Thanksgiving Guide to Breckenridge
Celebrate family traditions and create new memories with your loved ones this Thanksgiving in Breckenridge.
Tag Archive for: Laurel Coffman
Volunteer Opportunities in Breckenridge
Whether you live in Breckenridge or are just visiting, there’s no better way to give back to our mountain community than by volunteering a little time. There are countless nonprofit organizations in Breckenridge and Summit County that provide services to our residents, the planet and beyond. If you’d like to give back, consider a few opportunities below.
Year-Round Volunteer Opportunities
The Family Intercultural Resource Center (FIRC) has served Summit County since 1993. FIRC provides a variety of services like housing assistance, mental health navigation, food market, parenting support and so much more. FIRC is always looking for volunteers to assist in their food markets and in their thrift store in Breckenridge, Thrift & Treasure.
Smart Bellies is a backpack food program that has been feeding students in Summit and Lake Counties since 2018. Each week this generous nonprofit provides nutritious, kid-friendly meals and family bags of produce to children and families in our community. You can sign up to help pick up supplies, pack bags of food or deliver directly to homes.
Breckenridge Backstage Theater
Breckenridge Backstage Theater relies on volunteers to help them put on amazing performances and events. During their theater rotation they are often looking for volunteers to help with concessions, tickets, constructions and more. Why not catch a show and support a local nonprofit at the same time?
From the museum and exhibit team to fundraising and special events, there are so many ways for you to help at the Mountain Top Explorium & Children’s Museum. The museum & exhibit team works on revisions & new exhibits while the scholarship committee goes through applications to make recommendations on scholarship awardees.
Seasonal Volunteer Opportunities
Friends of the Dillon Ranger District
If you happen to find yourself in Breckenridge in the summer, Friends of the Dillon Ranger District (FDRD) is always seeking volunteers to help with trail and forest health projects. If you enjoy some of the hundreds of miles of trails throughout Breckenridge, volunteering to help restore and build trails is a great way to give back to the land.
If you enjoy backcountry skiing in the winter or long hikes in the summer, you may have noticed a few backcountry cabins on your adventures. These incredible cabins can be rented by backcountry travelers, but they need help to be maintained! These volunteer opportunities typically include physical labor like wood splitting and maintenance projects. Volunteers are rewarded with a free night stay in any of the Summit Huts Hutmasters Quarters for each day of volunteer work.
Breckenridge Events
Breckenridge is a town full of popular events like Oktoberfest, the International Snow Sculpture Championships, Wine Classic, Breck Film Fest and more. Many of these events are looking for volunteers like you to help the event run smoothly. At celebrations like Oktoberfest, volunteers receive a stein and two drink tokens which makes your time giving back even sweeter!
Charity Events
If you don’t have time to volunteer with FIRC at the thrift store or food markets, attending their annual Fashion Show fundraiser is a fantastic way to show your support. Each year local models use reimagined thrift store finds to bring a new theme to life.
June 10, 2023
The Rob Millisor Heart Health Walk was established in memory of Rob Millisor, one of the owners/developers of Breckenridge Grand Vacations. Each year you can participate in the race or walk to raise money for heart health research which has included the installation of AED units around Breckenridge. If you can’t make the event, you can opt to donate. The total raised from 2016 –2022 has been over $1 million.
This longstanding Summit County Tradition, put on by the Summit Foundation, has supported our mountain community for more than three decades. The race typically takes place on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. The race itself features over 10,000 ducks, purchased by donation, that race down the Blue River in the heart of Breckenridge, vying for the top spot and prizes.
Don’t Have Time to Volunteer?
If you can’t give back time but would like to donate in some way, the Summit Foundation is a fantastic organization that has supported our community for over 35 years. The Summit Foundation has given $46 million back to the community since 1984 and provides student scholarships and grants to local nonprofits. You can feel good knowing your dollars will go directly to the community you know and love.
You Don’t Want to Miss Breckenridge’s Ullr Fest
Praise Ullr and pray for snow! Breckenridge will celebrate its iconic Ullr Fest this year December 8–11 and you won’t want to miss it. If you have questions like, “what the heck is Ullr Fest?” and “how can I join in on the fun?” we’ve got you covered.
Trivia Nights in Summit County
Trivia, great beer and great food, what more could you want? Almost every night of the week you can find a great spot to challenge your friends to some trivia and have some weeknight fun. From Breckenridge to Dillon, we’ve got you covered with all the trivia nights in Summit County.
Mondays
Rocky Mountain Underground | Breckenridge | 6–8 p.m.
Cozy up and test your knowledge with local beers and handcrafted cocktails. Prizes for first, second and third place will bring out your competitive side.
