Breckenridge (Colorado, USA)

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Colorado's oldest Victorian mountain town, dating back to 1859, Breckenridge is a resort of contrasts: timber-fronted shops and houses and old street lamps create a quaint ambience akin to a living museum, an impression somewhat marred by modern expansion in the form of concrete and glass hotels, condominiums and shopping centres.

Breckenridge is one of the top 3 destinations in the US for British skiers and among the most popular with boarders. Of particular merit is its specialist park and half-pipe. For skiers there is a decent range of pistes across 4 tree-lined peaks, but Breckenridge is small by US standards. Advanced skiers will find some good but short runs, while the expanded top bowls offer some worthwhile off-piste (Lake Chutes). Intermediates have enjoyable but limited cruising, while beginners benefit most, with an excellent ski school at which to learn. Better skiers will want to use the shared lift pass, with access to Keystone, Arapahoe Basin and Vail for more variety. Snow reliability is exceptional, as is the lift system, which removes queuing almost entirely.

As it is one of the nearest resorts to Denver (80 miles), pistes and the town can be overcrowded during holidays and weekends. The usual high standard of childcare is offered and families will like the largely non-smoking town.

Locality:

Breckenridge is situated in W-central United States, in the central portion of Colorado State. 85 mls W of downtown Denver, 12 mls SE of Frisco, 17 mls SW of Keystone, 90 mls SW of Denver international airport. Breckenridge is nestled in the broad, undulating Blue River Valley to the E of the 10-ml-long Front Range Mountains.

Ski Information:

Highest lift: 3962m (12998ft), Lowest lift: 2926m (9599ft), Vertical drop: 1036m (3399ft), Number of lifts: 27, Uplift capacity: 36680 p/hr, Number of slopes: 139, Beginner: 13%, Intermediate: 32%, Expert: 55%, Snowboard parks: 1

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Population: 295.734.100
Languages: English 82%, Spanish 11% (2000)
Currency: US dollar
Currency code: USD
Local Times:
U.S.A. - District of Columbia - Washington DC

U.S.A. - Florida - Orlando

U.S.A. - California - San Francisco

U.S.A. - New York - New York

U.S.A. - Nevada - Las Vegas

Country Dialling Code: +1
Voltage: 120V 60Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 parallel flat prongs

2 Parallel flat prongs with an earth connector

The USA is home to several of the world's most exciting cities, some truly mind-blowing landscapes, a strong sense of regionalism, a trenchant mythology, more history than the country gives itself credit for and, arguably, some of the most approachable natives in the world.

America was 'discovered' by Columbus in 1492 and for 500 years people have travelled here seeking a better life in the 'land of opportunity'. The land was fought over by colonial powers for centuries and finally won its independence from Britain in 1783. Despite the near annihilation of the Native American population, one of the bloodiest civil wars the world had seen, and racism (Native Americans were not granted citizenship until 1924 and racial segregation was the norm until as late as the 1950s), the American people have succeeded in forging one of the worlds most united, democratic and tolerant nations, a fascinating melting-pot of cultures, and the undisputed military and economic heavyweight of the world.

The country is made up of 48 contiguous states of the continental USA, plus the huge state of Alaska, northwest of Canada, and the volcanic islands of Hawaii, 2,000 miles (3,219km) out into the Pacific. There are also the US territories, which include Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Midway Islands and US Virgin Islands. Tourism is focused mainly in the great cities such as New York and Washington, as well as sunshine states such as Florida, California and Hawaii. However the mind-blowing landscapes, found in the wealth of magnificent National Parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Adirondacks, as well as spectacular sights like the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains, are what make the USA so unique. With all this on their doorstep, it's easy to understand why most Americans have never bothered getting a passport.