Imperial Challenge

The Imperial Challenge turns Breckenridge into an endurance testing ground each April, combining alpine skiing (or skinning), road biking, and trail running into a single mountain race that climbs toward Peak 8.

This spring rite of passage starts at the base of Peak 9 around 8:00 AM on a Saturday in mid-to-late April, with athletes tackling a 2,000-vertical-foot ski descent or skin ascent, a 17-mile bike ride through town and onto Boreas Pass Road, and a 5-mile trail run that finishes back at the Breckenridge Recreation Center.

You don’t need to be an elite racer to enter—weekend warriors, relay teams, and first-timers make up much of the field—but you do need to be ready for altitude (the course tops out near 11,000 feet) and unpredictable spring weather that can swing from sunshine to snow squalls in an hour. Registration opens in January and typically fills by March; entry fees run $75–$125 depending on whether you race solo or as part of a relay team.

Spectators, friends, and families pack the transition zones to cheer, heckle, and hand off water bottles, making this as much a community celebration as a competitive event.

What to Expect

Solo racers and ski-leg relay members either ski down a groomed run on Peak 9 (if snow conditions allow) or skin uphill from the base, depending on what organizers decide based on April’s snowpack. From there, athletes transition to bikes at the base area and ride through Breckenridge’s neighborhoods onto Boreas Pass Road, a dirt road that climbs steadily through aspen groves and high meadows.

The run leg starts at the Recreation Center on Airport Road, heads out onto trails around Cucumber Gulch, and finishes back at the Rec Center, where friends, family, and beer sponsors await. Transition zones are chaotic and fun—expect to see people fumbling with bike shoes, downing energy gels, and shouting encouragement to teammates. The event wraps with an awards ceremony and post-race party around noon, featuring local food trucks, live music, and prize raffles for categories like fastest solo time, best relay team, and best costume (yes, some people race in tutus and superhero capes).

Timing & Logistics

• Race day registration and packet pickup start at 7:00 AM at the base of Peak 9; arrive by 6:30 AM if you need to sort out last-minute gear
• Weather in late April can bring anything from 60°F sunshine to snowstorms—check the forecast and pack layers, gloves, and a windbreaker
• If you’re not racing, the best spectator spots are at the ski-to-bike transition (base of Peak 9) and the run finish at the Rec Center
• Parking is free at the Rec Center and at various lots near the ski area; a free shuttle runs between transition zones starting at 7:00 AM

If You’re Bringing a Dog

Dogs aren’t allowed on the race course, but they’re welcome at the finish-line party at the Rec Center as long as they’re on leash. Breckenridge is famously dog-friendly—if you’re in town all weekend, explore the trails around Cucumber Gulch or the Blue River for off-leash dog parks and easy walking.

Good to Know

The Imperial Challenge began in 2007 as a grassroots race organized by Breckenridge locals seeking a spring event that tested mountain fitness across multiple disciplines. It’s grown into one of the town’s signature endurance events, drawing competitors from across Colorado and beyond. Past winners include local mountain guides, professional triathletes, and ski patrollers—people who live and train at altitude year-round.

Beyond the Race: Spring in Summit County

Breckenridge sits at 9,600 feet in Summit County, surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks and high-country terrain that’s still shedding winter in April. If you’re in town for the Imperial Challenge weekend, make time for a morning hike on the Burro Trail, which climbs above town for views of the Tenmile Range, or drive 12 miles north to Dillon Reservoir, a 3,300-acre lake tucked between the mountains. April is quiet season at the reservoir—ice-out usually happens mid-to-late month—but the shoreline trails are open, and you can walk the Dillon Dam or the paved Dillon Reservoir Recreation Path for big water views without summer crowds. For dinner, try Downstairs at Eric’s (established 1974) on Main Street, where steaks, seafood, and an old-school Breckenridge vibe have been fueling locals and visitors for five decades. If you’re staying the weekend, look for rentals in Breckenridge or nearby Frisco on Lake.com—Frisco sits right on Dillon Reservoir, and spring mornings there are cold and bright, perfect for coffee on a deck overlooking the water before you head back to town for post-race celebrations.