Breckenridge started as a mining town and is now a popular ski resort in Summit County, in Colorado. Part of the Rocky Mountains, the area provides some great opportunities for winter sport enthusiasts and also makes a great destination for a family holiday. And while skiing holidays are not generally known for being low cost trips, you can bring the cost of your holiday down considerably by booking one of the many rental homes in the area, which will free up a bit more budget for enjoying your family holiday!

The Breckenridge ski resort comprises four peaks and over 2,300 acres of skiing - most people going there on a family holiday will be looking forward to some winter sports. You can try your hand at everything from downhill slopes to cross country skiing and snowshoes, and all age and experience levels are catered for. In the summer, the area becomes a beauty spot full of hiking trails in the mountains (often accessible via the ski lifts), and you can also play golf or go cycling along trails full of wild flowers. You can also check out the area's history as a mining town in the Edwin Carter Museum, which dates back to 1875 and is thought to be the oldest museum in Colorado. For a real taste of what makes this part of Colorado unique, you can even take jeep tours out to look at ghost towns in the area - old mining towns which didn't adapt when the mines closed and have been abandoned. These eerie empty towns are a fascinating snapshot of a unique slice of history.

With a wide variety of apartments, lodges and condos available to rent in Breckenridge, there are many great deals to be found, and rental homes large enough for a family of four or more can be found from around £750 a week. In addition to being a money saving option when compared to many hotel rooms, the condos are great for kids - providing plenty of space to run around and let off steam without disturbing other tourists. If you've gone for a skiing trip to Breckenridge, younger members of the family won't be running around much outdoors unsupervised, so that extra space really comes in handy. And with all modern comforts including broadband, DVD players and LCD TVs, apartment rentals make for a much more comfortable and relaxing holiday.