A Hater's Guide to Breckenridge

It's like a toxic relationship. No matter how far away from Breckenridge I try to get, I always end up back.
Disclaimer: Yes, I am aware that a lot of this video is inaccurate. This is because many statements in this video are made up or exaggerated for effect. None of this video is based in fact, and it is not intended to be interpreted as such. This is not an overarching review of Breckenridge, but rather an embellished satire intended to amuse and entertain. No hate is intended, and this video should not be used to promote any sort of hate against any aspect of the ski industry. Don’t take life too seriously.
English captions are available for those who prefer.
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[@user-tn5vm9fr9f]

Yes I hope this vid blows up! The hating on Breck is honestly helping the resort crowds hahaha!

[@papashuk26]

Just skied Breck yesterday for the first time and must say it’s perfect for beginners progressing into blues. Sure there aren’t greens over the hole mountain but a beginner doesn’t need anything more than Peak 9. Easily the widest, smoothest and longest greens in the west. 3 runs on these greens and the beginner has had so much time on the mountain rather than up and down short lifts to practice. I highly recommend!

[@SRGSkiing]

I have my opinions on where to find even better terrain, but if you go to Breck during the week, it's not bad. The problems come on peak days. On weekends at some other resorts, you get long lift lines and such, but at Breckenridge, not only do you get massive lines at Peak 9, the greens get super crowded and it feels like trying to learn to ski on the interstate. Of course, you could go to Peak 8, but then you don't get those long runs.

[@KN-ko8ez]

Vail could easily afford to upgrade damn near all the necessary lifts at Breck in one off-season. They are too greedy though, and it’ll probably take until 2040 to get those upgraded.

[@josephwirth7920]

Yes! The gondola downrides and lift lines are completely unavoidable at Breck-no matter your experience level and resort knowledge. There’s no reason to vacation or even weekend trip there when there are better alternatives. The food stinks, and there’s literally NOTHING above the tree line except wind blown rocks! Please, do yourself a favor and stay far, far away from Breck this season by getting a far superior Ikon Pass!

[@waltysalamander]

Yes. In fact, Breckenridge also got rid of 90% of their skiing footprint to become a massive sledding hill just last year! All that's left are the blues under the Freedom chair. Don't go to Breck unless you are an extreme sledder, although as of February 25, 2024, Breck has actually canceled all snow and is now a hiking resort.

[@blueskiesskiing]

I ski Breckenridge a lot, but only Mondays - Thursdays, and not on holidays. It's wonderful. Rarely wait more than 5 minutes (except for Quicksilver Chair during Texas Spring Break). There are always lifts you can find with almost no wait, for example Peak 10, or 6 chair. I particularly love skiing at Breck in April, post Spring Break, but plenty of snow. Even had a wonderful ski day there on May 16th. And why complain about the wait to download the gondola? There's a trail that will take you all the way down. It's pretty flat, but doesn't require any poling. (FYI, I usually agree with your reviews)

[@SRGSkiing]

Not a review, this one's more for entertainment. Glad to hear your opinions!

[@cvn6555]

Been to Breck many times and generally skied weekdays so the crowds aren't bad. Finally took the family last March and found out when we got there that it was Texas spring break. Will never, ever go that week again.

[@joshherndon1957]

Breck is just over an hr away from the city …. This skier dude is a loser, I’ve shredded resorts on the east coast this dude probably wouldn’t shut up about if he thinks breck is bad… but I also have an ikon but don’t think just because terrain is better I’m gonna drive 6hrs everyday to shred …

[@waltysalamander]

2:36 I think detachable platters are easier than non-detachable ones. You get to wait until you're fully ready.

[@SRGSkiing]

They also yank you real good, at least the ones in France do. If your skis aren't perfectly straight, you'll lose a ski (or an acl)

[@waltysalamander]

@@SRGSkiing Oh, that wasn't my experience, but the only one I've ridden is the Cirque at Snowmass.

[@benjaliaanimations9860]

Are you planning on doing Hater's guides for any other Colorado resorts?

[@SRGSkiing]

Oh yeah!

[@JasonTaylor-po5xc]

@@SRGSkiing LOL - should be an easy series - most resorts have significant issues.

[@brian6284]

I ski Breck more than anywhere else and love it (although I never ski weekends). But this seems like a great place to complain about one thing.... between the top of Indy Chair and Pioneer Crossing is a parking lot! I almost had to take off my skis to get through the hoards of people just standing around. It's a SKI resort--not a tanning booth!

