At the beginning of December, we were able to take a small weekend trip to Breckenridge, Colorado!! To ski, experience the snow and the charm of this sweet little town during the Holiday Season. While we were in college, Colton and I took a trip to Key Stone to ski for spring break and while we were there, we took a day trip to Breckenridge (or ‘Breck’ as the locals call it!) and I fell in love! Its charm and natural beauty immediately grabbed my attention and I always hoped we would go back!! So I’m incredibly thankful that we were able to do just that!
If you would like to see our whole trips recap, then click here!
If you’re just visiting to check out my Travel Guide to Breckenridge, then keep scrolling!!:)
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!
SHOP THE LOOK
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!
SHOP THE LOOK
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
SHOP THE LOOK
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.