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DPChallenge Forums >> Out and About >> travel tips for Breckenridge, CO
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01/18/2007 07:39:49 PM · #1
I'm heading out West in early February (eloping to be more specific), and want to know any ins and outs you may have on the area and surrounding areas. We are flying into Denver and driving over to stay in Breckenridge.

Any "must sees" there that I should plan not to miss???
01/24/2007 03:54:08 PM · #2
bump
01/24/2007 05:06:35 PM · #3
I don't have much of answer for you but I wanted to bump this again for you because nobody has replied yet on either the day you started this thread nor today.

So somebody help a lady out here!

I've heard that Estes Park is fantastic but sometimes a little overrun with visitors. I've skied and snowboarded in Breckinridge four times but I've gone elsewhere the last couple of times to snow country so I don't remember specifics. I stayed at Beaver Creek Lodge right next to the ski lifts and it was very convenient. Another trip I rented a condo for a great price and was extremely happy with this lodging.

I hope that this helps and somebody with more knowledge of the area chimes in.

Good luck.

Message edited by author 2007-01-24 17:07:33.
01/24/2007 05:08:51 PM · #4
I don't nuthin' cos I'm in the UK, but if you are eloping, everything is going to be exciting and adventurous! So, bumpity, bump!
01/24/2007 05:23:01 PM · #5
Estes Park is great for cross country skiing and snowshoeing with Rocky Mountain National Park there. Breckenridge is within 10-15 minutes of Arapahoe Basin, Loveland Pass and Keystone and within 30 minutes of Copper Mountain. All are great sand should have tons of snow with the winter that Colorado is having this season. The town of Frisco is right near Breckenridge also with a good steakhouse called The Mint. Great restaurants and bars abound in Breckenridge. Tons of stuff to do besides skiing and boarding as well. Awesome scenery. Keep a look out for bighorn sheep on the side of Interstate 780 on your way up from Denver. ALL of that area is great for photography, from the airport in Denver to the top of the Rocky Mtns and back.
01/24/2007 05:34:17 PM · #6
From Breckenridge, drive south on 9 to Fairplay, go right on 285 to Buena Vista (that's Byoona, not Bwayna to the locals :), right again on on 24 and head to Leadville, continue on 24 to Minturn, then go right again (East) on 70 and you'll head through Vail back to Breck. It's one hell of a scenic drive. You'll take in a LOT of 14ers. :)

Also, a great road trip from Breck is to head up to Winter Park and take in the WEST side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park is great but it's a LONG HAUL from Breck in the winter. There's a road that goes from Winter Park to Estes but it goes over 12,000 feet in elevation and is closed in the winter. Idaho Springs should be a good place to see Bighorn. Also, check and see if you can drive far enough up Mt. Evans to see mountain goats. This time of year, closed roads may prevent you from getting high enough.
01/24/2007 06:41:47 PM · #7
Hope you like snow. We just had our 4th snowy weekend in a row. I just moved here in April and loving every minute of it.
01/24/2007 07:14:34 PM · #8
Breckenridge is a booming ski town, with new gondola lifts under construction. A better town for skiing than photography, although some of the city overlooks to the east of town have dramatic views of the valley and slopes. Good dinner food at the Breckenridge Brewery. Breakfast at the Columbine Cafe or the Blue Moose. Lunch at Fatty's. If you have a dog, be sure you visit the Barkery. Most of Breck is at 10k altitude, so bring all of your hemoglobin.

Estes Park is 130 miles and 2.5 hours from Breck. Trail Ridge Road is closed until the end of May, so it might be better to come to RMNP during the summer. It's a destination upon itself, and our best light and weather occurs during the morning golden hours. The scenery is spectacular. Excellent snow shoe hikes and some X-country. And, an abundance of wildlife. The bachelor elk groups are in Horseshoe Park. The large herds of female and yearling elk are in Moraine Park. Bighorn sheep are less seen now at high elevation, than in the lower elevation canyons.

From Breckenridge, if you want some photo day-trip ideas.... I might head south on a loop that takes you to Great Sand Dunes National Park in southern Colorado, Mission:Wolf (a wolf sanctuary near Westcliff) and the Sangre de Christo Mountain Range.

Although, I would guess that Breckenridge will have all the entertainment and fun you're looking for. If you will be carrying a laptop with wifi capability, I like the speed of the wifi at Starbucks.

01/24/2007 07:25:06 PM · #9
You gotta try Beau Jo's Pizza in Idaho Springs for Colorado Style pizza, thin crust or by the pound thick crust, both are TAAAAAAAYYSSTEEEE.. Great after a day outside.
01/24/2007 08:19:07 PM · #10
Originally posted by madcrabber:

You gotta try Beau Jo's Pizza in Idaho Springs for Colorado Style pizza, thin crust or by the pound thick crust, both are TAAAAAAAYYSSTEEEE.. Great after a day outside.


