, our local guide told me that Breckenridge is more than just a ski resort town! This place also has a charming Downtown area, a rich mining history that you can learn about while here and it also offers tons of summer outdoor activities from mountain biking to hiking.

Although a small town, Breckenridge has a couple of areas that are best suited for tourists.

A gondola lift travels over a forested area with snow-covered mountains in the background.

Our local guide told me that Downtown Breckenridge, which is centered around the Main Street (map) is by far one of the best places for first-time visitors as that’s where you’ll find tons of shops, restaurants and hotels. Plus if you or your travel buddies are not skiers you’ll find plenty of fun things to do and see here.

If you want to hit the slopes for the majority of your trip here, then The Peaks will be the perfect area for you. That’s also where you’ll find lots of higher-end accommodations since it’s so close to the ski resort.

Baldy Mountain District is perfect for those traveling on a budget and also for those who want to stay in a more secluded area. According to our local guide, this area is pretty tranquil and it’s mostly home to vacation rentals (home and apartments) rather than big hotels.

Those traveling during the warmer months know that the area around Breckenridge Golf Club is the best place to stay in Breckenridge during the summer, as it’s close to lots of green spaces and of course you can play golf!

Best hotels in Breckenridge, CO

Ready to find the hotel of your dreams in Breckenridge? Then check out this section where I included a list of accommodation for all budgets!

Luxury hotels in Breckenridge

The price range for the luxury hotels in this list ranges from US$300 to US$500 per night for 2 people:

Residence Inn by Marriott Breckenridge

Collage showing a snowy mountain view with a pool, a hotel room with a bed and couch, and a cozy lounge with seating and a fireplace.

Boasting some amazing views of the Rocky Mountains this stunning hotel is located on the Main Street in Downtown and it offers a complimentary breakfast, ski storage and an outdoor pool.

Check price

One Ski Hill, A RockResort

A mountain resort in winter, featuring snowy slopes. The collage includes a cozy lobby with seating and a hotel room with a bed and a TV.

A great hotel recommended by our local guide that’s located at the base of Peak 8 and which offers ski-in/ski-out access, apartments with a fireplace, an indoor pool and a spa center where you can relax after a day of spent skiing!

Find availability

Gold Point Resort Breckenridge

A mountain resort with snowy peaks in the background, featuring an exterior view, a bedroom with a bed and sofa, and a living room with couches and large windows.

How stunning is this hotel that’s tucked away between the trees? The accommodation offers studios and apartments, some of which come with a balcony and fireplace. You’ll also find an outdoor fireplace, a hot tub and ski storage.

Check Price

Ski and Racquet Club Condo

A hotel room with a double bed, a sitting area with two couches, and a view of mountains from a window. Exterior view of a motel-style building with parked cars underneath.

Set near Main Street, this apartment comes with everything you need for your stay, including a kitchen, an indoor fireplace, mountain views and a patio.

Check current rates

Mid-range hotels in Breckenridge

If you’re looking for something that’s not so expensive then check out this short list of mid-range hotels. The prices range from US$200 to US$300:

Hyatt Vacation Club at The Ranahan

Collage of a resort featuring a fire pit lounge, a bedroom with red accents, and an indoor water park with slides.

Boasting an outdoor and an indoor pool (with a water slide), ski storage and free parking, this accommodation is surely a keeper! Their rooms come with a balcony, a kitchenette and a flat-screen Tv.

Check current rates

Mountain Thunder Lodge

A lodge exterior with a pool, a cozy living room with a stone fireplace, and a bedroom with a wooden bed and white linens.

Feel at home in these cozy studios that come with a kitchen, a balcony and an indoor fireplace. This accommodation also offers ski lockers, a heated outdoor pool and free parking.

Find availability

Gravity Haus

Collage of a modern hotel: cozy lobby with seating, a stylish bedroom with twin beds, and an exterior view of the building with mountains in the background.

This accommodation has a modern design and it comes with a restaurant, family rooms and ski-to-door access.

Check price

Budget hotels in Breckenridge

Traveling on a budget? No worries, I’ve got you covered with this list of affordable accommodations in Breckenridge. The prices range from US$130 to US$200:

Marriott’s Mountain Valley Lodge at Breckenridge

Collage of a hotel room, outdoor fire pit with seating, and a swimming pool with lounge chairs at a resort.

The rooms here come with a private kitchen, a balcony and a flat-screen Tv. You’ll also find at the accommodation an outdoor pool, ski storage and a spa center.

Find availability

River Mountain Lodge

A cozy lodge interior with a fireplace and seating area, a room with a hot tub and large windows, and a bedroom with a bed, lamp, and window are displayed.

Sleep like a baby in the comfy rooms of this accommodation that comes with free parking, an outdoor pool and 4 hot tubs.

