Enjoy Family Play in Breckenridge, Colorado

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2/2/2022Updated: 2/2/2022

It’s rare that you find a mountain town as quaint, chic, and charming as Breckenridge. Our recent family trip to this Colorado gem paid off brilliantly because we got to take our love of winter sports to new heights. On the last day, I thought I was the happiest I had ever been. The snow was glorious, and I was skiing and feeling like a kid again in that moment of winter bliss.

The town of Breckenridge is also a major drawing card. The historic district is one of the largest in Colorado, and it’s full of restaurants and colorful shops. A small group of prospectors founded the town in the 1850s during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush to serve the miners searching for gold deposits along the Blue River. It’s remarkable how much of this old Victorian town still has the facades of its boomtown days, and it’s no wonder that so many visitors flock here to experience the quaint, historical shops lining Main Street.

Breckenridge is situated in the heart of the Rocky Mountains approximately 100 miles west of Denver. We flew into Denver, picked up our rental car, and drove some 14 miles to the Gaylord Rockies resort for an overnight stay. Especially if you are traveling with children, it’s a good idea to start and end your vacation with a stop here. That way if you’re traveling by air and arrive late in the day, you won’t have to drive from Denver to Breckenridge in the snow and the dark.

A skier takes to the slopes in Breckenridge, Colo. (Greg Lock) — A skier takes to the slopes in Breckenridge, Colo. Greg Lock

My son had the time of his life snowboarding at the Breckenridge Ski Resort. We took lessons from amazing instructors at the Peak 8 Ski School location, which made our time on the mountain that much more memorable. We rented our ski gear the day before we hit the slopes from Breck Sports, had it delivered to our condo in Keystone, and then returned it in Breckenridge.

Ski and snowboard lessons will help you get the most out of your time here. Whether it’s from a private instructor or in a group class, lessons are a great way to get familiarized with the new terrain. And in case you want a little more adventure, you can also sign up for fat-tire mountain biking lessons at Gold Run Nordic Center.

We stayed at One Ski Hill Place, a RockResort with amazing ski-in/ski-out access to the mountain. Situated at the base of Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Peak 8, we were just steps away from all the action. Being able to ski right up to the door made our family holiday easy and comfortable.

The Gaylord Rockies is a good place to stay en route from Denver to Breckenridge, Colo. (Margot Black) — The Gaylord Rockies is a good place to stay en route from Denver to Breckenridge, Colo. Margot Black

This elegant luxury resort also has magnificent indoor and outdoor pools and a hot tub. Hanging out in the outdoor hot tub while the snow was falling and people were coming in off the ski lift was magical. And as with any family-friendly ski trip, it was marvelous to have a washer and dryer in our suite. One Ski Hill Place also has a bowling alley, which is great if the kids want to take a break from skiing.

We also got to experience how the resort, now celebrating its 60th anniversary, was shaped through the decades at an exhibit called “60 Years of Breckenridge Ski Resort History in 60 Objects,” where we got to immerse ourselves in the rich history, cultural heritage, and laid-back community vibe of Breckenridge.

One of the first things we noticed when exploring the town was this whimsical 25-foot-tall statue of Ullr, the Norse god of snow, standing proudly in the plaza area. Locals pray to cold-loving, bow-wielding Ullr to bring them snow. And with so much fresh powder, I think it’s clear that Ullr totally delivers in Colorado.

The bowling alley at One Ski Hill Place provides a good change of pace after a day on the slopes in Breckenridge, Colo. (Margot Black) — The bowling alley at One Ski Hill Place provides a good change of pace after a day on the slopes in Breckenridge, Colo. Margot Black

Breckenridge also has a nice variety of incredible dining options. There are cafeteria-style restaurants on the mountain where we grabbed burgers and pizza for lunch. We ate dinner at Tin Plate, a standout family-friendly restaurant where I had some of the best artisan pizza I’ve ever eaten. The sourdough crust and homemade bread from Tin Plate will make you fall in love with pizza all over again. We also enjoyed the elevated American cuisine from Aurum. Everything we ordered was divinely spiced.

Once you go to Breckenridge and experience its winter splendor and unique vibe, you instantly know how special this mountain town is. Breckenridge will have you coming back to play like a kid again and again.