Tag Archive for: Breckenridge Lodging

Your Guide to Sustainable Travel in Breckenridge

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If you’re planning a trip to Breckenridge, consider adding a sustainable travel plan to your checklist. Earlier this year Breckenridge became the second town in the world to be certified as a Mountain IDEAL sustainable destination. What does that mean? Breckenridge has put time and energy into creating a plan for a sustainable future including a carbon-neutral goal of being powered by 100% renewable energy by 2035. With more than one million visitors annually, your travel habits can make a difference in our mountain community. 

Travel to Breckenridge Sustainably 

Denver International Airport (DIA) is the closest airport to Breckenridge, so travelers can expect at least a two hour drive to arrive in mountain paradise. Instead of renting a car, beat the congestion and traffic of I-70 and opt for a discounted shared shuttle from the airport to your lodging.  

Once you’re here, the Breck Free Ride bus system provides free public transportation throughout Breckenridge. With several color-coded routes and an interactive schedule, it takes the headache out of navigating. An added sustainable bonus — the Free Ride fleet includes two all-electric buses! 

For travelers arriving via electric car, Breckenridge has 22 public electric vehicle charging ports at conveniently located around town.  

Sustainable Lodging Options in Breckenridge 

Breckenridge Grand Vacations (BGV), a developer and manager of three properties in Breckenridge, is committed to sustainable efforts through responsible business practices that ensure minimal impact on the mountain environment. Thirty-nine percent of waste created at BGV’s resorts or corporate offices is diverted through recycling and compost efforts. Plus, 100% of the electricity consumed at the company’s corporate offices is offset by solar panels.  

As of April 2022, BGV has signed a 4.9 megawatt community solar subscription with Pivot Energy. This is one of the largest community solar subscriptions in the history of the hospitality sector and a vital component of BGV’s sustainability initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.

Guests of Grand Timber Lodge, the Grand Lodge on Peak 7 and the Grand Colorado on Peak 8 will find they too can contribute to BGV’s sustainable efforts. Each property offers a complimentary shuttle service to transport guests around town and also provides electric vehicle charging stations in their heated garages.

Guests are encouraged to help in sustainable efforts by utilizing on-property water bottle refilling stations, setting their thermostat at or below 68 degrees, reusing their towels and turning off lights and televisions when not in use. In addition, guests have access to recycling throughout the properties and can make use of countertop compost pails available at the Front Desks. 

Gear Rentals

If you’re new to skiing and snowboarding and are in need of some gear for your trip, you’re not alone! There’s no need to buy a whole set up with a plethora of thrift stores and rentals available in Breckenridge.  

Consider renting your skis, helmets and boots through companies like Ski Butlers, Breck Sports and Alpine Sports. Many companies are located on properties or will deliver to you no matter where you are staying! For ski pants and jackets, visit Ridden in Breckenridge. The shop offers consignment items along with outerwear rentals and even sled rentals for the nearby sledding hill at Carter Park.  

Reduce Waste 

Be sure to add your reusable bags and water bottles to your packing list.  

In an effort to discourage the use of plastic bags, Breckenridge passed a plastic bag ban this year which means only paper bags are available at stores for a 10 cent fee. Practice BYO BAG to avoid fees at checkout. No bag? No problem! Ask the property’s Front Desk or a local retailer about the reusable bags that the Town of Breckenridge provides. 

The Town of Breckenridge has a goal to reduce waste headed to the landfill by 40%. Help reach this goal, and enjoy fresh mountain water, by bringing your reusable water bottle and refilling at one of the water fill stations around town. 

Sustainable Activities in Breckenridge 

Skiing is the ultimate outdoor winter activity and Breckenridge Ski Resort is known for its world class skiing and riding. Vail Resorts’ comprehensive sustainability commitment, Epic Promise For A Zero Footprint, aims to achieve zero waste to landfill, zero net emissions and zero net operating impacts to forests and habitat all by 2030. While you’re on the slopes, take a look around you. Breckenridge Ski Resort has installed lower energy chairlifts that use 30% less electricity along with low energy snowmaking guns that use more than 50% less compressed air than traditional snowmaking guns. 

Bonus sustainable activities for the non-skiers include cross country skiing and snowshoeing at the Breckenridge Nordic Center. Here you can rent the gear you need and explore over 2,000 acres of beautiful high alpine forest. 

Bottom line — whatever vacation activity you choose — you can take steps to leave Breckenridge better than you found it.  

Five Reasons to Come to Breckenridge on Weekdays

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Visiting Breckenridge during the week allows you to pack in more activities and save big on lodging too!  Whether you are looking to escape the 9 to 5 for a while or work remotely and experience a different kind of “board meeting”, visiting the high country Sundays through Thursdays offers a lot of advantages!

