Après Ski: 12 Best Things to Do in Breckenridge
Breckenridge, Colorado, sits at an elevation of 9,603 feet at the base of the mountain and rises up to a peak of 12,998 feet. It gets about 300 days of sunshine, 353 inches of snow, and more than three million visitors each year. If you’re planning on being one of those three million this year, you may be wondering what there is to do in this alpine wonderland.
Breckenridge is famous for its skiing (more than half the visitors each year go to ski), but there’s lots to do beyond just hitting the slopes! Read on to learn more about things to do in Breckenridge that the whole family will love.
1. Skiing
Of course, one of the most popular things to do in Breckenridge is to ski. Breckenridge has five peaks that boast more than 180 skiable trails and the tallest chair lift on the continent. With almost 3,000 acres of skiing terrain and four different terrain parks, the only question you’ll have is where you want to go that day.
2. Snowshoeing
If you want a slower way to enjoy the natural beauty of Breckenridge, snowshoeing might be the activity for you. You can take a guided tour on snowshoes or explore on your own with a self-guided tour. You can choose from several different trails that offer a blend of fascinating history, stunning views, and different elevation options.
3. Tubing
Tubing is the perfect Breckenridge entertainment for people who want to relive their childhood days of flying down a hill on a sled. (We should also note that sledding is available in Breckenridge and is very popular as well.) There are a few different sledding hills available near Breckenridge vacation rentals, some of which offer various levels of difficulty.
4. Wine Tasting, Distilleries, and Craft Beer
If you’d prefer to find somewhere cozy with a warming drink, don’t worry – Breckenridge has plenty of options available. The city has wineries, distilleries, and breweries, many of which offer tours and tastings. You can taste wines at the Continental Divide Winery (and even make your own wine blend), tour the Breckenridge Distillery, or visit the Breckenridge Brewery.
5. Ice Fishing
If you enjoy spending weekends with a fishing pole in hand, you won’t want to miss the ice fishing opportunities in Breckenridge. Lake Dillon boasts an elevation of 9,000 feet and a population including rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, Arctic char, kokanee salmon, and more. You can take a guided tour of the lake and rent a warming hut, tackle, bait, gear, and heaters.
6. Cultural Attractions
Although the area is known for their skiing opportunities, Breckenridge offers some top-notch cultural attractions. The Breckenridge Arts District has galleries, performance spaces, and workshops for you to enjoy. You can learn about ceramics, woodworking, candle making, painting, and more, as well as browsing local artworks.
7. Cross-Country Skiing
When most of us think about skiing in Breckenridge, our minds go to downhill skiing, but that’s not your only option. Cross-country skiing can be a more relaxing way to enjoy the scenery and explore the trails around the city. There are two Nordic ski centers where you can start a guided tour or explore on your own.
8. Dog Sledding
Dog sledding is one of those activities most of us grow up hearing about and think only people who live in Alaska get to do. But did you know you can go dog sledding in Breckenridge? You can take an hour-long husky safari that winds six miles through the Swan River Valley, and you can even hang out with the dogs before your tour begins.
9. Snowcat Tours
If you’d prefer a tour with a little less fur involved, you can opt to take a snowcat tour of Breckenridge. These vehicles have all-glass cabins that allow for unrivaled views of the woodlands while still keeping you toasty warm. You’ll be accompanied by a guide who will tell you about the background of the area and enjoy hot chocolate at a historic cabin along the way.
10. Snow Sculpture Competitions
If you’re the artistic sort, you may want to try your hand at snow sculpture while you’re in Breckenridge lodging. And if you want to learn from the best in this field, there’s no place better to do it. Breckenridge is home to the annual International Snow Sculpture Championship, during which sixteen teams of sculptors from all over the world transform twenty-ton blocks of snow into breathtaking sculptures.
11. Ghost Tours
Breckenridge also has a spooky side for those of you who wish Halloween never had to end. The Ghostly Tales tour will take you around to all of Breckenridge’s haunted buildings as guides tell you ghost stories from the area. You can even do some ghost hunting yourself, complete with all the proper tools and equipment for the job!
12. Gold Mine Tours
In addition to being one of the premier ski locations in the world, Breckenridge is also home to historic gold mines. You can tour some of these mines, one of which is the only real open mine in the region. You can slide the ore chute, pan for gold, and even meet the burros used to haul equipment in and out of the mines.
Discover More Things to Do in Breckenridge
Breckenridge is an amazing place to plan a vacation, even if some members of your family aren’t comfortable on skis. You can, of course, try your hand at downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, ice fishing, dog sledding, and more. You can also tour mines, distilleries, wineries, galleries, and miles of gorgeous alpine wilderness.
If you’d like to discover more things to do in Breckenridge, check out the rest of our site at Alpine Edge. We offer condo rentals, ski lodging, cabins, and more for a superb Breckenridge vacation experience. Search our vacation rentals by feature and start planning your perfect vacation to Colorado.
