Opened in January of 2006, the BreckConnect Gondola connects the town of Breckenridge with the ski resort, transporting skiers back and forth in style. One of the most modern gondolas in North America, each of its 121 cabins can hold up to eight people, with plenty of room for equipment and gear. It's the best way to traverse the mountains and enjoy the splendor of the gorgeous Colorado scenery.
The BreckConnect's two main base areas are located at Peak 8 of the ski resort and the Breckenridge Transportation Center, which is conveniently located right off Main Street in the heart of the town. The one-way route, stretching 7,592 feet in length, takes only 10 minutes, with a mid-station at Shock Hill and another scheduled to open at 2008 on Peak 7.
Truly an engineering marvel, the BreckConnect contains 28 towers and is suspended 396 feet in the air. Helicopters were used to carry the towers, terminals, and concrete into place to preserve the natural beauty of the area and reduce the impact of construction. The gondola's path was also meticulously planned to limit the amount of tree loss, preserving the magnificent beauty of the forest. The gondola, which is capable of transporting 2,800 people per hour, also has another significant environmental impact, saving an estimated 20,375 gallons of gas each season by eliminating the need for bus transportation between the terminals.
With BreckConnect in place, the ski resort can commence with massive renovations to both Peaks 7 and 8, only increasing Breckenridge's place as one of the country's premier resort villages.
Breckenridge offers no shortage of hotels, resorts, inns, bed and breakfasts, and private lodgings. Every price range imaginable and every comfort ever fathomed can be found in this town. From grand hotels with breathtaking scenery, to motels that are perfect for the ski bum in you, accommodations are easy to find and are sure to please any sort of traveler.
When you plan your visit to this town, think about the sort of vacation that you want to experience. If you are heading to Breckenridge solely to ski, find a slope side hotel such as The Great Divide Lodge (which happens to be the only full service slope side hotel), or consider staying within the ski resort itself, which is practical if you plan to hit the slopes early and go to bed late.
If you are traveling with another person that doesn�t care too much for winter time activities, but would thoroughly enjoy one of Breckenridge�s many spas, take a look at The Lodge and Spa. This hotel boasts a fantastic view of all that the town has to offer from the great Rocky mountain range to the majestic green forests, and you�ll never be more than a step away from any of the many spa services offered.
For the ultimate in luxury and privacy, contemplate renting a private vacation home. All vacation homes within Breckenridge live up to the towns lavish standards, furnishings are top notch, intimacy is guaranteed, and when the night time sky ignites the passion within, no �do not disturb� signs are necessary. With lodging options such as these, there are a million reasons why you should visit this town, and a million more why you should stay longer.
