Breckenridge - Know Before You Go (Exploring the Trail Map)

[@shulmanrabinfamilymovies7351]

thanks, great synopsis of the mountain (which on paper looks overwhelming)

[@sergioserafino1661]

Going to Breck for the first time next week. This videos is very helpful, just as you I also like to have a general idea of the mountain before going to a new resort. I wish I could find similar videos for other sites. Thank you

[@bobbyd224]

How was it planning a trip in September

[@TØPSkkking]

@@bobbyd224he felt very ready 😂

[@ChannelSoto]

Thank you, it's been a couple years and this was a great refresh.

[@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102]

11:50 Lift A only runs as a backup for Quicksilver on weekends and holidays.

[@mikemallery913]

Can’t believe you don’t have more comments after 10 mos. this was very helpful. Took the kids to breck in very early 2020. going back with my brothers, in early 2021 - will be able to ski the blacks!

[@RJD_303]

Thank you so much for the comment. I love exploring trail maps and then doing a sort of post hoc review of my expectations and reality. I may do another for Vail and Keystone soon.

[@Dennisblue]

going to Breck in the middle or February and will be my first time. I am a blue skier and will hit a black diamond on occasion. maybe on the last day I will get bold and go for the black runs on full gusto. Just the single blacks, no doubles for me. I really liked this video! Thanks1

[@Ghostrider-71]

If you are a solid black skier, try the imperial bowl. Do some warm up runs and then head up there. It starts steep but not very many moguls and flattens out at the bottom. No trees either, watch for rocks however. I was daring enough to hike to the top of peak 8. Wow, incredible.

[@dennisbruce3763]

A big thank you for taking the time to make this informative video - leaving today for a 4-day ski trip

[@RJD_303]

Glad it was helpful! I hope you enjoy your trip!

[@foxfoster1]

I went there long ago when I was 9-10 years old, going back soon, this was very helpful

[@RJD_303]

I'm happy this helped out and am happy you're headed back. :)

[@kylewilson6425]

Maps don't do it justice! You have to be there! It's the amazing vista! When I was a kid, I used to ski _Breckenridge Resort_ every December back in the early to late 1990's. Unfortunately, I probably wouldn't be able to go back today. _Peak 7_ didn't exist the first time, and was mostly in its infancy later on, until I last skied there, and _Peak 6_ didn't exist at all! The only high-speed detachable quad chairlifts at the time were _QuickSilver SuperChair, Falcon SuperChair, Mercury SuperChair,_ and _Colorado SuperChair._ A couple more high-speed detachable quad chairlifts came along when I was still skiing there, like _Beaver Run SuperChair_ and _Rocky Mountain SuperChair._ The furthest blue trail (before out of bounds) was _Claimjumper_ on _Peak 8_ at the time when I first skied there. Also, the peaks' chutes and bowls didn't have the amazing chairlift access like they do now, so you had to hike-to-terrain at much longer distances back then! Also, this may be quite helpful to newer skiers, since it isn't labeled on the map: If you end up on _Peak 10,_ there's a blue trail at the top of it that will take you back to _Peak 9._ However, it isn't labeled (for some reason) on any of the modern trail maps. Yet, you can see this trail on the trail map. It's a narrow and winding trail, called _Union,_ and it's very close to the top of _Falcon SuperChair,_ and it's to the skier's left. So, if you don't want to (or can't) ski blacks and double blacks, then _Union_ (unmarked, but open) will take you to _Upper Lehman,_ a green trail, that's on _Peak 9._ So, if you want to get off of _Peak 10_ or just want to go down a long, winding, and narrow blue trail just for fun, then _Union_ is where you should go. Man, I so miss skiing at _Breckenridge Resort!_ I have so many great memories, and it's so nostalgic too! Maybe one day, I'll be able to go back, I HOPE . . . It's so much bigger now, and there's so much more to ski now too! Thank you for sharing this anyways! 👍🎿

[@RJD_303]

Thanks for the detailed comment and for sharing your experience and insights! Here's hoping you make it back someday!

[@kylewilson6425]

@@RJD_303 Sure thing! Glad I could help! By the way, thank you very much! I really appreciate that sentiment! I really do miss going there! It was such a magical place, even 25+ years ago! I can't even imagine the newer possibilities of what I could do there now! I really do HOPE to go back someday . . . I HOPE . . . 👍🎿

[@reigngage]

I miss seeing the backs of folks going up the lifts....and the thrilling gopros of tips... Thanks!

[@donadoig6883]

Really helpful!! Nervous Wisconsin skier skiing CO for the first time. Thank you.

[@mrspunk61]

How did it work out?

[@Ghostrider-71]

I was in Breck in early Feb and I miss it already. Great video.

[@billr6278]

excellent description thanks

[@williammitrus]

Headin there this coming February. Thanks for the video.