Check current rates

Fireside Inn & Hostel

A cozy lodge interior with a living room, a bedroom, and a wooden hot tub. The living room has sofas and lamps, the bedroom features a bed with patterned wallpaper, and the hot tub is in a rustic setting.

This hostel is great for those traveling on a tight budget and it comes with free parking, a shared kitchen, ski storage and free parking.

Check price

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Tips for visiting Breckenridge, CO

Aerial view of a snowy mountain resort town with ski slopes, buildings, and surrounding forest.

Hopefully, you’ve already found your dream hotel from the list above! Now I think it’s time to get to the juicy part and give you some amazing tips that I’ve learned from our local guide:

  • If you’re coming for a quick trip (2 to 3 days) and you’re staying only in Breckenridge then you won’t need a car. However, if you’re staying for almost a week or more and you want to explore other towns nearby you’ll need a car (which you can easily rent out)
  • For those who don’t want to rent a car but are staying within driving distance of the ski resort, book a hotel that offers a shuttle bus (preferably a free one) to the ski resort
  • If you want to avoid big crowds and higher prices avoid going during the Christmas holidays and also during Spring break
  • Getting a season pass for the ski resort may be cheaper than buying day lift tickets (but you’ll need to book them in advance)
  • If you want to rent ski gear, you can do so through the ski resort when you get your ski pass
  • Look for local events (there are many, and I’ll talk about them below) ahead of time so you can plan your trip around them
  • Book hotels super in advance especially if you’re coming for skiing as the prices are pretty high for accommodation, so it might help to secure your spot earlier and maybe save a few bucks
  • Opt for a hotel/resort if you’re visiting for the first time since you’ll have more amenities. But, if you’ve been there before and want more flexibility (maybe your own kitchen, etc) check the houses/apartments to see if you can find something cheaper
  • You can spend 3 to 4 days and get to see much of the town and resort
  • Breckenridge is a safe town, and you can usually walk alone at night but stick to the main touristy area (Downtown and The Peaks) since there are always other people around there

How to get to Breckenridge, CO

A small town street with parked cars and colorful historic buildings under a blue sky.

Wondering how to get to Breckenridge? Whether you’re flying into Denver and then driving from there or you’re doing a whole road trip, you’ll find all the details you need just below:

By bus

If you are landing on Denver International Airport (land at Denver International Airport (map), you can take a shuttle bus from there directly to Breckenridge. The journey usually lasts around 2h and the rates start somewhere at US$60 but that can vary depending on the company.

Here’s the website of a company that I found during my research.

By car

Whether you’re coming with your own car or renting one from the airport or some other place this is probably the most comfortable way to get to Breckenridge. It takes around 1h 50 min to arrive in Breckenridge from Denver International Airport.

Aerial view of a snowy mountain resort with buildings surrounded by pine trees, winding road, parking area, and ski slopes in the background. Clear blue sky overhead.

Private Transfer

If you don’t want to deal with buses and carrying your luggage around, you can arrange for a private transfer from Denver International Airport to Breckenridge. I found this private transfer that costs US$770 per person.

On a tour

If you’re visiting only Denver but want to see more of Colorado including the town of Breckenridge, you can check out the day tour from Denver, which costs US$140.

During the tour you’ll do some scenic drives in the Rocky Mountains, stop for pics and then stop in Breckenridge where you’ll have time to explore around and do a bit of shopping!

Things to do in Breckenridge, CO

Let the fun begin! Now that we’ve covered some of the most important parts, let’s check out a couple of fun things that you can do while in Breckenridge:

1. Hit the slopes at the Breckenridge Ski Resort

A skier descends a snowy mountain slope under a clear blue sky, with rugged peaks in the background.

I’ve already talked so much about it, but I had to include this! If you’re visiting between November and April (maybe even May if you’re lucky), there’s no better place to have an incredible time than this ski resort.

Definitely head on their website to check out the current passes, opening season and other details. Our local guide told me that each year they’ll have different offers, prices and things like that, so give it a good look to see what’s more convenient to you!

2. Check out all the local events

A large group of people dressed in Santa and holiday-themed outfits participate in a festive outdoor event, with a banner visible in the background.

According to our local guide, this town is big on events and it won’t miss an opportunity to celebrate and have fun!

The one event she recommended is the International Snow Sculpture Championships, which is a world-renowned event where participants from all over the world come to hand-carve huge blocks of ice and turn them into art pieces!

Usually the event takes place from 20sth January but double-check the accurate dates for the year you’re visiting (that applies for all the events).

This is just one of them though! Here are a couple more and the dates for each one:

  • Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas (first week of Dec)
  • Ullr Fest (around 10th of Dec)
  • Breckenridge Wine Classic (last week of Aug)
  • Breckenridge Film Fest (last weeks of Sept)
  • International Festival of Arts (last weeks of Aug)

3. Have fun hiking & mountain biking in the summer

Large wooden troll sculpture seated among trees in a forest setting.

