Where I am right now: Breckenridge
Why you should be here too: Everyone else is. Or maybe it just seems that way. But the great thing about Breck is that although the streets are lively with people and you may run into someone you know, the peaks are so spread out and there are so many runs to choose from, the mountains never feel as bogged down as, oh, Keystone. And, hey, so far, no one has come barreling down the mountain into my back and then acted like it was my fault.
Eat at these places: Breck Burger Bar (The Village, 970-543-3124), which puts some intriguing combinations on a char-edged piece of beef delight, including sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions and blue cheese, as well as a way over-the-top bit of madness that involves a hot dog, bacon and cheddar. And definitely don’t miss Relish (137 Main St., 970-453-0989), a relatively new second-floor spot with understated decor and smart service. Start with the succulent grilled shrimp on a skewer and then try the ruby red trout, with a sauce of goat cheese and a caper-studded lemon beurre blanc, and sip Gruet by the bottle for $29.
Sleep at this place: The Park Avenue Lofts offer spacious two-bedroom, two-bath condos on two levels with private hot tubs (views!) within two blocks of the groovy new eight-person gondola (rates start at $300 per night).
What’s new: The aforementioned gondola, quite an attraction, because it turns twice and offers stunning Imperial views. Take it to Peak 8, looking down over the wetlands, which they managed to avoid while skimming over a lot of new development and keeping it real in an environmental sense. Good for Breck.
My new best friend: Is one of my oldest best friends, Karen Rinedollar, who tagged along with me as I re-learned skiing after 11 years as a shred Betty (read the full story Feb. 4). The last time I skied, Clinton had been the first Democratic president since FDR to be re-elected and Michael Jackson had just divorced Lisa Marie Presley – but most bizarre: I wore 170s. This time, I strapped on 146s with fat ends, and wow, what a difference! Not to mention that under the expert guidance of Breckenridge ski instructor Jan Degerberg, I unlearned a few bad habits and escaped with knees that felt ten years younger. Degerberg is one of the Obe-women Kenobis teaching all-female ski and snowboarding camps at Breck this season. The next one is Mar. 2-3. Cost is $230 for the program or $308 including a lift ticket. For more info, visit breckenridge.snow.com/info/winter/sr.specialty.womens.asp.
Coming up: The Budweiser Select International Snow Sculpture Championships Jan. 23-28, where artists from all over the globe turn 12-foot blocks of snow into pieces of art using hand tools (the pieces are on display through Feb. 4), and Mardi Gras Feb. 17-20, during which downtown Breck becomes quite the party.
Look for a full update on the mountains in the Denver Post in February, and keep your eyes on denverpost.com for future Road Tripper updates.
Travel editor Kyle Wagner can be reached at 303-954-1599 or travel@denverpost.com.
