Winter Activities Besides Skiing and Snowboarding in Breckenridge
Updated for the 2023-2024 Winter Season
Breckenridge offers a world-class ski resort and the skiing and snowboarding there are what brings most visitors to our special mountain town in the winter. However, we realize that sometimes not everyone in the group or family wants to hit the slopes. Did you know that there are dozens of winter activities in Breckenridge besides skiing and snowboarding? We’re here to fill you in.
In Breckenridge:
Dog Sledding: The happy faces of Siberian Huskies at Good Times Adventures will undoubtedly make your day, maybe your entire vacation! Seeing these working dogs in action is worth a visit to Good Times Adventures even if you are not able to get a dog sledding reservation. These Huskies live for the moment when their handlers give them the command to pull the sled. Their eager anticipation prior to sledding and their enthusiasm while “working” is infectious. Guests can take a turn driving the sled or sit back and enjoy the ride, soaking in the scenery or just watching the dogs work. The dog sled trails run through the woods on the private property of Good Times Adventures. This is one of the best activities in Breck, but be sure to make reservations in advance because slots fill up quickly.
Old-Fashioned Sledding: A little bit of work is required walking up a gentle incline, but sledding is a thrill for all ages. Breckenridge has two sledding hills- the original hill at Carter Park and a newer man-made hill on Airport Road. The Airport Road hill provides ample parking and is kept snow covered with a snow blower. You will need your own sled (better yet, a tube provides more speed and a smoother ride), but occasionally visitors will leave sleds behind for the next person.
Country Boy Mine: Aside from being the only gold mine tour in Summit County, Country Boy Mine has expanded over the years to create a variety of activities for guests all year round. Extreme Sledding and a Monster Truck Sleigh Tour are just a few of the winter activities at this authentic gold mine tucked away from it all on the east side of town. There are some friendly burros and great photo ops aside from the unique adventures.
Main Street: Main Street Breckenridge is perhaps one of the quaintest places in the country. Postcard perfect is a term we often hear. The Blue River Plaza stays lit with 250,000 LED lights from early December through the end of March. Boutiques, coffee and sweets shops, fine and casual dining can all be found on Main Street as well as a pocket park and pieces of culture in the forms of bronze statues and historical buildings.
Snowshoeing/Hiking: It doesn’t have to be summer or fall to go hiking. Some of the most popular summer trails are incredible destinations in the winter as well. Snowshoes are necessary when the temperatures warm up in March, but most winter hiking trails get packed down and all you need is a good pair of waterproof hiking boots. Snowshoes prevent postholing and getting stuck in deep powder on trails that have little foot traffic. Boreas Pass is a wonderful winter hiking trail. Need more ideas on where to go? Hit us up at info@breckmountainrentals.com.
Family winter hike to Mayflower Gulch
Sleigh Ride: Ride an old-fashioned horse-drawn sleigh through the snow with a beautiful mountain backdrop. Enjoy this leisurely winter activity in the crisp night air while snuggled under a warm blanket or opt for a daytime ride. There are several companies in Breckenridge offering sleigh rides. We suggest choosing based on what type of scenery you prefer or time of day.
In Summit County:
Tubing: Likely the most popular activity aside from skiing and snowboarding. There are various options here as well. Yes, there are free sledding hills like Carter Park scattered throughout Summit County, but if you want to skip walking up the hill, you can make reservations at one of the Summit County tubing hills which all provide a magic carpet ride. Keystone has the biggest hill with big views to boot. Frisco is the smallest but boasts easy parking and easy accessibility to their lodge for restrooms and warmth. Copper Mountain has the only hill with a curve in addition to the downhill thrills. Each one is unique and has its own perks.
Dillon Marina Park: This one is a best-kept-secret winter activity. The Marina Park in Dillon is beautifully lit for the holidays. It will be cold but the playground is fun for kids and the sunset on the lake with the twinkling lights is a downright magical scene. Take some hot chocolate, watch the sunset and go for dinner afterwards. The lights stay up until mid January, but the sunset on the lake is spectacular all season long.
Day Trips Beyond Breckenridge and Summit County:
Snowmobiling: Vail Pass is one of the most popular snowmobiling destinations in the state of Colorado, just west of Breckenridge near the border of the Summit and Eagle County lines. Even if you rent snowmobiles from an outfitter in Summit County, you likely won’t actually go snowmobiling in Summit County. Snowmobiling on Vail Pass is a great day trip activity for the whole family. We are extremely partial to Rocky Mountain Adventure Rentals who has locations in Minturn, Red Cliff and Buena Vista. RMAR offers snowmobiling on both Vail Pass and Cottonwood Pass (near Buena Vista). You can’t go wrong with this boutique snowmobiling outfitter who will customize a trip tailored to the needs of your group.
Hot Springs: No, there are no hot springs in Summit County. Your vacation home likely has a hot tub, but you’ll have to travel to experience natural hot springs (which are always best in the winter time). Our favorite is Iron Mountain Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs. This will require a day trip, but if you really want a phenomenal Colorado winter experience, we suggest making a reservation to hike to Hanging Lake and combine it with a few hours at the hot springs in Glenwood. This experience requires a blog all of its own and maybe we’ll get around to writing about it for you soon! In the meantime, email us for details or search for more information directly from the Glenwood Springs official site at visitglenwood.com.
Ride a Train: Both Leadville and Georgetown offer train rides in the winter. The Georgetown Loop is famous for its 95-foot tall bridge. Both trains offer historically immersive experiences.
That’s a list that can fill a week-long stay in Breckenridge. Believe it or not, there’s even more! Don’t miss the free activities like riding the gondola or visiting Isak the Troll, or the indoor activities for a blustery day. Our team lives to play and works to live in Breckenridge. We get out and experience it all for our own fun and so we can share the insider tips with you.
The Breck Mountain Rentals staff enjoys helping Breckenridge visitors live like locals while in town. We don’t give all our secrets away here in the blog (like the locations of the hidden shacks), but we’ll spill for our guests. Contact us at info@breckmountainrentals.com.