Breckenridge - Pitstops for Kids

Where to eat in Breckenridge (in any season)

October 22, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Breckenridge, Colorado is not just a ski town. It’s also a hiking town, a mountain biking town, a fall leaf peeping town, and yes, a foodie town. Here’s where to eat out, whether you’re in town for the snow or the trails.

With the kids:

Need apres-ski or hiking spots big on fun, deck-space, brews for mom and dad, and a casual ambiance? Here’s where to go in town.

Breckenridge Brewery:

Located at 600 S. Main Street, Breck Brew is one of the nation’s top micro-breweries. It’s also very kid-friendly. While mom and dad enjoy a flight, kids can get down with great burgers, sandwiches, and other pub fare.

Motherloaded Tavern:

This cozy spot at 103 S. Main Street is both casual and sophisticated. Foodies will like the irony of comfort foods going gourmet, and kids will just be happy to recognize nearly everything on the menu. Think homemade mac and cheese, chicken and waffles, and pot roast…need I go on?

Crepes a la Carte:

This one’s a no-brainer. Located at 307 S. Main Street, Breckenridge’s famous crepe cart has friendly outdoor seating (with fire pit in winter) and fast service. A crepe is a full meal here, and comes in an easy-to-carry paper cone. Best ‘street food’ in Breck, hands down.

Giampietro Pasta and Pizza:

This casual, small dining establishment at 600 South Park comes personally recommended by a Breck local with kids of her own. Get calzones large enough to split, and mom and dad, check out the tequila menu.

Downstairs at Eric’s:

Eric’s has pub-style food with a large arcade area for kids. Perfect for holing away on a chilly winter evening, it’s easy to lose track of time at Eric’s!

Without the kids:

Twist:

This foodie heaven at 200 South Ridge offers a modern take on comfort food. We had a seasonal salad with a beet and goat cheese ravioli, but other menu offerings included a meatloaf, a mac and cheese, and a kabob. The menu here changes four times a year, and Chef Matt Fackler personally sources ingredients, picking the best of the best, whether they come locally or from further afield.

Modis:

Best cocktails in town! Modis’ mixologists create one-of-a-kind craft cocktails that pair wonderfully with their dinners. We went at happy hour (3 pm to 6 pm during our visit) and sat up on the rooftop deck. The lettuce wraps and sliders are divine! Find Modis at 113 South Main.

Breakfast in Breck:

Cuppa Joe:

Located at 118 South Ridge, Cuppa Joe is a local institution. Arguably, they serve the best coffee in town, but don’t leave without getting one of their massive breakfast burritos or a granola bowl.

Amazing Grace Natural Foods:

Find Amazing Grace tucked away in a friendly older house at 213 Lincoln. Sit on the back deck in summer, or duck inside for great breakfast sandwiches and egg dishes made with only quality natural ingredients.

Where do you like to eat in Breckenridge? Favorite foods on the mountain? Let us know!

Grown-up Getaway: What to do in Breckenridge in fall

October 18, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Why would you go to Breckenridge in fall? As one local resident, mountain bike pro, and chef put it, “Why wouldn’t you?” Autumn is a special time in this Colorado mountain town.

When I arrived in mid-September, I half-expected a ghost town: after all, Breck is known for skiing. Instead, I found a town alive with a quiet, happy hum of activity: tourists and locals alike were enjoying the fall weather while hiking, biking, and enjoying special events only found in Breck in fall. Here’s what to do with a weekend getaway with or without the kids:

Go hiking:

Leaf peeping is at its peak in September! For a challenging hike, head up Spruce Creek Road (just a few miles out of town off Hwy 9) and park at Spruce Creek Trailhead. The Spruce Creek Trail takes hikers through alpine forests for just over two miles, then connects with the Mohawk Lakes Trail. This final 1.7 mile section gets steep, past snow melt waterfalls and the remains of mining structures en route to Lower and Upper Mohawk lakes…well worth the effort. Look for mountain goats and plenty of fall color on the slopes opposite.

Need more ideas for local hikes or want to hike with an expert? Contact CBST Adventures in town and go with a pro!

Get a massage:

While in Breck, I had the best massage of my life at Harmony Health Massage and Wellness Spa. What made it so special? Owner and massage therapist Inanna Hall, who took on the task of getting travel day stress out of my shoulders and neck from a holistic, almost spiritual approach. Her philosophy is to approach any massage from an intuitive angle, and it showed. I had one of her synergy massages, and added a session with oxygen for only $30. This is a smart thing to do while adjusting to Breckenridge’s high altitude.

