Regardless of the season, Breckenridge is best experienced outdoors. Whether it’s skiing or snowboarding at the famous Breckenridge Ski Resort, cross-country skiing or snowboarding at the Nordic Center or hiking along Boreas Pass Road will surely give you the adrenaline-pumping thrill while appreciating the picturesque surroundings here. If you’re searching for the perfect place to unwind and spend the rest of your vacation, there are Breckenridge cabin rentals that have the perfect ambiance, quality services and all the amenities that you’ve been looking for. It’ll definitely turn your dream travel into reality.
Here’s a list of the things that you must see and do while you’re in Breckenridge:
Carter Park
If you’re looking for the best sledding hill in town, head to Carter Park. It is located on South High Street, just a few minutes away from South Main Street. It is a popular spot both for the young and young at heart. When the snow melts, Carter Park boasts some hiking trails, tennis courts, baseball diamond and sand volleyball court, and a playground with lots of green space. If you wish to bring your dogs with you, there’s also a dog park here.
Majority of the travelers call Carter Park as a hidden gem since, at the Breckenridge Ski Resort, sledding is not allowed. It features a sledding hill which is perfect for everyone, from toddlers to seniors. There are numerous collection of sleds that are free to use if you’re just staying at the bottom of the hill though there’s also sled rentals available from places like Ridden on Breckenridge’s Main Street. If you want, you can also purchase sleds from local stores in town. And yes, the park is free to access year-round.
Main Street
Here, you’ll find galleries, shops, bars, and dining establishments that have lined the street for more than a century. This is an ideal place to stop for a meal, drink or if you’re looking for some souvenirs. Some of the must-try in the area are the following: Park & Main, which specializes in breakfast, sandwiches espresso and wine and Empire Burger, which is known as one of the best burger spots in town. If you want to see a play, head to the Main Street’s Backstage Theatre.
Breckenridge Ski Resort
This ski resort is about 2,908 acre which contains five sections or peaks that make up the southern half of the Tenmile Range. The Peak 6 is for intermediate to advanced trails inclusive of panoramic views of the valley. The Peak 7 is associated with blue runs while Peak 8 features a variety of green, blue and black trails, making it a popular spot for all skiers regardless of levels. If you’re a beginner, Peak 9 is an ideal place for you with its predominantly blue and green runs. For experts, there’s a range of black and double-black trails that best suited for you which can be found at Peak 10. When the snow melts, this resort offers hiking trails, alpine slides and coasters, zip lines and even a rock climbing walls.
Boreas Pass Road
This is an approximately 20-mile stretch that traces the path of the Pacific Railroad and rises to the summit at the Continental Divide. As you pass through this, it offers an unbeatable view of the Blue River Valley and the popular Tenmile Range. During the fall, you’ll also enjoy seeing the area in golden yellow. Apart from that, you can also hike and bike here.
The perfect time to hike or drive to Boreas Pass Road is between the months of May and October because, during winter, the roads can be icy and slick. It is just located on the southern edge of the Breckenridge’s town limits, off Country Road 10. The road is free to access year-round.
Vail Pass Path
If you’re looking on a way to experience a scenic tour of Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Frisco, it is suggested that you do the cycling which is approximately 14 miles from Breckenridge to Frisco, Colorado, on the Vail Pass Path. This path is a downhill ride and cyclists of all levels will definitely enjoy this ride.
The path can be accessed in a number of ways, including at the Frisco Marina or Frisco’s West Main Street parking lot, where you can cycle toward Breckenridge. If you’ll be getting a tour operator to handle the logistics, other options exist including the Charter Sports and Alpine Sports that will set you up with bikes and transport to the trail. The access to the trail is free year-round.
Don’t forget to bring along your camera with you to take some photos of the scenic views that it offers as you ride along the way.
Hiking
Apart from its ski slopes, hiking trails in Breckenridge are also delightful. It boasts hikes for all levels, but keep in mind that it might be wise to give yourself few days to adjust to the altitude of the place before attempting on a more challenging hike.
If you’re looking for an easy hike, take the Cucumber Gulch. It is about 150 feet in elevation and stretches a little more than 2 miles round-trip. Along the way, you’ll be greeted by the breathtaking views of the Tenmile Range, inclusive of wildflowers and some animals like moose and foxes. The trail can be accessed from the parking lot of Breckenridge Nordic Center.
If you’re an experienced hiker who is acclimated to the elevation of 810 feet in a nearly 3-mile round trip hike, head to McCullough Gulch. Don’t worry because your efforts will be rewarded by numerous waterfalls and a beautiful lake located at Quandary Peak. The trailhead is located at the Forest Road No. 85 which is also known as McCullough Gulch Road.
All the given trails are free to access and the majority are best traversed between May and October.
Places to Eat
Amazing Grace Natural Eatery – It serves up the healthiest and tastiest breakfast burrito in town. It is also known for their chunky vegan chocolate chip cookies.
Columbine Café – On any given day, especially at the peak of ski season, you’ll find this Café packed with skiers in full gear, and approximately a half hour wait just to get a table. If you’re lucky enough, pick a table out on the patio, it sits in the middle of Breck’s historic downtown shopping district.
Don’t forget to try their Hangover Burrito – a flour tortilla the size of a small animal, stuffed with Columbine’s signature homemade pecan smoked chunky corned beef hash, scrambled eggs and cheese, and topped with a spicy green chili sauce.
Ember – it is an upscale restaurant with a warmly decorated setting owned by Chef Scott Boshaw. The menu changes seasonally with new items every season but still, food that being offered are all mouthwatering.