Holy Moly Guys!
This post is so long overdue, but the Holiday’s were crazy and my travel guide posts take forever to write, so my apologies for just now getting it up!
Colton and I both were aching to go someplace cold this season and after travel plans didn’t work out with his family for the holidays, we weren’t going to let that stop us from going somewhere! Colton and I both love to ski and since we hadn’t been in a few years, it was on the top of our list to plan this trip.
We did a quick and easy, Thursday through Sunday trip! Spending one night in Denver and the rest in Breckenridge.
We chose Breckenridge as our destination because the first time we went skiing together in 2012, we went to Keystone but spent a day in Breck sightseeing. I fell in love with the little town and always wanted to go back and so that’s what we did!
If you keep scrolling, you’ll get a full recap of our trip, but if you’re planning a trip to Breckenridge and just want that travel guide then click here: BRECKINRIDGE TRAVEL GUIDE
THURSDAY
SHOP THE LOOK
( The Cooper Lounge at Union Station )
SHOP THE LOOK
We flew into Denver Thursday afternoon to explore the city a little bit and see friends! Two of our best friends moved to Denver a year ago and this was our first time making it up there since they moved!
When we landed in Denver, we checked into our hotel and then explored Union Station which was absolutely gorgeous! Not only is it an actual functioning train station, but it has some of the cutest and best restaurants in Denver! We had a drinks at The Cooper Lounge in Union Station (which might be the most picturesque bar I have ever seen) and then went out to dinner with our sweet friend, Gabi. We went to Osteria Marco for dinner and it was seriously so good!! If you’re ever in Denver, I highly recommend going there and to get the cheese board!
FRIDAY
That next morning, we woke up early to have a quick breakfast before making our way to Breck!
Since we were right there, we went back to Union Station (again) and had breakfast at Mercantile Dining & Provisions. I know that Snooze gets all of the attention at Union Station but my advice is to skip the 2 hour+ wait, walk right past it and have breakfast at Mercantile’s because it is so BOMB. Like oh my gosh amazing. I had the smoked salmon avocado toast and Colton had some sort of french toast, that was honestly the best french toast I have ever had in my life!
SHOP THE LOOK
After breakfast, we grabbed our things and were on the way to Breck by 10:00!
One of our best friends, Zach, who we were there to see, let us borrow his truck to drive up to Breck for the weekend! Even though we could have easily rented a car, we were very thankful that he let us borrow his!! We made it to Breckenridge a little bit before noon, just in time to check into our hotel.
We stayed at the Mountain Thunder Lodge and I honestly cannot say enough good things about this sweet little place. We loved it for so many reasons!! For starters, our room was amazing and so spacious! The room had a full kitchen, dining room, living room, separate bedroom with a king bed and the best balcony! It was the perfect room for a weekend on the mountains. It was right next to downtown, so we were able to walk into town to eat and to shop with complete ease and the best part is that it was a ski-in, ski-out resort! We would store our skis in the hotel’s locker, walk out the door, put our skis on and go!! Then after we were done, we would just ski right up right to the hotel, take our skis off and would only have to walk a few steps to the lockers again. It was the easiest skiing experience of my life and was so convenient!!
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Note: If you’re traveling to Breck and are wanting more of a luxury ski-resort, then I would recommend One Ski Hill Place instead! While we truly loved Mountain Thunder, it is definitely a spot for visitors who are primarily there is ski. As in, it doesn’t have the “fluff” that hotels/resorts like One Ski Hill Place would have!
After checking in and getting unpacked, we made our way downtown to explore, shop, and grab a late lunch!
We had lunch at The Blue River Bistro and I honestly cannot recommend this place enough!! The winter sangria was seriously everything and their shishito peppers were absolutely to die for!
After lunch and a little bit of exploring though, we quickly realized we did not come prepared in terms of our footwear! Our feet were soaked and frozen from the snow, so we both knew we had to buy something if we were going to survive the rest of the trip – lol. Multiple times throughout the weekend, we went to Breck Sports for all of our needs. At one point it became a joke between the two of us because it’s embarrassing just how many times we had to go there to stock up on various things that we forgot!
SHOP THE POST
Then that night, to kick off the weekend, we had a sweet little date night at Aurum. Aurum is Brecks newest and trendiest restaurant, so we couldn’t not try it out while we were there!! It was seriously gorgeous and did not disappoint, but make sure to make a reservation before going because it is very small inside!
SHOP THE POST
SATURDAY
Saturday Morning, we woke up to the most amazing snowfall!
After coffee on the porch, we walked downtown to grab to a quick breakfast so that we could get on the mountain as soon as possible!
