Bailey Ness, CEO & Creative Director of Nesscessity, was born and raised in Minnesota, so you could say winter and all its snowy activities are second nature to her. Bailey learned to ski and snowboard at an early age on family vacations to quaint Colorado mountain-towns. Moving to Colorado was a no-brainer for her, and when she did post-college, she started exploring every ski resort the state has to offer. Her favorite mountain to shred? Breckenridge.

If you’re looking for a memorable mountain town? Breckenridge understood the assignment.

First things first. You need to get to Breckenridge to enjoy all this mountain town has to offer! The easiest way to do this is by flying into the Denver International Airport. Once you are in Denver, you can either (1) rent a car and make the 2-hour drive, or (2) you can use the Summit Express shuttle service that offers direct trips from the airport to Breckenridge.

Ski Spots

Breckenridge Ski Resort offers unforgettable skiing and snowboarding for all ability levels. People are drawn to Breckenridge because of its size, terrain variety and lengthy runs.

Northstar

At Halfdays, we’re all about an inclusive ski run. Northstar, a run located on Peak 8 has something for everyone! This long and relatively straight groomer is great for carving at high speeds or taking it slower to enjoy the views of downtown Breckenridge.

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Upper Lehman

Bailey describes the Upper Lehman as a “mellow cruiser.” This blue-level run is quite peaceful, out of the way, and rarely crowded. This run can be accessed via the Mercury Superchair.

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Where To Stay

Finding a cozy place to stay during your Breckenridge ski vacation depends on what you’re looking for. Whether you’re looking for a luxury ski-in, ski-out stay, or a quaint Victorian bed and breakfast, your options are endless.

Chic Studio in the Heart of Breckenridge on Airbnb

This stylish studio is perfectly located in the heart of Breckenridge providing an easy walk to the Quicksilver Ski Lift to enjoy a day on the slopes. In the summer months, you’ll be close to amazing hikes including the Burro Trail and the Iowa Hill Trail. Regardless of the season, it’s just a short distance to all the fun that Main Street has to offer.

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One Ski Hill Place

One Ski Hill place is another great option for your trip. It’s one of the closest resort hotels to several popular ski lifts, which makes it perfect for families who want total ski-in/ski-out convenience. Each condo has its own fireplace along with all the amenities of a full-service kitchen. However, if you prefer to head to town for dinner, jump on the Gondola and arrive in moments.

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Where to Après in Aspen

When skiing ends, aprés begins! Bailey loves any excuse to wear her Halfdays – so naturally she has a knack for finding the best aprés bar that Breckenridge has to offer.

TBar

Slide on over to the TBar, located at the base of Peak 8 in One Ski Hill Place, and enjoy a few well-deserved drinks. The slopeside TBar is the perfect place to spend some sun-soaked time relaxing and sipping on a cocktail that accents your ski wear nicely. Like an Aperol Spritz, to match your Halfdays Aperol Spritz set, duh!

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Breckenridge Brewery

Breckenridge Brewery is not only a great place to aprés, but also offers breathtaking views of the mountains, an eclectic menu, and a wide selection of beer styles. Breckenridge Brewery epitomizes the laid-back, mountain-town vibe. So, next time you visit Breckenridge, make sure to hit up this local spot for a seasonal ale(or two)! Bailey’s favorite beer is the Christmas Ale which she says “leaves her wishing Christmas came more than once a year and winter never had to end.”

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Other Activities

Breckenridge may be widely-known as a ski mecca, but Breckenridge is a first-rate destination that both skiers and non-skiers can enjoy during the winter. We asked Bailey what her favorite non-skiing activities are–here’s what she had to say!

Dog Sledding

If you’re looking to get away from the slopes for a few hours, then dog sledding through the Rockies is a MUST! Cute dogs and a day spent in the snow? Sounds like the perfect winter activity to us.

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Shopping on Historic Main Street

When she’s not hitting the slopes in Breckenridge, you can find Bailey on a very unnecessary (necessary) shopping spree in Frisco. Frisco is a short 15 minutes away from Breckenridge and visitors can stroll one of the most charming main streets in Colorado for unique shopping, and delicious food! Bailey recommends grabbing lunch at Bread + Salt, a local restaurant that uses Colorado-grown ingredients!

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What to Wear

Spending a whole weekend in Breckenridge without the perfect outfits? Ugh–AS IF! Bailey gives us her favorite ski wear accessories at the moment! And let us tell you these pieces are the moment.

Suicoke Boots

These super sleek boots from Suicoke are to die for. The beige and white color combo adds a stylish touch to your already super cute winter fit. Bailey recommends these boots for all your slopeside aprés(ing)!

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Howl Down Mit

Fire mittens = warm hands. It’s simple math. These cozy mittens from Howl have a permanent place in our winter wardrobe. They also come in multiple colorways, so no matter which Halfdays jacket you’re sporting, there’s a pair for you!

@howl.supply

Breckenridge has this amazing ability to somehow make every tourist feel like a local! We’re not sure why it feels that way, it could be because everyone is so darn nice, or because many of the locals were once tourists or ski bums who fell in love with the area and decided to make it their home. Whatever the reason may be, you are sure to feel right at home in Breckenridge! Use this guide to plan your next ski weekend away!

Bailey Ness

Bailey Ness is the CEO and Creative Director at Nesscessity, a creative marketing agency based in Denver, Co. When she isn't busy running her business (#bossbabe), she loves to ski, run & brunch.