Get on a mountain bike:

There’s more mountain biking in and around Breckenridge than you’ll know what to do with. Pick up a hiking and biking trail map when you arrive, and use the universal green (easy), blue (intermediate), and black (expert) color coding to pick your routes. Most of the marked trails around town are single or double track, though dirt roads can be tacked on for good measure. As a beginner-intermediate mountain biker, these are the trails I tackled:

Lower Flume: Access the Lower Flume trail directly from town via the recreational bike path (more on that below). From the Breckenridge Recreation Center, follow the path out of town to where it connects with Lower Flume. Or, follow Main Street down to the 7-Eleven, turn right, and access from the recycling center.
Betty’s Trail: Find this intermediate trail right off Reiling Road. It’s just under one mile, and parallels the road most of the way (you won’t get disoriented). While it goes up and down, it’s not too rocky, though you’ll want to take care on the sharp turns.
Turk’s Trail and Reiling Drudge Trail: Further up Reiling, a parking lot offers access to a wider network of trails, including intermediate Turk’s and easy (and short) Reiling Drudge. Turk’s has quite the incline and tends to be rocky, but intermediate to advanced riders will love that it connects to more in the blue category, or can be looped with easy B&B.The Reiling Drudge Trail is fun because of the historical plaques marking remnants of mining history in the area.
XLOU8: My favorite intermediate trail I experienced, XLOU8 can be accessed from the same Reiling Drudge parking lot, and connects to Minnie Mine trail. It’s up and down, fairly free of rocks, and has an interesting mine to ride past.
Pence Miller: This intermediate trail can be accessed directly from Mountain Thunder Lodge via a short access trail. It winds above the resort area at the bottom section of the ski runs.

Pick up a mountain bike to rent for the day or multiple days at Avalanche Sports, located on North Main. They’ll give you a helmet, which is essential. Also bring water, a snack, and a layer or two for any ride. While it’s easy to return back to town fairly quickly from most easy and intermediate trails, it’s still good to be prepared for any weather. Find trail maps here.

Not sure you want to mountain bike? Take the recreational bike path through town instead. This paved path runs almost to Keystone!

Take a distillery tour:

The Breckenridge Distillery has a tasting room on Main Street, but also a full factory tour offered at their distillery on Airport Road. This tour is fascinating…and yes, it includes samples. Each tour is 30 minutes, and takes guests from a tasting area to the distilling rooms and barreling rooms. Our tour guide knew the business inside-out, and answered all our questions relating to both the distilling process and the variety of spirits created (which include vodka, bourbon whiskey, bitters, and seasonal specialties). Tours are free! Must be 21 or over.

Stroll around town:

Main Street runs from the ski resort village all the way down to the far end of town, and is chock full of great dining and shopping. And no, it’s not dead in the fall. Instead, it’s intimate, with locals emerging after a busy tourist summer season. Check out the shops, eat a crepe at Crepes a la Cart, grab a craft cocktail at Modis, and just take in the scene. While walking downtown, consider taking a historic walking tour from the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance.

Need dining recs? We have them!

Take in the Breck Film Fest:

The Breck Film Fest takes over town one week every September, and is a fun opportunity to see Hollywood in the mountains. Come for opening night, and grab affordable tickets to the opening show or opening night party. We were lucky enough to see the feature film for the festival’s Adventure Reel, Snowman. The atmosphere is relaxed, casual, and ultra-cool.

What do you like to do in Breckenridge? In what season?

Where to hike in Breckenridge with kids

October 15, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Think Breckenridge, Colorado is only a winter ski destination? No way! This mountain town is a great pick for summer and fall travel as well, offering historical significance, museums and culture, great dining, and, our personal favorite, excellent hiking for families.

When families arrive in Breck, they’ll find maps with literally dozens of hiking trails accessible right from town. Many of these hikes will include mining history built in, either the form of signage explaining historical significance or historical structures or mining equipment that remains behind. Here’s where to hike in Breckenridge in multiple categories:

Easy hikes:

Burro Trail: Accessed directly in town, the Burro Trail has a gentle grade (it was literally the trail burros used to haul gear). The first half mile is easy-breezy, perfect for young kids, and then it keeps going for miles, all the way out of town to high elevations. Families can connect to the Spruce Creek Trail and Wheeler Trail further afield.
Sawmill Creek: This 1.5 mile loop starts just below and west of Snowflake Lift, which is close to Four O’Clock Road and Kings Crown Road. It has minimal altitude gain, and there’s plenty of shade along the way. The trail leads up to a beautiful reservoir: bring a picnic lunch!
Reiling Drudge Trail: This trail, located at the top of Reiling Road, connects to several top-notch mountain biking trails. It’s multi-use, but an easy, short hike to the Reiling Drudge. This remnant from the mining era is impressively intact, and shows how this type of mining impacted the environment (you can see the piles of rock and ore still left behind, though the scenery is still very pretty). Historical markers tell hikers more about the site. If you want a longer hike, continue from the drudge trail to the Minnie Mine Trail. Here, you’ll see more plaques and remains of mining buildings.

Kids don’t want to hike? Head to River Walk Park, where kids can wade in the Blue River in summer and fall and play on the playground in all seasons.

Harder hikes:

Mohawk Lakes: This series of alpine lakes can be tackled in an eight mile loop, or families can simply hike to the first few. From the trailhead, it’s just over three miles to Lower Mohawk, which sits in a bowl with Upper Mohawk just out of sight above it. They’re followed by several more lakes along a chain. The path can be steep at times, but the way is broken up by lots to look at: kids will love the historic mining remnants still cluttering the landscape, and snow melt waterfalls such as Continental Falls. Get to the trailhead by heading out Hwy 9 and turning right on Spruce Creek Road. Park at the trailhead 1.2 miles up.
Bakers Tank Loop: While most of this five mile loop trail is intermediate, there are a few climbs to be had. The trail follows an historic railroad line and has Western mountain views. Start at the Bakers Tank Trailhead on Boreas Pass Road. The first three miles are along Boreas Pass Road, heading south.
Black Powder Pass: At 3.4 miles (roundtrip) with an elevation gain, this hike is solidly in the intermediate range. From Boreas Pass Road, go up to the top of Boreas Pass, and take the trail just before the Section House. Families get above the tree line without a long hike, but remember, you’ll be at over 12,000 feet, so take your time. Look for views of the Tenmile Range.

