
5 Must-Dos Just Outside of Park City
If you’re visiting Park City during the madness of prime vacation weekends, you may want to skip
Peak 8
Peak 6
Village at Breckenridge
Town of Breckenridge
Breck consists of five peaks that sit majestically across the Tenmile range and boasts the perfect combination of size, beauty, and optionality for ski groups of all kinds. From Peak 6’s massive bowls to Peak 10’s leg-shredding mogul runs, there is plenty of mountain for riders of every skill level. From base to summit, you gain 3,000 feet of elevation which is easily covered by the many high-speed chairs scattered across the resort. The Imperial Express Superchair, North America’s highest chair lift, lets you off far above the treeline and treats you to a beautiful view of downtown and the valley below.
Breck’s Main Street hums with life every season of the year and is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon or evening. The downtown corridor showcases an elegant blend of chic and casual as buildings more than 100 years old stand next to more modern fixtures. Shoppers can find locally made goods, ski gear, art galleries, and Colorado souvenirs, all along Main Street.
If you are traveling with kids and are walking the main drag, make sure to stop in at Breckenridge Hat Co to try on their hundreds of costume hats. Downstairs at Eric’s is a fantastic spot for hungry families. The restaurant has a roomful of classic arcade games, nearly 30 TVs, and lots of beer options.
For non-skiing outdoor activities close to downtown, go sledding at Carter Park or pond ice skating at the Gold Run Nordic Center. If you are a fan of whiskey, you have to check out Breckenridge Distillery, the world’s highest distillery, and take a free tour of the facility.
Breckenridge also hosts a number of can’t-miss events throughout the year.
In December, help usher in the ski season by attending the Lighting of Breckenridge and participating in the Race of the Santas down Main Street. Right after the New Year, check out the International Snow Sculpture Championships where 16 teams from every corner of the world come to hand-carve huge and epic works of art out of blocks of snow.
For those of you who can’t get enough of Breck in the Winter and Spring, come back for Independence Day and see the incredible July 4th parade march through downtown. You will also find one of the best Oktoberfests in state where thousands of people come to celebrate German music, cuisine, and beer.
Breckenridge wouldn’t be what it is today without its eclectic community of full-timers, seasonal resort employees, part-time residents, and tourists. Together, these groups have shaped Breck into a town that can entertain millions of annual visitors while maintaining its renowned charming personality
Along Main Street, you can find excellent upscale dining, casual pubs, and plenty of low-key local hangouts, all of which thrive and contribute to the character of the town.
Several of the best meals you can find are all prepared by restaurants owned by the same group of owners: Giampietro’s for pizza, Empire Burger for, yep, burgers, Briar Rose for steak (and a great happy hour), and Sanchos for tacos and tequila which has quickly become a local favorite.
For dessert, Crepe A La Cart on Main Street has a delicious selection of sweet and savory options to satisfy your late-night craving. The line can be long, but it is well worth the wait.
If you are looking for nightlife, head over to Gold Pan Saloon, one of the oldest pubs in the country, or hang out at Rocky Mountain Underground, a top aprés ski destination with a full beer garden that also happens to be attached to retail shop with award-winning skis. Another plus: dogs are welcome.
If you have difficulty adjusting to the altitude (or had too much fun the night before), try out the O2 Lounge, an oxygen bar that is totally worth the experience if altitude sickness is keeping you down.
Locals love catching shows at The Historic Brown Fox’s Den, a late night bar and music venue. If the timing works, try to see the Breck-based band, El Paso Lasso, play their 90s alternative rock set. You will absolutely love them.
Originally a boarding house known as The Colorado House in the late 19th century, Fatty’s is now a great and affordable italian joint where visitors and locals catch games and enjoy casual meals with the whole family. The restaurant is located off of Main Street and can serve as a nice escape from the busy town center.
Finally, before hitting the slopes, grab a morning coffee at Cuppa Joe. Voted Summit County’s Best Coffee Shop, it’s a wonderful, low-key spot to kick-start your morning before heading up the mountain. The burritos are also incredibly delicious.
There are three ways to approach lodging when visiting Breck. You can book a stay in the town at the base of the mountain, go slopeside, or bunk up in Frisco if you want to be closer to the beautiful Dillon Reservoir and see more of Summit County. No matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong.
Breck’s downtown is sprinkled with luxurious resorts and humble lodges. At the base of Peak 9, The Village at Breckenridge is perfect if you want ski in / ski out and easy access to the historic downtown. Off of Main Street, many seasonal residents will Airbnb their homes throughout the winter which is another great option to stay close to both the mountain and the town.
If you want to stay slopeside, right off of the gondola sits the Crystal Peak Lodge, an epic resort located next to the Peak 7 base. In the morning, be the first to cut through fresh powder and in the afternoon, post up in a hot tub and watch other skiers wrap up their days.
For those who’d rather stay outside of Breck, Frisco is only 15 minutes away and boasts another charming downtown with friendly locals and great food and drink. Here, book a stay at the Frisco Lodge on Main Street, a cozy bed and breakfast right in the middle of the downtown strip.
If you’re visiting Park City during the madness of prime vacation weekends, you may want to skip
Going out for a night on the town is a must while on vacation. But when everyone’s
This winter, rather than lugging your gear through busy airports or spending the first morning of your
Did you think locals don’t give up their secret powder runs? Think again. We’ve got the lowdown