[@pauls9711]

Awesome video, thanks for all the great info!

[@born2drum1]

Phenomenal video

[@mrtamarack123-ot7vz]

Super helpful. Thx for your efforts.

[@drummerAVA]

What happened to Peak’s 1-5…? 😅

[@collinweaver9284]

Leaving’s for breck in a few hours thanks man 💪🏽🔥⚔️👍🏽

[@Finn-41]

Awesome vid, thanks!

[@BigRonKillerRon]

Wait... does the map do it justice?? 😂😂 this is actually really helpful!

[@RJD_303]

Save yourself the money and use the map and your imagination. ;) Honestly, I'm glad you found it helpful. 2D maps simply cannot depict a varied 3D terrain like a ski resort.

[@orananapple88]

Thanks man I’m here it’s awesome gonna hit peak 10 in the morning

[@RJD_303]

Hope you had a great time. Peak 10 is a very lapable chair.

[@craigbosko2229]

Looks like my kind of Mountain as far as the Double Black Diamond Area's plus I also take it as the Backcountry or is the Double Black Diamond Area's still considered inbounds.Either way I'd love to go there on a DEEP POWDER DAY.

[@hunternewton8216]

Excellent explanation, do some of the others in summit County!!!

[@bigwayne3478]

Thanks for the video my dude!

[@RJD_303]

Most def! Enjoy Breck!

[@davidrollend219]

Great video! I'm headed to breck for the first time on Thanksgiving day and I've been studying the map trying to figure things out. The biggest mt I've been on is Killington so this should be interesting

[@RJD_303]

Thanks David! I'm glad you found it helpful. I always look for stuff like this before I go somewhere and am oftentimes left wanting so I figured I'd make my own. I hope you enjoy(ed) your trip!

[@michael-hc9xq]

Thanks for the overview. Helpful info for sure.

[@willroser4492]

Nice job.. I love studying trail maps too haha

[@RJD_303]

The best! I get lost in them.

[@Lucky_mike]

Great video!! I would add that the catwalk “columbine” at the top of peak 8 is very flat. Get some speed early and don’t slow down. Same goes for lower sawmill.

[@pepeucastorr]

How do you like the slopes at Breck along December, I was told it can be a shortage of powder in some areas, maybe I misunderstood.

[@RJD_303]

It really depends on what you like to ride. There's a ton of fun to be had but on limited terrain. I usually treat December as a warm-up month -- a way to get your legs tuned for the primary months of January - March. A few years back we were treated to big snowfalls in November that gave us access to terrain that usually doesn't open until mid-Jan. And while the snow was great, the base depth created a lot of risk as it covered over a lot of rocks and logs that can cause serious harm if you're overly aggressive.

[@sunshinecycling]

Interesting how different parks use different coding. Like Jackson Hole I think has double blue, but Breck doesn't. I would assume some of the blacks here may be close to a double blue elsewhere?

[@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102]

10:33 The fastest way from Peak 8 to Peak 9 is to take Frosty's Freeway down to Lift E and ride that.

[@RJD_303]

I love that you're sharing your experience and expertise, Karen! Thank you!

[@axe9205]

This is a great video! Can you make another one with a resort of your choice? Thank you!

[@RJD_303]

Thanks Axe! I've got some in the works so check back soon!

[@axe9205]

@@RJD_303 I certainly will!

[@TheSylvaing]

bonjour, je suis français j'ai prévu de venir passer une semaine pour skier aux états unis du coté de Seattle en 2024, quel est la bonne station et quels sont les tarifs pour une semaine tout compris, logement, forfait, location de ski, merci de me répondre

[@SRGSkiing]

J'espère que je ne suis pas trop tard, mais c'est un sujet prés de impossible de dire sans les détails. Si tu as encore besoin, je peux t'aider si tu as des idées, mais mon français n'est pas le meilleur. Ici est une chaîne inactive.

[@tommack8650]

Riding Peak 9 tomorrow ⛷️

[@penguinskiing7]

If you are looking for playful runs, Upper Lehman is perfect. There are always so many jumps on the right side in the trees

[@RJD_303]

I love those little kickers on the edge of Upper Lehman.

[@bamwa]

it would have been helpful if you mentioned where the terrain parks are

[@jesuscarrasco3341]

Suuuper helpful thanks!

[@RJD_303]

I'm glad to hear it, Jesus! Enjoy!

[@kimsavino3334]

Thanks for making this!

[@RJD_303]

You bet! Thanks for watching and I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@keith2076]

Question. Is it possible to ski from 6 to 10 and back again in a single day?

