Top Christmas markets near ski resorts in the Alps

Just like skiing, many Christmas past-times, including decorated fir trees and gingerbread houses, have historic roots in the Alps. Many of these traditions can be traced back to Christmas Markets, four-week Advent celebrations in the Alps, specifically in Austria and Germany. Some of these markets date back as far as the 13th Century. Today, you can still experience Christmas Markets, and many of the best are within or very close to Ski Country. From traditional Christmas sweets and hot, mulled wine to musical performances and ancient processions of St. Nicholas and his nemesis, the horned Krampus, modern market-goers are treated to a feast of the senses, just like those of the past.

Innsbruck, Austria

From mid November through the first week of January, the entire capital of Tyrol is awash in Christmas festivities, but the most popular and charming Innsbruck neighborhood is the Alstadt, which features Medieval houses. On the narrow Kiebachgasse[street], Brothers Grimm characters peer down from the windows and tickle the imagination of children and the young at heart. Vendor booths are laden with festive goods like gingerbread, wooden toys and delicate, hand-blown glass ornaments.
Every day at dusk, trumpeters perform traditional carols on the 500-year-old Golden Roof. Don’t miss Kiachln, a traditional Advent doughnut, served hot with cranberry sauce. Take a ride up the funicular to Hafelekar, located just outside of Innsbruck, to enjoy birds’ eye views of the twinkling city below.

Kitzbuehel, Austria

From late November to late December, , Kitzbuehel’s historic, Medieval village center is transformed to resemble a festive scene from an old-fashioned Christmas card. The month-long market features daily events as well as weekly concerts and parades. Don’t miss the free choral concert at St. Andreas cathedral. To get a real taste of this long-standing tradition, watch the St. Nicholas and Krampus procession. The anti-St. Nicholas, Krampus is a devilish pagan figure sent to punish naughty children with “swats” and coal. Warning, young children may find Krampus frightening.
Enjoy regional Christmas delicacies, like homemade bread with various spread, roasted chestnuts and mulled wine.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

Garmisch
From late November through late December, the Richard-Strauss-Square in Garmisch ski resort base village is a glowing homage to the most wonderful time of the year. Here, you’ll find traditional Alpine music playing, decorated booths, handmade traditional crafts and culinary specialties.
Partenkirchen
At the end of November and into early December, Partenkirchen’s historic Ludwigstrasse becomes a winter wonderland of miniature wood huts decorated with lights and festive trimmings. The scent of freshly baked Christmas cookies and spiced wine tantalizes the senses.

Vienna, Austria

Christmas markets in Vienna date back to the 13th Century. The tradition has grown into 10 markets, but the most popular are Rathausplatz, in front of the neo-Gothic City Hall, and Spittleberg, near the Museums Quarter of the city. At Rathausplatz, visitors peruse more than 150 booths, which offer miniature wooden houses, puppets, gingerbread hearts, leather clothing and woolen hats. Spittleberg is ideal for arts and crafts shopping, as it features hand-blown glass, silverware and ceramics.
Talk to your Europe Travel Experts about adding a trip to Vienna onto your ski vacation to Austria.

Bolzano, Italy

Located in what’s called South Tyrol, which is technically in the Italian Dolomites, the Bolzano Christmas Market is Italy’s largest and just an hour’s drive from Val Gardena and 1.5 hours from Alta Badia. South Tyrolians share common cultural traits with Austria and most locals speak German as their primary language, so even though you’re in Italy, the atmosphere feels Austrian. At the Bolzano Christmas Market, the beautiful Piazza Walther is decorated in Advent splendor from late November through the first week of January. The Market will be closed on Christmas Day.

Salzburg, Austria

Dating back to the 15th Century, the Salzburg Christmas Market sits at the foot of the Hohensalzburh fortress near the Cathedral of Salzburg. Choral and wind instrument performances of Christmas carols are held on the steps on the cathedral and fill the air with cheer. The market is held from late November through late December, and features merchants selling Christmas decorations, crafts, toys, jewelry and treats, including sweets, coffee mulled wine and punch.

