More Than a Ski Town: The Heritage That Built Breckenridge
People from all over flock to Breckenridge for the fantastic skiing, snowboarding, vibrant culture, and outdoor activities. However, it is more than just a ski town. Breckenridge has a rich heritage that spans from the indigenous tribes who inhabited the land for millennia to the miners who arrived in search of fortune, to the Rounds family, who played a significant role in shaping the town as we know it today. As you walk through its timeline, you will see there is much to discover about the history of this community.
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In This Blog
- The Ute People
- Boom Town
- The Rounds Family Arrive
- A New Era Emerges
- The Rounds’ Family Legacy
- Book Your Breckenridge Vacation Today
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Ute People
To start our historical journey, we meet the indigenous Ute people, who lived on the land for thousands of years. They were a nomadic Tribe who traveled through the Rocky Mountains, hunting and gathering. During the summer, they would stay right here in the Blue River Valley, set up camp, raise their children, and live harmoniously with nature. To this day, folks in Breckenridge find remnants of old campsites during excavations and explorations! We take this moment to honor the legacy of the Ute Tribe who lived here for so long.
Boom Town
In 1859, during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush, prospectors from the east started to settle the area. They named the town Breckinridge, (although the spelling would change a few years later to Breckenridge). Of course, folks came here to strike it rich, and some of them did. One year, a miner found a gold nugget that weighed 13 pounds! This piece of gold is lovingly known as Tom’s Baby, and there’s even a statue in honor of this moment at Prospector Park on Main Street, downtown.
By the 1860s, Breckenridge was buzzing with activity. It had its own post office, saloons, and various supply stores for the community. As the days of gold panning transitioned to more industrialized mining methods, Breckenridge transformed into a place for entrepreneurs chasing their dreams, and this growth continued into the 1900s.
The Rounds Family Arrive
During World War II, Breckenridge began to decline and fade. The population dwindled, and many buildings began to fall into disrepair. Just as the town sank into obscurity, a group of visionaries led by the Rounds family arrived and changed the course of Breckenridge’s future.
In the late 1950s, Ralph Rounds purchased 5,000 acres of land in and around town. His son, Bill Rounds, was an avid skier whose big dreams would lay the groundwork for the Breckenridge we now know and love.
Bill was great friends with Norwegian ski instructors Sigurd Rockne and Trygve Berge. Whenever they visited Breckenridge, they would point out what a great place it would be for skiing. This inspired Bill. One day during apres-ski with his Scandinavian friends, he decided that they would all build a ski resort.
Before anything could be built, a lumber yard was needed to supply the lumber required for construction. So, Bill started to build what was then called the Antrim Lumber Company. Today, you’ll recognize it as the Breckenridge Building Center. As a fun piece of trivia, while the lumber yard was going up, the crew slept on the floor of the Colorado House. That building still exists today, now serving up slices as Fatty’s Pizzeria, one of Breckenridge’s many great restaurants.
With the lumber yard in place, building the ski resort came next.
A New Era Emerges
On December 16, 1961, Breckenridge Ski Resort officially opened with one double chairlift and a base area on Peak 8. Lift tickets cost just $4 back then! The resort offered a handful of trails, but it was the beginning of a new era. The Rounds family’s investment and vision had paid off, and it began turning Breckenridge into a winter sports destination.
The resort soon attracted visitors, businesses, and eventually, major investors. Over the decades, Breckenridge Ski Resort expanded to include Peaks 6 through 10, over 2,908 acres of skiable terrain, 187 trails, 35 lifts, and a reputation for world-class skiing. Today, more than 1.5 million skiers come through Breckenridge each year!
In 2006, the BreckConnect Gondola debuted, highlighting another enormous change for Breckenridge. The Gondola completely redefined how visitors could move around the mountain, making it much more accessible. The Gondola begins downtown and travels nearly 7,600 feet up the mountain, ending at Peak 8. It’s a scenic and convenient experience!
The Rounds’ Family Legacy
The Rounds family didn’t just create a ski resort; they played a pivotal role in shaping the heart and soul of Breckenridge. With their vision and entrepreneurial spirit, they transformed a former mining town into a lively, year-round mountain community.
Now, whether you come to town for the winter sports or everything else it has to offer, you can thank the Rounds family for helping create the Breckenridge of today that we all know and love.
Learn More!
Did you enjoy this article? You can learn more about the area’s history by visiting the Breckenridge Welcome Center and Museum.
Book Your Breckenridge Vacation Today
Book a luxurious Breckenridge trip by staying at an Alpine Edge vacation rental! Our homes provide all the luxuries, conveniences, and amenities you could want. Find a rental with a mountain view or with a hot tub. Rent a home that is ski-in, ski-out, offering you easy access to the slopes. Our homes are a perfect location for stargazing at the dark night sky, as well. The choice is yours! Whichever rental you choose, you will have an unforgettable experience when you stay with Alpine Edge. So, browse our vacation rentals today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Breckenridge Ski Resort?
The resort was developed by Bill Rounds, the Rounds family, Trygve Berge, and Sigurd Rockne.
What is the BreckConnect Gondola and when was it built?
The BreckConnect Gondola was opened in 2006! It connects charming downtown Breckenridge to the base areas of Peaks 7 and 8, making it easy to get around and helps to keep traffic at bay. Enjoy the ride!
