Often considered a cheaper alternative compared to other ski towns like Vail and Aspen, Breckenridge provides the perks of a big resort while still enticing a variety of visitors. As well as the slopes, Breckenridge offers an intriguing historic downtown area filled with restaurants, bars, and shops to explore, and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation in the summer.

History:

Breckenridge was founded in 1859 when gold was discovered along the Blue River, according to the Breckenridge Tourism Office. The Pikes Peak Gold Rush drew miners and fortune seekers to the area that would soon become Breckenridge around this time.

According to Breckenridge History, the town started to really ramp up after it got a U.S. post office in 1860, and a Denver, Bradford, and Blue River Wagon Road Company connection in 1861. The town soon consisted of several stores, hotels, and saloons. It also become the permanent county seat of Summit County.

Breckenridge’s population and popularity dipped after the gold rush cooled down, with the town’s population dropping to 51. A second mining boom in 1879 involving silver, however, turned Breckenridge back into an important mining location and supply center. The town continued to grow, with a depot site for the Denver, South Park, and Pacific Railroad bringing rail service to the community in 1882. Breckenridge also added three newspapers, a schoolhouse, and a cemetery in 1882, and it “reigned queen of the Summit County mining towns.”

The same cycle repeated, though, and Breckenridge experienced another decline in population in 1950, with the population dropping to about 296. With the end of mining, economic activity and the population decreased, nearly turning Breckenridge into a ghost town. That said, some of the “hardy, resilient residents,” stuck it out.

Then, Rounds and Porter, a Kansas lumber company, opened Breckenridge Ski Area in 1961, laying the groundwork for the area into the iconic ski town we know it as today. The completion of the Eisenhower Tunnel in 1973 reduced the transportation time from Denver to Breckenridge to about an hour and a half, allowing the area’s recreational activities to explode in popularity.

Outdoor Recreation:

Breckenridge Ski Resort – features 1,200 acres of terrain with five peaks, high-alpine skiing, and a long winter season.

Hiking – some popular hiking excursions include the Sapphire Pint Overlook and hiking to the Isak Heartstone troll statue.

Scenic Gondola rides – the BreckConnect Gondola offers stunning, panoramic views of the town and mountains.

Mountain biking – the town offers a variety of great mountain biking trails.

Culture:

Ullr Fest – this annual winter festival is typically held in December and honors the Norse God of Snow, Ullr, to ensure a powdery ski season. The festival features a parade down Main Street, a bonfire, and the attempt to break the “World’s Longest Shotski.”

International Snow Sculpture Championships – world-renowned snow sculpting teams gather in Breckenridge to hand-carve 12-foot-tall, 25-ton blocks of snow into works of art, creating a temporary outdoor art gallery in Breckenridge’s historic downtown.

Historic Main Street – Breckenridge’s Main Street features over 200 historically designated buildings reminiscent of the 1880s mining era.

The Breckenridge Troll – Isak Heartstone, a 15-foot tall wooden troll sculpture, was built by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. The troll is located in the southeast corner by the Illinois Trailhead. Visitors can hike to find the sculpture.

Country Boy Mine – visitors can take a sleigh ride pulled by a monster truck up a mountain while they learn about Breckenridge, pan for gold, and even take a gold mine tour 1,000 feet into the mountain’s original workings since 1887. Founded in 1887, Country Boy Mine is one of the oldest and most famous mines in Summit County.

Breckenridge International Festival of Arts (BIFA) – this is an annual celebration of arts, music, and performance.

Breckenridge Backstage Theater – offers community-based and professional productions.

Barney Ford Museum – this restored museum honors the “remarkable life and legacy of Barney Ford,” one of Colorado’s leading businessmen and civil rights pioneers.

Dining:

Breckenridge Brewery – located at the South end of Main Street for this is the fourth oldest brewery in Colorado, according to GoBreck, and is a great spot to stop at after an outdoorsy adventure.

Rootstalk – in the heart of Breckenridge, this restaurant offers seasonal specialties, cocktails, wine, and more.

Kenosha Steakhouse – this is a staple on Main Street serving house-smoked BBQ, steaks, burgers, salads, and Colorado craft beers.

Hearthstone Restaurant – this restaurant serves naturally raised beef and game, seafood, produce, and is decorated in Victorian period style, providing great views of the Breck ski resort.

Lodging:

The Lodge at Breckenridge – set among charming Breckenridge, this hotel offers mountain charm and stunning views of the town.

Gravity Haus Breckenridge – this boutique hotel offers a mix of relaxation and adventure.

Getting there:

According to Google Maps, it takes about an hour and 34 minutes to get from Denver to Breckenridge via Interstate 70.

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