Sig P365 XL

With the introduction of the P365 XL, capacity, control, and shootability of a full-size pistol, with the concealability of a micro-compact, is now a reality. The SIG SAUER P365 XL is a 9mm striker-fired pistol, featuring the XSERIES P365 grip module with an integrated carry magwell and extended beavertail, a flat trigger with a 90-degree break, and a 3.7” barrel for increased accuracy while retaining concealability. The P365 XL features an optics-ready slide, compatible with the new SIG SAUER Electro-Optics ROMEOZero and RMSc Optics, comes equipped with X-RAY3 Day/Night sights, and ships with two 12-round magazines (15-round magazines available separately here.)
“When the P365 was introduced it hit the market by storm, and was a game-changer when it comes to everyday carry, by delivering unprecedented capacity in a micro-compact size. The P365 instantaneously became the top-selling pistol, and one of the most award-winning pistols in history,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc. “With the P365 XL we have once again redefined Everyday Carry by delivering 12+1 capacity, or 15+1 capacity, in a highly concealable, compact profile while bringing many of the XSERIES features to the P365 that are extremely popular and sought after by consumers.”

The Ultimate Packing List for Your Next Ski Trip

Ultimate Ski Trip Packing List

With any number of ski essentials you need to bring to enjoy pow days, figuring out a packing list for your next ski trip can easily make you feel overwhelmed.  A comprehensive ski trip checklist can save you from traveling anxiety and from leaving behind your favorite ski gear. Check out this guide on ski trip packing from TripOutside.com to help you pack for your pow days like a pro. 
We’ve provided a quick summary of the ins and outs of your packing list, and then a downloadable and printable ski trip checklist to make your packing process quick and easy!

Ski Packing Categories

Ski Outerwear

The cold can get in the way of an awesome pow day.  Your ski jacket and insulated pants are your best friends on the slopes. Packing warm ski outerwear does not just complete your skiing look – it keeps you from shivering by blocking the cold out, and it gives extra protection from wipeouts. 
Outerwear is bulky and takes up a lot of baggage space, so you may want to consider saving space and renting instead. Check out Black Tie Ski Delivery – they rent ski outerwear in more than 30 ski destinations. 

Ski Base Layers

Base layers are a necessity for ski packing, and come in many forms – pants, shirts, sports bras, and even tights. Base layers are designed to be lightweight – you can layer them on without feeling awkward, and you can pack them without worrying about taking up too much baggage space!  If sweat makes you uncomfortable, you can count on ski base layers to keep perspiration and moisture at bay. 

Image courtesy of Steep and Cheap

Ski Gear

If there’s something you ought to make sure to remember when packing for a ski trip, it would be your ski gear. Nothing spells bummer more than a forgotten pair of skis or poles. 
On the other hand, ski destinations across the country make it silly easy to rent the latest ski gear, which makes packing and flying a breeze.  Find the best local ski shops at over 30 ski destinations and book your gear all on one website at TripOutside.com.

Ski Accessories

No ski trip is complete without packing your favorite ski accessories.  Since you’re going to be out in the cold, it’s important to bring accessories like goggles and gloves that will keep you warm and comfortable.   Our ski trip checklist below provides a full list of accessories to bring on your trip.

Casual Clothing

Not sure what kind of clothing to bring on a ski trip?  We recommend packing some casual clothing to explore the ski town off-piste.  Trade your skis for durable shoes or boots for shopping, exploring, and dining.   Your ski packing list should include non-ski clothes for evenings and days off the slopes.  And don’t forget to bring your swimsuit!  Your hotel or Airbnb may have a hot tub to relax in after a day chasing powder.

Toiletries

The more popular the ski resort is, the more expensive their prices can be. Save money by bringing your toiletries along on your skiing trip.  We’ve added essentials like sunscreen, facewash and toothpaste, plus a few others to the ski trip packing checklist below.

