While considering the options of Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge, as a local here I can help outline some of the pros and cons of each of these famous communities in Colorado. All feature enjoyable activities, lively downtown areas, and among the premier slopes to ski on in Colorado.
In this manual, I’ll offer data about every town’s accessibility, attractions, spots to remain, and general expenses. With these understandings, you’ll have the option to thin down which of these retreat towns — Aspen, Vail or Breckenridge — best fits your financial plan and interests.
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Table of Contents
Which is Better: Aspen or Vail or Breckenridge?
When contrasting Aspen against Breckenridge and Vail, Aspen presents as the premier overall destination based on my view. From premier skiing to boutique shopping, spas, and lavish lodging, this mountain town challenges beating. However, Breckenridge and Vail gain points for their affordability and family-oriented attractions.
Advantages of Aspen
- World-class skiing accessible at 4 resorts suitable for all skill levels
- Award-winning restaurants
- Luxurious lodging that allows skiing directly from the accommodation
- Historic structures and fascinating mining history make this location home to many entertaining options
- Fewer crowds
- Summer activities include whitewater rafting, bicycling, and hiking to naturally hot mineral springs in Colorado
- Regional airport in the city, or around a 3.5-hour drive from Denver International Airport
Advantages of Vail
- Home to Colorado’s biggest ski resort
- More affordable than Aspen
- Excellent restaurant options
- Vail features lodging near cable vehicles
- Less formal, more laid-back vibe than Aspen
- Summer activities in Vail involve ropes courses, mountain bicycling, and hiking
- 35 min. drive from Eagle Regional Airport, or a 2-hour drive from DIA
- Easily accessible from I-70
Advantages of Breckenridge
- Family-friendly ski resort
- Cheaper options for food and hotels
- Accommodations in Breckenridge are distributed across a more expansive area
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Near Frisco Adventure Park with tubing, cycling, and more youth-friendly activities
- Approximately a 1-hour 25-minute drive from Eagle Regional Airport, or about a 2-hour drive from DIA
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Aspen is Best For
- Upscale travelers
- Skiers of all levels
- Serious foodies
- Longer vacations
Vail is Best For
- Short outdoor weekend getaways
- Girls trips and group vacations
La Jolla, within San Diego
Breckenridge is Best For
- Family trips
- Outdoor adventure weekends
- Quick getaways from Denver
Vail vs Aspen vs Breckenridge – Detailed Comparison
Vail or Aspen or Breckenridge — it’s a tough choice! Each of these three towns has definite benefits and downsides.
The following table compares how Breckenridge, Vail, and Aspen stack up against each other in a few different classifications:
| Feature | Aspen | Vail | Breckenridge | 🏆 Winner |
| Ski Areas | 4 ski venues, most affordable lift tickets, ski directly to and from lodging | Largest ski area, priciest lift tickets, ski directly to and from lodging | Many trails for beginners, ski directly to and from lodging | Aspen |
| Family-Friendly | Ski school, hiking, ropes challenge | Ski school, Children’s Alpine Garden, alpine rollercoaster, hiking, ropes challenge, playground | Ski school, kids’ ski zones, alpine rollercoaster and slide, downtown playground | Vail |
| Winter Activities (non-skiing) | Snowshoeing, alpine rollercoaster, tubing, snowbiking, snowcat dinner rides | Snowshoeing, tubing, ice skating, fat tire biking, ice fishing | Snowshoeing, snowcat tours, dog sledding, snowmobiling, sleigh rides | Breckenridge |
| Summer Activities | Hiking, biking, disc golf, Maroon Bells, festivals, paddleboarding, kayaking | Hiking, biking, alpine rollercoaster, festivals, paddleboarding, kayaking | Hiking, biking, festivals, paddleboarding, kayaking | Aspen |
| Getting Around Town | Free public transit, walking, WE-cycle bikes, rental car, hotel shuttle | Free public transit, walking, rental car, hotel shuttle | Free public transit, walking, biking, rental car, hotel shuttle | Aspen and Vail |
| Access from Denver Int`l Airport | Minimum 3 hour 45 min. drive; located on CO-82 | Minimum 2 hour drive; located directly off I-70 | Minimum 2 hour drive; located on CO-9 | Vail |
| Inexpensive Things to Do | John Denver Sanctuary, Aspen Art Museum, Conundrum Hot Springs | Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Colorado Snowsports Museum & Hall Of Fame, Gore Valley Bike Trail | Visit a troll, historic downtown, Edwin Carter Museum | Breckenridge |
| Indoor Activities | Aspen Art Museum, Wheeler Opera House, spas, Aspen Brewing Co. | Colorado Snowsports Museum & Hall Of Fame, spas, Vail Brewing Co. | Rec Center, Stephen C. West Ice Arena, Breckenridge Backstage Theatre | Aspen |
| Off the Beaten Path | Dog sledding, summer gondola, Grottos Trail, paragliding, ghost tour | Goat yoga, Jeep tour, fly fishing, whitewater rafting, hike with a llama | Visit a troll, dog sledding, fat biking and beer tour, snowmobiling, ice fishing | Vail |
Vail vs Breckenridge vs Aspen: Ski Resorts
Breckenridge, Vail or Aspen – when choosing ski destinations in Colorado, it can be difficult. All three locales are home to some of the top ski resorts in the state, so any selection is valid!