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To Ski in or Ski out

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Why Ski-in/Ski-Out in Breckenridge?

Breckenridge Resort spans over five skiable peaks and over 2907 acres. With all of that terrain, it can take days to explore! Ski-in/ski-out lodging might typically seem like an unnecessary upgrade, but there are tons of reasons why slope side lodging in Breckenridge is the best option for a hassle free vacation! Check out our top three reasons why ski-in/ski-out is the ideal way to vacation in Breckenridge!

1.) Location

When you stay at a ski-in/ski-out property, you’re guaranteed the best views of the mountains. Whether it’s a famous Colorado sunset or sunrise, lodging at the base of the mountain will guarantee scenery that won’t disappoint! Walk out on your deck or out to the lobby and take in the beauty of the Colorado Rockies. When you’re sleeping just steps from the lifts, you don’t need to stress about getting up extra early. Grab your skis or board and simply stroll on over to the slopes. You’ll be on the mountain in a matter of minutes! The greatest part about ski-in/ski-out lodging is the convenience of not having to lug around equipment. Rent a ski locker or store your gear right in your room. There’s no need to worry about loading or unloading your equipment. You don’t need to stress about getting down from the mountain to move your car. And even more importantly, you’re free to après all you want!

2.) Transportation

Like most resort towns, transportation can definitely be a hassle in Breckenridge. Parking is often limited and in such a small town, traffic can get congested. However, Breckenridge offers free bus transportation that will take you all over town.. Should you have booked your stay with a slope side property, you don’t even need to worry about transportation, though. Most lodges of that caliber have free shuttles if need be, but you would only need that for certain locations, since you’ll be in the heart of all the action. Park your car at the slope side resort you’re staying at and don’t waste money on gas or paid parking; spend it on a day shopping or a night on the town!

3.) Save money!

Speaking of saving money, don’t waste your funds on a rental car; use the free buses or shuttles to get around town. Take what you would’ve spent on that and do yourself a favor: upgrade to a slope side room! Staying ski-in/ski-out provides you with the luxury of eating lunch right in your room instead of doling out ridiculous sums for snacks at an expensive resort restaurant. There are plenty of grocery stores in town like City Market, Local Market and The Food Kingdom, where you can grab supplies or have Breckenridge Grocery deliver right to your room!

Despite the big mountains, Breckenridge is actually a small town that can get overcrowded, especially downtown. Staying right on the hill, a couple minutes from the masses that can flood Main Street is the best way to save time and money and maximize your time for fun while on your vacation! Click below to book your Breckenridge getaway today!

 

Five Reasons to Come to Breckenridge on Weekdays

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Breckenridge street at nightLike you need a reason to come to Breck anyways. With the great terrain and an awesome town, it’s hard to think of a time that is not good to come. Let’s face it though; Weekends can be crazy and offer challenges that make maximizing fun difficult. What’s the solution? Come on weekdays. If you can swing it, it’s even worth taking a day or two off to manage it. If you are wondering why you should take days off to ski Breckenridge on weekdays here are five reasons:

  1. Save time – Last Saturday I was riding the lift and talking to a couple that had just arrived from the Front Range. It was noon and they were telling me about how this lift ride was their first run. They had waited until 8 a.m. to leave and it took them 4 hours to get to this lift. The next week I was talking to a friend from Lakewood and he said he leaves by 6 a.m. on Saturday. If he waits any later he will be in bumper to bumper traffic the whole way up. Weekend traffic has been getting worse for years and even with improvements like the new toll lane, things will still be pretty rough for the foreseeable future. Try driving up on a weekday- there is never any significant traffic. It is about an hour and a half flat to Breck from Denver on a weekday.
  2. Stay better – Coming on weekday’s means you have options especially if you are trying to set up a close in trip. Breckenridge lodging is built on condo style accommodations and has only a few hotels. If you like to stay in nice large places close to the lifts be prepared to shell out a pretty penny on weekends. But on weekday’s room rates tend to come back down out of the stratosphere and you can book a much nicer room, closer to when you are coming then you ever could on a weekend. Look at discount lodging sites for generally deep weekend discounts.
  3. Live large – Make sure one of the first things you do when you come up to Breckenridge on a weekday is to grab a Summit Daily. You won’t miss the distinctive blue boxes that are ubiquitous around Summit County. Inside lies the free daily newspaper and all of the happy hours, food deals and sales going on in Breckenridge and Summit County. Since the weekdays are less crowded, there is less demand for food, drinks and cheap stuff. We all know the Law of Supply and Demand that says the smaller the demand, the smaller the price. So live large and go out when you come. Your wallet will thank you for it.
  4. Own the mountain – When surveyed, 9.99 out of 10 respondents said they prefer short lift lines and uncrowded slopes. That 1/100th of a person is not thinking clearly. Having the mountain all to yourself sounds way cooler than sharing it with thousands of your closest friends (remember? You met them on I-70 on the way up). Also, it has been proven in countless experiments that you have a greater chance of actually skiing powder on a powder day if that day is a weekday.
  5. Save your sanity – Breckenridge is awesome on the weekend. Town is vibrant and full and life. There is no shortage of fun activities to try and plenty of people to enjoy it with. But if you are looking for something a little quieter, a little less expensive or a little less crowded on slopes, come up on weekdays. If you are looking to avoid the frustrations of traffic and crowds that sometime occur than heed this advice and come up to Breckenridge on a weekday.