[@wesleywhitener4552]

Really like your channel, your ability to talk through all these trials on each mountain like it's nothing is impressive. I'm a beginning who has one day of skiing experience (WV last year, was able to do some non steep blues). Taking a solo trip this February and have a 3 day epic pass. For lodging I'm staying in walking distance of the quicksilver chair at Breck. So I'm probably going to spend two days there. For my third day I was going to go to Vail. But you and many others have pushed Beaver Creek for beginners. I'm thinking day one Breck, day two BC and day three Breck unless BC is just that much better. Possible Vail if I'm onto more blue runs by then. Planning to ski Monday, Tuesday, rest day Wednesday and ski Thursday. What are your thoughts?

[@SRGSkiing]

My thought would be Breck with a lesson, then Beaver Creek for the other two days. You'd be amazed at what lessons can do for you.

[@tranquilcoast]

Just skied breck and found it great as an intermediate skier. Could do much of the mountain. I found Steamboat was more family / beginner friendly. My mom is a forever green skier and she had a much better time lapping Why Not than waiting in line at peak 9.

[@arendmelby5106]

Worked on the mountain for 2 seasons in 2012-2014 and was able to ride around surveying people on the lifts each day. I remember C chair being open 3 times while working there, thats it. No idea why they have it and don't use it. It's in a somewhat weird spot, but if open would allow people to skip the "wax testing zone" before being directed to Beaver Run. A mid lift from 8 to 9 would make sense, they have it, but it is never used. E chair is wild, much like the runs you get vertigo looking at. Again, another peak 8 to peak 9 mid lift that was built because it made sense, but now not used.

[@JasonTaylor-po5xc]

I went to Breck during Spring Break last year. Here are my thoughts. First, I had a blast at Breck, but it wasn't perfect. Basically, Breck is a victim of its own success. They are a massive resort with runs for just about everyone. They aren't A-Basin where beginners or even intermediates dare not venture. They even have some easy greens (QuickSilver), which is pretty rare for Colorado - just ask any novice skier about Keystone. Even during Spring Break, we didn't have to wait more than 20 minutes for QuickSilver. Also, there is a (mostly) green ski back trail (aptly named Lower Four O'Clock) that takes you back to the gondola parking from peak 8. So, no, you don't _need_ to wait in a massive line to leave. I will say, that the top part of ski back trail is a little steep for some novice skiers (near 5-chair exit), but after that, it is a pretty mellow trail overall. This is my preferred way to return after a day on Peak 8. You just need to be able to get in the lift line in time. Many of your criticisms revolve around skiers, not the resort. And, that's mainly aimed at beginner/novice skiers. Why do you have a better experience at other resorts? Probably the lack of beginners. Honestly, your comment about not having enough beginner stuff - I honestly thought you were talking about Keystone. Now that is a resort at odds with its family friendly marketing. Schoolmarm is your green? WTF? My main gripe with Breck's beginner runs is they are all mid-mountain or lower - so not the best views. Also, there isn't a way to get from Peak 9 back to Peak 8 as a beginner without using the shuttle + gondola - at least I'm unaware of a way. Waiting in line for a table is pretty legit issue. In group, we would have the non-skiers or those done for the day go reserve a spot at one of the tables at a base area - and that's so we could scarf down some rather overpriced below average food. The day-of lift ticket prices is staggeringly high ($255 during Spring Break). I bought an Epic pass the moment our family decided on a trip to Breck. The break-even was 4 days of skiing, but I was able to use my buddy passes for those unsure about how many days they might ski. Pro tip - any unused (not scanned) lift tickets can be fully refunded. This even works on the bunny/learning hill - my wife never made it off the bunny slope so we got her tickets refunded. Otherwise, that would have been a catastrophically pricey way to learn to ski. LOL However, Breck has the best town. It's not a fake base town like Copper or Keystone - or most others. It was an actual town before skiing was a thing and it shows. Again, a victim of its own success, it is really hard to stay overnight there. Anyway, although I didn't agree with all your thoughts, I still enjoyed the video. And, since I'm not an expert skier, I can't comment on the qualify of advanced runs either. I figured anyone that is expert probably prefers A-Basin anyway. But, like many, families often have a variety of ability levels and Breck is one of the better resorts to accommodate all ability levels - even if not completely evenly. I get the feeling that advanced skiers succumb to "experts disease" where they forget how hard it is to learn. Nearly all ski videos or resort reviews are from the perspective of an advanced skier.