However, each one has its advantages. Breckenridge is small and easy to navigate with the entire family. Similarly, the town of Vail was designed to be a great ski town, so everything was built with winter sports primarily in mind.
When it comes to variety, Aspen earns top marks. It is home to four ski resorts: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Aspen Snowmass, and Buttermilk. This allows tourists to spread out, meaning shorter lift lines and trails to yourself.
Aspen:
- 4 ski resorts cater to a variety of abilities
- Least expensive lift tickets
- Lots of ski-in, ski-out lodgings to get you on the slopes fast (also, great for children!)
Vail:
- Biggest ski resort
- Most acres of skiable terrain
- Most expensive lift tickets
- Lots of lodging near gondolas
Breckenridge:
- Lots of ski areas designed for kids
- Lots of ski-in, ski-out lodging
- Great classes & private lessons
🏆 Winner: Aspen
Aspen or Breckenridge or Vail: Family Friendliness
Traveling with children can be challenging. With ski schools and children’s play areas, all of these mountain towns accommodate families navigating kids. But Vail especially stands out for its variety of family-oriented activities.
Aspen:
- Ski school for kids
- Hiking for every ability
- Summer ropes course
Vail:
- Ski school for kids
- Hikes for all abilities
- Summer ropes challenge course, nature center, mountain roller coaster
- Grassy area with a playground, Betty Ford Alpine Garden, and Children’s Garden
Breckenridge:
- Ski school for kids
- Ski areas designed for children with tunnels and spaces to explore
- Summer alpine coaster and slide
- Downtown playground
🏆 Winner: Vail
Breckenridge vs Vail vs Aspen: Winter Activities (Non-Skiing)
If you love a beautiful winter wonderland but don’t ski or snowboard, take heart! Each of these cities offers seasonal activities, though you’ll find the most unique things to do in Breckenridge.
Aspen:
- Snow tubing
- Snow biking
- Snowshoeing
- Snowcat dinner rides
- Alpine coaster
Vail:
- Snow tubing
- Fat tire biking
- Snowshoeing
- Ice skating rink in Lionshead Village
- Ice fishing
Breckenridge:
- Snowshoeing
- Snowcat tours
- Dog sledding
- Snowmobiling
- Sleigh rides
🏆 Winner: Breckenridge
Breckenridge or Aspen or Vail: Summer Activities
Although these are all awesome ski towns, the enjoyment doesn’t stop in summer. Each town has activities at the top of their respective mountains, plus fun festivals and more in town. In terms of variety though, you’ll find the most things to do in Aspen.
Aspen:
- Hiking for all ability levels, including Maroon Bells and some of the finest paths in Colorado
- Biking around town or on the mountain
- Disc golf on the mountain
- Festivals in town
- Paddleboarding and kayaking
Vail:
- Hiking in the Rocky Mountains for all levels
- Pedaling — take the gondola mechanically and cycle down the mountainside!
- Alpine coaster
- Festivals in Vail and Lionshead Villages
- Paddleboarding and kayaking
Breckenridge:
- Hiking in the Rocky Mountains for all levels
- Biking at lots of nearby sites
- Festivals in town
- Paddleboarding & Kayaking
- Mountaintop yoga
🏆 Winner: Aspen
Vail or Breckenridge or Aspen: Getting Around Town
Later, I suggest exploring some of the areas within Manhattan that feature great diversity. For example, Chinatown offers places to eat, unique shops to browse, and attractions like the Mahayana Buddhist Temple and the Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory that make it unlike other parts of the city.
Aspen:
- Free public transportation to major points downtown
- Walking — most of the town is easy to reach on foot
- WE-cycle bikes
- Rental car
- Hotel shuttle service
Vail:
- Free public transportation throughout Lionshead and Vail Village
- Both villages can be reached easily on foot since they are located near one another.
- Rental car
- Hotel shuttle service
Breckenridge:
- Free public transportation to popular spots
- Walking
- Biking
- Rental car
- Hotel shuttle service
🏆 Winner: Aspen and Vail
Breckenridge vs Aspen vs Vail: Cheap Things to Do
All of these destinations are known for requiring higher expenditures to enjoy communities in Colorado. However, one is able to appreciate themselves on a budget in each place — Breckenridge, especially. Along with inexpensive activities, you can save money on food, lodging, and skiing by visiting during shoulder seasons.
Aspen:
- Have a picnic at the John Denver Sanctuary and walk through the gardens
- Hiking — check out Discovery Trail, Grizzly Lake, and Conundrum Hot Springs
- Visit the Aspen Art Museum
- Bike the Rio Grande Trail in town
- Travel Independence Pass, one of the finest driving tours in Colorado
- People-watch in downtown Aspen
Vail:
- Stroll the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens & Children’s Garden
- Wander through Vail & Lionshead Villages
- Learn about winter sports at the Snowsports Museum & Hall Of Fame
- Toss back a cold one at Vail Brewing Co.