Hardest hike:

Crystal Lakes: Get above the tree line hiking to the Crystal Lakes. These small, high alpine lakes sit at over 11,000 feet, and the way is very steep in places, and mostly exposed. Access these lakes from the Burro Trail or drive partway up Spruce Creek Road or Crystal Lake Road (4×4 driving essential). Look for picas (like small rabbits that make a high pitched call) and mountain goats.

Tip: Want to get a taste of mining history in the area without hiking to it? Head to the Country Boy Mine, where kids can go inside mine shafts and pan for gold. This historical site has very good, though realistic, tours. Young kids may be frightened when the lights are turned off and hydraulic machinery is turned on to stimulate how it would have felt and sounded like in the mine in bygone eras.

Note: No matter where you hike in Breckenridge, you’ll feel the significant elevation. Get tips on dealing with high altitude!

Have you hiked in Breckenridge? Where do you recommend?

Breckenridge winter vacation tips

March 5, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

I am lucky enough that I have now spent time in and around Breckenridge, Colorado in summer, fall, and winter. All are wonderful times to visit with their own merits, but winter certainly is a popular choice. With a world-class ski resort and magical winter atmosphere comes an increase in visitors and potentially challenging driving conditions. Here’s what you need to know to have an amazing winter Breckenridge vacation, from dining recommendations to ski tips.

Stay in a condo within walking distance of everything.

The first of our Breckenridge winter vacation tips is probably the biggest. The good news: staying within easy distance of both the slopes and the town is easy to do. Because Breckenridge spans five peaks with lifts touching down in locations across the town, most lodging along South and North Park Avenue, Village Road, and Ski Hill Road will be ski-in, ski-out, or close to it.

We stayed in this unit at One Breckenridge Place, managed by Great Western Lodging. We were about two blocks from the Quicksilver Lift at Peak 9, and one block from Main Street. The unit is a three-bedroom, with lots of room to spread out, cook some of our own meals, and do laundry. The condo village has access to a year-round pool and hot tub complex, which is just 100 yards from the door. Unfortunately, during our stay, the hot tubs were too dirty to use, but the pool was heated. I recommend paying a bit more for a unit at One Breckenridge Place with a private hot tub, which is located on the back deck.

Plan DEN-Breck shuttle trips carefully.

If you take a shuttle service such as Colorado Mountain Express from Denver International to Breckenridge (and we recommend this if you don’t want to hassle with a rental car or driving in wintery conditions), try your best to avoid shuttle times between 4 pm and 6 pm on Friday nights. Traffic is very heavy to the mountains on Friday afternoons, and you can expect your trip to take twice the standard 1.5 hour time. Sometimes, of course, this can’t be avoided…on our last trip, we had to travel on Friday, and had no choice but to get a 4:30 shuttle. Still, it helps to be aware and set expectations. Make sure everyone has water and has eaten a snack before departure.

Going home, if the weather is bad, consider calling your shuttle service to book an earlier departure back to DEN. We learned that CME aims to give travelers a four hour window (two to get back to DEN, with two hours buffer before flight). However, the drive can sometimes take as long as three hours or more in snow storms, and it’s generally up to you to ask for a new departure time.

Get take out for affordable meals.

When you’re too tired to go out to eat, order the ‘pasta bucket’ from Fattys. This local favorite pizza place on Ridge Street offers a take out option that feeds the whole family for about half what it would cost to eat out. Pasta buckets are $30 (you pick your sauce and pasta choice), and comes with rolls and butter. You can add a salad bucket for $20. For $50, we fed our crew of five, and had enough left-overs for lunch the next day. Fattys says their buckets serve 4-5, but we believe it’s closer to 6-8 (and we have teens who eat a lot!).

Eat lunch early or late on the mountain.

When skiing Breckenridge, avoid the base areas between 12 pm and 1 pm, opting to break for lunch at an upper mountain lodge instead. Crowds will be far thinner, and lift lines shorter. Use the Breckenridge Mountain app to see lift line wait times at a glance. We really enjoyed eating quick meals at Vista Haus on Peak 8 and The Overlook on Peak 9.

Use Ski Butlers.

Use Ski Butlers for any gear rentals. If your family owns skis, boards, and boots, and you’ll be skiing or riding for more than a few days, it’s usually more economical to check ski gear on the plane than to rent for multiple days. (Tip: Alaska Airlines allows free boot bag checked luggage with a ski bag.)

However, if you don’t own your own gear, use Ski Butlers. It’s easy to order your rentals online before your trip, and once you arrive, Ski Butlers brings your rentals to your condo or hotel room. The ‘butler’ fits you there, and even offers a direct line for any problems that may arise. We had an issue with one snowboard (the binding wasn’t set to our liking), and Ski Butlers came out the same evening and fixed the problem at our condo immediately. We were very pleased with their attention to detail and willingness to do what it took to ensure we were happy with our gear.

Beware of altitude sickness.