[@SRGSkiing]

I really appreciate seeing all of your opinions. On this channel, I have two different series. Hater's Guides are from an advanced perspective, embellishing every small flaw for the purpose of entertainment. Insider’s Guides are intended to show the good and offer advice on how to avoid the bad for every ability level, but especially focusing on beginner and intermediate skiers, in order to help people who are new to ski areas to maximize their experiences.

[@JasonTaylor-po5xc]

​@@SRGSkiing Ah, in that case, I look forward to you roasting Keystone.

[@josiahsimmons9866]

The Keystone Hater's Guide will be amazing

[@cvn6555]

I took my family there for their first trip out West and they loved it although it was Texas week and super busy. Solid East Coast intermediates and the terrain let them both ski easily and challenge themselves. My big issue with Breck is the altitude.

[@littleBodyguard]

Watching this after attempting wanderlust on my first day at breck as a snowboarder 😢

[@colinparis3033]

just got back from a trip from april 12-15th and i cant say enough about going in april. we got a 2 foot powder day everything was open and i didnt wait in a single line on the mountain.

[@blarbkanopcious4243]

I also never understood why Breckenridge is considered good for beginners to begin with. There’s not that much green terrain, and it’s low on the mountain and difficult to navigate. Winter Park, Copper, and Loveland are the best ski areas for beginners in Colorado IMO, but they’d be better off most everywhere else too, including Keystone (as of this year), Vail, Beaver Creek, Steamboat, Crested Butte, probably Buttermilk, probably Telluride, and likely many more.

[@hexd7383]

It sounds to me you're just not all that familiar with the mountain. On average, I ski Breck around 25-30 days a year, Keystone about 15 days, Vail and Beaver Creek, Park City a handful of times. First mistake is taking the Gondola in the morning. Park near Peak 9 and walk up to the Maggie, get on Quick Silver and you access to any part of the mountain. The only wait line is QS first thing. Alternatively go to the Airport lot if you want free parking, take the bus to Peak 7, 8, or 9. Also Breck 2-3 years ago is not the same. There were major issues getting the buses running and having enough staff to run the lifts due to the pandemic. Finding tables on any ski resort is a pain, not just Breck. My suggestion is to eat lunch 30-45 mins before the lunch crowd gets there. You also get the added benefit of people eating and not on the slopes. A lot of the complaints here are not really Breck specific, T Bars, long lines, people skiing beyond their ability. Long lines? Ever been to the Back Bowls in Vail on a weekend? Those are long lines my guy.

[@SRGSkiing]

I've skied Breck about 30 days in my life, which is a pretty solid sample size imo, and altogether with all of the people who helped write the video, we probably have over 100 days. Back Bowls at Vail? Avoid High Noon and Orient, go to Tea Cup and Sun Up instead. I covered pretty much everything you just said in my Insider's Guides to Breckenridge, which is a very different series from this. This is very highly embellished for entertainment, while Insider's Guides are much more about making the most out of your day by doing such things as you and I suggest.

[@hexd7383]

@@SRGSkiing yeah you sound like a hater for sure. every complaint is present in every ski resort. for someone that has over 100 days, you still haven't figured out how to navigate lunch lines and read resort maps? Good luck this winter.

[@avrohomdovfriedman1067]

I'm a fairly advanced skier, skiing double blacks at all the out west resorts I've been to so far. After hitting all the vail resorts in the northern part of Colorado over the past two years (Vail, Beavercreek, Breckenridge, and Keystone), I gotta say I disagree. Brek was my favorite resort. I went in the last week of Jan 2023 and skied the entire week (sun-thurs) and I loved it. your right that 6 chair is amazing but peak 10 was awesome also. those double blacks on the far left side of the map were unbelievable despite the trek back to the lift. To be fair, I did stay mostly away from peaks 7 and 8 because of the lower level terrain but the e chair section between 8 and 9 with those double blacks were also awesome. we also did stay away from horseshoe but that was more because of coverage than crowds. we also never got on the lift at peak 8 but rather at the bunny hill at the bottom of nine. much faster there. All in all, I liked brek better than any Colorado resort I've been to and I recommend it to everyone!

