If you’re an avid skier or rider, then you love powder. There’s really nothing else like the thrill that you get when soaring through the trees in thigh-deep snow. So, we’re sharing the local scoop on the ultimate (and slightly unknown) pow stashes in the forests of Breck. All the more reason to get up here and use your Breck getaway this winter!
Check out a map of the resort here, so that you can follow along.
PEAK 10 | ♦ ♦♦
If you’re looking for hidden pow in the woods, the North side of Peak 10 is where it’s at. Our favorite is called The Burn, and that it does. Beware of tight woods at the bottom of the run before you’re spit back onto Lehman, as well as the beginners that frequent that run. When exiting the trees, go slow and merge with oncoming skiers and riders.
The sweet spots aren’t confined to the North side of Peak 10; they can be found on the South side as well, but you’ll have to work a bit harder to reach them. Prepare yourself for a bit of a flat terrain along Flapjack run on your way out of the woods. Riders might not be as stoked as skiers, unless you have an awesome skier friend to push you along the way or you’re up for unstrapping and skating when necessary. The upside? Not many riders come here, so you will be playing in powder, not crowds.
There’s a catwalk on Peak 10 that isn’t labeled, but provides an awesome spot for you to pop in or out of the woods. Bang a sharp skier’s left off of Falcon SuperChair and make your way down this service road’s switch backs, hopping in and out of the forest as you desire. You will end up on Upper Lehman when you’re finished, with plenty of more terrain to enjoy on your way down.
PEAK 9 | ¦ ♦
Between Volunteer and Gold King runs on Peak 9, you can find some excellent terrain. Ride up to the top of Beaver Run SuperChair or C-Chair and make your way towards Gold King. This area has a narrow strip of really fun woods, enabling you to do a tree run even when your crew is looking for a groomer. Pop in and out of the thin forest as you please, or just wave to your friends, since they can see you easily from the run. Meet at the bottom and do it again!
PEAK 8 |♦ ♦♦
The South end of Contest Bowl is filled with woods and fresh snow. Ride up the T-Bar and hit the ridge along Horseshoe Bowl, also known as Alpine Alley. Play in the woods along the cornice, staying skier’s left, and then access the pow stashes below. Have fun!
Located underneath Rocky Mountain SuperChair and between Duke’s Run and Little Johnny, you’ll find some fun woods that often yield hidden powder. Since a mogul run is next to them, not many people mosey down this way, so you will have the place to yourself, and the pow, too!
Shredding with the kiddos? You can still have a blast in the trees. Rip’s Ravine is the perfect spot to teach them and is a Kids’ Adventure Zone, so you will be able to spot them easily throughout the run.
PEAK 7 |♦
Another great tree run with tons of fresh snow is called Lower Forget-Me-Not. You will hop on the Independence SuperChair again and act as if you are heading to the T-bar lift. Don’t get on the lift. Instead, turn into the second set of trees between the T-bar lift and the Claimjumper run for a ton of fun down Lower Forget-Me-Not. Or, you could hit our favorite tree run in the resort by dropping in the forest to the right, the first set of trees located below T-bar. This gully is like a half pipe made by Ullr, just for your enjoyment; that’s why locals call it Toilet Bowl. Hit it early in the day before it’s tracked out. Stay skier’s left in the woods for more pow and a bit of a challenge; just be careful as the trees get really tight before spitting you onto Claimjumper for some exciting rollers. Use caution when hitting them, as people might be resting below. ALWAYS use a spotter when hitting big rollers like this!
For more of a beginner run through the woods, head north of the Swan City run, where there are some great woods to play around in. The incline is minimal and you will end up at the Grand Lodge at Peak 7 when you’re finished. Stop by Sevens, the restaurant at the base of Peak 7. Warm up and grab some grub with friends while taking in the gorgeous view of what you just conquered.
Take the Independence SuperChair up Peak 7 and hit Ore Bucket at the top of the warming hut. You will see others zooming by on their way to the Kenosha SuperChair, but don’t mind them. You can access some sweet pow right here by dropping into the trees below. Enjoy the rest of the run down Wanderlust or Monte Cristo to give your legs a break.
PEAK 6 |♦
When getting off Kenosha SuperChair, turn hard skier’s right and head towards the trees around the Lost Cabin run and Xanadu run. You can find that fluffy good stuff here long after a blizzard, so it’s worth the trek between two lifts to access it. Enjoy!
6-CHAIR |♦
Don’t follow the crowds. When you hop off 6-Chair, take an immediate skier’s left towards Upper Four O’clock run towards the back of Contest Bowl. Instead of going over into Contest Bowl, stay skier’s right and play in the woods before hopping onto Frosty’s Freeway, which brings you back to 6-Chair. Be aware of hidden obstacles and cliffs if you stay too hard right before Frosty’s Freeway. If you’d like more of a challenge and are an expert rider, test your skills in the trees down Southern Cross or Lower Psychopath instead of opting for Frosty’s Freeway.
Take a seat on 6-Chair again and hang a hard skier’s right when you get off. Then, traverse a bit and pop onto any of the black diamonds to your left (we enjoy No Name and Solitude). Eventually, you will come out to some super fun woods, skier’s right of the lift and Frosty’s Freeway. There’s rarely anyone else in these trees, so have a blast! Since many of the tree runs accessed by 6-Chair intersect with other runs and obstacles, ALWAYS look around you, be aware of other skiers and riders, use proper mountain etiquette and don’t cross if it isn’t clear.
E-CHAIR | ♦♦
The Windows area is a local favorite for many reasons. Hit them early, though, or you might miss out. When you’re under E-Chair, take a sharp skier’s left and you will see the small gate to the Windows. The terrain here is for expert skiers and riders, so take note. The tight woods keep most of the crowds away, and you can find fresh snow in the gullies for days. Go slow and enjoy the adventure!
Clearly, there isn’t a lack of powder-filled woods on the hills of Breck; you just have to know where to go and when. The early skier or rider catches the fresh tracks, so get up for first chair and make the most of your day. You’ve already paid for your stay, so what are you waiting for? Secure the snowiest dates to shred Breckenridge before they are booked up. We recommend January, early February and early March, but Ullr dumped on us this past April, so anytime is a great time to be in the mountains, finding the freshies in the woods with your pals. See you in a few months!
*Please note that this content is written purely for informational purposes and BOB assumes no liability for those who attempt these runs. Any and all attempts at the above list of ski runs are the responsibility of the skier or rider. There are hidden obstacles and other shredders on the hill, so be careful, wear a helmet and follow the rules of the ski resort. The staff at BOB recommends skiing with a group as an added safety measure. Conditions vary, so ask the ski resort staff about the conditions prior to riding difficult terrain. Don’t forget: trees don’t move! So, go slow!!
Who says Breckenridge Ski Area is only for snow hounds? Did you know that the Peak 8 Fun Park is open with activities for most ages from mid-June through early September?
As you may already know, Breckenridge is renowned all over the world for its appeal to winter sports lovers, given its legendary snowfall and extended ski season. But, what you may not already know is that the fall season is one of the best times to visit Breck. Sure, you’ve likely heard rumors that Breck is a ski town, and those who believe that are really just limiting themselves when it comes to all that this town has to offer. Not only are our forests adorned with the gorgeous transformations that this season brings to the aspen groves, but there are countless other reasons to make sure to hit Breck this Autumn.