Ski Trip Packing Checklist

Download or print here

This handy ski trip packing checklist will make packing a breeze!

Outerwear

• Insulated/waterproof Ski jacket
• Insulated/waterproof Ski pants

Base Layers

• Warm pants/leggings/tights (or all of the above, depending on temperatures)
• Long sleeve shirt (or 2, depending on temperatures)
• Sports bra(s)
• Underwear
• Warm socks

Gear/Equipment

Or rent easily online at over 35 ski resorts!

• Skis/Snowboard
• Ski/Snowboard Boots
• Ski Poles
• Goggles
• Helmet

Accessories

• Warm & waterproof gloves
• Neck warmer or scarf
• Go Pro camera
• Lip balm 
• Ski lock
• First aid kit
• Tissue
• Snacks
• Toe and hand warmers
• Water bottle or hydration pack (optional)

Casual Clothing

• Casual outdoor coat
• Snow boots or casual waterproof boots
• Regular gloves
• Swimsuit
• Sweater(s)
• Jeans or leggings
• Scarf
• Sleepwear

Toiletries

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Soap or bodywash
• Face wash
• Sunscreen
• Cosmetics
• Lotion/Moisturizer
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Glasses/Contacts

Miscellaneous Items

• Phone chargers
• IDs and Insurance cards
• Ski tickets/pass
• Sewing kit
• Medications
• Headphones
• Camera

Tips for How to Pack for a Ski Trip

Here are some final tips on how to pack for a ski trip quickly and efficiently.   Just open and save a copy of this checklist!

• Download and/or print this handy ski trip packing list and check off the items as you go.
• Roll items before packing into your suitcase or bag to make more space.
• Pack ski clothing/outerwear in ski/snowboard gear bag to make more space.
• To avoid overpacking: lay all of your items out and do a 2nd and 3rd review to eliminate things that you may not need.
• Wear your bulkiest clothes to save space in your luggage.
• Avoid having to check your bags by renting gear at your destination. Check out TripOutside to rent all types of ski and snowboard gear and clothing at over 35 different ski resorts. 
• If you’re flying, check out your baggage allowance ahead of time.
• Bring a bag for used accessories or clothing to keep your bag organized and separated. 
• Between a suitcase and a duffel bag, choose the latter. Duffel bags are more flexible and roomy. 
• Lessen the bulk of your items by bringing versatile clothes you can wear more than once. 

With a ski packing guide that includes what and how to pack for a ski trip, plus a downloadable and printable ski trip packing checklist, you will be ready for your next ski vacation in no time.  When you’ve packed your much-needed equipment, clothing and accessories, nothing can get in the way of a pow day.

How to be a Colorado ski bum

The ski bum is a rare breed of mountain dweller, celebrated rather than reviled for a lifestyle anathema to the American Way: having no job, few dollars and fewer responsibilities, and skiing or snowboarding all the time.
Many skiers toil at jobs for decades, making payments on that ski condo they visit one week a year and dreaming of the day they can retire and ski all the time. But 60-year-old knees don’t ski like 30-year-old knees, so by the time of retirement, the days of ripping black diamonds all day may be over.
The ski bum recognizes this irony and wants to ski now and every day the snow is good, career, fiscal stability and family relationships be damned. But it’s not as simple as quitting your job and using your last paycheck to buy a ski pass. Successful ski-bumming takes planning, so from one ski bum to (maybe) another, here is the guide to joining our ranks and having the best winter of your life.

Work your tail off in summer

The ski bum has little use for the warmer months of Colorado, short they may be compared to long mountain winters. Resist the urge to buy a new mountain bike or take an expensive vacation. Have work lined up before the ski areas shut down in spring and save every penny you can. Many ski bums spend summers building forest trails, guiding tourists down rivers or constructing ski condos.

