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Breckenridge Advanced Skiing
© copyright Breckenridge Ski Resort
Milky Way Bowl © David B. Cronheim / Ultimate-Ski.com
The T-Bar, Chair 6, and the Imperial Express all service some serious expert terrain (see below for details). However, Breckenridge is probably better known for its below treeline expert terrain.
Take the Falcon SuperChair up Peak 10 to access a large swath of expert terrain. The Burn, Corsair and Spitfire, off the skier’s left, are steep, wooded runs that allow a skier to choose their level of challenge. While all three runs are moderately steep, the lines through the trees vary greatly and can range from challengingly tight to wider, but steep chutes. Hit up skier’s right off Peak 10 and you’ll drop into Mustang, Blackhawk and a handful of other double black diamond steeps. These runs cascade their way down to the base alternating between steep pitches and fairly flat runouts.
Chair E is an oft-overlooked expert’s paradise. Because the terrain is not shown AT ALL on the front of the trail map (turn the map over…), many skiers simply don’t notice this superb terrain. With names like Devil’s Crotch, Mineshaft, Hades and Inferno, you can imagine what the terrain is like. All the runs off Chair E will challenge even the most advanced skier. If you’re looking for a tight gladed run, try Windows, right off the top of the chairlift.
The south side of Peak 10 is a hidden paradise for bump-skiers with spectacular views of the valley. Try that out before moving onto the even steeper and tougher Lake Chutes—the best challenges for experts with pitches of up to 51 degrees and some areas accessible only from cornices or by going off-piste or into one of the bowls. Also try Horseshoe, Cucumber or Contest—all three are worthy double black diamond trails.
Experts should also ski the terrain off the midstation of the Peak 8 SuperConnect. Rising almost 1000 ft in only 3 minutes, riding the chair from the midstation allows you to log some serious vertical without long lines or slow chairs. Southern Cross and Mach 1 are all excellent pitches that bump up quickly. Tiger is a merciless double fall-line beast that lets you strut your stuff for the chairlift riders above.
Breckenridge Bowl skiing
Breckenridge’s above treeline skiing is very underrated. The resort offers many in-bound bowls for expert skiers, some lift accessible and others accessible by short hikes. Breckenridge’s Chair 6 offers access to the Imperial Express Quad terrain on the summit of Peak 8, but also serves a dozen advanced chutes and small bowls. After hitting the terrain off Chair 6, hop on the Imperial Express, North America’s highest chairlift, and ride it to the summit of Peak 8. For those who don’t like to hike, there is plenty of bowlskiing available without a hike. The more adventuresome should try taking the short 10-15 minute hike above the Imperial Express to access bowl skiing at the summit. Standing on the summit you’ll be at an elevation of 12,998 feet (3,963 m) with Breckenridge’s total vertical of 3,398 feet (1,036 m) below you. Continue hiking farther out to the skier’s right to get to the Lake Chutes (the steepest terrain at Breckenridge) or Snow White Bowl.
If wide-open bowl skiing with plenty of snow is what you desire, then you should head to Horseshoe Bowl, which is accessed by Chair 6 and the T-bar lifts. The ride up the T-bar is certainly worth the antiquated lift. Horseshoe Bowl, Cucumber Bowl and Contest Bowl are all outstanding. They are steep and the powder tends to blow into these bowls more so than some of the others, making for some great soft turns. As for the best powder, that’s definitely to be found on the bowls of Peak 8, but this means you must be willing to hike above the tree line.
If you want to go beyond the ski area boundary and access the backcountry, use the designated gates only. Areas beyond the ski area boundary are not patrolled or maintained. Avalanche slopes, unmarked obstacles and other natural hazards exist. Rescue in the backcountry, if available, is the responsibility of the Summit County Sheriff, and your wallet. It will be costly and may take time. What's more, the backcountry avalanche hazard may be extreme. Also there’s no sponsored guiding available for off-piste adventures.
