Best things to do in Breckenridge in winter

Winter in Breckenridge feels like you’re in a snow globe and is a true winter wonderland. With a cute and bustling Main Street, lots of unique winter activities and can’t forget Apres followed by hot tubbing. You don’t have to ski to love the town or find lots of fun things to do.

From late November through March, is a full winter wonderland, with snow sticking around for months with lots of sunny days in between. Whether you’re here to ski, explore the town, or just have a cozy winter escape, there’s no shortage of things to do in the winter in Breckenridge

1. Ride the Breckenridge Gondola (free)

Riding the Gondola is such a unique (and free) experience that you must do in the winter, whether you’re skiing or not! It runs from downtown Breckenridge to the base of Peak 7 or 8, where you can watch people ski down the slopes.

Robbie’s deck overlooks the Peak 8 and my personal favorite place to have a Bloody Mary or grab food after skiing. It’s perfect if you want to be close to the action without actually skiing.

The gondola is closed seasonally during mud season, May & October

Keystone also has a gondola ride, but you do have to pay. If you have an epic pass, it’s included in your pass.

2. Ice skating on Keystone Lake

One of my favorite winter activities is going ice skating on Keystone Lake! Once the lake freezes (usually by December) it opens for outdoor ice skating with rental skates available.

It’s fun for all ages, and especially memorable if you’ve always wanted to skate on a frozen lake in the mountains.

3. Stroll Breckenridge Main Street

Breckenridge Main Street is a magical experience in the winter! It’s cute and quaint and the perfect stretch to walk around and do some window shopping, grab a coffee or eat at some incredible restaurants.

Frisco is another one of my favorite towns in Summit County with a similar vibe to Breckenridge, just a little smaller and less busy.

4. Ski or snowboard one of the many mountains

Breckenridge and Summit County have some of the best skiing in Colorado. Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Copper, and Vail are all within an short drive of each other, so there are lots of options for different terrain and snow conditions.

If you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, taking a lesson could make learning the ropes a little easier. If you’re skiing for more than a few days, it’s worth comparing daily lift ticket pricing with season passes and booking in advance. Day tickets can add up quickly, and getting season passes ahead of time can be cheaper and may make more sense even for a shorter stay.

5. Go dog sledding or snowmobiling at GoodTimes

Dog sledding or snowmobiling with Good Times Adventures is one of the most memorable winter experiences in Breckenridge. Both options take you out into snowy, secluded forested areas just outside of town.

Dog sledding is surprisingly fast and fun, and is the perfect adrenaline boost without being too extreme.

6. Spa day at The Grand Lodge on Peak 8

A spa day is a must for a winter trip to Breckenridge. The Infinity Spa at Grand 8 is one of my favorites for a full spa day experience. Bonus points if you stay at the resort so you have access to their outdoor hot tubs, which are facing the slopes.

Plan a little extra time in your schedule to hang out there. Spa services include access to their indoor grotto, indoor hot tub, sauna, steam room, and cold plunge.

7. Snowshoe or cross-country ski at The Nordic Center

Snowshoeing or cross-country skiing are classic Colorado winter activities! I’m not an expert at any of the above, but they are such fun activities to try with your friends and family for the day!

A group of us went to The Breckenridge Nordic Center for cross-country skiing and laughed the whole time. It was a little nerve-wracking to get the hang of, but so fun to try something new.

8. Book a sleigh ride dinner

A sleigh ride dinner is a classic winter experience in Breckenridge, and Golden Horseshoe (located next to Good Times Adventures) is a favorite locally owned option. They offer private sleigh rides through the snow or a mining camp–style dinner and theatre show.

It’s a fun, memorable night out for groups or if you’re looking for something different than a typical dinner in town. Keystone, Breckenridge Resort, and Frisco also offer sleigh ride dinners and similar winter experiences.

9. Go Snow Tubing in Frisco or at Copper Mountain

Snow tubing is one of those winter activities that I underestimated until I tried it. It’s fast, fun, and is perfect for adults or kids.

There are tubing hills in Frisco and at Copper Mountain, both with groomed lanes and provided tubes.