Move close to the mountains

Sure, you can see the mountains from the Front Range, but on a powder day when Interstate 70 is shut down, the slopes might as well be a million miles away. Start looking for a place to live in the mountains and you’ll ski many more days. But ski towns are notoriously expensive, so unless you want to share a one-bedroom fleabag with three roommates, consider living one or two towns over from the ski area.

Make connections

The ski bum’s currency is favors, so make friends in as many ski towns and at as many mountains as possible. It used to be you had to actually meet someone and ski with them, but those days are long gone. Social media is a great way to make connections so that, when Steamboat gets a huge storm but your local hill gets skunked, you can have a sofa to sleep on — or a floor if the sofa is already taken. The website Couchsurfing is another great resource for the ski bum. Just be sure to reciprocate when it’s your mountain getting all the snow.

Buy a pass with travel options

Powder is the ski bum’s raison d’etre, the reason their life revolves around winter, but not every storm brings the same snow to every mountain. Now more than ever, multi-mountain season passes give the ski bum ample opportunities to chase the powder wherever it falls.

Quit your job in November

No ski bum should have a day job, especially one that requires working weekdays, these being the best days to ski. So take the plunge. It’s one heck of a toboggan ride.

If you must have a job, get one on the mountain

Ski resort employees usually get a free ski pass, so if you find yourself rubbing your last two quarters together while you try to sleep in a frozen car in a ski-area parking lot, maybe it’s time to find part-time work as a ski instructor or lift attendant. Another great option, one practiced by ski bums since time immemorial, is to work nights at a bar or restaurant — because the ski bum never needs more than 5 hours of sleep.

Obsess about the weather forecast

When’s it going to snow again? Will the biggest snow fall on the Tetons, Aspen or Taos? It’s too late to get first tracks when the resort posts the overnight snow total and you’re four hours away, so the ski bum needs to plan in advance. A great resource for skiers is OpenSnow.com, founded by Boulder meteorologist Joel Gratz, who does a great job predicting which storm will most favor which region of the state, nation and world. The National Weather Service is another resource. Hint: If you see weather warnings in pink, that means you probably want to head that way.

Don’t eat on the mountain

This goes without saying, since meals at ski areas, especially the mega-resorts, can be ridiculously expensive. So while the family on vacation will drop $100 on lunch in the upper lodge, the ski bum is chowing down on beef jerky or a sandwich in the warming hut or parking lot.

Ski the smaller ski areas

No matter where you’re skiing, you can still only make one turn at a time, so do you really need to be at Vail or Breckenridge spending $200 on a lift ticket? Why not drive a little farther and ski Monarch Mountain, where you can get a $57 lift ticket by showing any ski pass? Or go to Wolf Creek in southern Colorado, with $76 lift tickets and “local appreciation days” when everyone’s a local.

5 Day Adventure Trip in Moab, UT + Free Camping Guide

Your 5 Day Moab Adventure Itinerary
Moab is one of the best adventure destinations in the entire world. What other place can you visit multiple national parks, mountain bike unbelievable singletrack, rock climb Slickrock and raft down the infamous Colorado river through red rock canyons – all within a few miles from town?
You guessed it, Moab! The challenge is, Moab can also cause analysis paralysis because there is so much to do. We have come up with a short list of must-dos from our experience in Moab to help you narrow down your options.

Day 1: Mountain biking and hiking Arches National Park

• Grab breakfast at Love Muffin Café – they have a great burrito line up, ours was the Morita
• Morning: Mountain Biking (2-3 hours)
  • Warm up with an intermediate ride to practice your technical skills and get used to the Moab rocks, some great options are as follow. The great thing is, you don’t need a shuttle and can ride all of these trails from the trailhead.
    • Navajo Loop, Bar M trails, Klonzo trails area
    • Where to rent bikes
    • Packing list: Hydration pack, snacks

