One of the top places to visit in Colorado (any time of the year!) is Breckenridge. These are the best things to do in Breckenridge in winter… beyond the skiing the mountain town is known for.
If you’re traveling to Breckenridge last minute, you want to ensure you have lodging ahead of time! Below are some of my top picks in town!
🎿 Top experiences and tours in Breckenridge:
- Fat Biking and Distillery Tour (#1 experience for adventurous travelers)
- Breckenridge Ghostly Tales Tour (another top-seller; great for kids)
🛌 Top lodging and hotels in Breckenridge:
- Welk Resorts Breckenridge The Ranahan (top winter resort; indoor pool)
- The Lodge at Breckenridge (naturally located in White River Nat’l Forest)
- The Bivvi Hostel (great budget option; offers dorm rooms)
🚗 Looking for the best way to get around Breckenridge (and nearby)? Click here to check rental car rates for Colorado!
I opted to list Nordic skiing here despite still technically being ‘skiing’ simply for the fact that most people associate Breckenridge with downhill skiing.
In addition to the many Breckenridge winter activities, I have highlighted a few things to do before visiting the Colorado ski town!
This truly is the perfect day trip from Colorado Springs or Denver… but the more time you dedicate to it, the better (my way of saying that it deserves at least an overnight).
Did I miss any amazing activities during winter in Breckenridge? Please let me know in the comments! Thanks!
In this post...
Breckenridge Winter Tips + FAQ
Below is a quick guide to some things to know before visiting Breckenridge during the winter!
When is it winter in Breckenridge?
Snow starts to fall in Breckenridge from October until approximately the end of May but you can find snow during any month depending on the elevations.
Generally, you can visit the ski resort of Breckenridge from mid-November until Memorial Day.
While you can find snow in Breckenridge a lot of the year, for the sake of this guide, I am focusing primarily on December, January, and February.
Average Winter Temperatures in Breckenridge
The temperature in Breckenridge during the winter is fairly consistent throughout the winter but can vary during the shoulder season around it despite snow still being prevalent.
These are the average winter temperatures in Breckenridge:
- Breckenridge in December: Day time 30F, night 19F
- Breckenridge in January: Day time 31F, night 19F
- Breckenridge in February: Day time 31F, night 19F
Can you hike in Breckenridge during winter?
Hiking in Breckenridge in winter is possible if you prepare accordingly. This snow-covered wonderland will offer you hundreds of miles of hiking trails that pass by beautiful sites. Please ensure that you do this with an expert guide if you’re not familiar with winter hiking.
Some of these sites include Gold Hill which will take you to observe the Ten Mile Range (the mountain range where Breckenridge is located) or a six-mile roundtrip hike on the Pennsylvania Creek Trail, which is also a dog-friendly hike.
How to Get to Breckenridge from Denver
Breckenridge is located approximately one and a half hours away from Denver and to get there, you need to drive from the Denver city center along I-70W until you reach the mountain town.
It is an easy place to visit if you have a long weekend in Denver, to be honest!
If you have opted not to rent a car in Colorado, consider taking a private transfer from Denver to Breckenridge. It will make things a lot easier (and you don’t have to drive during winter in Colorado)!
Best Things to Do in Breckenridge in Winter
1. Go Snowshoeing in Breckenridge
Snowshoeing is one of my favorite activities whenever I am somewhere with a lot of snow accumulation and Breckenridge is no different! There are plenty of trails accessible during the winter months if you can throw on a pair of snowshoes.
You can choose between self-guided or guided trips through the area. Below are a selection of some popular trails.
The closest snowshoe path to downtown is the South Illinois Creek Trail which promises stunning vistas over the mountains. The most interesting trail and one that is full of history is the Iowa Hill Mine Trail.
If you want a simple path with breathtaking views, then Boreas Pass is for you. Another great option with minimal elevation gain is Burro Trail, a perfect choice for family trips and children.
Check out the French Gulch trails, the Breckenridge Nordic Center, and the Gold Run Nordic Center. They offer groomed trails, rentals, and guided tours where you can snowshoe or cross-country ski.
2. Enjoy the Fresh Powder by Sledding or Tubing
Among some of the most beloved winter activities in Breckenridge are sledding and tubing. Grab your saucer, toboggan, or any other type of glider, and check out the following spots.
Runway Sledding Hill on Fraction Drive is located along the Breckenridge Free Ride bus loop. This man-made hill is regularly groomed and boasts free parking, nearby restaurants, and a free bus tour to the town.
Another great option is the Carter Park sledding hill, providing mellow walk-ups and slide-downs. The hill is wide and often overcrowded so be sure to get there early.
For tubing adventures close to Breckenridge, visit Frisco Adventure Park (located near Breckenridge), where you’ll find three lanes of different levels of difficulty, Copper Mountain Tubing Hill, and Adventure Point at Keystone Resort.
3. Visit the World’s Highest-Altitude Winery
The Continental Divide Winery is a premium spot producing its wines at an elevation of 10,361ft. It is known for being the highest-altitude winery in the United States and… the WORLD.
Visit the winery’s tasting rooms, where you can enjoy California and Colorado wines as well as take part in entertaining and educating wine programs.