Don’t take the altitude lightly! See our post on avoiding altitude sickness, and be sure to drink lots of water before and during your trip to Breckenridge. I feel symptoms of altitude sickness with every trip, despite taking precautions. Know that one symptom can be insomnia…don’t be surprised if kids and adults have a hard time sleeping at first. Get to bed early, drink fluids, and avoid caffeine and alcohol at least on your first few nights.

Check for seasonal events and festivals.

We happened to time our latest visit to Breckenridge with the annual International Snow Sculpture championships, which meant we could view amazing snow sculptures created by teams across the world.

View during the evenings to see the finished sculptures lit up starting the day of the judging. There’s a people’s choice type of award as well, so be sure to pick your favorite and ‘vote’ with a dollar. Look for additional activities in and around the Riverwalk Center by the Blue River, where the sculptures are located.

Don’t forget to check out the arts district.

Located between Main Street and Ridge Street, Breckenridge’s art district is located in repurposed small buildings with pedestrian friendly walkways. You’ll find all manner of artisans here, and can usually watch them work in addition to buying in the galleries. Kids enjoy this too!

Think ahead before heading out to dinner.

Remember that many family-friendly dining options in Breckenridge do not take reservations. Instead, put your name in early, and use the time before your table is ready to shop along Main Street or check out the small history museum at the Welcome Center (along the Blue River near RiverWalk Center). Some restaurants, including one of our favorites, Downstairs at Eric’s, uses an app to tell you when your name is called. Just give them your phone number and you’ll know how many parties are ahead of you in line. Tip: for the best burgers in town, head down Main to the north end to Canteen. Expect big portions!

Don’t forget snow play gear!

Bring an extra set of gloves or mittens and a waterproof pair of snow boots for each family member, in addition to what you wear if you ski or snowboard. Exploring the village of Breckenridge is part of the charm of a vacation here, but kids will definitely get snowy on even the simplest walk down Main Street. They’ll find places to slide down hills and have snowball fights!

Disclosure: Our stay at One Breckenridge Place and our transportation on CME were provided complimentarily, for the purpose of review.

Guide to skiing Breckenridge with teens (by teens)

January 20, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Breckenridge Mountain is a huge ski resort with something for absolutely every type of skier and rider. On our latest trip, we went with our teens and pre-teen, who are all expert skiers and riders. I thought I’d let them tell readers their favorite places on the mountain from their perspective. If you have older kids and teens who like steeps and deeps, this is the post to read!

Note to parents with beginning skiers and riders: Breckenridge’s ski school is among the best we’ve seen, and entire sections of the resort are devoted to green and blue (beginner and intermediate) runs. While this is not the ‘Breck’ we’re covering in this post, learners will be right at home!

Guide to skiing Breckenridge, according to kids who like moguls, trees, and bowls:

The bowls above the tree line are amazing, but only if conditions are right. On windy days or when they’re not open, due to avalanche control, head into the trees! Our favorite tree skiing at Breck is probably the Windows off Peak 9. From the Mercury SuperChair or the E Chair, take the trail to Window 1 and 2, and ski through trees into our favorite place in all of Breck: the ravine bordering a creek! There are winding trails, jumps, and bumps here and it goes on for ages!

There is a lot of out-of-boundary terrain at Breck, and there are gates to access these areas in designated spots. Don’t duck the rope! At the top of Peak 9, there’s a gate where you can hike for about 20 minutes to access some fun stuff, but remember: you have to have a pack, beacon, and shovel with you (and a friend). Our parents’ rule is that we have to take an avalanche safety course before they’ll buy us beacons, so we had to skip this spot.

But: if you still want to hike to great terrain, there are places to do this without leaving the resort boundary. If Imperial chair is not running, we like to hike from Peak 9 at the top of E Chair to the Back 9. The hike is long and hard (about 20 minutes, but it feels longer and you’ll get sweaty) but then you get to ski down your choice of double blacks that haven’t been skied out. After the open bowls, you’ll end up in the same creek run from above.

For lots of steep, mogul runs, head to Peak 10. This was our mom’s favorite peak. Go left at the top of Falcon SuperChair, and try Black Hawk or Dark Rider (double black diamonds).

Peak 7 is an intermediate hill, but at the top is lots of good stuff you can access if Imperial is open. We also liked 6 Chair, which had more moguls and above-tree stuff, on the side of Peak 8.

There are several terrain parks, but be warned: the large and medium ones are HUGE! We like terrain parks but had to stay on the small one…which was like our medium one at home! You can find the small one on Peak 9, called the Highway.

If you like bowls with plenty of spots to find trees to run through, get yourself to the T Bar. Riding the T Bar can be tricky at first, but just watch the people ahead of you, and don’t forget to stay standing…you don’t sit on the T. It’s harder to ride for snowboarders than skiers. When snowboarding, we place the T closer to our hip than our behinds. Riding the T Bar is entertaining, too, because about 1 in 10 people fall off.

Even if you are a very good skier, Breck’s kid zones are a lot of fun. Look for the small terrain trails throughout the family zones and intermediate runs. We found one with a mock mine tunnel to ski through and one with an ore bucket. It’s just lots of fun.

Disclosure: We skied and rode Breck as guests of the resort, in order to report back on where to go for the best runs. All opinions are our own!

Top family-friendly resort towns in the U.S.