• Afternoon lunch in town: grab some Mexican grub at Quesadilla Mobilla, one of the best spots in Moab for a quick lunch from a food truck.  Don’t let their speedy service fool you…the quesadillas are delicious! Nom Nom Nom!
• Evening Hike (2-3 hours)
  • Sunset Hike Delicate Arch: the most iconic arch in Arches National Park is best seen at sunset. It’s a moderate hike, gradually climbing until you reach the arch, providing gorgeous vistas along the way.
    • Pack a dinner if you like and take your time, it is nice to relax at the top and watch the sunset light up the arch.
    • Packing list: headlamp, snacks, camera, maybe even a tripod so you can capture the Delicate Arch.
    • PSA: It’s nice to capture the Arch from a distance, allowing everyone to take pictures of it.
  • TIP: Enter the park at least a few hours before it closes to register at the Visitors Center for a permit to hike the Fiery Furnaces. It may take 30-45 minutes to get the permit, as there is an educational video you must watch, but it’s totally worth it.  If you register on Day 1, you should be able to get a permit to hike it before you leave (see itinerary for Day 4 for more details on Fiery Furnaces).

Day 2: More biking and gorgeous views: Dead Horse State Park

• Breakfast – Eklectica Coffee makes a stellar scrambled tofu burrito, gotta have it!
• Morning activity: Mountain biking:
  • Intermediate to Advanced mountain bike ride: (avg. 5-6 hours including shuttle time). Now that you’re warmed up on the Moab trails, you can hit one of the more advanced trails by grabbing a shuttle and doing a long downhill ride of the Whole Enchilada. For shorter rides, consider LPS/Porcupine rim or Mag 5.

Beginner / Take-it-Easy ride:

• Dead Horse Point Trails
  • The network of trails is easy to follow, and offer short loops that can be combined into a long ride. It’s a newer network in Moab but still has enough technical sections to keep the ride fun for all ability levels.
  • If you choose this ride, go ahead and check out the Dead Horse hiking trails and the overlook suggested for the evening hike.

• Lunch / Happy Hour depending on when you finish
  • Moab Brewery has a super average ambiance, but really awesome beer. Low alcohol % of course (still Utah 😳)
• Evening “Hike” (1 hour)
  • Dead Horse State Point offers a gorgeous viewpoint of Canyonlands National park that does not require a long hike, just a few hundred feet from the parking lot.
  • If you choose the beginner mountain bike option above, make sure you check out the viewpoint before or after your ride!

Day 3: Raft the Colorado River

• Breakfast: Moab Diner is a go-to breakfast stop
• Rafting the Colorado River:

• Your legs, butt, and wrists will thank you for taking a day off the bike! Rafting down the Colorado River provides some of the best red rock canyon scenery in Utah. This is one of the most gorgeous river paddles you will ever do unless you find water on Mars.

• Lunch on the river (3-4 hours)
  • On the guided raft trips, Canyon Adventures will plan a stop along the river, with lunch set up along the sandy shore. They also offer kayak, SUP and raft rentals for a DIY paddle option.
• Evening:
  • A night out in town? There are several options including karaoke, pool tables and more at a few different spots in town. Some of our favorite watering holes include Woody’s Tavern, Eddie McStiff’s and Club Rio.

Day 4: Fiery (effing) Furnace!! 🙌🏽

• Breakfast – Sweet Cravings Bakery + Bistro
• Morning Hike (2 – ?? hours, up to you!)
  • Fiery Furnaces
    • This is by far our favorite part of Arches National Park for many reasons: 1) you need a permit, so it limits the number of people in the area allowing you to enjoy this untouched beauty practically to yourself 2) You can take as long as you like, finding your own way through narrow canyons and rock scrambling to your heart’s content.
    • Pack a lunch for the hike to enjoy overlooking one of the natural arches that you may come across in the Fiery Furnaces. Moonflower Co-op grocery store is an awesome natural health food store that offers a great variety of freshly prepared food and takeout sandwiches.