Colorado varieties include Merlot, Malbec, Albarino, and Riesling. Visitors also have a unique chance of a wine blending experience, where they can craft their own wine blend with authentic vintner equipment. Check out their website for additional information.
Address: 505 S. Main Street, Breckenridge, CO 80424
4. Go Ice Fishing near Breckenridge
Take a break from bustling ski resorts and head out on an ice fishing tour near Breckenridge. This winter adventure is great for every experience level and age.
You can fish at 9000 feet on Lake Dillon, a mountain lake that contains brown trout, rainbow trout, Kokanee salmon, Arctic char, and smallmouth bass.
Reserve a warming hut with gear, tackle, bait, and heaters, and take a guided tour that offers various access points. Many local companies are at your disposal!
Big Ed’s Fishing Ventures or Alpine Fishing Adventures organize fishing trips for families with young children, groups, and people with special needs providing the necessary fishing gear and a heated shelter.
The only thing you’ll need to have with you is a one-day fishing license, which you can obtain from Walmart, City Market, or online.
5. Stroll through the Breckenridge Arts District
The Breckenridge Arts District is the cultural heart of the downtown hosting studios, galleries, performance spaces, historic sites, public art, and several restaurants.
You will also find numerous cultural events, including ceramics, drawing, printmaking, metalsmithing, textiles, painting, and musical performances.
Get your hands dirty and take part in various workshops when you’re there! It is a great thing to do when taking a break from the slopes! Below are some interactive and hands-on experiences to enjoy:
Stop at BreckCreate to try your skills in ceramics, candle-making, woodworking, painting, and more. The Arts District offers an open-house walk every second Saturday of the month.
Start from the Old Masonic Hall for exhibitions, then visit the Quandary Antiques Cabin for kids’ crafts.
Also, don’t miss the chance to check out the Ceramic Studio and Randall Barn for co-op artists. Visitors of all ages are welcome and the galleries remain open until 8pm.
6. Visit the Breckenridge Distillery
The Breckenridge Distillery is known as the World’s Highest Distillery, producing top-quality blended bourbon whiskey, Breckenridge bourbon, and a few other select spirits.
The distillery boasts a tasting room and a restaurant. It provides tours taking visitors to the very heart of the company – right where the magic happens!
Throughout your visit, you will have a chance to taste a vast array of vodkas, gins, and bourbons. Tours are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm (for $35/pp).
Sometimes, you will even have a chance to taste a product that has not made it to market yet!
Address: 137 S. Main Street, Breckenridge, CO 80424
7. Go Nordic Skiing
Previously cross-country skiing was a means of transportation and today, Nordic skiing, or XC skiing, has become one of the most popular Breckenridge winter activities.
You can start your trip at one of the two Nordic ski centers, take a guided tour, or explore the trails independently. The most famous place for cross-country skiing in the town is the Gold Run Nordic Center.
It provides 16.7 miles of groomed ski trails for beginners and experienced visitors. The center also organizes lessons for newbies!
Another great cross-country skiing center in Breckenridge is the Nordic Center, which is located at the base of the Ten Mile Range and has more than 25 miles of perfect classic trails complete with the potential to see some wildlife along the way.
The Nordic Center offers equipment rentals, lessons, and a snack bar. Be sure to get acquainted with Winter Trail Use Guidelines and Leave No Trace instructions before you set off!
8. Explore the Breckenridge Craft Beer Scene
The small Colorado town is a haven for craft beer and enthusiasts will find visiting them one of the best things to do during winter in Breckenridge!
The largest craft brewery in Breckenridge is the Breckenridge Brewery, dating back to 1990. This craft beer brewery is also the 5th largest in Colorado, producing 70,000 barrels of beer annually.
Visit Breck Brew Pub, located in the heart of the town, and enjoy some of their beers. Another great option is Broken Compass Brewing, with various flavorful brews and acoustic events organized every weekend.
If you want to try some Mexican food and choose among 37 beers on tap, check out the Breckenridge Tap House. Other spots worth visiting are Ollie’s Pub and Grub and Kenosha Breck.
9. Go Dog Sledding in Breckenridge
Enjoy the most family-friendly (and cutest!) adventure in the area… dog sledding! Good Times Adventures offers you a 6-mile, hour-long husky safari along the winding trails of the Swan River Valley.
Before starting, the guides will explain how to run the sled (mushing) and how to work with the dogs. Layer your clothing and protect your hands and eyes for safety purposes.
This season, the planned opening day is December 18, 2024, and the closing day will be determined by snow conditions later in the season.
Don’t forget to make reservations during peak vacation periods. Children under four and pregnant women aren’t allowed on the sledding tours.
Address: 6061 Tiger Road, Breckenridge, CO 80424
10. Take a Scenic Snowcat Tour at the Nordic Center
Another great way to explore the scenic trails of Breckenridge in winter is to take a heated snowcat tour.
The Breckenridge Nordic Center provides guided tours through the forests from heated, all-glass cabins, offering the best views of woodlands, wildlife, and mountains.