June 19, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

The United States is a hugely diverse country with hundreds of thousands of unique locations spread out across a wide space. Choosing an American vacation destination is difficult in any situation, but especially so with a family in tow. With every additional trip taker comes another person’s enjoyment and happiness to consider. Selecting where to travel will require, to some extent, successfully finding a place where everyone can have a great time

Top family-friendly resort towns:

While it’s true you can only please everyone some of the time, some people every time, but never everyone all the time, there are American vacation destinations which are more likely to keep everyone happier than others. Here are the most family-friendly destinations in the US and some basic tips on planning a trip there:

Palm Springs, California

Once the resort town where Hollywood A-listers went to escape the pressures of Tinseltown, Palm Springs now caters to a more middle class demographic without skimping on the luxuries provided to the likes of Clark Gable and Frank Sinatra. Not to mention the addition of numerous family-friendly experiences including hiking trails, water park, record-breaking aerial tramway, and hot air balloon rides.

However, the signature experience for families staying in Palm Springs is booking several days in one of the city’s iconic resort options. Those choosing a Palm Springs family resort can easily find one with amenities and activities for just about any age group. Whether it’s laying by the pool, swinging golf clubs, or learning to pilot drones, the daytime fun culminates with pristine accommodations overlooking said pool or the surrounding beauty of California.

Breckenridge, Colorado

While Aspen will always be the iconic American ski resort destination in terms of premium luxury, Breckenridge, Colorado exists as an accessible alternative for working families. Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge is the ideal ski resort town for families interested in snow-based adventure, time spent in a spa on the outer deck, and all the other trappings of the idyllic alpine experience.

In addition to these signature elements of a cold climate resort, Breckenridge offers a variety of things to do in the warmer months. These include zip lining, fly fishing, historical walking tours, escape the room, and much more.

Branson, Missouri

Bart Simpson once quoted his father Homer as saying Branson, Missouri is what Las Vegas would be like “if it were run by Ned Flanders.” For readers unfamiliar with the animated series wondering what the joke is, Ned Flanders is the very wholesome, very Christian, and very family-friendly neighbor to the Simpsons. While poking fun at the sentimental and old-timey atmosphere of the Ozark resort town, it’s an accurate description which in no way knocks this iconic American family vacation destination.

In addition to watching performers presumed to have retired decades ago, Branson offers a number of exciting, unique, and ultimately unforgettable experiences for the whole family. These include the amusements and thrills of Silver Dollar City, the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum, and Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors.

Orlando, Florida

Where do we begin? 50 years ago, Orlando was little more than a swampy, sleepy town for retirees looking to get away from it all after a lifetime of hard work. Then Walt Disney showed up and decided to build the most famous family friendly resort destination in the entire world. The rest, as they say, is history.

Yet there’s more to do in Orlando besides visiting Minnie and Mickey, though a family can easily spend an entire week on Walt Disney World grounds and never get bored. Additional Orlando-based attractions include Universal Studios Florida, Gatorland, Medieval Times, and the Kennedy Space Center.

From coast to coast, the United States is in no short supply of family-friendly vacation destinations. If the challenge revolves around finding a place to please everyone under one roof, resort towns are the way to go. Among them, the aforementioned are proven to be the best.

SaveSave

Dog sledding and snowmobiling in Breckenridge

February 10, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

The town of Breckenridge Colorado is known for its epic skiing and snowboarding, but there are many other ways to enjoy the snowy mountains here. Whether you want to plan a day away from the slopes during a longer vacation or have non-skiers among you, head out to Good Times Adventures, about twenty minutes from town.

Good Times Adventures offers snowmobiling tours as well as dog sledding excursions. It’s worth noting that snowmobilers have the opportunity to see sled dogs in action, as their kennels and sledding trails are located in the same area.

Snowmobiling in Breckenridge:

We booked Good Times Adventures’ most popular snowmobile tour, which is two hours in length and takes visitors through wooded trails up to an open vista along the Continental Divide. Personally, I was most interested in seeing the scenery: on a snowmobile, we could cover a lot more ground than on nordic skis or snowshoes. Without a doubt, however, my teens and pre-teen’s primarily interest was in the snow machines themselves, and the possibility of driving them. Here’s the nitty gritty:

Kids 15 and older can drive their own snowmobile, provided you’ve decided to purchase that option. They must be 18 or older to drive with a passenger onboard.
Good Times has over 40 miles of groomed trails, and each guide decides on a route, so you don’t see much of other groups once out on the trails.
Our group consisted of only 7 guests (5 machines), which was a pleasant surprise…we expected a larger group.
The trip starts and ends at a large open practice area, where you can get used to the machines (and have some fun going pretty fast). Our guide explained how to use the machines in about 10 minutes…even for novice snowmobilers like us, it was easy!
Snow suits and boots are provided if you want them, or you can wear your own gear. You must, however, wear their helmets, so don’t bother bringing your own. If you do, they’ll be stored for you.
You do have to bring your own mittens or gloves, eye protection (goggles), and face mask/scarf. You’ll really want one of these.
The ride goes through the scenic Swan River Valley and up to the Georgia Pass to the Divide, at over 11,000 feet.

