While Spring Break for many families means palm trees, sandy beaches, and poolside bars; for us Coloradans, we would rather uncrowded ski runs, long snowy slopes under the sun, and relaxing Après drinks after a day of skiing. Spring Break in the mountains is an experience like none other. There’s nothing quite like enjoying all of the snow that the cold winter brought but doing so after the cold has subsided and the warm spring has arrived.
Before moving to Colorado years ago, as a kid growing up in MI, my family always chose Colorado for our Spring Break destinati
on. Nothing beats the days skiing in a simple hoodie, watching and participating in wild pond skims, or just the care-free environment that is Spring Skiing.
Here are some of the top Colorado resorts for you and your family to consider for their Spring Break get-away.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Simply put, Breck has it all. An incredible mountain with an average of 300 sunny days a year, 300 inches of snowfall every winter, terrain for all skill levels, and a town that closely resembles one from a snow globe and has a convenience factor unlike any other.
The Mountain:
- Summit Elevation: 12,998 feet
- Base Elevation: 9,600 feet
- Trails: 187
- Lifts: 34
- Fun Fact: Breckenridge’s Imperial Express chairlift is the highest in North America, dropping you off near the summit at 12,480 feet
The Town:
- Restaurants: 97, 89 have bars
- Shops: 200+
- Town Size: 7 miles long, 2 miles wide
Spring Events:
- Breckenridge Spring Beer Festival, April 6, 2019
- Breck Pride, April 4-7, 2019
- Helly Hansen Big Mountain Challenge, 2019 info to come
- Imperial Challenge, April 13, 2019
Something that makes Breckenridge such a fantastic place to visit is the proximity of the town to the mountain. The town is located right at the base of the mountain making it incredibly easy to hop off the slopes and immediately enjoy the food/shopping in town without having to figure out transportation. Breckenridge puts on plenty of events to keep you busy as well! Last but not least, due to all the snowfall during the 18-19 ski season Breckenridge has extended their season later than ever and plan to run chair lifts all the way through May 27th.
Keystone, Colorado
Whether your seeking adventure on the slopes, or looking for all sorts of action off the slopes…Keystone has you covered. The Keystone ski resort is made up of 3 mountain peaks that offer over 3,000 skiable acres, and all sorts of different terrain ranging from beginner trails and groomers to steep tree runs and powder bowls.
The Mountain:
- Summit Elevation: 12,408 feet
- Base Elevation: 9,280 feet
- Trails: 135
- Lifts: 21
- Fun Fact: Keystone is the only resort in Summit County that offers night skiing (no need to buy another lift ticket, your day pass will work for night skiing that night)
The Town:
- Restaurants: 42+
- Shops: 32+
- Size: Keystone Resort takes up an entire valley about 5 miles long
Spring Events:
- Slush Cup 2019: April 7. 2019
- Kidtopia: Daily through April 7th
- Winter Movie Matinee: Mondays, Nov 11- April 01
- Cookie Time: Daily Nov 90th
Keystone is a special place without a doubt. Tucked away in an incredible alpine environment, Keystone is truly a escape from the “real world” and a fantastic option for people to visit during the spring. Between the lake to ice skate on, nordic center to strap on the snowshoes or cross-country skis at, and restaurants both in town and up on the mountain like the Alpenglow Stube, visitors will have plenty of options to keep them busy! Head to Keystone this spring and enjoy the snow, sun, and endless activities that await your arrival this spring.