10. Go sledding

If you want a little more thrill, check out the extreme sledding at Country Boy Mine, or if you’re just looking for a classic sledding hill, Carter Park is a popular spot in Breckenridge.

11. Grab a crepe from the Breckenridge Crepe Cart

If you see people standing in a long line in Breckenridge, it’s probably for the crepe cart! Sometimes the wait can be crazy, but it almost feels like that’s a part of the experience.

12. Visit the Breckenridge Distillery

The Breckenridge Distillery is a great stop in the winter, whether you’re looking for a cocktail, a tour, or a local souvenir. There’s a tasting room on Main Street, but the main distillery location on Airport Road is worth the short drive if you have time.

The restaurant at the distillery is one of my favorites, and you can also do a tour and tasting. For something different, Ridden (a local bike shop) also offers fat bike brewery and distillery tours that run even in the winter.

13. Check Out Winter Festivals & Events

Summit County’s festivals are so fun to check out! While they can bring a larger crowd, they are so much fun if you like a good party or are looking for something lively to do! There are many festivals in December, like the lighting of Breckenridge, a dog parade, or Ullr fest. In February there’s the international snow sculptures.

14. Visit Isak Heartstone, the Breckenridge Troll

Isak Hearthstone is a life-size troll sculpture on a trail in Breckenridge, and it’s such a fun sight for kids or adults! It’s a short hike (5 minutes), and it’s one of our favorite things to do in Summit County when we have visitors.

Parking is a little tricky in the area, and the town recommends taking the Breck Free Ride bus (free) to the Ice Rink Lot or walking from downtown.

15. Take a historic walking ghost tour

A historic ghost tour is such a popular and fun Breckenridge activity! You’ll often see these tours walking around downtown with the guides dressed up in Victorian outfits and sharing spooky tales of Breckenridge’s haunted buildings and ghosts.

Be sure to bundle up and bonus points if you bring hand warmers and foot warmers! It’s all outside and can get chilly in the winter!

Book a guided ghost tour of Breckenridge

Tips for planning your trip

• Layer Up: Weather can change quickly, so pack layers for all the conditions. You’ll want layers for any season!
• Seasonal Closures: Some restaurants and shops may close during mud seasons for cleaning and renovations. If you have something on your bucket list, be sure to check the availability.
• When to visit: Plan for larger crowds during major events and holidays. Book ahead of time and make reservations for popular restaurants.

Getting to Breckenridge

Breckenridge is roughly 2 hours from Denver International Airport and 1 1/2 hours from Denver. While it’s a bit of a drive, there are many ways of transportation to and from DIA. 

Renting a car

Renting a car to drive to Breckenridge is one option, as there’s so much to see, do, and explore! If you’re coming in the winter, be sure to rent a 4-wheel drive SUV or an all-wheel drive vehicle that will handle snowy and icy conditions.

Note that snow can come as early as September and as late as June. If you don’t feel comfortable driving in the snow, there are a few other ways to get around!

Take a shuttle or other transportation

There are plenty of local shuttle companies that will pick you up from the airport and take you right to Breck. Once you’re in Summit County, there’s free bus transportation roughly once an hour around Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, and Keystone. Breckenridge also has a town bus, Breck free ride that runs every 15 minutes.

While we do have Uber or Lyft, don’t rely on this as your main source of transportation. We don’t have many drivers in the area, and sometimes the wait time is pretty lengthy and costly.

When should I visit Breckenridge?

Being that Breckenridge is around 9000ft, the weather is so different than the rest of the world! Any time of the year can be amazing, as long as you’re prepared!

• Winter (December–March): Cold temperatures, prime skiing and winter activities. Expect large crowds during holidays and weekends.

Where to stay in Breckenridge?

There’s no shortage of places to stay in Breckenridge. There’s anything from cute cabin rentals in the woods on Airbnb to giant mountain homes to split with a group of friends on VRBO or a local rental company.

Check out the other towns in Summit County! Breckenridge, Frisco, Silverthorne, Keystone, or Dillon, are all within a 30-minute drive of each other and offer their own unique charm.