After our first ski trip to Smugglers’ Notch last March, it was clear—Eli loved skiing. So, without hesitation, I bought the Epic Pass for the 2024-2025 season. We kicked things off at Beaver Creek Resort, staying at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, and instantly fell in love with Colorado. Skiing in the Rockies? Unmatched. East Coast skiing? It doesn’t even compare.

As the season wound down, we wanted one last trip to close it out. A full ski weekend seemed impossible—until we spotted a random four-day weekend in Eli’s school calendar. Without a second thought, we booked our trip to Breckenridge.

Friday Night: Touchdown in Denver

We flew out of Newark on a Friday evening, landing in Denver around 11 PM. After grabbing our rental car from Hertz, we hit the road. The 1 hour, 40-minute drive to Breckenridge was smooth but eerily dark compared to what we’re used to.

Saturday: First Day on the Slopes

We let ourselves sleep in, rolling out of bed around 9 AM (local time). After a hotel breakfast, we headed straight for the slopes, on the lift by 11 AM.

One of the best decisions we made this season? My Epic Gear membership. For $50 per person plus ~$50/day, we could pick up and drop off rental skis slopeside—a game-changer, especially with a kid in tow.

Skiing in Breckenridge was breathtaking. The Rocky Mountains stretched endlessly in every direction. Around 1:30 PM, we stopped for lunch at Maggie’s, a cafeteria-style spot at the base of Peak 9. The food? Standard ski resort fare—overpriced but decent. After refueling, we skied until 4 PM when the slopes closed.

Après-Ski & Dinner

Forgetting our swimsuits for the hot tub was a rookie mistake, so we made a quick Walmart run. Then, dinner at Himalayan Cuisine, where we devoured Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, Buttered Naan, and Chicken Tikka Masala—all delicious.

Back at the hotel, we soaked in the hot tub, winding down before calling it a night.

Sunday: One Last Day on the Mountain

We repeated our itinerary—breakfast, skiing, lunch at Maggie’s, more skiing—until the lifts shut down.

Peak 9 was perfect for me as a beginner, with plenty of scenic Green trails. The mountain views alone melted away all the stress of law school. Returning our My Epic Gear rentals was just as easy as picking them up—no lugging gear back to the hotel.

For dinner, we ventured into downtown Breckenridge, a charming little town. We found a laid-back spot, Breckenridge Ale House & Pizza, and indulged in pizza, beer, and a meatball sub—simple, fast, and satisfying. We took the free shuttle back to our hotel, a great perk in Breck.

Altitude Sickness Hits

Back at the hotel, my husband got hit hard with altitude sickness. While he rested, Eli and I headed back to the hot tub. These quiet moments—under the moonlight, just talking—are what I cherish most. Somehow, in these settings, Eli opens up in ways he doesn’t usually at home.

Monday: Heading Home

With a 3 PM flight, we grabbed a quick breakfast-to-go from the hotel and hit the road by 10 AM. This time, in daylight, the drive was stunning—mountains, valleys, and endless blue skies.

At Denver Airport, TSA PreCheck made security a breeze. We stopped by the Capital One Lounge in Concourse A, grabbed some food, and relaxed before boarding.

By 9 PM, we were back in Newark—exhausted, but refreshed from our weekend escape to Breckenridge.

Was this the most relaxing trip? No. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

Weekend Ski Trip to Breckenridge