 

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How to Save Money on your Trip to Breckenridge

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Breckenridge’s renowned decorations aren’t the only festivities illuminating Main Street this season. This mountain town’s unparalleled charm is at an all-time high, and winter lovers can’t help but be drawn here. Although the holiday season brings out the #BestofBreck, it can be difficult to swing a trip while budgeting for all the people on your “Nice” list. But, the BOB staff has some good news: you’ve made it onto our “Nice” list, and we’ve got a gift for you. Below, we’ve compiled a list of economical ways to enjoy Breckenridge without burning a hole in your wallet. Now, there’s no need to worry about being called a Grinch because you’d rather spend your savings to ski than shop.

  1. Lift Tickets: This is probably the biggest expenditure for most visitors. If you plan on skiing or riding while in town, it is heavily recommended that you purchase tickets in advance from Vail Resorts or browse Liftopia, which often has even bigger savings. Check out lift ticket and lodging bundle packages here. This is an excellent way to make sure you’ve got your biggest needs for your getaway covered at an impressive discount.
  2. Free Buses in Breck and Summit County: Don’t waste money on an expensive rental car! Take an affordable shuttle from DIA to Breckenridge, and enjoy any of the free transit systems in the county once you’re here. The Free Ride will take you pretty much anywhere you want to go in Breckenridge. Should you have a desire to venture to Keystone or Arapahoe Basin, the free Swan Mountain Flyer will get you there in no time (don’t worry about how hard you après, because this bus runs until 8:35 pm on evenings that night skiing is available). Want to check out Frisco or Silverthorne? Hop on the free Summit Stage at the Transfer Station! If you have a Copper pass, we didn’t forget about you. Check out this bus route. Please note that most hotels and condos also have their own complementary shuttle services that often provide on demand transportation.
  3. Dining Specials: Read about the Best Restaurants in Breckenridge to plan out your reservations. Eating out on vacation doesn’t have to be expensive with the extensive happy hour and lunch deals abounding in Breck. We recommend the Quandary, Blue River Bistro, Mi Casa and Motherloaded Tavern for happy hour. The Breckenridge Brewery has amazing lunch specials daily that include full meals and complementary brews. Mountain Flying Fish often has half off sushi. Downstairs at Eric’s will always be a family favorite with the best wings, pizza and arcade in town!
  4. Wax Your Own Equipment: Getting your gear waxed is necessary when skiing Breck, but it doesn’t have to cost you half the price of a lift ticket- that’s half of a day of riding right there!! Stop by Mountain Wave to grab waxing supplies, then watch this awesome video with step by step instructions on how to give your skis or board the best waxing they’ll ever have.
  5. Getting your Gear Here: Oversized and/or additional baggage fees will leave your wallet empty quick. Opt to ship your equipment ahead of time for cheaper and easier transport. If that’s not your style, renting is always an option and Christie Sports at the Grand Timber Lodge has great deals (and if you’re a guest or owner, you get 20% off). You can rent all the gear you need, or bring your beloved boots and just grab skis or a board at the shop (but don’t forget a helmet). Feast your eyes on this blog for further details on how to ship and rent equipment, and see the packing list for your trip!
  6. Lodging: Breckenridge is one of the most visited resort towns in North America and lodging prices often reflect that. To avoid overpaying for sub-par accommodations, make sure to book your stay with us and we promise you won’t be disappointed! Cooking your own breakfast and/or other meals will dramatically decrease your spending. Not sure what you can make in a kitchenette? Read this blog for the yummiest wholesome meals that you can conjure up in a crockpot while you après in the hot tub.

If you incorporate the above tips into your Breck getaway, you’ll save significantly. Can’t argue with that, right? So, get it out of the way and go purchase some holiday gifts with that extra cash (you’re welcome). Then, get yourself and your loved ones to Summit County as soon as possible. After all, Breckenridge is the best gift that keeps on giving…