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3D Elevation Map

How high is Breckenridge?

Breckenridge sits at 9,747 ft (2,971 m) above sea level, measured from Copernicus GLO-30 satellite data. That sits above Colorado’s average of 6,867 ft (2,093 m) — a relatively high spot, with only about 13% of the state higher.
Interactive 3D elevation map of the Breckenridge, Colorado area, from the Copernicus GLO-30 model

A live 3D slice of the terrain around Breckenridge, from our satellite elevation model. Breckenridge is marked at 9,747 ft (2,971 m); the highest ground in view reaches 14,364 ft (4,378 m). Drag to spin it (tap to start on mobile).

Breckenridge: the highest chairlift in North America

Breckenridge’s Imperial Express SuperChair unloads at 12,840 ft (3,914 m) — the highest chairlift in North America. It opened in 2005 and climbs Peak 8 to within about 100 vertical feet of the summit, delivering skiers to terrain most resorts can only reach on foot.

That is the sharp end of the altitude Breckenridge is built on. The town itself sits far below the lift, at 9,747 ft (2,971 m) — already high enough that the thin air is no small thing, as the altitude section below explains. From the valley floor to that chair, this is a place that lives at elevation.

Breckenridge in Colorado

Here’s the useful context: Breckenridge, at 9,747 ft (2,971 m), sits roughly 2,881 ft (878 m) above Colorado’s average elevation of 6,867 ft (2,093 m). It is one of the higher places in its state — our model puts only about 13% of Colorado’s land higher.

3,333 ft — Colorado low▲ Breckenridge 9,747 ft · avg 6,867 ft ┈14,416 ft — Colorado high

The terrain around Breckenridge

The ground right around Breckenridge is fairly even, close to 9,747 ft (2,971 m), so the city itself feels level underfoot. But the window still catches higher country: the terrain climbs to 14,364 ft (4,378 m) toward the west edge of the view, which is what gives Breckenridge its mountain backdrop.

You can read the whole story in the map above — the flatter ground where the city sits, and the way the land gathers into peaks nearby. It’s the difference between where you stand and what you can see from it.

What Breckenridge’s altitude means

At 9,747 ft (2,971 m), Breckenridge is genuine high-altitude country — at or above the ~8,000 ft (2,400 m) threshold where altitude sickness becomes a real possibility, not just a nuisance. Arriving from sea level, many people feel headache, shortness of breath, poor sleep, and fatigue in the first day or two.

This is ski-town altitude, and the standard advice applies: give yourself a day to acclimatize before hard exertion, drink far more water than feels necessary, ease off alcohol at first, and watch for symptoms that worsen rather than settle. Anyone with a heart or lung condition should take it seriously.

How Breckenridge compares

Among Colorado’s larger cities, Breckenridge is the highest by elevation. For a familiar yardstick, that puts it well above Denver’s mile-high 5,280 ft (1,609 m).

Breckenridge elevation FAQ

How high is Breckenridge?
Breckenridge’s elevation is about 9,747 ft (2,971 m) above sea level at the city center, measured from Copernicus GLO-30 satellite data.
Is Breckenridge high or low for Colorado?
High. At 9,747 ft (2,971 m) it sits above Colorado’s average of 6,867 ft (2,093 m), with only about 13% of the state higher.
Does Breckenridge’s altitude affect visitors?
Yes. At 9,747 ft (2,971 m), Breckenridge is at genuine high altitude, near or above the ~8,000 ft (2,400 m) line where altitude sickness is a real risk; give yourself a day to acclimatize and hydrate hard.

Explore more

Breckenridge’s elevation is a native ~30 m windowed-median sample from Copernicus GLO-30 (ESA); the Colorado figures are computed across the state from the same model. The 3D view is a fine windowed sample at roughly 210 m resolution, sharp enough to resolve the surrounding ridgelines. Data as of 2026-08-17.