Breckenridge is a dream destination for ski enthusiasts, but what if you want to take a break from the slopes? Or, what if you’re traveling with friends and family who don’t ski? No worries! This charming mountain town is one of the best ski towns in Colorado for families, offering an abundance of activities that make your ski trip unforgettable—even off the skis. From thrilling adventures to arts, culture, and relaxation, here are the top things to do in Breckenridge in winter when you’re not skiing.
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1. Soar Over Breckenridge on the Scenic Gondola Ride
The BreckConnect Gondola isn’t just for skiers. Take a scenic 10 minute ride from town up to Peak 8, where you’ll enjoy stunning panoramic views of snow-covered peaks and the charming town below. The gondola is free and offers a peaceful way to soak in the winter wonderland without any athletic effort. At the top, you can explore the base area, warm up with hot chocolate, or just enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Or, enjoy the free Peak 8 outdoor ice rink in winter (skate rentals extra).
2. Fat Biking: An Adrenaline-Filled Adventure on Two Wheels
For a thrilling Colorado experience, try fat biking in Breckenridge. These bikes, with their oversized tires, are perfect for navigating snowy trails. A great trail to start with is the Blue River Recreation Path, offering relatively flat, easy terrain perfect for beginners. The Gold Run Nordic Center also allows fat bikes on the snowshoe trails.
Top fat bike tours in winter include:
If you prefer to head out independently, you can have an e-bike fat bike delivered to you.
- The Gold Run Nordic Center has a large fleet of bikes. This is a convenient way to rent bikes and enjoy the trails right outside the nordic center.
- Elevation Ski & Bike also rents fat bikes. Take these out on the Blue River Recreation Path, where it’s groomed in winter between Breckenridge and Frisco. There are plenty of single track trails to explore as well.
3. Discover Nordic Skiing
Nordic skiing, or cross-country skiing, is an excellent way to stay active while exploring winter landscapes. Breckenridge is home to several world-class Nordic centers:
- Breckenridge Nordic Center: Offers groomed trails for all skill levels, rentals, and lessons. The cozy lodge is a perfect spot to relax afterward with a hot drink.
- Gold Run Nordic Center: Located on a golf course, this center features wide, open trails and offers guided snowshoe and ski tours. Don’t miss skiing past the old mining cabins for some great photo opportunities.
- Frisco Nordic Center: Just a short drive away in Frisco, this center features diverse trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, all set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Dillon.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, there are plenty of other trails to explore outside of the nordic centers. The Blue River Recreation Path is groomed in winter, making this an ideal free option for those who have their own ski equipment. Baker’s Tank is a short drive south of town, but worth exploring on cross-country skis or snowshoes for the beautiful views. Check trail conditions and avalanche danger levels before heading out beyond the nordic centers.
4. Explore the Snow on Snowshoes
For a low-impact adventure, snowshoeing is perfect for discovering Breckenridge’s winter beauty. Trails like Cucumber Gulch Wildlife Preserve and Sallie Barber Mine Trail offer serene settings for self-guided treks. Guided snowshoe tours are also available through the Breckenridge Nordic Center, providing insights into the area’s history and wildlife.
5. Winter Walking Tours: Discover Breckenridge on Foot
For a leisurely and informative way to explore Breckenridge, try a guided winter walking tour. Options include historical tours that delve into the town’s mining past or a Ghost Tour that tells tales of Breckenridge’s haunted sites. Walking tours are a great way to learn more about the town while staying active in the crisp winter air. Consider these highly recommended tours:
- Walk Through History Tour, hosted by Breckenridge History;
- Ghostly Tales Tour
- Real Gold Mine Tour with, gold panning and more
6. Get Competitive with Curling
Yes, you read that right—curling! Head to the Stephen C. West Ice Arena where you can try your hand at this quirky winter sport. With easy-to-follow instructions and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, curling is a fun way for groups and families to spend time together, even if you’ve never played before. Curling availability varies; check the latest schedule with Breckenridge Recreation before heading out.
7. Art and Culture: Discover Breckenridge’s Creative Side
Breckenridge is known for its vibrant arts scene. Visit the Breckenridge Arts District, where you can take a class or tour local studios and galleries.
Ready, Paint, Fire offers drop in pottery and canvas painting workshops suitable for a variety of ages. Check their website for the latest class schedules.
In winter, the Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships (January 20-29, 2025) transform the town into an outdoor gallery of massive, intricate snow sculptures carved by artists from around the world.
Not sure yet which Colorado ski town is best for your group? Take our bonus quiz today to determine the best Colorado ski destination for you.
8. Ice Skating: Glide Under the Stars
The Stephen C. West Ice Arena offers both indoor and covered skating rinks, with a variety of skating, hockey, and curling programs. Skate rentals are available, and the rink often hosts family-friendly events like Skating with Santa.
Looking for something to do with the kids before or after skating? The Breckenridge Railway Park just next door has a variety of train cars, as well as a playground for kids of all ages to enjoy.
