The Ultimate Breckenridge Shopping Guide
A trip to Breckenridge isn’t complete without strolling Main Street. This is the ultimate guide to Breckenridge shopping, from clothing, souvenirs, art, and beyond.
Tag Archive for: summit county activities
Favorite Hiking Trails – Team Edition
The snow is melting and the mountain air is at a perfect temperature to be outside! The Best of Breckenridge team loves to enjoy their spare time outside wandering the trails in and around and in Breckenridge. So, we did our research in the office and asked everyone to share their favorites. Here’s what we found… the office really knows how to adventure out into the wilderness.
Five Reasons to Come to Breckenridge on Weekdays
Like 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
How to Save Money on your Trip to Breckenridge
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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!
- 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…
