7 Breckenridge Do’s and Don’ts For Your First Skiing Vacation
Ski Your Best with These Tips
So you’re planning a wintertime vacation to beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado–who wouldn’t be pumped to race down the slopes in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains? Before you you jump into your next ski adventure in Colorado, however, we have a few dos and don’ts that will help you make this vacation one that you will remember forever. While none of these are hard and fast rules to follow, leaning on the side of the ‘dos’ will ensure that your trip is planned out as well as it can be.
#1: Don’t Wait to Book Lift Tickets–Do Book Lift Tickets in Advance To Save Money and Secure Your Spot
One of the most important aspects of preplanning your first ski trip to Breckenridge is remembering to purchase your lift tickets and passes in advance. We highly recommend that you don’t wait until the last minute to put money down on your passes, as you’ll typically end up paying a premium if you do, and could even miss out on skiing during your vacation.
If your flights and lodging are already settled, the next thing to take care of is your ticket up the mountain. This year, lift tickets are more limited than ever before, meaning it may be to hard to just walk up to the resort ticket window and purchase your tickets once you arrive if the day is already sold out. Should tickets for your desired day sell out, another option is to purchase an Epic Day Pass, which will give you all-day access without the need for reservations in advance.
#2: Don’t Forget to Layer Up–Do Bring Your Warmest Layers
It may be sensible on other types of vacations to avoid overpacking, but not on your next ski trip to Breckenridge. The weather in Colorado, especially in the mountains, can change on a dime, so we highly recommend packing not only your warmest (and most waterproof) winter jacket, but also layering up while you’re flying down the slopes.
Here’s a short list of what you should bring to ensure that you stay warm on the mountain:
Waterproof and insulated ski jacket
Ski pants or bib to keep you dry
Long underwear–both tops and bottoms
Waterproof gloves
Tinted goggles to protect your eyes from the harsh glare of the sun
#3: Don’t Underestimate the Sun–Do Bring Lots of Sunblock
For those readers who didn’t grow up in locales that receive lots of snow, you might not know how harsh and powerful the sun can be, especially when it reflects off of the shiny white surface of the snow.
As you get further and further up in elevation, the mountain sun can become even more harsh than you ever imagined. Don’t forget to pack lots of sunblock, hats, and other sun protection to ensure that you don’t leave Breck with the worst sunburn of your life.
#4: Don’t Spend a Fortune on Equipment–Do Look Up Rentals in Advance
Of course you’re excited for your very first ski vacation to Breckenridge, but that doesn’t mean you should hit up your nearest ski shop and purchase all of the equipment you need. Not only is it a bit of a pain to check your ski equipment when you’re flying, it can be a waste of money if you’re not planning on skiing every year for the rest of your life.
Before your trip begins, be sure to look up equipment rentals in Breckenridge to save a bit of money and still be able to use the equipment that you need.
#5: Don’t Overestimate Your Abilities as a Beginner–Do Get Lessons
Some people are naturals on the slopes, taking to the sport like a fish takes to water. However, it would be unwise to assume that you’ll be a natural from your very first step onto the slopes, and doing so could endanger your fellow skiers. To avoid hurting yourself and others, invest in lessons to help you get on your feet and learn the basics.
#6: Don’t Miss Other Attractions–Do Take the Time to Research Other Activities
It’s unrealistic to think that you’ll do nothing but ski on your first ski vacation, especially since it can be tiring to spend all day, every day on the slopes. Before you fly out to Breckenridge this winter, take some time to research what other activities the town offers. We have a few suggestions from previous blogs–check out our writeup on the best reasons to visit Breck this winter for some ideas.
#7: Don’t Forget To Be Polite on the Slopes–Do Take the Time to Learn Ski Etiquette
There’s no doubt about it–Colorado is one of the ski capitals of the West. That means you’ll likely run into a bit of traffic on the slopes, so take some time to learn skiing etiquette before you head out to Breck this winter. Here’s a few ground rules to get you started:
Always maintain control. This means not flying straight down the mountain if you don’t have the skills to stop!
Give people ahead of you the right of way.
Don’t obstruct the trail–someone could ski right into you!
Observe all warnings and signs–don’t ski off the trail.
Breck Has More Than Just Skiing to Offer Visitors
Your first ski vacation to Breckenridge will be the trip of a lifetime, especially if you plan in advance and take precautions to ensure your safety and the safety of others. While none of these are hard and fast rules, it’s important to be aware of what’s to come before you fly out to Breck this winter.
For visitors on the hunt for other ways to make their time in Breck a special one, we’ve collected some of our favorite places to chow down while you’re in town. If you’re hoping to bring the whole family out to the snowy slopes, we’ve also written up a great guide on avoiding vacation burnout to help make your trip one to remember forever.