Breckenridge Colorado Winter Activities

The Rocky Mountains provide an endless array of winter activities in Breckenridge, Colorado. While the town is most famous for its world-class Breckenridge Ski Resort, visitors will find that non-ski activities abound as well. With 300-plus inches of snow falling on the surrounding mountain peaks each winter, activities such as snowmobiling, dog sledding, nordic skiing, ice skating, fly fishing, sledding and sleigh rides will keep your party active, while just scratching the surface of all that Breckenridge has to offer. Those looking for a bit “warmer” activities will find phenomenal day spas, shopping and cultural centers.

Breckenridge is a snowmobiler’s paradise with an almost unfathomable amount of terrain to explore. Local outfitters provide both guided and unguided snowmobile tours and rental, allowing guests to choose their level of adventure. Breckenridge Snowmobiling provides motorized access to the backcountry glades and bowls that abound in the area, with opportunities for postcard-like photos at nearly every turn of the trail. Adventurous riders may opt for “high adventure” tours where guides will show you how the locals ride, accessing Breckenridge’s deepest powder.

Those seeking a bit more seclusion and quiet can appreciate the wilderness via a guided dog sled tour. Dog sledding tours through the middle fork of the Swan River Valley allow you to explore some of Breckenridge’s deepest forests as well as historic mining camps and ghost towns that once populated the area. Dog teams of Siberian huskies are eager to show you these places as they swiftly plod through the pines and aspens over rolling backcountry terrain.

The Breckenridge area is home to amazing nordic skiing opportunities, a favorite local activity. Take in one of three local nordic centers, or break your own trail on an excursion into the backcountry. The Army’s 10th mountain division maintains several backcountry huts throughout the area that can be rented by the night or the week, providing a base of operations for your skiing excursion of choice.

Take in one of Breckenridge’s three local ice rinks for a morning or afternoon of skating with your family in a winter wonderland. The Stephen C. West Ice Arena offers 2 NHL sized ice surfaces and hosts open skating daily. Maggie Pond, located in the Peak 9 base area, offers outdoor skating opportunities with phenomenal views of the Ten Mile Range and Bald Mountain. Skate rentals are available at both locations for skaters who haven’t brought their own equipment along.

Winter doesn’t mean the end of fly fishing season in the Breckenridge high country. The area is home to several gold medal rivers, streams and lakes where highly skilled guides can hook you up with trophy sized fish. Those brave enough to endure the chilly winter temperatures will find uncrowded fishing grounds, surrounded by amphitheaters of rugged snowcapped peaks. Massive, hungry trout are waiting to take your fly on almost every cast, with expert guides placing you in prime position to catch them.

Families looking for adventurous sledding options will find that the Breckenridge area offers several. While the Breckenridge Ski Resort does not offer and on-mountain tubing hill, its nearby sister resort does. Tubing at Keystone resort takes place in both the day and night time hours, meaning a tubing adventure doesn’t have to cut into your ski day. The town of Breckenridge is home to Carter Park, a walk-up slide-down sledding hill with a generous slope and a long out run. Bring your own sled or pick one up at a local supermarket. This public park provides sledding free of charge while Keystone Resort charges for its hill.

Finally, dinner sleigh rides provide an evening event for the entire family, with hand build Santa-style sleighs and powerful Belgian draft horses. Sleigh rides take place on either Breckenridge’s Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, or through the wilderness of the Swan River Valley, with a star filled sky overhead lighting the way. Hearty meals are served in lodges warmed by roaring fires and charming local mountain hospitality.

Whether you’re an expert skier or a novice who’s just learning to link turns, be sure you take in more than just the ski area when visiting Breckenridge. The area’s winter activities are unsurpassed, with multiple opportunities to enjoy Colorado’s famous champagne powder. Whether you’re traveling with friends, family a corporate group or by yourself, be sure to check out the activities offered near your Breckenridge lodging property of choice.

Exploring Breckenridge in Many Ways

Breckenridge is a charming mountain town that has probably no shortage of things to do. Many tourists visit this famous Colorado vacation spot for its Breckenridge Ski Resorts‘ world-class skiing and snowboarding and the varied other activities that can give anyone a unique Breckenridge experience. Look for a different way to explore every beautiful sight of Breckenridge and be amazed of how many available options you have.

Horse drawn carriages offer a classic mode of transportation around Breckenridge. Whether you like a leisurely tour of the historic town or a fast breezy prance through Main Street, there are available carriage tours to accommodate both large and small groups.

Choosing to ride in a powerful machine such as snowmobiles is suitable for those who seek a more active adventure. Snowmobiles offer an exhilarating ride that gives you the combination of force and speed. You will cruise secret snow-covered passages all the way to the top of the Continental Divide to find some of the best views of the Ten Mile Range. There are guides to accompany you on your trips whether it’s for solo snowmobilers or your whole family.

There’s absolutely nothing as exciting to do in snow as riding on a dog sled. This exceptional opportunity puts you right into the action as you assume the roles of both the runner and the rider. There are available guides who will instruct you how to operate the sled of swift and powerful Siberian Huskies and in time, you will learn how to operate your own dogsled. You’ll trek through some of Breckenridge’s most popular snow-packed routes such as the Middle Fork of the Swan River.

If you want to look at spectacular views in the higher grounds of the mountains, there’s probably no better way to really see Breckenridge and surrounding towns than from a hot air balloon. The azure skies complement gigantic mountain ranges to give you an experience that can never be matched. Not only will you get to travel in an artfully-designed hot air balloon that will reap admiration from down below but you will also learn the ropes of flight operation. At several thousand feet in the air, you will not only understand the basics of hot air ballooning but you will also have a truly one-of-a-kind experience seeing breathtaking views of the countryside.

If you’re fortunate enough to spend several winter days in Breckenridge, you will clearly understand why it’s known as Colorado’s winter wonderland. There’s probably no better way to truly celebrate the snow than on a sleigh ride. Evening tours will take you up to Peak 9 of the Breckenridge Ski Resort. As you wrap a blanket around yourself and you snuggle up with your companion, revel in the delightful sound of sleigh bells and magic of the holiday season.

Have you ever dreamed of riding up and down the side of a mountain in a high-powered snowcat? Breckenridge offers backcountry tours on two-track vehicles that can maneuver in and out of the Breckenridge Ski Resort in ways that will surprise you out of your wits.

There is probably no better outlook of Breckenridge than something that is new. With just a little inspiration and creative thinking, you can discover bright ideas to travel to Breckenridge through a unique mode of transportation. It will not only give your family new experiences but will also leave memories that you will treasure for years to come. Make it a point to check with your Breckenridge accommodations for packages and discounts to make the most of your vacation.