If you’re not a skier or a snowboarder and a winter trip to Breckenridge is in your future, you might be wondering exactly what activities besides skiing are there for you to enjoy. Thankfully, Breck is flush with awesome things to do all year long, so you don’t have any reason to worry. There’s a little something to please everyone in this charming mountain town. Honestly, the real challenge, when it comes to visiting Breck is having enough time to try all the amazing activities that the area has to offer. To help you get started planning your time in Breckenridge, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite things to do that don’t involve hitting the slopes. Enjoy!
Ice Skating
The experience of ice skating during a winter vacation in the mountains is hard to beat. In Breckenridge, you’ll have your choice of two outdoor rinks. The Gold Run Nordic Center has its own ice skating pond that’s open seasonally, typically starting in January. Admission is free and skates are available to rent for a small fee or you can bring your own. Or, you can head to the Stephen C. West Ice Arena. The ice arena has an indoor and an outdoor rink, both of which have daily public skate times. The arena charges admission and you will have to pay for skate rental.
Breckenridge Rec Center
The Breckenridge Rec Center boasts 69,000 square feet of space and seemingly endless opportunities for fun, physical health, and well-being. Not only does it have a gym, but there are indoor tennis, basketball, and racquetball courts as well a rock climbing wall, an indoor track, a sauna, spas, and lap and leisure pools complete with a water slide. It’s a fantastic choice for visitors of all ages with affordable daily admission rates and punch passes available.
Sledding at Carter Park
Carter Park is officially the unofficial sledding hill of Breckenridge. Located just four blocks east of Main Street on High Street, the park has a wide, walk-up, sled-down hill that has just the perfect amount of steepness. As you sled down the hill, you’ll enjoy some gorgeous resort views. While the park has covered picnic tables and restroom facilities, there aren’t sled rentals available. However, there are plenty of stores in and around town where you can find affordable sleds and snow tubes.
Sleigh Rides
A horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow adds a magical touch to any winter vacation. Breckenridge Stables offers sleigh rides at two different locations in Breck: Peak 9 and the Breckenridge Golf Club. Scenic and dinner rides are available at both locations. Both rides last approximately 35 to 45 minutes. The dinner ride on Peak 9 includes a one-hour dinner at Spencer’s Steak House while the dinner ride at the golf club includes a catered meal in a five-star clubhouse with views of the Tenmile Range.
Dog Sled Rides
At Good Times Adventures, you can mush a team of huskies through the Swan River Valley. You’ll learn how to handle the sled and how to work with the dogs all while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Dog sled rides are great for visitors of just about all ages (children must be at least five years old). Tours are designed for up to six people and in such a way that everyone has a chance to run the dogs, ride in the snowmobile sleigh, and ride in the dog sled. Not only are dog sled rides fun and thrilling but they’re unique and memorable.
Cross Country Skiing
Breckenridge is home to two Nordic centers, the Breckenridge Nordic Center and the Gold Run Nordic Center. The Breckenridge Nordic Center has more than 30 kilometers of groomed trails as well as two destination huts. You can rent a trail pass if you have your own gear. But if you don’t have your own gear, on-site rentals are available. The Gold Run Nordic Center also has 30 kilometers of groomed trails. You can rent gear on site if you don’t have your own. Day passes purchased at Gold Run are also valid at the Breckenridge and Frisco Nordic Centers.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a great way to get an amazing workout while also experiencing how beautiful, quiet, and calm the backcountry can be. The Gold Run Nordic Center has about 11 kilometers of groomed snowshoe trails for everyone from beginners to experts. In addition, they offer a wide variety of guided snowshoe tours where you can learn about local mining history, the area’s ecology, and much more. Snowshoe rentals are available on site. Breckenridge Nordic Center has over 20 kilometers of trails. Guided and self-guided snowshoe tours are available and on-site snowshoe rentals are available.
Ice Fishing
If you’re looking for a winter adventure that tests your mettle, you might want to give ice fishing a try. One of the best spots for ice fishing near Breckenridge is Lake Dillon, which is just a short drive north of town. The lake is home to several species of trout and salmon as well as the elusive Arctic Char, which is a rare coldwater fish frequently found in places like Alaska, the Alps, and other glacial waters. We recommend that first-timers take a guided ice fishing trip so they can enjoy the best chance of catching a fish. Big Ed’s Fishing Ventures offers half-day ice fishing trips that are perfect for visitors of all ages. Alpine Fishing Adventures offers three different guided ice fishing trips that are designed to accommodate everyone from families with small children to experts who are ready to use cross-country skis/snowshoes to get to the best spots.
Fat Bike Rides
Just because it’s winter in Breckenridge, that doesn’t mean it’s the end of biking season. You just need to switch over to a fat tire mountain bike to keep hitting the trails. There are plenty of trails in and around town that are great for a fat bike ride. We recommend the Banker’s Tank Loop, which is located off of Boreas Pass Road. Alternatively, you can head to the Gold Run Nordic Center, as their snowshoe trails are also open to fat bikes. Guided fat bike tours are another great option. At Breck Bike Guides you can create your own custom fat bike guided tour. Or, for something a little different, take an afternoon to enjoy the Breckenridge Fat Bike Adventure that takes you to several breweries and distilleries in town.
Walking Tours
Breckenridge boasts a colorful and unique history. During your vacation, you won’t be disappointed if you choose to spend some of your time learning a little bit more about historic Breckenridge. The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance offers several options for walking tours during the winter months. The Historic Tour of Breckenridge presents a general overview of the town’s history, starting with its mining camp origins. On the Breckenridge Haunted Tour, you’ll learn more about some of the unexplained and spooky occurrences that have happened in the Historic District. And with the Swinging Doors Saloon Tour, you’ll hear all about the infamous saloons that once lined Main Street.
Main Street & the Arts District
Downtown Breckenridge is home to a huge variety of shops and restaurants. It’s a great place to enjoy a leisurely stroll, do a little people watching, and tuck into a delicious meal. Frankly, it represents the quintessential Colorado mountain town. In addition to enjoying the sights, sounds, and tastes of Main Street, you should also take some time to explore the Arts District, which is mainly located near South Ridge Street and Washington Avenue. Here, you’ll find an amazing assortment of galleries, antique stores, and so much more. There are lots of great events like art workshops, studio tours, and theatre performances. You can find the full schedule of events on the Breckenridge Creative Arts website.