Imperial Bowl: Breck's more 'serious' side
Skiers traverse a ridge above Imperial Bowl (right) at Breckenridge on Feb. 2.
Story and photo by John Meyer, The Denver Post
BRECKENRIDGE — There was a time when this sprawling resort was perceived by some as "Breckenflats," because so much of the terrain at the bottom of the mountains here can be pretty tame. But that moniker is an inside joke to those who pass the sign at the entrance to the lofty Imperial Express lift on Peak 8 en route to high adventure.
"This lift services a high alpine environment. Expert and extreme terrain only," it says. "Areas may be closed at any time due to weather or avalanche hazard."
(Haha! If you've been around a few years, you'll remember when the lift first opened!)
The Imperial Express provides access to the highest lift-served terrain in North America, including Imperial Bowl, and there is nothing tame about it. It is steep and thrilling. It offers an above-timberline panorama of staggering beauty. It is the wild side of Breckenridge, now celebrating its 50th year of operation.
Read about the "two faces" of Breck in the rest of Meyer's story. And see a couple of awesome photos from archives.
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