We grabbed breakfast tacos at Kava Cafe, but if you are ever visiting Breck and would like more of a sit-down breakfast, then I highly recommend the Crown Cafe!
SHOP THE POST
(dinner at Modis)
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The rest of the day was spent on the slopes!!
Although if I’m being completely honest, I’ll admit that I’m not like the strongest skier in the world – lol…..but I really do try!!
Every time we ski, I get better and better, and this was the first year that I didn’t have to take a lesson or spend the whole day on the bunny slopes!!
(Although if you are new to skiing, then I cannot recommend taking a lesson enough!)
Then to make the day even better, a few of our friends from Baylor (including Zachary, who let us drive his truck!), drove up to Breck that day to ski as well!! So it was really fun being able to catch up, ski and hang out with them for the rest of the trip!
SHOP THE POST
Then Sunday morning, we packed up our things, grabbed a coffee from downtown and drove back to Denver to make our flight!
The weekend flew by, but it was truly so much fun!! If you’re ever booking a ski trip, then I cannot recommend Breckenridge enough!!
SHOP THE POST
For more information on Breckenridge, keep reading! If you have any more questions, just leave them below 🙂
xo,
Lauren
Getting to Breckenridge
The easiest way to get to Breckenridge is by flying into the Denver, Colorado airport. Once you are in Denver, there are two easy options to get you to the sweet little town of Breckenridge!
- Renting a Car and making the 2-hour drive. Sometimes the drive is shorter, other times it is longer. It all depends on the time of day and the traffic!
- Taking a shuttle. The Denver airport offers many shuttle services that will pick you up and take you to Breckenridge, as well as pick you up for your trip home! The upside to this option is not having to drive and saving money. The downside is that it will most likely take twice as long. If you’re interested in the option, click here!
Where To Stay
I honestly cannot say enough good things about this sweet little place. We loved it for so many reasons!! Not only was it very affordable, but it was also charming, updated and everything we could have asked for. Our room was amazing and so spacious! It had a full kitchen, dining room, living room, separate bedroom with a king size bed and the best balcony! It’s located right at the base of Peak 8, in between the gondola and downtown, which made not only skiing an ease, but also walking into town to eat and to shop super easy as well! The best part is that Mountain Thunder is that it is a ski-in, ski-out resort! On the first floor of the lodge, they have a large locker room where you can store your skis. Then when you’re ready to hit the mountain, all you have to do is grab them from your locker, walk out the door, put your skis on and go!! Then at the end of the day, you just ski right up right to the lodge, take your skis off and only have to walk a few steps back to your locker again. It was literally just so convenient. It also had a great little gym, which I loved (!!), 24-hour coffee and hot cocoa, a resort sized swimming pool and two hot tubs! If you’re traveling with a group, they also offer condos as well! It was truly the perfect place to stay for a weekend on the mountains.
If you’re traveling to Breckenridge not only to ski but to also relax in luxury, then I recommend One Ski Hill Place! This resort is truly luxury at its finest, also located at the base of Peak 8! Just like Mountain Thunder, it is a ski-in, ski-out resort as well!! This resort has two indoor swimming pools, two hot tubs and an outdoor fire pit. It has a state of the art spa, perfect for those who loved to be pampered and the famous T-Bar (literally one of the most famous aprés mountain bars in the US!) is located on the first floor as well!
Skiing & Snow Boarding in Breckenridge
If you are looking for the best skiing in Colorado, then you won’t regret choosing Breck! We love to ski, so we were happy to find out that Breck offers some of the nations best skiing, since the entire town is essentially ski-in, ski-out mountain! This season, Breckenridge is shaping up to have one of the most epic winters in history, with record early openings and snowfall totals!! Seriously, the mountain conditions were incredible and we skied on powder the whole time!
WHERE TO RENT SKIS & SNOWBOARDS
No gear? No Problem! There are so many places to rent your equipment while skiing in Breck. They make the process super easy and will do all the work for you by picking out your gear based on your size and experience, measuring you for your perfect fit and showing you how to get in and out of everything as well! While all of the places listed in the link below are great, I recommend choosing a spot closest to your hotel!
Click here for Rental Locations
HOW TO BUY LIFT TICKETS
You can purchase your lift tickets either online (which I recommend!) or in person at the Gondola.
Click here to purchase your Lift Tickets Online
SKI LESSONS AND INSTRUCTORS
Whether you’re new to skiing or your just a little rusty, I cannot recommend taking ski lessons enough! Breckenridge offers group lessons for children and adults while offering private lessons for both as well! Save yourself the hassle, the stress, a possible injury and an argument with your significant other who is trying to teach you….