[@RJD_303]

@@keith2076 Sure can! From 6 to 10: - Down 6 - Up Freedom to the top of 7 - Down Claimjumper or Northstar - Up Rocky Mountain Superchair to the top of 8 - Down 4 o’clock to Sawmill or Crosscut to either C Chair or Beaver Run to the top(ish) of 9 - Down any of the skiers right blue runs the go under the Mercury chair to the bottom of 10

[@keith2076]

@@RJD_303 wow! I’ll have to print this out and bring it with me! Thanks!

[@nodttiurp]

A few important points were missed. Breck, for the most part, faces east, so much of it gets the early morning sun, which can be good and/or bad. Not much mention of the grooming routine which can have a significant effect upon the ratings. Much of the more central blacks are really blue blacks due to width and grooming despite steepness. There should actually be some markings using green black, This would indicate flat, heavily skied runout where the snowboarders can be trying to maintain speed and scare the hell out of slow goers. Their trial map leaves a lot to be improved and this is an easy mountain to get confused on. It has a tremendous influx of the local locals on a good powder day early and the lower part can get skied to pack early. But the uppermost mountain has a great amount to explore, if you are up to it and conditions warrant.

[@RJD_303]

Thanks for contributing, Don! Great insights that surely increase my knowledge of the mountain.

[@kylewilson6425]

_Breckenridge Resort_ used to use the "blue-black" terrain (a black diamond inside a blue square) difficulty before the 2000's, so some "black" trails, like _Centennial, Crystal, Doublejack, American, Volunteer, Peerless, Frosty's_ (now _Frosty's Freeway)_ used to be "blue-black" trails back then. By the way, there's also a blue (intermediate) trail on _Peak 10_ which was/is called _Union,_ but it's not labeled anymore on the trail map for some reason. It's just below the top of the _Falcon SuperChair_ on the skier's left. I don't know why it isn't labeled on the trail map, but you can see this trail on the trail map. It's a long, narrow, and winding trail that takes you to _Upper Lehman_ (a green trail) on _Peak 9._ You can still go down _Union,_ even though it's not labeled on the trail map. I used to ski at _Breckenridge Resort_ back in the early to late 1990's. It was so much fun! I just wish I could return, someday, I HOPE . . . 🎿

[@nodttiurp]

@@kylewilson6425 Breck has not designated the Union trail on Peak 10 because they don't want to encourage lower intermediate skiers on peak 10 (all black). Also it is frequently closed to allow the groomers to use the narrow road, which is what it is.That is possibly why they have gotten rid of the blue/black designation. Let's face it, Breck is a terrible place to get around on because it is historically (very old), so poorly layed out. I was told by an old timer that the original trails were laid out so it made a big 8 and 9 on the respectively named peaks. Dumb. The best thing bout Breck is the hike-to terrain when it is open. Peak 6 has helped out a lot.

[@upthegut5332]

Awesome.video!! Really informative. Me, My wife and 4.boys are going to stay in Breck in March, but we weren't planning to ski breck. We are just staying there because I found an amazing deal on a condo rental. We plan to ski 3 days and I was going to have us ski at Loveland Monday, Abasin Tuesday, and Copper Thursday. We'll have to drive 30 mins to each place but those 3 places and paying for 6 tickets each time we ski made the most economical sense. Do you think we should swap out one of those places for Breck instead since we are staying right in the town? It would end up costing us a good amount more to ski Breck one day instead of the three above I mentioned. Was also thinking may not be worth it for how huge and busy it is

[@RJD_303]

Thanks, glad it was helpful. If you're staying in Breck, then I think skiing there once would be great, but the other places you're going are great too. There is something to be said about enjoying the charm of Breck after just having skied it.

[@caioisnoob11]

Are you going to do a video on keystone?

[@wbutler1331]

Really helpful thank you!!

[@RJD_303]

You're welcome!

[@alexbragg4929]

I haven't been there since since I was 11 back in 2010. Is peak 6 relatively new? I dont remember that being there

[@RJD_303]

It is new-ish -- opened in 2013/14. It's outstanding too, just doesn't open until later in the season and even the day during peak season. It also shuts down more often than others when the weather is poor.

[@jugheadfla]

I was just there this past week, is the Freedom chair a new lift? I didn't notice it on your map. It basically takes you to the same spot as the Independence chair but sits closer to the middle of peak 7. It is really a good addition because it tends to be less packed and you don't have to ski all the way down peak 7 and wait in that ridiculous line for Independence.

[@AM-gw5qx]

It is new!! It just opened I think on Christmas!

[@JayC708]

So helpful! Making my way over from the Ice coast in 2 weeks. If i'm staying at Beaver Run area, what's the best way to get to Peak 7. I run usually blues, some blacks. Thanks!

