In The Heart Of Breckenridge Is A Luxurious Colorado Mountain Lodge With Affordable Prices

Breckenridge, Colorado is known for many things, chief among them its world-class ski resort, nearly 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, and lively après-ski activities, all of which solidify its status as a popular western ski destination for the perfect winter getaway. The bustling historic district and a burgeoning food scene add to its allure as a vacation town. What it's not known for? Affordability — particularly during its winter high season. 

Award-winning restaurants, private drivers, extravagant excursions, ski rentals, and lift tickets priced at $265 a pop can send the cost of a trip to Breckenridge soaring. The price of lodging plays a role in this lack of affordability, too. Powder Magazine, a website that covers skiing and snowboarding news, listed Breckenridge as the No. 6 most expensive ski resort in the United States. Breckenridge made the list, in part, because of its average nightly lodging rate of $778, according to the website.

However, travelers looking to Breckenridge for their ski vacations can still find budget-friendly luxury if they know where to look. One of those options is River Mountain Lodge, a property situated along the Blue River near downtown Breckenridge that offers a free ski shuttle. A four-night stay in a one-bedroom suite during ski season costs visitors a little over $1,000, or about $260 per night.

River Mountain Lodge is adjacent to Ski Hill Road (an apt spot, given guests' ability to ski into the property at the end of their day on the slopes). To get to the ski area, the lodge provides a free shuttle that takes guests a few blocks to the nearest gondola. 

The property is also close to the downtown historic center, which is often teeming with people visiting shops and restaurants. Guests are about a block away and just need to cross one of the bridges over Blue River to get to Main Street. "The location was great, we were able to walk easily around Breckenridge as we were centrally located," one former guest wrote in a TripAdvisor review. "The walk to the gondola was under 10 minutes and was a nice river walk."

Units at River Mountain Lodge include a mix of traditional hotel rooms and condos with one to four bedrooms, maxing out at 2,000 square feet. The hotel-style rooms have mini-fridges and microwaves, while the larger units offer full kitchens and dining areas. The property includes shared access to an outdoor pool and hot tubs, a fitness center, and a hotel bar. Some of the larger units have their own private hot tubs, too.

If you choose to stay at River Mountain Lodge but want a break from the slopes, there are plenty of other nearby attractions to visit during the winter months. Before doing anything, though, be sure to physically prepare for high-altitude activities (drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol and caffeine can help).

The Stephen C. West Ice Arena is an 18-minute walk from the property, and the stroll takes you past dozens of shops along Main Street. Once there, visitors can rent skates and choose between the indoor or outdoor rink (the outdoor option is seasonal). Friday and Saturday nights at the rink are extra fun, as the facility offers a disco skate with games and prizes. 

Just down the road from the ice arena is the Illinois Creek Trailhead, which marks the start of a one-mile hike that brings visitors face to face with the Breckenridge troll. The famous troll, named Isak Heartstone, is a 15-foot-tall scrap wood sculpture created by the Danish artist Thomas Dambo in 2018. A stop to say hello and photo-op is a popular activity for visitors to the mountain town.

Breckenridge offers a complimentary bus service called Free Ride, and guests at River Mountain Lodge can use it to traverse the city. There's even a stop right outside of the property. One of the bus stops is at the Breckenridge Nordic Center, where visitors can set out on cross-country ski trails, rent snowshoes, or take a tour from the cab of a Snowcat, a large, tracked vehicle that takes riders over scenic wintry trails.