A Week at Breckenridge- great runs and caring peop

The skiing beat anything on the East Coast, and the runs at Breckenridge were endless, with four peaks to choose from. Green trails were easy and blues kicked in the adrenaline. It was delightful to stroll down the town streets. Keystone was a bit more challenging but welcome, and the snowmobiling was a blast!

Quick Tips:

Get the PEAKS pass online from Breckenridge.com ahead of your visit for even deeper discounted lift tickets, and doing so will insure you can cash in unused time for a refund if necessary. Similarly, if renting at Beaver Run, return skis by 9am if you want a refund for not being able to ski that day. For lodging, check the Internet!!

Best Way To Get Around:

There are many free shuttles, but walking is certainly an option, as everything is reasonably nearby and temperatures aren't too extreme.

Despite some room issues that could be overcome, we tried staying in the two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo with three couples and three kids (all under 2).

Initially, we were challenged by the sofa bed that was broken, thermostats that didn't work, and a sliding glass door to the patio that wouldn't shut completely. By calling maintenance, most of the issues were fixed (not the sofa bed and the thermostat that kept on room at 80°F) within a reasonable amount of time.

Despite those issues, the condo offered a TV in each room, a decent-size furnished kitchen, a helpful housekeeping staff that put up with our mess daily, a fridge with an icemaker in the freezer, a new dishwasher and stove/oven, covered parking, and a fireplace with wood. We also were quickly supplied with three cribs and a high chair within 20 minutes of check-in. Still, it was the convenience of the resort that made the location a winner in our book.

With free ski lockers next to the slopes (all of 300 feet from our room) and a lift next to the resort, combined with ski/snowboard rentals and both inside/outside food options, skiers couldn't go wrong. The pool was both indoor and outdoor, and the multiple hot tubs outside were relaxing after a day of skiing the runs next door. A deli/mini grocery inside the resort was surprisingly well stocked with needed items, snacks, and some cooked food choices (especially pizza), and two other sit-down restaurants were available along with a bar. A large video arcade, a helpful concierge staff, and a couple shops also rounded out the offerings. We were very fortunate that when a medical need arose, the security people onsite are also EMTs, saving us some concern.

Despite all the good features, the elevators were slow and the cost seemed higher than what was appropriate once we got into our unit. With individual units owned by individual owners, ours was a far cry from what we saw ahead of time online. The opportunity to stay next to the lifts and the convenience made up for shortcomings, but we still left feeling a little under-whelmed.

Horseshoe II is one of many historic buildings in downtown Breckenridge and features an Old West-style saloon bar downstairs that was originally built for the building next door in the 1880s prospecting days.

With the downstairs dominated by the sweeping staircase and bar, there is still some room for tables so patrons can enjoy people-watching the sidewalk traffic outside or the Gary Cooper-esque interior little changed since the old days. Upstairs is plenty of room for more dinner tables, and the looks of the restaurant still help a diner reflect on the original boom days.

Meal-wise, the food is excellent, starting with appetizers, both typical and original (we had some fantastic onion rings). My wife had a Southwestern-style dish she loved, while a few of us had the delicious country fried steak and gravy. Portions are generous, prices were reasonable, and service was gracious and helpful. Given the opportunity, we would certainly go back.

After several nights of cooking and doing dishes on our vacation, we decided to order Chinese food from Red Orchid after consulting the Breckenridge dining guide found in our room. When compared with another Chinese takeout place in the guide, Red Orchid seemed cheaper. Now we're not so sure.

After placing the order, I drove to pick up the food, and using my cell phone, tried to get directions from both the Chinese person on the other end and the high-school-age girl who tried to help. Neither one was very helpful. Once I arrived, the interior looked warm and enjoyable, but I was shocked to get a bill of $30 for our two dinners and egg rolls. I paid and then brought it home to taste.

To be fair, my cashew chicken portion was enormous, but the taste was somewhat bland. My wife ordered another chicken dish but was also unimpressed. The egg rolls were small and not crisp and were $10 out of the $30 total since there was no combination dinner option most people are used to, so they were not a good choice.

We were disappointed, both in the taste and the inability to substitute lo mein for rice (even offering to pay a bit more). Visitors desiring a sit-down experience may find the atmosphere improves their experience, but ours was less than desired.

As a side note, this is one of the many places that the Takeout Taxi will deliver food from to local hotels and rooms for a sizeable fee.

Part of a popular seafood chain based on the Paramount movie Forrest Gump, this was my first experience at one of their restaurants. With a charming quirkiness for calling the wait staff’s attention (license plates saying "Run, Forrest, Run" to let them know you're okay to "Stop, Forrest, Stop" signifying you need something), we had a great time.

The popcorn shrimp appetizer was simply the best popcorn shrimp I have ever had, something that my wife also agreed with. Diners would be very pleased to order the coconut shrimp, which were both sizeable and plentiful, not to mention inexpensive and delectable. The marmalade dipping sauce was scrumptious, and as I shared the meal with my wife (she ordered the New Orleans pasta), we were in heaven. Even the fries were great.

