Of all the Colorado mountain towns I’ve been to, Breckenridge is hands-down my favorite.
Not only is it super close to Denver, but it also has an unmatched charm exuding through its Main Street shops, diverse eateries, colorful homes and the mountain backdrop that sets the scene for it all.
Along with its beautiful scenery and unique charm, another thing I love about Breckenridge is that although its known as a ski town, there’s a lot more to do there than just skiing/snowboarding.

— Side note: Yeah, I know it’s crazy, but Matthew & I have yet to try skiing! This is mainly because I don’t trust myself to survive due to my extreme lack of coordination – and it’s an expensive sport to invest in. BUT we plan to try it next month so don’t shun me just yet. —

SO every time we’ve gone to Breckenridge, we’ve filled our time with other activities besides skiing. Below are a few of my favorites (and a few that I am still wanting to try!).

1. The International Snow Sculpture Championships
If you live in Colorado and haven’t been to the International Snow Sculpture Championships yet, GO. It’s such a cool event and absolutely free! All you have to do is show up, make it through the traffic and enjoy the amazing ice art. If you’re planning a visit to Breckenridge in the winter, try to plan your trip around this event. You won’t regret it – just beware of the crowds.

2. Snowshoeing
There are SO many great spots to go snowshoeing around Breckenridge! One of my favorite trails is also one of the closest to the town (about 2.5 miles away) and the most popular: Boreas Pass Road (Baker’s Tank Trailhead). It’s an easy, beautiful trail that can be as long or as short as you want it be – just depends on when you turn around!

3. Sledding
I haven’t done this yet, but apparently Carter Park, just 4 blocks east of Main St, offers a steep hill that people sled down for free! Just BYOS (bring-your-own-sled).

4. Snowmobiling Tours
This isn’t necessarily the cheapest thing you can do in Breckenridge, but it’s a great way to get your adrenaline rush while taking in the breathtaking mountain scenery! There are a ton of snowmobile tour options, but we went with White Mountain Snowmobile Tours because it was a last-minute decision & it was one of the only appointments left open. This 2-hour tour at the expansive Turquoise Lake Recreation Area was $125 per driver & $65 per passenger, so again – not the cheapest activity, but so fun!

5. Cross Country Skiing @ the Colorado Cross Country Ski Association
We just purchased this Groupon for “Two Trail Passes and Basic Ski or Snowshoe Rental Gear for Two” for $48 ~ actually $39 with the Groupon code I used (SCORE). This Groupon can be used to go to one of 5 Colorado Cross Country Ski Association areas (1 of which is in Breckenridge) to spend a day cross country skiing. We obviously haven’t gone yet, but the Groupon has great reviews, so we’re looking forward to it!

6. Oktoberfest
From German food and Bavarian dancers, to German games and of course, beer, Breckenridge knows how to do Oktoberfest right! We actually stumbled upon this event accidentally while in Breckenridge for the first time – we were hanging out on Main Street all day enjoying this family-friendly fest!

7. Guided Tours
As a former mining town, Breckenridge has a ton of history! & the town recognizes that by offering multiple guided tours, including a Walking History Tour, a Saloon Tour and a Haunted Tour. These tours range from $15 to $20 for adults and seem like a great way to learn more about Breckenridge – I’m still wanting to check this out too!

8. The BreckConnect Gondola
There’s no better way to get great views of the mountains and town than by riding The BreckConnect Gondola – for free! The gondola runs year-round, so you’ll be able to take in the fall, winter, spring & summer scenery.

9. Dining Out
If there’s one thing that you’re guaranteed to do in Breckenridge it’s to eat gooooood. Breckenridge has a wide variety of restaurants, and every single one I’ve been to has been great! However, keep in mind that – as with every mountain town – you may be in for a more expensive dinner than you anticipated. That’s why I made a point to find some reasonable options: Downstairs @ Erics, Mi Casa, Empire Burger, Mother Loaded Tavern, Bold Breck (for their happy hour!), and Breckenridge Brewery (go for their half-priced apps from 3 to 5 PM, Sunday – Thursday).

I’m always on the hunt for more activities to do in and around all of the mountain towns! What’s your favorite mountain town? & what’s your favorite thing to do there?