[@SRGSkiing]

If you like extreme terrain, you'd love Arapahoe Basin, Crested Butte, and Telluride. I've found that as a whole, the Vail Resorts don't offer nearly as good of expert terrain as other Colorado resorts. But Breck is definitely the best of the Vail Resorts in that category, so I completely agree with you on that

[@avrohomdovfriedman1067]

@@SRGSkiing the hope is to ski crested butte and telluride this year and then next year switch to the ikon pass. I can’t speak for anything but the vail resorts since that’s all I’ve skied

[@user-tn5vm9fr9f]

I have skied almost every major resort in CO except for Crested Butte and Winter Park. I can say that as far as extreme terrain, Breck is right up there with the best of them. The high alpine is unlike anything else in the state!

[@Mega420247]

Breck started the slow death crawl to mediocrity around 2000-2001. The 1990's in Breck were the best days. Long gone and cannot be replicated. I lived in Breck during the 90's and it was an entirely different world compared to now. I can't even ski there anymore because it's such a culture shock, in a very bad way. Sad what Vail has done to that once quaint and wild town.

[@matthewsinger]

hahaha. I skied Breckenridge when I was in high school in the late 90's. It seemed fine then, but what did I know? It was my first western skiing experience.

[@0xCUBE]

sick video! What camera do you use for POV shots?

[@SRGSkiing]

GoPro Hero 11 black

[@0xCUBE]

@@SRGSkiing even on these older clips?

[@SRGSkiing]

GoPro Hero 5. My backup camera

[@0xCUBE]

thanks!@@SRGSkiing

[@jacobbrassard2776]

This is why you ski Coper...

[@SRGSkiing]

I used to love Copper but they've been on the declime recently imo. At this point I just ski A Basin and Loveland unless I'm researching for a video

[@Givyj13]

Breck haters unite! I went there once as a teenager - never again.

[@Mikalpikal.]

Bro they just free ride over at six senses

[@zennok]

Just finished a trip here, snowboard during the weekdays. thankfully the longest line was when we came in to quicksilver at 10 am, but otherwise all

[@ebo2893]

"Arizona Snowblow" Lmao

[@markosilhard2326]

Breck is sick if you know where to go…all other amateurs will find themselves in this video😂

[@SRGSkiing]

Notice me completely neglecting all the high alpine stuff... not much to hate on there, but also no place for positives in a Hater's Guide 😂

[@user-qp4gn8me1y]

It can be bad, but if you are an expert and in good shape, Breck has some of the steepest and best terrain in CO…you will have to find that terrain for yourself

[@SRGSkiing]

Gotta go into the backcountry to get away from everybody else

[@faithdome]

Man, I literally learned to ski at Breck, and go back every two years with some guys. I had a terrible first experience at another resort, took a chance and went to Breck. Did the full day ski-school. Excellent instructor. By the end of the day I was able to ski upper lemen, no problem. Admittedly, I’m cool on the greens, and a few blues, AND we only ski Tuesday to Thursday so lines have never been an issue. Hopefully our trip in February doesn’t reflect your review. Which was pretty funny, I just disagree with some of your assessments.

[@SRGSkiing]

If you want my real "review," go check out my Breckenridge Insider’s Guides. This video is strictly for entertainment, and it sounds like you found it entertaining, so purpose accomplished. I'm very glad you like Breckenridge more than I do!

[@faithdome]

😂 thanks man, I’ll check it out! Since I have you have. For a beginner/intermediate skier what would be your top 3 resort suggestions?

[@SRGSkiing]

1. Beaver Creek 2. Crested Butte 3. (For Intermediate) Snowmass I assume you just want in Colorado, right?

[@faithdome]

Thanks! Not necessarily, we’re in Florida. Any suggestions, I’d take.

[@SRGSkiing]

Deer Valley for sure, then. Beaver Creek still stays up there, and then you may look towards Angel Fire if you want something on the less expensive side.

[@myronlarimer1943]

Breck was a great area BEFORE Vail bought it and turned it into an expensive, trendy, busy place rather than a good place to ski with a great town that wasn’t plastic…. But that was back in the day…

[@katietrotter9374]

Hmmm…it was still full of cat walks and flat beginner terrain back in the day. That’s just the way that mountain is, that’s not vails fault. I’m personally,glad that Vail has helped congregate and cram all the tourists into the worst ski areas in the state.

[@Puzzoozoo]

Another option is you could simply go and ski in the Les 3 Vallées.

[@SRGSkiing]

J'adore trois vallées

[@Puzzoozoo]

@@SRGSkiing I'm going the Val d'Isère Jan 2025. You should also try Zermatt, and when there ski over to Cervinia.

