Fun in Breckenridge This Fall

Make no mistake about it; Breckenridge is a ski and snowboard town.

Winter reigns supreme here and it’s easy to see why once the snow fills the mountain and Breckenridge’s four peaks glisten in the almost-daily sunlight. Of course, summer is no joke either as the town fills with festivals and visitors who can’t get enough of the warm, sunny days. But, spring and fall also offer much-needed down time that finds the town a bit less crowded, but no less exciting. If you’re considering a trip to Breckenridge, fall just might be your season of choice. Here are just a few reasons why:

• Mountain Biking: Summit County combines more than 200 miles of off-road trails with 40 miles of paved roads. Fall is a great time for biking Breck as the trails are usually less crowded, the changing aspen leaves provide for stunning eye candy, and the temperature is near perfect for a day of outdoor activity. Breckenridge Ski Resort also offers a variety of trails for all levels of difficulty, some of which can be accessed by the Colorado Superchair lift on Peak 8. However, if you just want to ride around town, paths offer views of Lake Dillon, Ten Mile Creek, and many other must-see Summit County spots. What’s even better is that you can literally jump on your bike and find trails that are in short distances to many Breckenridge condos and vacation rentals.

• Fly Fishing: The Blue River, the Colorado, Williams Fork, and the South Platte each provide year-round fishing that’s easily accessible from Breckenridge. Local businesses offer tours not only to these four Gold Medal Rivers, but also to private waters closed to the public. They’ll supply you with rods, tackle, clothing, and plenty of instruction to get you on your way to a trophy-size brown trout (in addition to rainbows, cutthroats, and brooks).

• Hiking: Similar to mountain biking, fall makes for a great hiking season as the trails are normally less crowded. While the wildflowers are well past their prime, the gentian plant is in full bloom. These fall plants display an autumn palette of stunning colors that range in reds, oranges, and golds. You might check out Wheeler National Recreation Trail or Loveland Pass West for prime color spotting. Additionally, fall means aspen season in Colorodo. Keep your eyes out for aspen groves on just about any hike around Breckenridge.

• Shopping and Dining: Most Breckenridge vacation rentals are located close to Main Street shopping and dining. While Breckenridge is certainly a town for the adventure seeker, it’s also a paradise for shopping and dining. While Main Street boats a range of bars, restaurants, clothing stores, and art galleries, outlet shopping is also popular in nearby Silverthorne.

• Museums: Fall gives us more of a reason to dip inside without feeling guilty about missing out on summer’s sun or winter’s snow. And, it makes for a perfect season to explore more of Breckenridge’s historic side. The Barney Ford House Museum and the Carter Museum are two of the more popular museum stops in town, both within walking distance from Main Street and central Breckenridge accommodations.

• Lodging: The Breckenridge Ski Resort opens for the season in November. In the couple of months before the winter season officially begins, many Breckenridge condos and vacation rentals offer discounted, off-season rates. So, fall makes for a great time to pack the bags and set off on a weekend getaway without having to spend too much time crunching numbers and worrying about the checkbook.

Each season in Breckenridge makes for an adventure. With no shortage of things to do around town, Breckenridge is unlike other Colorado ski towns that seem to shut down and clear out in the off-season. So, what are you waiting for? Get to Breckenridge for an unforgettable adventure this fall!