Awwwwww YEAH!!!! Great tip!
01/24/2007 08:22:02 PM · #11
One more thing. NEVER, EVER try to drive on I-70 going west between 6:30 AM and 10 AM or going East between 1:30 and 5:30 on the weekends. Ski traffic is MISERABLE.
01/25/2007 10:01:51 PM · #12
Originally posted by rob_banks:

One more thing. NEVER, EVER try to drive on I-70 going west between 6:30 AM and 10 AM or going East between 1:30 and 5:30 on the weekends. Ski traffic is MISERABLE.


Thanks - lucky for us, we'll be there Sunday afternoon through Thursday afternoon, so w-end skiers/traffic shouldn't affect us too much!


01/25/2007 10:11:18 PM · #13
Originally posted by yakatme:

I don't have much of answer for you but I wanted to bump this again for you because nobody has replied yet on either the day you started this thread nor today.

So somebody help a lady out here!

I've heard that Estes Park is fantastic but sometimes a little overrun with visitors. I've skied and snowboarded in Breckinridge four times but I've gone elsewhere the last couple of times to snow country so I don't remember specifics. I stayed at Beaver Creek Lodge right next to the ski lifts and it was very convenient. Another trip I rented a condo for a great price and was extremely happy with this lodging.

I hope that this helps and somebody with more knowledge of the area chimes in.

Good luck.


Thanks for the help!
01/25/2007 10:26:33 PM · #14
Third time's a charm. I'm glad it worked.
01/25/2007 10:30:49 PM · #15
Breck is nice. There are 100,002 T-shirt shops there. They all sell the same t-shirt. You will have fun, but stay out of the snowboarders way or they will run you over. Lots of good night spots. If you are staying in the town there are some good times to be had.
01/25/2007 11:09:21 PM · #16
Originally posted by boomtap:

Breck is nice. You will have fun, but stay out of the snowboarders way or they will run you over. Lots of good night spots. If you are staying in the town there are some good times to be had.


I concur.

Breckenridge is my spot, primarily. And yes, I am one of *those* snowboarders.

PM me if you have any specific questions....Have fun.

I am not in CO at the moment, but should be returning mid-Feb and resuming my weekly seat on the lifts!!!
01/25/2007 11:11:51 PM · #17
To me breckenridge Ski Area is the best for beginner skiing and probably snow boarding (I quit skiing when a Breckenridge daily ski lift ticket was $5.00). It has very wide slopes, not to steep, some challenging runs, znd lots of shopping in town. Photo opportunities are just about anywhere.

There are several mountain passes,(check a Colorado Map) i.e. Hoosier (south to Fairplay), Mosquitoe (Minturn to Leadville), Tennessee, Guenella and others near by have vistas of high peaks and landscapes.

Old mining towns like Idaho Springs, Fairplay, Leadville, Alma, etc. that have old building to shoot, with scenic backgrounds.

I like the trip over to Leadville, There you can travel south to Buena Vista. You will see the Mosquito Range to east and Collegate (Sawatch) Range to west, Five of Colorado's highest. Mt. Elbert, Mt.Massive, Mt. Yale, Mt. Harvard, Mt. Princeton, and others all over 14,000 ft.

In South Park, yes "the South Park" where Fairplay is you may see herds of elk, deer, buffalo (toward Hartsel), antelope, and other species. Check bird feeders in small towns and you may see rosy finches, jays, and other mountain species.

Just some ideas.

Van

Message edited by author 2007-01-25 23:13:09.
01/25/2007 11:49:03 PM · #18
Originally posted by MrEd:

Hope you like snow. We just had our 4th snowy weekend in a row. I just moved here in April and loving every minute of it.


I think this weekend will be the sixth straight weekend with a storm. And another is supposed to hit Wednsday of next week. So dress for snow. Van
01/25/2007 11:55:32 PM · #19
Check Virtual Tourist, amazing travel community.
01/26/2007 10:16:28 AM · #20
Thanks a bunch!!!! All of these tips will help a lot!

:)
Marjorie
01/26/2007 10:22:07 AM · #21
we moved to colorado from mount pleasant over 5 years ago! we used to be in snee farm.
my son works at copper mountain and i am not a skier but my daughter loves to ride at breck. have fun! we are supposed to be getting some powder tomorrow.
01/26/2007 11:05:24 AM · #22
Originally posted by jfwolpert:

we moved to colorado from mount pleasant over 5 years ago! we used to be in snee farm.
my son works at copper mountain and i am not a skier but my daughter loves to ride at breck. have fun! we are supposed to be getting some powder tomorrow.


Wow! Small world...I live in the Seaside Farm area. I don't ski either, but my husband-to-be does and this will be his first time out West!!!

He'll ski and I'll take pictures :)
01/26/2007 11:28:55 AM · #23
Originally posted by Gaby_G:

Check Virtual Tourist, amazing travel community.


Thank you so much for this link....this is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
01/26/2007 09:28:58 PM · #24
Anyone have any tips for restaurants in the area???
01/26/2007 10:25:58 PM · #25


This isn't breck, but the scenery is similar. I think you will enjoy it.
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