• • Evening hike (0-?? Hours)
    • While you’re already in the park, you can choose a couple of options:
      • We’re tired:
        • You can drive to most of the popular arches in the park including The Windows, Landscape Arch, etc.
      • We’re unstoppable, let’s hike more:
        • Primitive Loop hike near Landscape Arch
          • This loop takes you way off the beaten path, letting you explore the park on your own (you may encounter a person or two).
          • TIP: This loop will require you to navigate on your own. The only markings you will find are the cairns once you’re about .5 miles into the trail. Look very carefully for the cairns, they can be hard to see.
          • If you are going in the late afternoon/evening, bring someone with experience with this trail and a very good flashlight!
          • You will not have cell service in the park. If you’re not comfortable navigating, we highly recommend using the All Trails app or something similar and download the offline map so you can find your way. It’s like a maze back there that you don’t want to be lost in, especially on an evening hike.
          • Pack a headlamp, water and lots of snacks.

Day 5: Take a drive in Canyonlands National Park

• The Shafer Trail Off-Road Drive
  • You can choose to drive the Shafer trail, a 19.2-mile point to point trail located near Moab, inside Canyonlands National Park.
  • Caution: Please do read the information on the White Rim Trail from the NPS website for more details, trail status etc.
  • Must have:
    • A permit
    • The right vehicle – 4WD high clearance vehicle is recommended.

Well now that you’re completely exhausted and have had multiple jaw-dropping moments, you’re beginning to realize that you still haven’t scratched the surface to all that Moab has to offer. For a longer trip, consider spending more time in Canyonlands National Park or checking out some of the great hikes such as the Fisher Towers, which are outside of the National Parks.

Moab Free Camping Guide

How to Camp for Free Camping in Moab, Utah

We spent over a month in Moab camping for free. That’s right…the F word.
Here are our favorite spots, you can find all the details on each campsite on Campendium (our favorite app for finding free campsites)

• Willow Springs Trail
  •  This is the closest camping system to Moab. Easy to access right off the road, there are some portapotties set up along the road, but don’t count on them. Sometimes, they can be sideways..
• Klondike Bluff road
  • Close to the Klondike mountain bike trail system
• Lower Gemini Bridges – we did not camp in this area as we have an RV as the reviews mention that this would only be ideal with a high clearance 4×4 vehicle.
  • Leave a note below if you end up camping here. Oh, and send us a picture!

Elevations Favorite Springtime Activities and Events

Spring in the Rocky Mountains is one of the most legendary and enjoyable seasons in Colorado. Warm sun, great snow, and beautiful scenery are par for the course. It’s the perfect time of year to work on your goggle tan as you soak up the sun and prepare for all of the summer activities that Colorado is known for.
Here in Summit County there is always a long list of local events and activities that make spring a great time to visit the high country. Check out some of our favorite ways to enjoy spring in the Rockies below and comment to tell us your favorite ways to enjoy spring!

1. Enjoying a beverage on one of the patios in Breckenridge.  Nothing beats a beer on a patio with great views of the mountains, which is why we are making this our number one spring activity pick. Some of our favorite patios can be found at Rocky Mountain Underground, where you can people watch Main Street Breckenridge, Kenosha Steakhouse, with great views of Breckenridge Ski Resort and outdoor games for the kids, and Broken Compass Brewery where you can hang out in the sun with your furry friend at this pet friendly brewery.
2. Catching some live music at Breckenridge’s Spring Beer Festival. While Breckenridge Resort has rolled back their Springtopia celebrations, there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy springtime in Breckenridge. Check out GoBreck’s Spring Fever page for all the great events going on this spring.
3. Spring skiing at one of Summit County’s 4 world class ski resorts. Whether you choose to ski the expansive resorts like Breckenridge and Keystone or you choose to ski the hometown favorites of Arapahoe Basin or Copper, you can’t go wrong skiing when the snow is soft and the sun is out!
4. Taking a jog or bike ride on the Blue River Trail, Frisco Recreation Path, or the Dillon Reservoir Loop. Finally after months of snow covering all the trails and recpaths in Summit County it’s time to start getting back in shape and getting ready for mountain biking and hiking. If you’re a biker check out our blog on early season biking in Summit County for some ideas on where to start spinning your wheels.
5. Sitting at the beach at Arapahoe Basin. If you’ve never experienced a beach spot at A-Basin have you even lived? Lapping the ski resort and skiing directly to your car is the ultimate tailgating experience you can only find in Colorado. Accomplishing this means you are competing with some of the most dedicated skiers in Colorado. If you don’t feel like waking up before dawn to battle for a beach spot you can reserve them from A-Basin by clicking here.

