With more than 180 trails spanning nearly 3,000 acres of Rocky Mountains splendor, it might be tempting to spend most of your time shredding the slopes during a three-day visit to Breckenridge, Colorado. But you won't want to miss the small-town charm of the bustling ski town locally known as "Breck" — and the many ways to explore its surrounding natural beauty.
When to Take a 3-day Getaway
The Breckenridge ski season lasts about five months, and the slopes typically open in mid-November. Kick off your holiday season by meandering among hundreds of twinkling LED lights on Main Street's quaint Victorian buildings.
Alternatively, consider visiting later in the season, when soft powder and spring festivals meet for a lovely way to bid farewell to ski season. Signature events such as the annual Ullr Fest and the International Snow Sculpture Championships roll out a bevy of entertaining experiences to fill your off-slope time with memories.
Breck Basics for 3-Day Play
Throw a few fleecy layers in your overnight bag and head to the airport. Rental services such as Kitlender or the on-site rental store at Valdoro Mountain Lodge, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club, make packing stress-free and convenient. Be sure to pack a reusable water bottle for filling up with some of the best water in the country at Breck's refillable water stations.
Don't worry about renting a car. Instead, save yourself the bother of having to scrape snow off the windshield by using Breck's free shuttles to get where you're going.
Day 1
Morning: Check into your cozy Suite at Valdoro Mountain Lodge. Here, you'll enjoy all the amenities that make a ski vacation so enticing, including gas fireplaces, breathtaking mountain vistas and easy access to the slopes.
Decompress from everyday life with a ride through the woods on a fat-tire bike. Wake up your quads with a leisurely pedal along the River Trail, crossing wooden bridges and enjoying views of the Blue River. Check out the trail conditions to find more possibilities for pedaling.
Morning is the best time for bike riding, as afternoon temperatures can cause bike tires to make ruts in shared trails. If a trail is too soft or difficult and you need to dismount and push, turn around and find an alternative to avoid "post-holing" trails for skiers or other recreational users.
Afternoon: Hit the slopes. Breckenridge's five peaks offer terrain from novice-friendly bunny slopes to bowls, tree runs and high alpine runs. Valdoro Mountain Lodge nestles between base areas for Peak 8 and Peak 9, giving you easy access to lesson areas, as well as some of the best beginner and intermediate trails. Enjoy the scene from the top of Peak 8, where you'll see more than 100 miles with eye-popping views of Maroon Bells, Pike's Peak and the "14ers" in the Front Range.
Evening: Get off your feet with dinner and a sleigh ride. Jingle all the way back to the 1800s as your Golden Horseshoe horse-drawn sleigh transports you to an old mining camp for a dinner featuring steaks, barbecue chicken, salmon or veggie lasagna. Watch dinner theater as you dine in a cozy cabin heated by a pot-belly stove.
Day 2
Morning: Visit one of Breck's two Nordic Ski Centers and strap on some skinny skis to explore the woodland terrain. The Breckenridge Nordic Center lies just 1.5 miles north of Valdoro Mountain Lodge, with trails leading through the Cucumber Gulch Nature Preserve. If you prefer to venture further afield, check out the Gold Run Nordic Center, which lies seven miles to the north. After your adventure, cozy up by the fireplace and sip warm cocoa.
Both Nordic centers offer rentals, lessons and miles of groomed and ungroomed trails. You can also rent snowshoes, take snowcat tours and rent fat-tire bikes.
Afternoon: Go fishing. The Dillon Reservoir outflow keeps the waters of the Lower Blue River at around 40 degrees throughout the winter, offering anglers an ideal spot for some legendary fly fishing. Or drop a hook in Lake Dillon while ice fishing for rainbow trout, brown trout, Arctic char and kokanee salmon.
Evening: Meander down Main Street and check out charming eateries, shops, museums and more in the Victorian-era village. Head to Downstairs at Eric's for some arcade fun and family-friendly fare such as "Garbage Pizza" and burgers. Challenge your group of four or more to solve the puzzle of an Escape Room, or check out the Breck Creative Arts calendar to find live entertainment and creative experiences around town.
Day 3
Morning: Visit Peak 6 to drink in the natural beauty of the alpine terrain and glide through glades and bowls suited for intermediate to advanced skiers. Two bowls are intermediate-level, while the back bowl and hike-to terrain are best left to more expert adventurers. Peak 6 is only accessible from Peak 7, and you won't find any restaurants or other signs of civilization there — only miles of gorgeous nature.
Afternoon: Give those legs a rest by letting a team of dogs pull your sled on a six-mile journey through the Swan River Valley. Share the experience with up to five other people as you switch off mushing the dogs, saddling the sled and riding in a sleigh ahead of the team. The ride offers an opportunity to get live-action photos of your companions driving the dogsled. This is one of Breck's most popular activities, so book your experience as soon as you know your travel dates.
Evening: Finish off your trip with an outdoor dining experience in your own private snow globe, yurt or greenhouse. Many local eateries offer creative outside experiences where you can enjoy your own private, heated "bubble" to enjoy the views and intimate conversation.
Read "Hilton Grand Vacations Picks: Best Restaurants in Breckenridge" for more Rocky Mountains vacation inspiration.