Breckenridge Day 1 - breath taking quite literally

I awoke at 4am....not exactly planned but jet lag doesn't care about plans and timetables. I got out of bed to get a drink and was greeted by this sight out my balcony door.

The snow was coming down hard. Carl who drove the shuttle from Denver to Breck had predicted a 50/50 chance of snow. The anticipation of a potential powder day kept me awake for the next hour and a half. And then once asleep again there was no stirring me until 10,30am. By this time the balcony pictured had changed...

Yes indeed a blue bird day. Although the pull of the mountain was strong I decided it would be in my better interests to postpone my departure for the slopes until after I'd partaken of a decent breakfast. The egg n bacon bagel and coffee at Clint's diner across the creek from the hotel fitted the bill. If not decent it was breakfast at least...no actually it was pretty good. And I have to say I love sitting and listening to Americans chit chat. They're so loud and effusive. And the variety of accents on offer in Breckenridge is classic.

With a happy belly I strolled back to the hotel. Pausing to take a couple of snaps on the way...to say it was a stunning day is an understatement.

The aptly named River Mountain Lodge, from the river side.

A quick change and i was at the bus stop outside the RML by 12 noon. The bus arrived on time...this is Breckenridge....and whisked me to the brand new Peak 8 Gondola station. A massive new development since my time in Breckenridge, the gondola runs from town up to the Peak 7 base area (also new development) and across to Peak 8 base. 

I intended to spend the day skiing Peak 8, where I worked, to check out all the cool runs that I used to know so well. 

First stop was Claim Jumper. A cruisy green with fun undulating rollers. It's quite a long run but being a green not overly demanding, so i skied it top to bottom without stopping.

By the time a pulled into the base area the heart was pounding and I was very short of breath.

Breckenridge base is at 10000ft above sea level and I was feeling every inch of it. I decided to take it a little easier for the rest of the day to give myself a chance to aclimate. 

That proved a good call, as the heart rate remained normal for the rest of the day, and only the day itself was breath taking.

Spent the afternoon skiing a variety of blues and blacks, mostly groomed on Peak 8. The snow was fabulous, and the weather superb. Not a cloud in the ski and only the hint of a breeze.

Last run of the day a cruiser down 4 0'Clock which conveniently terminates across the road from RML.

Hit the balcony for a happy snap and then off to town to check out ski jackets.