Telluride vs Breckenridge Skiing (Compared)

Telluride and Breckenridge (commonly known as ‘Breck’) are two of the most popular Skiing resorts in the mountainous State of Colorado located in the mid-western region of the United States. 

Both resorts offer an excellent variety of runs for the experienced and inexperienced skier, whilst also offering a plethora of general facilities. But which of them comes out on top?

That is what I’ll be discussing in this post, to hopefully clarify any misconceptions and to offer a detailed overview of both Telluride vs Breckenridge by comparing them. 

Historical Background

Both Telluride and Breckenridge hold a rich history as ski resorts in Colorado. Telluride, originally a mining town, transitioned to a ski resort in the 1970s. Its remote location adds to its charm. Breckenridge, founded in 1859 during the Gold Rush, began welcoming skiers in 1961. Its historic district offers a glimpse into its past, with well-preserved buildings adding character to the ski experience.

Size and Skiable Area

One of the most notable differences between these two resorts is the size. Breckenridge is much larger than Telluride.

Breckenridge is comprised of 5 different peaks having a total combined skiable area of a whopping 2,908 acres. 

Whereas Telluride offers a taller mountain height at 4,425 ft. and a summit of 13,159 ft, whilst having a respectable 2,000+ acres of skiable area.

Accessibility

Accessing these resorts varies in convenience. Breckenridge is approximately a two-hour drive from Denver International Airport, with multiple shuttles and buses available. Telluride is more remote, requiring a flight to Montrose Regional Airport followed by a scenic one and a half hour drive. This seclusion contributes to its less crowded experience compared to Breck.

Terrain

Each of the 5 Peaks making up Breckenridge have different difficulties to each of them, some having more than just one.

Also read our comparison Breckenridge vs Park City

Peak 10 which is the southernmost peak is more tailored towards the advanced skiers. The lower half of Peak 9 was built with beginner skiers in mind and the difficulty increases to intermediate as the altitude increases.

The lower half of Peak 8 has a mix of all three beginner, intermediate and advanced runs, whilst the upper half is exclusively expert territory. Peak 7 has more intermediate trails and most of the lodges and other general facilities are located at its base.

The last and northernmost peak, Peak 6, has a mix of intermediate and advanced level terrain. 

All the Peaks combined, Breckenridge has a total of 187 trails to offer to its visitors. 

Telluride on the other hand has a single high altitude mountain which contains a total of 147 trails and has a mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced level trails scattered all across the resort, but has an overall higher percentage of intermediate and advanced runs.

Best for Beginners

Both resorts have almost the same amount of beginner / intermediate runs if we factor in the total number of runs. Breckenridge has 13% beginner runs and 23% intermediate runs, while Telluride offers 16% beginner and 30% intermediate runs. 

However, Breckenridge, rather than being a full white-knuckled high intensity skiing experience, is more holiday destination oriented.

Also read our comparison Breckenridge vs Copper Mountain

Breckenridge definitely has some advanced level runs to get the blood pumping but compared to Telluride, it’s a more reserved experience.

Best for Advanced And Expert Skiers

Telluride is a way more expert level experience when compared to Breckenridge. Due to its high altitude runs and steeply angled slopes, Telluride is every adrenaline junkie’s go to. 

However only 55% of Telluride trails are marked as expert / advanced while Breck has a 64% advance runs

Most Snowfall

Breckenridge gets the most snowfall.

On average, Breckenridge gets around 350 inches of seasonal snowfall every year whereas Telluride gets an average of 330 inches. 

Longest Ski Season

Breckenridge has been known for having longer lasting seasonal durations lasting nearly 7 months for the 22/23 Season alone. The 22/23 Season for Breck started on November 9th 2022 and has an estimated closing date of May 30th 2025.

Also read our comparison of Snowbird vs Park City

Though not as long as Breckenridge, Telluride has an approximate seasonal duration of 4 months for the 22/23 Season. The 22/23 Season for Telluride started on November 26th 2022 and has an estimated closing date of April 2nd 2025.

That being said, Telluride is way less crowded than Breck throughout the season.

Seasonal Events and Activities

Both resorts offer a vibrant array of seasonal activities. Breckenridge hosts the International Snow Sculpture Championships and Ullr Fest, celebrating Norse mythology. Telluride features the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Telluride Film Festival, attracting music and film enthusiasts. These events enhance the appeal of both destinations beyond traditional skiing.

Ski Lifts

Breckenridge has a total of 34 Ski Lifts that includes 5 high-speed six packs, 7 high-speed quads, 1 fixed-grip quad, 1 triple lift, 5 double lifts, 4 surface lifts, 9 Carpet Lifts and a 8 person Gondola called the ‘Breckconnect’ Gondola.

Telluride has slightly more than half the Ski Lifts of Breckenridge at a total of 20. But unlike Breckenridge, Telluride has an ace up their sleeves when it comes to Ski Lifts.

There are 6 high-speed quads, 4 surface lifts, 1 fixed-grip quad, 2 triple lifts, 2 double lifts, 1 Chondala and 3 Gondolas.

The neat thing about Telluride’s Ski Lifts is that all 3 Gondolas can be accessed free of charge, this is a unique characteristic to Telluride and Telluride only, meaning that you can’t find something like this anywhere else in the entire United States.

Dining and Accommodation Options

Dining and accommodation cater to diverse preferences. Breckenridge boasts numerous dining options from casual to fine dining, with several ski-in, ski-out lodging choices. Telluride provides unique boutique hotels and a variety of dining experiences, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients.

Overall Cost

The overall cost for a visit to either resort depends on a few factors. Flights, Number of people, Food, Travel, Lodging, Extra Expenses and Stay Duration.

Average cost for skiing Breckenridge

• An average week trip to Breckenridge alone can cost you around $1600 to $3200 ($230 to $460 per day).
• An average week trip to Breckenridge with 2 people (mostly couples) can cost you around $2900 to $5500 ($400 to $780 per day).
• An average week trip to Breckenridge with 4 people (mostly families of 4) can cost you around $5100 to $9400 ($730 to $1300 per day)

Average cost for skiing Telluride

• An average week trip to Telluride alone can cost you around $1600 to $4600 ($230 to $660 per day).
• An average week trip to Telluride with 2 people (mostly couples) can cost you around $2900 to $6800 ($420 to $970 per day).
• An average week trip to Telluride with 4 people (mostly families of 4) can cost you around $5000 to $11,500 ($700 to $1600 per day)

With these statistics it’s obvious that Telluride is quite a bit more costly than Breckenridge.

Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives

Both resorts are committed to sustainability. Breckenridge relies on wind power for its lifts and facilities, while Telluride has implemented extensive recycling programs. Both are participants in programs aimed at reducing their carbon footprint, setting examples in sustainable skiing practices.

Verdict

Now that we’ve reached the end of this article it’s time to decide which of these two are better. 

Each of them have their own strengths and weaknesses but after thorough comparison it’s clear that Breckenridge is to be crowned victorious.

Though Telluride is not a bad place by a long shot to visit, if you want to get your money’s worth, then Breckenridge is the superior resort and that’s what I would choose.

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