My brother-in-law and his wife also ate there, choosing fish-and-chips that were so good, he brought home the leftovers (again, big portions) for lunch the next day.

We were very happy to eat there, despite its being a chain restaurant in a getaway vacation town.

Situated in the Beaver Run Resort right off the slopes at Breckenridge, I had the good fortune to have two meals at Spencer's.

Visitors waiting to hit the lifts at 9am would do well to venture inside for the breakfast buffet that costs $10 and is well worth the price. Diners can gorge on scrambled eggs (also with ham if you like), bacon, sausage, grits, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, fresh fruit, cereal, pastries and more. The wait staff race to bring you refills on your juice, and the quality of it all is surprisingly good given that it is a buffet.

As for dinners, they offer a number of mouthwatering items, including an all-you-can-eat prime rib dinner for $22, which we heard was stellar. In our case, we simply wanted a good burger, so we ordered two burgers to go at the bar (the bartender was a source of knowledge about local spots for great photography sites and activities). While not possible to specify temperatures on the burgers, they ended up juicy, big, and complemented by a mound of tasty french fries.

The interior decor is warm and inviting and will easily will give a visitor reason to expect quality in whatever they choose to order.

This is a simple choice for food, with a sizeable breakfast that costs $4.25 for eggs, hash browns, and toast. As a cheaper, faster alternative for breakfast and lunch on the slopes, eating here will not only fill you up but get you out the door and onto the lifts in record time. Visitors can also just get a juice, soda, water, or snack if desired.

On a side note, one of the guys working there has an unusual way of clearing tables - two hands full of dishes and some stacked on his head.

We were fortunate to have fresh snow for three of the six days we went skiing, and while the runs were uniformly packed at Breck, we found them easy to enjoy, and there were so many choices of where to go and runs to choose from that we didn't make it down all that we wanted to in that time. Blues were mostly vertical for challenging conditions, and greens were enjoyable and uncrowded. The staff could not have done more to make us feel welcome, and they accommodated us in ways we never expected (refunds for a day we didn't ski on our Peaks pass, as well as ski rentals). Fantastic!!

When asked for the best location to shoot some scenic photos, a Breckenridge bartender recommended the Boreas Pass Road area. Just a little south on Main Street from Park, visitors should turn left at the light across from Conoco. Pass the old steam locomotive and follow the road up the mountain until it ends. Blocked off after November 1, locals use the pass (formerly used by a railroad) to cross-country ski, hike, and for photos of the mountains and town of Breckenridge. Bear in mind that the elevation there is 11,000 feet, so people like me from sea level need to bring some water and patience.

The most spectacular views come after passing through Windy Gap (a cut made in the rock for the train to get through) after about 10 minutes of hiking. The view is incredible, and the surrounding aspens frame shoots nicely for photographs. Continuing on foot or skis provides further opportunities to be amazed as you observe the Continental Divide. I was later told that the sunsets from there are beautiful.

I spent the better part of 2 hours on the trail and getting to it and found it very rewarding (and free!).

The center helps skiers or those wishing to ski who have disabilities of some nature. My wife has a visual impairment, and while she is not completely blind, the fantastic folks at BOEC have helped blind skiers down the runs. I saw quadriplegics and autistic and other people with challenges grinning from ear to ear with the help of the compassionate staff at the BOEC helping them down.

At $120 a day, the rate covers individualized attention, instruction as needed, a lift ticket, and rental, so not a bad deal. Bear in mind the "minders" aren't paid, so a tip at the end, if appropriate (how could it not be?), helps them out a lot (my wife's "minder" was 1 of 12 people they put into one house and who are expected to get by on $50 a month stipends).

Each and every one of the staff was a delight to work with, dealing with all ages and types of disabilities. Patient and caring, if you have a need for their help, you can expect a lot of compassion and help.

We checked the weather ahead of time for Breckenridge and noted that our first morning after arrival would be clear. We chose that day for snowmobiling and Good Times for a couple of reasons over their competitor Tiger Run.

Tiger Run didn't even answer their phone for one thing, and we later learned that Tiger Run no longer offers guided tours, which are helpful when zipping around the Arapahoe National Forest to the Continental Divide.

The folks at Good Times loaned us snowmobile suits and helmets and gave us some instruction and practice, and then off we went for a 2-hour tour. We zoomed up and down through the trees and then headed for the Georgia Pass of the Continental Divide. While there, we could see all the way to Pikes Peak, 130 miles away.

Rates were $80 for a driver and $40 for a passenger, and we thought afterwards that it was well worth it. Stay for a few cups of hot chocolate after the ride if you’d like.

We didn't have time, but the Good Times folks also offer dog sledding and horse-drawn sleigh rides. Getting there is easy, take Highway 9 from Breckenridge towards Frisco and turn right about 4 miles outside of Breckenridge. Bring your camera, sunscreen, and lip balm, and be prepared to let loose a few whoops and hollers as you careen around the trails at 40 mph!!