Those of us unfamiliar with snowmobiles really loved this tour. However, if you snowmobile regularly, going in a group with a guide may be too tame for you. I liken it to horseback tours: because I’m familiar with riding, nose-to-tail rides are a bit boring to me. But they’re thrilling to those with less experience. You know your family: if your primarily motivation is to see scenery and have fun on machines that you don’t get to ride or drive often, this is a great way to spend an afternoon at Breckenridge. If you ride snowmobiles often, maybe this is not for you.

Scheduling: tours depart hourly. See the Good Times Adventures website for exact hours. Be there 30 minutes before your departure time.

Cost: drivers are $110 and passengers are $55. Kids 8 and under are only $25.

Dog Sledding:

Dog sled tours are in the same location, and include a meet-and-greet opportunity with the dogs, information from your musher, and time out on the trails behind the dogs. Visitors on the tour take turn in the sled and on back, guiding the dogs…the others are pulled in a comfortable sled wagon behind a snowmobile. The good: everyone gets lots of opportunity to see the dogs run. The bad: if you don’t like the noise of snowmobiles (as I don’t), you’ll be subjected to it. This is too bad, because dog sledding along quiet snow-covered trails is quite magical, and some of that is lost here.

Cost: Adults are $75, and kids 8 and under are $40.

Note: For either the snowmobiling or dog sledding experience, it’s customary to tip your guide or musher.

Getting here:

Fom downtown, head North on Hwy 9 (Main Street) approximately 2.5 miles until you get to the stop-light at the Tiger Road intersection. At Tiger Road, turn right and enjoy the scenery for about 6.5 miles until the road dead-ends in our parking lot. Shuttle pick-up and drop-off is also available from various points in Breckenridge.

As we disclose whenever applicable, we experienced snowmobiling as guests of Good Times Adventures, for the purpose of review. All opinions remain our own.

Where to stay in Breckenridge: Mountain Thunder Lodge review

October 28, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

When we’re on a ski vacation, or visiting a ski resort in summer to hike and mountain bike, we often opt to stay right inside the ski village…the hustle and bustle can be exciting and fun. But by far, the best perk of village lodging is the easy access to the slopes. Breckenridge is a very unique ski resort, in that its lifts and peaks stretch almost across the length of town. What this means to visiting families: ski-in, ski-out options can be had outside of the ski area village.

Mountain Thunder Lodge is an official Breck resort located a bit away from the ski resort village, but still within skiing and walking distance of the gondola. The upside: families are in a quieter, more homey setting, with room to spread out while still skiing in and out. The downside: riding the access gondola can mean spending quite a bit of time traversing Breckenridge Resort once on the mountain, depending on where you want to ski or ride on an given day.

In summer and fall, the location of Mountain Thunder Lodge is an even better deal: families are in ride-in, ride-out distance of mountain biking trails and the recreational bike path. In fact, two green (beginning) and at least one blue (intermediate) bike and hike trails are located directly behind Mountain Thunder. In all seasons, guests are in easy walking distance to Main Street.

Mountain Thunder Lodge consists of studio and one-bedroom to three-bedroom condos and 1-3 bedroom townhomes. All come with full kitchens. I checked out a one-bedroom condo, which had garage and elevator access and a spacious balcony. The living room area included a pull-out bed, and flowed into the kitchen area. I stayed in Building 5, which was close to the walking trail to Main Street and directly adjacent to the outdoor heated pool and hot tubs. Building 5 and 1 have small exercise rooms and each condo has a ski locker, located off the first floor lobby. Laundry facilities are located in each building, and are free of charge. Townhomes have their own laundry in-house.

We loved having access to year round swimming, and it was easy to get to town via the pedestrian tunnel (families just walk across the gondola parking lot after the tunnel, following signage to Main Street). Bike storage is available in each garage during summer months.

Mountain Thunder does not have its own dining on-site, but I never missed this; we were close to Main Street for our dining needs, and had a full kitchen as well. In our condo, maid service was limited, but we found we did not need service every day. Daily service can be arranged.

Room rates:

One-bedroom condos like described above average just over $200 per night. Rates go up in peak season. A two-bedroom condo is only slightly more cost at around $250 per night.

Directions:

Mountain Thunder Lodge is located at 50 Mountain Thunder Drive, just off Park Street and Ski Hill Drive. It’s a five minute walk from Main Street, and on the free shuttle route.

As we disclose whenever applicable, this stay was made possible by Breckenridge tourism, for the purpose of review.

Best Mountain Towns: Breckenridge Colorado

October 26, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Yes, Breckenridge, Colorado could certainly fall into Pit Stops for Kids’ Best Ski Towns category; however, this resort town truly is a four-season destination. While it’s best known for winter sports, Breckenridge shines in the warmer months as well, boosting hiking, rafting, biking, and lots of storied history.

Here’s what to do with kids and without in Breckenridge, truly a Best Mountain Town.

For all ages:

Hiking: The Tenmile Range, plenty of 14-ers, and a network of in-town hiking trails give families an entire vacation’s worth of hiking at their fingertips. We love that parents with young kids can access trails like the Burro Trail directly from Main Street in town, whereas serious hikers will be quite challenged at higher elevations. See our entire post on hiking in Breckenridge with kids.

Shopping and eating: Always important activities on a vacation, shopping and dining options abound on Breckenridge’s Main Street and the blocks surrounding. Read our post on where to eat in Breckenridge, and be sure to take the time to walk along the Blue River Rec Path, taking in the fall colors in autumn and enjoying the snow in winter.