Tuesdays
Broken Compass Brewing OG Taproom | Breckenridge | 7–9 p.m.
Broken Compass is a local favorite for trivia all year long. Bring your own food and your four-legged friends for a howling good time. Prizes include free beer tabs for the top three teams every week!
Outer Range Brewing | Frisco | 7–9 p.m.
If you’re an IPA lover, Outer Range is the perfect spot for a hoppy pint and a trivia night. First prize earns each team member an Outer Range four pack.
Blue Bird Market | Silverthorne | 6–8 p.m.
Join Quizmaster Katie from the Summit County Library for seven rounds of team trivia at Mighty Bar inside Blue Bird Market. Choose from empanadas, burgers, wood-fired pizzas and more to fuel your trivia game in this modern food hall.
Saved by the Wine | Dillon | 7 p.m.
A night of wine and wisdom is a recipe for fun. Grab some friends, a wine flight and a charcuterie board and take in breathtaking mountain views from this welcoming wine bar.
Wednesdays
Highside Brewing | Frisco | 7–9 p.m.
Can you tell we love beer here in the high country? Highside offers a unique and diverse line up of beers along with trivia prizes for the top three teams every week.
Broken Compass Brewing Main Street Taproom | Breckenridge | 7–9 p.m.
If you love Broken Compass and their trivia, why only go once a week? Join in on some trivia fun at their convenient Main Street location.
A-BAR at The Pad | Silverthorne | 7–9 p.m.
Study up for six rounds of trivia—four themes, one music, one general knowledge—at A-BAR at The Pad, a boutique hostel and hotel. This unique bar features 26 taps in order to reduce the waste from packaging, shipping and disposal that traditional establishments face.
Thursdays
Angry James Brewing | Silverthorne | 7–9 p.m.
We might consider Angry James a hidden gem in Summit County as it’s off the beaten path. This is another great brewery to grab a beer at while you play four rounds of trivia with a chance to win beer and Angry James gift cards.
Motherloaded Tavern | Breckenridge | 9–10 p.m.
Motherloaded Tavern truly lives up to its name with a warm atmosphere and comfort food. On trivia nights, be sure to try a mason jar cocktail and order the Fried Mac ‘N Cheese Bites from the late-night menu.
Rita’s | Breckenridge | 8–10:30 p.m.
This local’s basement is so much more than just a basement. Head downstairs to Rita’s for fresh squeezed margaritas and delicious tacos while you test your skills and knowledge. Prizes are awarded to the top three teams every week. Good luck!
The Ultimate Breckenridge Shopping Guide
When you think of Breckenridge, mountain sports are usually the first thing that come to mind. There are all types of activities here in the heart of the Rockies, such as skiing, riding, biking, snowshoeing, hiking, dogsledding, rock climbing, snowmobiling, camping, tubing, skating and….shopping. Yes, shopping!
Since mountain towns are often associated with rugged landscapes and harsh conditions, the world-class retail therapy opportunities here are often overlooked. But, today’s your lucky day. We have compiled the ultimate Breckenridge shopping guide to satisfy every consumer’s palate. With over 200 stores in town, you’ll be sure to find something to write home about.
Apparel & Accessories:
Shirt & Ernie’s/Shirt Off My Back
Art, Galleries & Jewelry:
Boutiques & Specialty:
Marigolds Farmhouse Funk and Junk
Children’s Accessories & Toys:
Equipment & Rentals:
Carver’s Breckenridge Ski Shop
Christy Sports (at Grand Timber Lodge)
Food & Spirits:
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
The Cheese Shop of Breckenridge
Novelty & Gift Shops:
Sporting Goods & Services:
Shopping Tips & Tricks
Now that you know what your options are, you should know when is best to buy. If you’re not a skier or rider, we recommend shopping while others are skiing. The shops will be less crowded and you’ll be able to visit more stores quicker between the hours of 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Otherwise, happy hour is always a good time to get the stores to yourself and enjoy some libations in between transactions.
If you’re shopping for winter gear, the biggest sales happen at the end of the season, so plan to purchase in April, May or June to get the biggest bang for your buck. The same goes for off-season gear and apparel—shop at the end of the summer season and you will find great deals on spring and summer clothing and equipment. Regardless of when you come, the shopping options and fun to be had while browsing are endless.
Book your stay now and take advantage of huge deals and promotional rates. Find the best Breck lodging deals at The Grand Colorado on Peak 8, The Grand Lodge on Peak 7 or Grand Timber Lodge.
The Best Sandwiches in Breckenridge: Team Edition
Whether you’re taking a midday break from your mountain adventures or looking for a quick bite, our team has weighed in on the best places to grab a sandwich in Breckenridge.