- Bike the Gore Valley Bike Trail
Breckenridge:
- Visit Isaak Heartstone, a forest troll at the end of a short nature trail
- Browse historic downtown
- Learn about CO civil rights at the Barney Ford Victorian Home
- Bike the Blue River Rec Path
- Wander the Valley Brook Cemetery for a creepy history lesson
- Sample a local spirit at Breckenridge Distillery
- See trains at High Line Railroad Park
- Ride the Breckenridge Gondola
- Drive Boreas Pass Road for amazing views
Browse creations by local artists in the Arts District.
🏆 Winner: Breckenridge
Aspen vs Breckenridge vs Vail: Indoor Activities
When on your trip, there may be winter days when it is too cold; and in the summer, plan for afternoon showers. Fortuitously, when you want to spend time inside for a while, all of these towns have great indoor options! Aspen especially caters to every type of interest.
Aspen:
- Appreciate contemporary art at the Aspen Art Museum
- .
- Relax and enjoy an afternoon at Aspen Brewing Company.
- Unwind with a treatment at an Aspen spa
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Food and water are vital supplies for a 7-day camping trip. In addition to shelter and sleeping gear, visitors will need to bring a camp stove for cooking, as well as personal care items, medications, lip balm, and extra tent stakes.
Vail:
- Learn at the Colorado Snowsports Museum & Hall Of Fame
- Enjoy a craft beer at Vail Brewing Co.
- Relax with a treatment at a Vail spa
Breckenridge:
- Use the climbing apparatus and play in the pools at the Breckenridge Recreation Center
- Ice skate at the Stephen C. West Ice Arena
- Take in a show at the Breckenridge Backstage Theatre
🏆 Winner: Aspen
Vail vs Breckenridge vs Aspen: Off the Beaten Path
People commonly expect to engage in activities like skiing, hiking, and biking in the mountains. However, consider some less typical options. Try a diversion that`s a bit divergent from the mainstream.
Aspen:
- Go dog sledding
- See ice caves along the Grottos Trail
- Go paragliding
- Try your luck at fly fishing
- Take an Aspen ghost tour
Ride the summer gondola to fun activities at the top.
Vail:
- “
- .
- Take a Jeep tour
- Try fly fishing
- Spend a day whitewater rafting
- Hike and dine with an alpaca
”
Breckenridge:
- Hike to Isak Heartstone to visit a troll
- Go dog sledding
- Try fat biking in the snow
- Spend a day of adventure snowmobiling
- See if you catch anything while ice fishing
🏆 Winner: Vail (because who can surpass llamas?)
Final Verdict – Breckenridge vs Vail vs Aspen
Aspen receives the big accolade when it comes to a luxury ski vacation. You’ll find every ease imaginable, from spas to fine dining to boutique shopping. In winter, discover amazing skiing at four resorts, plus fun activities for the family in summer. Depending on your home city, Aspen’s airport may also make this the simplest town to reach. You may find yourself sharing a runway with celebrities and other jet-setters!
Vail excels for family-friendly activities. Ski-in, ski-out lodging means families won’t have to transport kids and gear very far. Several playgrounds show that not only are kids tolerated in town, they’re welcomed. Gardens and wide grassy areas are great for releasing energy, and the creek path is an easygoing amble. You’ll also find plenty of places to eat for the whole family.
FAQs About Aspen vs Vail vs Breckenridge
Which is better Aspen or Breckenridge?
Aspen is better suited for elegant, upscale lodging and excellent restaurants and bars. Aspen’s four ski resorts also provide a huge amount of terrain with options for every skill level.
However, Breckenridge has a greater diversity of eateries, along with lodging at lower price points. Also, the singular Breckenridge Ski Resort allows you to find everything you require in one place.
Which is better Vail or Aspen?
Vail is better for an easy trip from Denver. The ski resort is the largest in Colorado, and year-round, you’ll find plenty to do in Vail.
Aspen offers four resort areas, enabling choosing the one best suiting your capabilities and preferences. Aspen also boasts acclaimed restaurants, bars, and hotels rendering it a superior choice for an elegant, more expensive escapade.
Which is nicer Breckenridge or Vail?
Vail has a more expensive ambiance compared to the laid-back environment in Breckenridge. The two villages in Vail were planned to look like Swiss alpine towns. You’ll find beautiful hotels, shops, and bars that all match that aesthetic.
Breckenridge retains lots of remnants of the town’s mining history. As one might anticipate in a historic town, the buildings are more varied, with a blend of old and new.
Which is more luxurious Aspen or Vail?
Aspen offers more luxurious accommodations than Vail. Aspen has the second-priciest average home value in the state. You’ll find numerous upscale hotels and eateries in town.
Vail also has plenty of upscale accommodations, restaurants, and shops. However, downtown is more charming than modern.
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Comparing Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge – hopefully this article aids in choosing the right town for your trip! Each place offers great features and you can`t go wrong with any of them. Be sure to check out our Thorough Guide to Colorado to assist in planning your visit!