As an adult, I have taken a lesson the past three times I have skied and it always sets me up for success, while also giving me the confidence I need to ski and enjoy the rest of my trip!
Click here to learn more about Ski Lessons and Instructors
Where To Eat & Drink
BREAKFAST & COFFEE
- The Crown Cafe: The perfect spot if you like a more traditional sit-down breakfast. It has a cozy atmosphere, is super trendy, has amazing food and fantastic coffee. What else could you ask for?
- Cuppa Joe: We loved it here. If you like to Instagram your coffee shops, then this is your place! Trendy, while also amazing! Their motto is “Consistent…. Quality…Healthy…Food”. Need I say more?:)
- Kava Cafe: Loved this little cafe! If you’re eager to get on the mountains but need a quick bite, then look no further!
LUNCH & DINNER
- Aurum: (dinner) The newest and trendiest upscale restaurant to open in Breck! The whole restaurant is seriously gorgeous and the food was amazing! We truly had the best date night here our first night in! Be sure to make a reservation though!!
- Blue River Bistro: (brunch/lunch/dinner) We stopped in this little cafe for a late lunch our first day in Breckenridge and we could not have picked a better spot!! I highly recommend the Winter Sangria (seriously amazing) and the Shishito Peppers !! **They also have an amazing happy hour from 3 pm to 6 pm and then 9 pm to midnight!!**
- Modis: (dinner) We loved this place so much, we went there twice! Once for after dinner drinks at their gorgeous bar and the second time for dinner!! It’s a great spot for everyone. Whether you’re with friends and family or you’re a duo looking for a more intimate setting – it’s the best!
DRINKS
- Breckenridge Brewery and Pub: Loved this spot! It came highly recommend and for a good reason. There were so many beers on tap and had a great atmosphere!
- Après Handcrafted Libations: Specialty Hand-Crafted Cocktails at your service!
- The Historic Brown Fox’s Den: Loved this place for live music!
What to do in Breckenridge Besides Ski.
If you’re not one to hit the mountains, then no problem!! Breckinridge truly offers something for everyone! Our trip was sadly super short, so we were not able to experience most of everything below but don’t worry – I plan to fully experience everything below when we return!
- Shop & Explore Downtown: Breckenridge truly has the most charming downtown, lined with shops, restaurants, sweet spots and more! Our first day in town, we spent the whole afternoon wandering the streets and shops!
- Sleigh Rides: Definitely at the top of my list for when we return! You can either take a classic sleigh ride, fully equipped with hot cocoa or take your ride to the next length with dinner and a sleigh ride combined! Learn more here!
- Snowmobiling: Perfect for the adventure seeker! Whether you are experienced and have done this before or are completely new to snowmobiling, it’s perfect for everyone! The routes the on the mountain are perfectly groomed and you have the option to either have the tour led by a professional or have it unguided! Learn more here!
- Snow Tubing & Sledding: Another at the top of my list!! So fun for any age, there are a ton of parks in Breckenridge that offer snow tubing and sledding!! Click here to learn more!
MUST TRAVEL FOR EVENTS
Lighting of Breckenridge & The Race of the Santas
The first weekend in December marks Breckenridge’s annual transformation into a sparkling holiday Christmas town. Everyone alike is welcome to participate in the Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas, where hundreds of jolly look-alikes race and watch as Santa uses his magic to light up the town for the season. This years Lighting and Race of the Santas took place on Dec 8, 2018 but mark your calendars for next years event, set to be held on Dec 7, 2019!! We were so fortunate to experience this during our trip!!
Ullr Fest Rocks Breckenridge – Jan. 9-12, 2019
From what I’ve heard…. if you’re lucking enough to experience Ullr Fest in Breckenridge, then don’t be surprised to see horned Viking hats on the heads of skiers and snowboarders throughout the mountain. You’ll witness the biggest bonfire in town, and more than 12,000 Ullr enthusiasts filling the streets for the Ullr Parade with crazy float participants! From what I’ve seen, it’s quite the party!
29th Annual International Snow Sculpture Championships Begin Jan. 21, 2019
Snow carving in Breckenridge began as a local pastime, while today, it has become a true art! During this competition, 25-ton blocks of snow will be transformed into an outdoor art gallery. Sixteen teams, from across the globe will sculpt for 65 hours across five days of competition. Watch the competition take place, Jan. 21 – 25!! The viewing weekend for the finished sculptures is Jan. 25 – 30.
Locals’ tip: Catch the light show, with the unveiling of colored lights, on Friday night, Jan. 25.
