Winter Dispatch: 018
A guide to Breckenridge + the start of end of season sales!
Good morning and happy Friday!!
This week’s letter comes to you from Ojai, California, where it’s colder than Denver right now. But there’s snow on the mountains in the near distance, which is always a thrill to see in California!
End of season skiing means you can usually score some incredible deals in the next few weeks: hotels, flights, ski rentals… the whole shebang. If you’ve snagged a great deal and have tips to share, let us know! I’ll be trying to squeeze in an Aspen trip myself. Late March + early April ski trips are usually some of the best!!
Chairlift Chatter
NYT did a deep dive into ski pass prices for next year. The tl;dr is that you should buy now.
Lake Tahoe is having an insane March… 25-40” of snow in the past 24 hours at many resorts. Epic.
Copper Mountain in Colorado has unveiled plans for a major terrain expansion, featuring what would be North America's highest chairlift at 13,150 feet.
End of Winter Sales
The BEST time to buy new gear ski is at the end of the season (obviously!). I’m going to share any and all intel on the Slopeside IG as sales start to roll out.
JORDE is having a major 30% off sale their entire winter collection. If you missed my interview with JORDE a few months ago, it’s a good one!
Amundsen just announced their winter phase out sale, with some items up to 50% off.
The North Face also has several winter classics on sale, starting at 25% off.
Perfect Moment is having a 30% off sale on this season’s styles.
A Slopeside Guide to Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge has a well-earned reputation as the home of the Jerry and honestly, it checks out. The town is insanely charming, with something for everyone, which explains why people flock to Breck in droves. Plus, it’s not ridiculously far from Denver, making it a great option for out-of-towners flying in and looking for a ski vacay without a marathon drive (just 1.5 hours from the airport).
Where To Ski
This might be a scorching hot take but… Breckenridge isn’t my favorite mountain to ski. It’s pretty spread out across multiple peaks, so you end up having to drop back down to the bases more often than at other resorts (cue the crowds). BUT on a powder day? Breck is absolutely magical. Plus, if you’re up for a hike, there’s some seriously incredible terrain waiting for you.
Groomers: The groomers on Peak 9 are my favorite – specifically off Mercury and Beaver Run chairs. I also really love the steep groomers on Peak 10 off Falcon.
Off-Piste: As mentioned, Breckenridge has some incredible off-piste terrain, especially if you’re up for a hike. Some of this terrain sits at 13,000+ feet so hike-to access terrain is not for the faint of heart (or lungs). Imperial Bowl is a blast when the snow is good, not so much when it’s not. I also love a good T Bar (the drama of it!!!) and the one in Breck is a favorite. Horseshoe Bowl and the surrounding terrain that you access via T Bar is very fun.
Lunch on Mountain: TenMile Station is my favorite on-mountain lodge at Breckenridge. There’s a fantastic patio which is lovely when it’s sunny and otherwise, there is a lot of seating. The food is nothing to write home about (chicken tendies) but it does the job.
Where To Stay
In many mountain towns, Airbnb or VRBO can be the best option, and I think Breckenridge is one of them. While there are some great hotels at the base of the mountain, staying in town (or at least within walking distance of Main Street) is the ideal experience.
Where To Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
Radicato: One of the best mountain town meals I’ve had in recent memory. The chicken liver mousse, focaccia, truffle gnocchi, and radiatore pastas were highlights. The sister restaurant of Rootstalk!
Rootstalk: Rotating, seasonal fine dining menu. Also, the hardest reservation to get in Breckenridge. They won the 2024 James Beard Best Chef award for the Mountain region. I haven’t been yet given how challenging it is to snag a resy but everyone says it’s absolutely incredible.
Tin Plate Pizza: My second favorite Breck spot after Radicato. Pizza is amazing, vibes are low-key but fantastic. Great group spot.
Blue River Bistro: Very solid spot on Main Street for lunch (or dinner) although I prefer their lunch vibe. Big salads + great cocktails.
The Carlin: It’s both a restaurant and cute little inn if you’d like to stay. Fantastic oysters + cocktails.
Tavern Underground: Downstairs bar of The Carlin. It feels like a speakeasy. The vibes are just as great as the drinks. The food looked pretty solid too.
Aurum Food + Wine: There is something for everyone at Aurum. It’s elevated but still approachable and the wine list is great.
Mom’s Baking Company: Great grab+go breakfast with homemade pastries and breakfast sandwiches.
Blue Moose: Classic breakfast option for table pancakes, traditional bfast dishes, and good hashbrowns.
T Bar: Featured in last week’s après guide – the best post-ski spot in Breck.
RMU: Part ski shop, part bar. Good drinks and more importantly, great vibes. Ski films are being played. There are firepits and sometimes live music. A classic breck haunt.
Cecilia’s: Exactly what you’d expect for a “night club” in a mountain town. Bad drinks but great cover bands.
If you enjoy this letter, please share with friends! Feel free to respond here with ski-related intel, new products you’re loving, or just to say hi. Thanks for reading 💌