It’s nose-burning cold outside, still dark enough to see the Milky Way, and you crave some serious fuel to jump-start your powder day. Whether you’re a carbo-loader or a paleo prowler, there’s a Summit County café to meet the morning need. Some have been flipping eggs since Breck first opened in 1961; new additions, like Peak 6, add fresh options to tracked-out culinary terrain.

Arapahoe Café

626 Lake Dillon Drive, Dillon 970-468-0873

This comfortable, bright, and spacious eatery draws big tables of family skiers and boarders alike, all bound for A-Basin. Menu must-haves range from bone-in ham steaks and pork tamales to the nontraditional Cobb omelet stuffed with chicken, bacon, tomato, avocado, and bleu cheese. Cool deal: an extra $1.50 buys a side of gravy, hollandaise, or green or red chile sauce with any dish.

Blue Moon Bakery

253 Summit Place, Silverthorne, 970-513-0669

The long but fast-moving line forms early for everything from hot-from-the-oven bagels with cream cheese and lox to gluten-free French toast, and the handful of seats get snapped up as quickly as the huevos rancheros. In a hurry? Carbs-to-go range from sticky buns to chocolate peanut butter bars. 

Blue Moose

540 S Main St., Breckenridge, 970-453-4859

The Moose attracts a legion of loyal regulars whose “usual” includes green chile eggs Benedicts, steak scrambles, or cinnamon raisin French toast washed down with a cilantro Bloody Mary or a fruit smoothie, depending on their mood. If you don’t know when you’ll be back for seconds, pick The English: eggs, one piece each of ham, bacon, and sausage, plus grilled tomatoes, toast, and home fries. 

Bread & Salt

401 Main St., Frisco, 970-668-0902

Breakfast gets a profound upgrade at this new morning-only café on a sunny corner of downtown Frisco. Chef Michal Ulehla, who owns Bagalis just across Main Street, makes tender duck confit and serves it with roasted apple chunks and poached eggs. His custardy challah French toast with real maple syrup is exceptional, and even his humble breakfast burrito ranks among the tastiest in the county.

Butterhorn Bakery and Cafe

408 Main St., Frisco, 970-668-3997

From the open-face frittata with spinach, mushrooms, and Swiss to the take-out croissant breakfast sandwiches, the menu won’t disappoint. However, it’s a sin (or at least a crying shame) to leave without a bag or three of the baked goods that have made this place famous for 40 years, including ginger snaps, apple croissants, sticky buns, and melt-in-your-mouth fruit bread.

La Francaise French Bakery

411 S Main St., Breckenridge, 970-547-7173

The aromas of raisin brioche, chocolate éclairs, and pastry cream–filled beignets lure most people into this butter-drenched bakery, but take time to enjoy a real omelet or a velvety crêpe cradling soft eggs, ham, and cheese. Be the alpha dude in your group and tuck a dark chocolate raspberry Paris or a glowing lemon meringue tart into your coat pocket to open the appetite before you gorge on Peak 6 powder.

Sunshine Café

250 Summit Place, Silverthorne, 970-468-6663

Named for its sun-soaked dining room, as well as the sunny disposition of servers and diners alike, this longtime mountain favorite is locally famous for its creamy-zesty chorizo Benedict. For long-burning fuel, try the Wheat Cakes: two-inch-high, golden-brown slabs of whole-wheat goodness served like cornbread, with melted butter and a full honey bear. (But not honey badger, because he don’t care.)