[@RJD_303]

Thank you! I'm so glad you found it helpful. Peak 7 is so full of blues so you'll be very happy there. The best way to get there is the Peak 8 Super Connect chair but you'll have to do a run on Beaver Run Super Chair first as the Super Connect chair is uphill of Beaver Run. From there you can take the Columbine run/catwalk all the way over to Peak 7. You'll go under the top of both the Colorado Super Chair and the Rocky Mountain Super Chair of Peak 8. If you're boarding make sure to keep speed at all points as people have a strange tendency to stop mid catwalk and slow all momentum. Have fun!

[@JayC708]

@@RJD_303 thanks again!

[@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102]

Go up the Beaver Run SuperChair, and ski down Sundown to the Peak 8 SuperConnect. Once off the Peak 8 SuperConnect, ski down Spruce to Peak 8 base, and take the Rocky Mountain SuperChair. Then take Columbine past the T-Bar to Pioneer, from which you can then ski down to Peak 7 base, or take the Peak 6 Parkway over to the Zendo Chair if you want to go over to the Kensho SuperChair to lap Peak 6.

[@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102]

@@RJD_303 I don't recommend using Columbine to transit over from the Vista Haus. It's much easier to ski down to Peak 8 base and use the Rocky Mountain SuperChair, cutting off part of the catwalk.

[@RJD_303]

That cat walk can certainly be a pain, but so can the lines down at 8. I guess it all depends on how badly you want to get over (or if you're on a snowboard or skis). :)

[@ironrje]

THANKS

[@RJD_303]

You're welcome!

[@CAJones-bu6tu]

Any thoughts on Whiskey River off of Peak 7?

[@spamaccount1513]

Note to anyone doing needles eye, prepare for it by running through the trees in the double blacks around it, then know that it’s much harder

[@luckmc2874]

For peak 10 is there any way to get to the top (13,639 ft) and skii down?

[@CPTRedBeard]

No not really. They keep that off limits and it's so steep it would be a hell of a hike anyway.

[@luckmc2874]

@@CPTRedBeard ah ok

[@CPTRedBeard]

@@luckmc2874 yeah you can hike terrain up all the other peaks I believe, but I think the highest you can go is above peak 8.

[@luckmc2874]

@@CPTRedBeard ok, would it be possible to hike up to the top of peak 10, or is it very hard to climb?

[@CPTRedBeard]

@@luckmc2874 it would be a pretty stark climb. I’m not even sure it’s allowed bc of avalanche concerns.

[@jessetovarjr9432]

Great vid bro. Question though? As a beginner my wife doesn’t want to buy a lift ticket, she wants to practice first. Can she use the magic carpet/learning area without buying a lift ticket? Thanks in advanced.

[@RJD_303]

Thank you! I’m not totally sure about that, but I think you have to buy a lesson to use that area if only from a liability standpoint. I’d give them a call to be certain. Best of luck and have fun!

[@ReitersBlock]

My understanding is that all lessons REQUIRE the purchase of a lift ticket -- single day lift tickets are discounted though and you buy them when you purchase the lesson

[@TheBourneBlogger]

Worth noting: Imperial is the highest chair in the country.

[@davidduma7615]

1:45 he meant CHAIR 5 not Peak 5 for beginner trails.

[@RJD_303]

Good catch! Thanks!

[@austingiles7921]

Should do one for keystone soon

[@RJD_303]

Coming up!

[@NateJHuber]

Would you recommend Peak 8 or 9 for teaching a group of first timers?

[@RJD_303]

Both are good options, but I would recommend Peak 9 to start with. There you have some longer greens off of Quicksilver Superchair, while on Peak 8 you have shorter, but steeper greens off of Chair 5. The main difference is the chair capacity--Peak 9 is a modern chair that is easier to get on and off (which could be the difference maker for newbies).

[@CPTRedBeard]

Peak 9 is best for beginners. Like he said, some long and mellow greens to cruise and learn. At the bottom near the beaver run resort there is an even flatter area between beaver run and quicksilver chair. There are also learner areas like magic carpet and a pole lift. The greens on peak 8 are mostly steeper than any green on 9. The only steep green areas on 9 are the ballet hill right by the beaver run resort between where frontier and lower lehman meet quicksilver. The other is the end of red rover. Too see the map he is using go here: jollyturns.com/resort/united-states-of-america/breckenridge-ski-resort/maps/skirun/frostys-freeway Also, look up BreckSnowPro channel here on youtube. Ted Amenta gives a tour of just about every run on the mountain and sorts his playlists by run difficulty and peak area.

[@gabrielleandrew542]

Seems super crowded now

[@RJD_303]

This year seemed to thin out ever so slightly as a result of IKON gaining more market share. It's all relative though, so it's definitely still crowded. Cheers!

[@DJStroble]

I stopped going to Breckenridge. I hit copper now.

[@RJD_303]

Lines not your thing, eh? :)

[@ozz3790]

A big pointless now... Most runs are closed now due to very little snow...

[@TheHKBigboy]

Thanks for making this video!