9. Go on a Snowcat Tour: A Backcountry Adventure
If you want to experience the beauty of Breckenridge’s backcountry without skiing, consider a snowcat tour offered by the Breckenridge Nordic Center. These heated, all-terrain vehicles take you deep into the mountains, where you can enjoy stunning views, spot wildlife, and capture photos of pristine winter landscapes. The tour offered by the nordic center includes a stop at a historic mining cabin, where you can enjoy drinks and story telling.
For a different approach to touring around Breckenridge, the Country Boy Mine hosts a Monster Truck Sleigh Tour, which could be great fun for families.
10. Celebrate with Festivals and Events
Breckenridge is home to some of the most unique winter festivals in Colorado:
- Race of the Santas (December 7, 2024): A holiday tradition where hundreds of participants dressed as Santa run down Main Street. It’s a fun event for spectators and participants alike, kicking off the town’s holiday season in early December.
- Ullr Fest (December 9-12, 2024): Named after the Norse god of snow, Ullr Fest (mid-December) is a beloved celebration featuring a parade, bonfire, and even a world-record attempt for the largest shot ski. It’s a must-experience festival filled with quirky traditions and local flavor.
- Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships (January 20-29, 2025) transform the town into an outdoor gallery of massive, intricate snow sculptures carved by artists from around the world.
11. Tubing and Sledding: Family Fun on the Slopes
For a family-friendly alternative to skiing, try tubing at the Frisco Adventure Park. With a designated tubing hill and a magic carpet lift, it’s an easy and exciting way to enjoy the snow. This is right next door to the Frisco Nordic Center, making it easy to make a day of tubing and either snowshoeing or cross country skiing.
In Breckenridge, the Carter Park Sledding Hill is a local favorite, offering free sledding with beautiful mountain views. Breckenridge Ski & Sport offers daily sled rentals.
12. Ice Fishing on Lake Dillon
Experience a true winter adventure with an ice fishing tour on Lake Dillon. You’ll be set up with a cozy ice fishing hut, gear, and guidance from local experts. It’s a peaceful and unique way to spend a day, surrounded by snow-covered peaks. Some of the top rated ice fishing tour companies in the area are:
Take Your Breckenridge Ski Trip Beyond the Slopes
A Breckenridge ski trip is so much more than just skiing. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-filled adventures like fat biking, peaceful activities like snowshoeing, or festive fun at unique winter events, Breckenridge offers something for everyone. Breckenridge in summer is not to be missed too! So, grab your gear, explore the town, and make unforgettable memories—on and off the slopes. If you’re not sure which Colorado ski town to pick, take our bonus quiz to determine your best Colorado ski destination
Breckenridge Ski Trip Tips
How to Get to Breckenridge
Breckenridge is one of the best day trips from Denver, though also a wonderful place to stay for a week or more.
| By Plane | The closest major airport is Denver International Airport (DEN), which is about a two-hour drive from Breckenridge. Eagle-Vail airport is closer, though it’s a somewhat smaller airport. |
| By Car | From Denver, rent a car and take Interstate 70 west to exit 203 for CO-9 S, which leads directly into Breckenridge. We use and recommend Discover Cars for our car rentals. |
| By Bus | The Bustang goes from Denver to Frisco. There, you can transfer to a short bus ride to Breckenridge. |
| By Private Transfer | Private car transfers from the airport to Breckenridge are readily available. |
| By Shuttle | There are several shuttle services available from the airport that offer direct transfers to Breckenridge. Summit Express and Epic Mountain Express are two of the most frequently used shuttles. |
Where to Stay in Breckenridge
Deciding whether you want to stay right on the mountain or closer in to town depends on which activities you would like to do during your vacation. Check out our list of unique places to stay in Breckenridge that reflect the spirit of this incredible town.
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Travel Resources
We recommend booking through our preferred travel booking sites below.
| Air Travel | SkyScanner |
| Lodging | Booking.com, VRBO.com, Expedia.com, Hostelworld |
| Tours and Activities | Viator.com, GetYourGuide.com |
| Car rentals | Discovercars.com |
| Travel insurance | Squaremouth |
| Bike and scooter rentals | BikeBookings.com |
| Train tickets | Trainline, RailEurope |
| Bus tickets | Flixbus, Busbud |
I grew up going to Breckenridge and Colorado in general for ski trips, but had no idea there are so many fun things to do here. Definitely saving for my next trip. I’d love to try fat biking!
Fat biking is so much fun, and the recreation paths around Breck and summit county are great places to start.
Next time I’m in Breckenridge I’ll have to try curling!
It was so much fun!
Breckenridge offers a wealth of fun! I’d love to take a gondola ride, walking tour or even try fat biking. Colorado is a great place to visit and have fun. Especially during the Winter season.
I agree–there are so many options in winter, beyond the skiing (which is also amazing).
As I’m not a big skiier or snowboarder it is nice to know there are other things I can do when visiting the snow.
Breckenridge seems like a great winter destination. Although there are many activities to do, I’m tempted to try ice fishing and curling.
Curling was so much fun, we went a few times on a trip a few years agp in Breckenridge.
The snow art looked so interesting! Thanks for sharing.
The snow sculpture festival is indeed really interesting. The sculptures usually last for quite a while after the festival too.