April Activities in Summit County

April in Summit County can be one of the best times of year to visit. All of your favorite winter sports like skiing and snowboarding or cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are still active, and you can enjoy them in warmer spring weather. But there are also numerous other activities to try during the spring. This April why don’t you give a new sport a try?
Did you know you can dog sled nearly all year in Breckenridge?
Dog sledding is an awesome activity to take the whole family out to enjoy. You’ll get to mush the dog teams yourself as you explore the beautiful Swan River Valley on a 6-mile tour through gorgeous winding trails. Each tour begins with a short introduction from the guides who will explain how to run the sled and work with the Siberian Huskies. You’ll get to switch between driving the sled, riding in the sled, and riding with the guide during the more than an hour-long tour stopping along the way to take in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. This truly is a unique way to experience the Colorado Rockies. You’ll need to make a reservation for these exhilarating tours at Good Times Adventures.
Did you know you can skin up the mountain for the best sunrise you’ve ever seen in your life?
Skinning is an increasingly popular activity in Summit County with plenty of people looking to beat the crowds by hitting the slopes early and earning their turns. You can try this fun workout too but make sure you read our skinning specific blog to get all the information you need before you go. Some resorts require you to register, follow specific routes, or get a free “uphill access pass” so make sure you familiarize yourself with each resort’s rules before heading uphill. You can rent skinning gear from Blue River Sports or Wilderness Sports.
Not quite to the level of skinning yet? Try Cross Country Skiing!
New this year you can cross country ski on a groomed trail all the way from Breckenridge to Frisco! The two towns teamed up to groom the Blue River Bike Path that connects their small mountain towns making for one of the best groomed (and free) cross-country ski routes in Summit County! There are also numerous options to ski at Nordic clubs around the county where you can enjoy groomed paths. Gold Run Nordic Center is the Nordic center operated at the Breckenridge Golf Course during the winter. Breckenridge Nordic Center is located at the base of the Breckenridge Ski Resort. The Keystone Nordic Center is a great Nordic center in Keystone. And the Frisco Nordic Center is located just outside of Frisco on the banks of Dillon Reservoir. Nordic centers are great if you are new to the sport as the groomed trails make for easy skiing and excellent skate skiing. If you are looking for a more adventurous cross country ski trip than check out all of the local winter trails at the Outdoor Recreation Information Center’s helpful trail list and map function. You can rent cross country skis from Blue River Sports but make sure you are prepared with extra layers of clothes, water, and emergency supplies before heading into the trails systems around the county as the weather can change rapidly.
Did you know you can rent a fat bike and hit the local mountain biking trails before they are snow free?
Fat Biking is the newest craze in mountain towns as it allows die hard bikers to ride during the winter months. You can rent fat bikes in Breckenridge and ride most of the local trails when the conditions permit. Check the winter trail conditions before heading out and make sure you are dressed warm enough! There are two local bike shops that offer fat bike rentals as well as guided fat bike tours. One is Breckenridge Bike Guides who offer rentals and tours of the local trails systems. The second is Ridden who offers rentals as well as a fat bike brewery and distillery tour, a really unique way to explore the best brews and cocktails Breckenridge has to offer!
Did you know that some of the best deals on dining are available during April in Summit County?
Many restaurants offer two for one discounts or free appetizers or desserts during this time of the year and the Breckenridge Restaurant Association offers a spring dining passport with great deals to numerous local restaurants. Check their website for the most recent dining passport. You can typically buy the passports at the Breckenridge Welcome Center after they go on sale.