Skiing: Of course, Breckenridge Ski Resort is omnipresent in and around town. The peaks of this world class resort span across the town, and lift access is available at multiple points (making many lodging choices ski-in, ski-out. In addition to downhill skiing, Breckenridge’s hiking trails become snow shoe and nordic ski trails in winter. Pick up rental equipment at any one of a vast number of sporting goods stores in town.

Bike riding: There are miles of mountain bike trails around town (more on that below) but for families who don’t want to tackle this extreme sport, the Recreational Bike Path is paved, and connects Breckenridge with Frisco and even Keystone. Families can rent bikes and trailers and spend a day on the path. A rec bike path also winds through town, adjacent to the Blue River. Family tip: For families that pedal together, take a ride from the gate along Boreas Pass Road. It’s an old railroad grade, so the climb is mellow and you’ll see incredible views not far from where you start. The best part? It’s all downhill back to the car.

Historical tours and sites: Everywhere you go in Breckenridge, you’re surrounded by early settler and mining history. Families can see remnants of mining on the area’s trails: an easy hike on the short but beautiful Reiling Drudge Trail boosts an actual drudge and hydraulic mining area, and a longer, steeper hike on the Spruce Creek loop yields mining cabins and an old bull wheel.

Tip! Kids and adults will love the zipline and Gold Runner Coaster at the Fun Park. For history on the town, families can participate in gold mine tours and try their hand at gold panning. There’s also an array of outdoor activities for families to enjoy including, full moon rafting, summer dog sledding, fly fishing, hiking, horseback riding and more.

In town, stop at the Breckenridge Welcome Center on Main Street to tour an excellent and free museum on the town’s mining history. Next, go to the Edwin Carter Discovery Center, where kids learn about one of the area’s first naturalists, and the Barney Ford Victorian Home, also both free. The latter offers a living history tour of the home of Barney L. Ford, an escaped slave who made his fortune in the West. His is an inspiring story for both kids and parents (one tidbit: his mother stole a dictionary for him, hoping it would lead to a better life). There’s also a schoolhouse replica in his home.

If you have school-aged kids, consider booking a walking tour with the Heritage Alliance. Tours are $10 for adults and $5 for kids, and take about an hour and a half. Our guide taught us about the historical buildings in town we didn’t even realize were of significance, and toured us through two 1880s homes not open to the general public. It was absolutely interesting and relevant to kids of about eight and up. See all tours offered.

Check out the Country Boy Mine, just outside of downtown, to tour an actual mine shaft and learn about mining conditions for miners in the late 1800s. Best for older kids who are not afraid of the dark!

For families with young kids:

Be sure to take time while walking along Main Street to play at the small but inventive playground at the River Walk and River Walk Square. In summer, kids can wade in the Blue River here, too, jumping between the stones. The Breckenridge Mountain Top Children’s Museum sits adjacent to the ski village, within easy walking distance of Main Street, and is a good option during bad weather.

For families with older kids:

Rent mountain bikes if you’re family is comfortable on trails, and use Breckenridge’s excellent trail network. Trails are rated green, blue, and black, just like on the ski slopes, and are well-marked. Bike rentals can be found throughout town; we opted for Avalanche Sports. We love that you can ride directly from the rental shops (or your lodging) to the trails, but there are also trailheads with parking lots if you’re coming from further afield. Here are my favorites:

Lower Flume: Access the Lower Flume trail directly from town via the recreational bike path (more on that below). From the Breckenridge Recreation Center, follow the path out of town to where it connects with Lower Flume. Or, follow Main Street down to the 7-Eleven, turn right, and access from the recycling center.
Betty’s Trail: Find this intermediate trail right off Reiling Road. It’s just under one mile, and parallels the road most of the way (you won’t get disoriented). While it goes up and down, it’s not too rocky, though you’ll want to take care on the sharp turns.
Turk’s Trail and Reiling Drudge Trail: Further up Reiling, a parking lot offers access to a wider network of trails, including intermediate Turk’s and easy (and short) Reiling Drudge. Turk’s has quite the incline and tends to be rocky, but intermediate to advanced riders will love that it connects to more in the blue category, or can be looped with easy B&B.The Reiling Drudge Trail is fun because of the historical plaques marking remnants of mining history in the area.
XLOU8: My favorite intermediate trail I experienced, XLOU8 can be accessed from the same Reiling Drudge parking lot, and connects to Minnie Mine trail. It’s up and down, fairly free of rocks, and has an interesting mine to ride past.
Pence Miller: This intermediate trail can be accessed directly from Mountain Thunder Lodge via a short access trail. It winds above the resort area at the bottom section of the ski runs.

If you go:

Many families visiting Breckenridge in the summer months rent a car, but if you are flying in and out of Denver and the Breckenridge area is your only stop, a car is not necessary. We like to take Colorado Mountain Express to and from the airport (there’s WiFi onboard, so I can get work done on the drive) and once in town, we can access all hiking and biking via foot or with the Breckenridge Free Ride shuttle, which runs year-round!

Do you love Breckenridge? What time of year do you visit?

Top reasons why Breckenridge is a perfect family ski vacation

September 22, 2014 By Sharlene Earnshaw

Pit Stops for Kids is happy to take part in the third annual Back to Ski Week, which includes tips on planning a family ski vacation as well as chances to win prizes. To learn more visit the Back to Ski site and sign up for the newsletter, follow @back2ski on Twitter, or like it on Facebook.