Visiting during the summer time? Don’t worry there are plenty of things to do even then including fun outdoor activities like hiking and mountain biking around Breckenridge!

One amazing trail that our local guide recommended is the McCullough Gulch trail (map). But, there are a couple more that you can check out like the Boreas Pass Loop Trailhead (map), the Snowflake Trailhead (map) and the Illinois Creek Trailhead (map).

4. Go on gold-mine tour

A teal metal wagon loaded with stacked brown ceramic plates is placed on a wooden floor next to a wood stove in a rustic setting.

Before becoming the famous ski resort that is now, Breckenridge was known firstly for its gold mining!

That’s right! And the best way to learn more about its history and mining days is by going on a fun tour in a real open mine! I found this great tour that costs US$47 where you’ll get to go underground, in the Country Boy Mine and see the old tunnels!

During the tour, you’ll also learn more about the history of gold mining and you’ll also try panning for gold in the river!

Join a gold-mine tour

5. Explore the historic Downtown

A snowy village scene at dusk, featuring colorful, illuminated shops and bare trees under a blue sky.

As I mentioned the Downtown area is centered around Main Street (map) which is lined up with historic buildings!

This street is also packed with lots of boutique shops, cafes and restaurants! The best way to explore is just to go on a walk down the street and admire the gorgeous buildings. Don’t forget to stop by some of the stores to get some souvenirs!

There are also a couple of museums that you can check out here like the Breckenridge History Museum and the Breckenridge History: Barney Ford Museum.

If you’re looking to do a bit of shopping head to Towne Square Mall (map), Simply Breck (map) and Lace and Lariat (map).

Where to eat (best restaurants, cafes, bars)

A snowy outdoor shopping area with shops like jewelers and a coffee bar. Festive decorations and a sign for "The Crown" are visible.

Looking for some fab places to enjoy some yummy food and drinks while holidaying in Breckenridge? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with this short list of places:

  • Hearthstone Restaurant (map) – a recommendation from our local guide, this place is housed in a historic house and it offers some amazing mountain views in an elegant setting
  • Aurum Food & Wine (map) – this rustic place was also a recommendation for our guide and it has an amazing food & wine menu
  • Blue River Bistro (map) – a cute bistro that serves artisanal cocktails, yummy food and live jazz music playing in the background
  • Breckenridge Tap House (map) – beer lovers will love this restaurant that serves tacos, burgers and many other yummy things
  • Amazing Grace (map) – if you’re a fan of organic food then you’ll definitely want to check out this place which serves dishes made out of natural ingredients
👑 Luxury price:US$600
💵 Mid-range:US$300
🛏️ Budget:US$180
🛎️ Best luxury hotel:Residence Inn by Marriott Breckenridge
🧳 Best mid-range hotel:Hyatt Vacation Club at The Ranahan
👛 Best budget hotel:Marriott’s Mountain Valley Lodge at Breckenridge

FAQs about the best hotels in Breckenridge, CO

Three people cross-country skiing on a snowy trail surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky.

❄️ Where should I stay in Breckenridge, Colorado, in the winter?

One of the best places to stay in Breckenridge, Colorado, in winter is the Peaks, right near the Breckenridge Ski Resort.

🏞️ Which is the best place to stay in Breckenridge, Colorado?

Residence Inn by Marriott Breckenridge is one of the best places to stay in Breckenridge, CO! The accommodation offers amazing views of the Rocky Mountains and an outdoor pool.

👪 Where to stay in Breckenridge, Colorado, with the family?

The best area to stay in Breckenridge with the family is Baldy Mountain District, which is a bit more quiet and tranquil.

💰 How much does staying at Breckenridge cost?

Breckenridge hotels are quite expensive, especially during the winter season, when you can expect to pay from US$300 and up for a hotel room for 2 people.

🐶 What are the best pet-friendly hotels in Breckenridge, Colorado?

Residence Inn by Marriott is a great accommodation in Breckenridge that is pet-friendly.

🎄 What’s the best place to stay in Breckenridge at Christmas?

For a festive Christmas stay in Breckenridge, consider the Historic District, where you’ll find charming shops, cozy lodges, and easy access to the festivities.

Final thoughts on where to stay in Breckenridge

Mountain landscape at sunset, featuring snow-covered slopes, ski trails, dense forests, and a colorful sky.

What a dreamy place!

I hope that this post on where to stay in Breckenridge, CO, with all its insightful tips from our local guide helped you decide how to plan your holiday!

There’s a lot of info to digest, especially when it comes to the hotel bit, so if you’re still not sure which hotel to pick, here are my top-rated 2 favorite ones:

Just remember to book your hotels in Breckenridge, CO in advance, as this is one of the most popular destinations in Denver and it gets lots of tourists, especially during the winter months!

Have fun exploring Breckenridge and if you have any other questions about this destination don’t

Happy exploring,

Victoria


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