The guides will explain and detail the historical and ecological background of the area. You’ll stop at a historic cabin and have some hot chocolate when there.
This Breckenridge winter tour is suitable for families with young children and those who want to sit back and enjoy the vistas of the Breckenridge trail system. Dress in layers and wear snow boots and don’t forget to make your reservations beforehand.
11. Check Out the Snow Sculpture Competition
When it seems to you that you’ve tried every possible winter adventure in town, Breckenridge still has something interesting and obscure to do! Head to Breckenridge’s International Snow Sculpture Championship which takes place toward the end of every January. This season it will be held from January 25-29, 2025.
Every year, 16 teams of sculptors from different corners of the world arrive in the town to turn 20-ton blocks of snow into enormous works of art.
Artists are allowed to use only hand tools to bring their ideas to shapes. After five days, you can enjoy an open-air gallery with these amazing sculptures.
These snow-carved figures typically remain on display for a week. You can support your favorite participants with the People’s Choice Vote or explore the process of snow sculpting.
12. Join a Ghostly Tales Tour
Are you tired of traditional walking tours? Join this Breckenridge Ghostly Tales tour and take a trip through the haunted parts of the resort town!
This interactive tour offers its visitors real ghost hunting with available tools and equipment. Every spot in the area has its unique tale, covering many narrations throughout the tour.
You’ll visit the Dredge, Olive Fusion, Après Handcrafted Libations, and the historic Brown Hotel. This isn’t merely a ghost tour, but it also elucidates the historical past of the mining town.
13. Go on a Gold Mine Tour with Country Boy Mine
Breckenridge, along with its various amusements and attractions, boasts a rich mining history, and visitors have a chance to walk through its mining past when taking a Gold Mine Tour.
The Colorado ski town offers various mining tours, the most famous of which is the Real Gold Mine Tour with Country Boy Mine. It provides trips to the only real open mine in the area.
You’ll go 1,000 feet underground, try your luck with a little gold panning, slide down the ore chute, and walk around the historic site. Youngsters will also have a chance to feed and pet the burros!
This is a fantastic thing to do when taking a break from skiing in Breckenridge!
14. Head to One of Breckenridge’s Museums
Breckenridge is a town with deep historical roots and great heritage and when you’re taking a break from skiing, you can explore some of it at the museums in Breckenridge.
To start, visit the Breckenridge Welcome Center. It provides a historical overview covering everything from gold mining to the town’s skiing industry.
Next, get acquainted with the life of Barney Ford at Barney Ford House Museum, where you will learn about a former slave who later became the most prominent businessman of the time.
At the Edwin Carter Discovery Center, you’ll learn about Carter’s collection of almost 3,300 specimens.
You can take a self-guided tour at the Breckenridge Sawmill Museum and explore the old timber-cutting equipment before visiting the Red, White & Blue Fire Museum and the High Line Railroad Museum & Park.
15. Join a Fat Biking and Distillery Tour
Biking in Breckenridge never stops, even in winter! Fat-tire biking is one of the coolest winter activities in Colorado and it is famous regardless of whether you’re visiting Vail, Steamboat Springs, or Breck in winter!
The three-hour fat biking trip allows you to explore the area using a fat bike before reflecting on the day at the Broken Compass Craft Brewery and Breckenridge Distillery.
It is a fantastic option for the adventurous traveler (and one that has an affinity for good beer)!
16. Peruse Historic Downtown Breckenridge
Today, this former mining town has been revived as a popular resort and entertains visitors with its world-class skiing and other winter activities. And one place not to miss is downtown Breckenridge.
You’ll find commercial, religious, and residential buildings as well as some gorgeous Victorian buildings. Encompassing forty-five full blocks, the downtown showcases three main phases of the area’s development, including the settlement, camp, and town.
You can enjoy and feel its historical atmosphere and story by strolling the main street, visiting antique shops, or dining at some of the best restaurants in Breckenridge.
For a cultural experience, stop at the Arts District, the gem of the downtown (we detailed above). In addition, participate in various historic tours organized in the town, and don’t forget to check out some of the museums!
Where to Stay in Breckenridge
There are many places to stay in Breckenridge and these lodging options can accommodate various budgets. While many visit Breckenridge as a day trip from Denver or elsewhere, you can easily make a weekend of it!
Here are a few of my top picks for places to stay in Breckenridge:
- Welk Resorts Breckenridge The Ranahan (top winter resort; indoor pool)
- The Lodge at Breckenridge (naturally located in White River Nat’l Forest)
- The Bivvi Hostel (great budget option; offers dorm rooms)
Did I miss any amazing things to do in Breckenridge in winter? Let me know your top tips, attractions, and more in the comments! Thanks!
More Colorado Travel Guides
- Winter activities in Steamboat Springs
- Winter activities in Crested Butte
- Winter activities in Telluride
- Winter activities in Garden of the Gods
- Colorado to California road trip
- Day trips from Denver
- Day trips from Colorado Springs
- How to spend a weekend in Denver
- Facts about the Rocky Mountains
- Small towns in Colorado
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Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now lives in Finnish Lapland after previous stints in Norway, Germany, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ (2020) and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.