Today we hear from inveterate outdoorswoman and lover of the Rockies Amber Johnson of The Mile High Mama about why a visit to Breckenridge, Colorado is perfect for families interested in fun on the slopes. We were compensated for writing this post; all opinions are the author’s.

From our perch atop Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Peak 6, our senses were in overdrive—first, the sound of silence, followed by the wind clinking through patches of hoarfrost crystals. My husband and I eased off the chairlift as our ski tips sliced through our powder playground, tracing hourglasses down the mountain.

Coloradoans are spoiled with 25 ski resorts but if you’re looking for the perfect winter vacation, look no further than Breckenridge. This authentic mining town 1.5 hours from Denver has it all: a world-class ski resort, the Blue River (a tributary of the raging Colorado River), an idyllic Main Street, gourmet dining, and glittering boutiques. It is also part of an 80-mile network of paved, motorized bike paths that connect other Summit County resorts like Dillon, Keystone, Copper Mountain, and Vail.

Here are just a few more reasons why this upscale yet laid-back resort is one of the best for families.

Ski Bums:

Breckenridge Ski Area sprawls across the southern sector of Summit County’s Tenmile Range and is consistently ranked as one of the most visited ski areas in the country. But with an impressive 2,908 acres and 34 lifts, the crowds dissipate the higher you go as you carve out your own private Colorado.

After dropping our kids off at ski school, my husband and I did the “freedom” shout and warmed up on groomer Duke’s Run before heading over to Peak 6. As Breck’s new 543-acre addition, it features high-alpine, intermediate bowl skiing (a true rarity).

Peak 6 lives up to its hype so long as you are attempting this timberline-topping terrain on a bluebird day. If there is any trace of wind or snow, you’ll feel like you are trapped inside a snow globe. Fortunately with a resort this size, there are plenty of other areas to take cover or fly high, including four award-winning terrain parks and a 22-foot superpipe.

At the end of an exhausting day, we picked the kids up from ski school and were later able to track their progress via the EpicMix app’s newest feature, EpicMix Academy. Though the wind kept us from the Golden Runner Alpine Coaster, the kids are already begging to take us back to their favorite haunts that included Trygve’s small terrain park with moderate jumps and boxes.

Tip: There’s no parking at the base so park for free in the Gondola parking lots in town and take the BreckConnection Gondola to the base of Peak 8. A complimentary shuttle also runs throughout town and delivered us right in front of Pine Ridge Condos where we proceeded to soak in the hot tub and then burrow up to a fire and a movie while a storm raged outside. That, my friends, is what a ski vacation is all about.

Good Times Dog Sledding:

TripAdvisor ranks dog sledding as the No. 1 activity in Breckenridge so you’d better believe it is epic. Good Times Adventures is the only snowmobile and dog sledding tour operator in Summit County and offers a 6-mile tour that is perfect for families (adults are $75; children ages 4-8 are $40).

We became acquainted with our team of Siberian Huskies and learned how they are attached to the sled with a series of lines called rigging that includes the tow line (or gang line), tug lines and neck lines. Each sled had a basket where gear or a passenger was carried and were outfitted with a braking device.

Good Times offers various levels of dog sledding and we chose the tamer “Disney” experience. I was thrilled when our guide announced the kids would get to drive the team during our slow and steady uphill climbs (many dog sledding operators only let their clients sit in the basket). They were in their element; rosy-cheeked, their “MUSH” commands echoing through the trees as the pitter-patter of husky paws on snow distilled Colorado’s Swan River Valley to its purest incarnation.

After my son’s turn, he moved to the basket while I drove him for the first time. Notoriously cautious when faced with new challenges, he lectured me, “Now, Mom. Lean into your turns and remember…have a good time!”

With Good Times Adventures, it’s tough to do otherwise.

More Breck fun:

Cross-country skiing. Breckenridge may be known for its ample snow and giant halfpipes, but the resort also has more than 30 miles of cross-country trails, plus an additional 25 trails in the surrounding White River National Forest.

Skating. Children of all ages love the Stephen C. West Ice Arena, which offers both an indoor and outdoor ice rink. Located on Boreas Pass Road, it is open for public skating seven days a week.

Sledding. Grab your tube and join the locals over at Carter Park, one of the few places to sled in town. The hill is located at the south end of High Street and adjacent to Breckenridge Elementary School.

Main Street. This charming Historic District is dotted with boutiques, eateries and galleries. My kids are huge fans of the unique Peak a Boo Toys (and the big indoor play area is a bonus on cold days). The town’s Arts District recently showcased seven new buildings and will offer expanded workshops for travelers, especially kids. If you stop at the Welcome Center, head upstairs for some cool old ski exhibits and a great view of the slopes. Also check-out the Mountain Top Children’s Museum, which is perfect for younger kids with out-of-the-box, imaginative exhibits.

Events. Breckenridge has an awesome line-up of events but our favorites include Ullr Fest (In 2015 from January 11-17), where the community plays tribute to the Norse God of Snow. Also in January, the International Snow Sculpture Championships hosts snow artists from across the globe transform 20-ton blocks of snow into an outdoor art gallery.

Want help planning your Breckenridge trip? Be sure to visit the GoBreck website.