Beaver Creek vs. Breckenridge in the Spring

[zentraveler]

We are hoping to get a trade through Interval for one of these areas this spring (or possibly fall). We are not so much skiers, but enjoy the spring and fall in those beautiful mountainous places. Can anyone help with info about these two areas, neither of which we have ever been to?

Obviously the skiing part is not so important; we are most interested in which would have the most "town like" atmosphere: restaurants, shops, galleries, festivals, art shows etc during that time of year. Preferably a central place that could be walked, in addition to hiking. For example, the Tahoe area in CA seems to be a collection of ski areas, each with its own internal restaurants and support services. In contrast, Park City UT (we stayed there last June) is an old town with a lovely downtown with all kinds of restaurants, music, art, street fairs etc. We had a great time there and could walk to everything (we were lucky to be staying at the Marriott right downtown).

Would greatly appreciate any advice from the locals, skiing experts or anyone else who knows these areas the spring and fall!

 

[Dave*H]

Breckenridge sounds like the better choice for you. Real town with a main street and lot of shopping, galleries, and other stuff.

 

[Deb from NC]

I second Breckenridge. And Interval has some great resorts there...our favorite is Grand Lodge at Peak 7. It’s up on the mountain, so not in the middle of town, but you can take an enclosed gondola (free) down to town and they also have a free shuttle.

 

[jlp879]

Avon is the closest town to Beaver Creek but it is not nearly as charming as the town of Breckenridge. You will find more to enjoy in Breckenridge in the way of shopping and restaurants. Do be aware that some businesses are seasonal and you will find some closed in late spring.

Also be aware that spring is not the time to hike in the mountains. There will be snow on the hiking trails until June. If you want hiking, early fall would be best. The Breckenridge Music Festival runs mid-July to mid-August.

The towns are close enough together that you can stay in Breckenridge and make a day trip to Beaver Creek and Vail to check out other areas. I have never been to Beaver Creek outside of ski season, but the village does have lots of accommodation and restaurants that I assume would stay open year round and make for a pleasant stroll.

 

[Krteczech]

Beaver Creek is a resort, Breckenridge is revived historic town. Both charming in winter, but off season Breckenridge leads. As already mentioned, spring season in ski resorts area is not great for hiking. Fall season is long and colorful. May I suggest also RMNP area for hiking? Estes Park has several TS and snow doesn’t effects trail hiking. Pleasant weather and minimal crowds in Spring.

 

[zentraveler]

Beaver Creek is a resort, Breckenridge is revived historic town.

Thanks to all. Just what I wanted to know. Regardless of how much hiking we want to do, a "real" town will have many other aspects of what we would like.

 

[WalnutBaron]

Thanks to all. Just what I wanted to know. Regardless of how much hiking we want to do, a "real" town will have many other aspects of what we would like.

Please be aware that you may need to acclimate to the high elevation at Breckenridge, which is at nearly 10,000 feet. (By contrast, Park City is at 6500 feet.) When we visited last summer, one great piece of advice we were given was to spend a night in the Denver area before making the jaunt up the mountain to Breckenridge. We chose to stay in the town of Golden, home of Coors, and take a tour of the brewery and the lovely town itself.

 

[zentraveler]

Thank you WalnutBaron; had slid right over this in my thinking. 10,000 ft is not trivial and San Francisco, at a whopping 52 ft is hardly any sort of preparation. At those heights it starts to be quite noticalbe, especially when you have a single glass of wine and feel like you have had a bottle .

 

[PigsDad]

I know you said skiing was not a priority, but if you want to try some late spring Colorado skiing, Breckenridge would be the place:

Breckenridge resort extends ski season through Memorial Day

Kurt

 

[bogey21]

Please be aware that you may need to acclimate to the high elevation at Breckenridge, which is at nearly 10,000 feet. (By contrast, Park City is at 6500 feet.)

I agree that Breckenridge is the place that meets your requirements But somehow I think the need to acclimate may be an individual thing. For many years we would go directly from Dallas to Frisco which is very close to Breckenridge, ski at Keystone, Breckenridge and Copper Mountain and none of use (party of 5) ever had any issue with the elevation...

George

 

[chalee94]

But somehow I think the need to acclimate may be an individual thing.

Yep, some people have no trouble with it. I got a headache for the first day or so. My friend who came with me felt like they were having trouble breathing the first night and considered driving back down to a lower elevation...