[@SRGSkiing]

I want to take like a month for a big Tarentaise trip and ski Trois Vallées again and then Paradiski and Val d'Isère

[@TheRyansLion]

I cannot stand the out of town Jerrys who take up all the slopes, got stuck in a lift line that was stopping every other chair because people couldn’t get on/off without falling. And the terrain is extremely mid

[@ericpiche2999]

Numerous criticisms that you made are not limited to Breck. Vail has the worst skiers in the Colorado, sure Breck is bad and the lifts constantly stop but Vail is worse. Never had a problem with people cutting in the lift lines at Breck, been skiing regularly for 30 yrs and just dont see it. One important item: Breck locals are complete A holes on powder days and its like they all have to get that first track and theyll kill their mother to get it. Every resort in CO on mtn restaurant is full from 11:30 to 1:30 (not just Breck). People skiing in terrain they dont belong it: totally agree. One other item: you said Breck doesnt have beginner terrain? Just about all of peak 9 is beginner terrain and they probably have the best pure beginner terrain in CO. Go to A Basin or Vail, virtually nothing there. If you park at the Ice Rink you dont have to take the gondola and a bus comes by every 15 minutes. They take you up to peak 9 and it takes about 10 minutes.

[@blarbkanopcious4243]

What a great intro haha!

[@mrbrody2772]

I Guess everyone has their own opinions 😂

[@T25de]

Facts

[@Floydeye9]

at 0:50 sec what is this image? half of that is not Breck?

[@SRGSkiing]

Idk about you, but I think the "Welcome to Breck" sign gives it away

[@user-tn5vm9fr9f]

Must be an old pic bc I was confused too

[@Floydeye9]

@@user-tn5vm9fr9f no way I bet it’s ai generated fill

[@SRGSkiing]

It's a really old pic of the Peak 8 base, from before all the hotels and restaurants were built

[@wesleywhitener4552]

@@SRGSkiing 🤣

[@westondavis1284]

You must not ski at big resorts very often lol

[@SRGSkiing]

Nah, I ski everywhere. But you'll notice that while we've got Insider's Guides for pretty much every size resort, the hater's guides have, for the most part, been reserved for the really big hills. Can't justify a video like this for a small, local, independent hill.

[@jdubs9922]

Worst resort in CO and it is not even close.

[@lukem.6049]

Im crazy good at skiing and im going here in january. I think im just gonna hot lap double blacks so i can stay away from the pizza bums lmao…

[@SRGSkiing]

Problem is, they're on literally every run. Gotta go to some hike-to stuff on like the Back 9 or boundary stuff on 10, and even then, no guarantees of getting away

[@westondavis1284]

And maybe if you didn’t ski groomers and some of the lowest angle bumps on the mtn you wouldn’t be surrounded by beginners. If you want free smoke and no lines buy some skins and take an avi class. You don’t have to ski big resorts if you don’t want to. There’s a whole world full of mtns besides these ski resorts

[@SRGSkiing]

Big dog, I ski everywhere. This here, this is purposefully neglecting all of the good, all of the alternatives, everything. I'm taking the bad and isolating it literally just for the purpose of content. I recognize there are ways around it, better hills, and even better areas of just this resort to go to. I'm disregarding those things purposefully.

[@Floydeye9]

also the pic from 50 sec is from a bombers weekend. kids program that makes the gondola line long around 2 pm please be honest. this is not a completely real photo. I will be honest and say the line can be worse than what is shown here but it's not an every day all day thing!

[@SRGSkiing]

Some things are slightly embellished for effect, but I didn't have any of my own pictures of the end-of-day line, so I had to find one on the internet

[@kmonty6188]

Breck has sucked for a long time.

[@shutupmanful]

Peak 9 needs a Gondola given that it doesn't have one, so that upgrade makes perfect sense. And why are you acting like the lines look like that all the time haha this is NOT an entirely honest review for anyone that is looking into visiting Breckenridge. Don’t trust this video at all!!

[@SRGSkiing]

This video's not intended to be a review, just an entertaining video for my subscribers since it's somewhat of an inside joke on the channel that I hate Breck. I didn't really intend for this video to get this big, but here we are, and now I have a bunch of you commenting who don't know much about the channel and don't realize that this isn't supposed to be an honest review, or really a review at all. So yes, please don't trust this video at all. Instead, go check out my Insider's Guide to Breckenridge, which are much more trustworthy.