This week may have gone by faster than the five days I spent in Breckenridge, CO or maybe it’s just because I’m delirious from lack of sleep and half-crazed with laundry and Easter. How the heck did Easter end up in March anyway?
I will not high-five to an early holiday or no school today but, I will put both hands up for pretty much everything that happened in Breck. *that is the hip name all the locals refer to it as…
Once again I am linking up with the mile high, high-five queen herself: Angela from Happy Fit Mama!
Let’s get right to it, shall we?
GETTING TO BRECKENRIDGE
I’m happy to tell you all about this because I pretty much did everything wrong. Do you see how I suffer for your benefit people? Sheesh.
What I did
Woke up at 4am to hop a 6:50am flight on St. Patrick’s Day to meet my husband in Las Vegas. I was the only person on board wearing boots and a coat and who was over 30. Way over.
Why is the bar closed at 6:30am on St. Patrick’s Day? This is my “do you really want me on that plane without alcohol?” face.
We flew right over the Rockies to Vegas, then I got back on a plane with my husband and flew back over the Rockies and into Denver.
Side note: If you fear flying as I do, I do not ever recommend flying into Denver. Even my husband said it was bad…well, that’s what he told me afterward because I was clutching his leg and crying during our descent. #truestory
We miraculously made it into the Denver airport and met up with Colorado Mountain Express to take us, and all of our gear, on what should have been a two hour trip into the mountains and village of Breckenridge. Instead it took almost four. Nope, it wasn’t the weather, it was the 15 stops we had to make for each and every person on the bus. Of course, my husband and I were dead last. And I do mean dead.
All told, I was traveling for 15 hours and was then deposited a mile high where I was desperate for wine and had nothing but nuts and seeds in my belly. I’ll let you guess how that night went…
Walking back from a late dinner in a snowstorm because, Breckenridge.
What you should do
Book a direct flight to Denver.
Rent a car or SUV large enough to transport you and all your gear.
Drive the two hours to your hotel or condo.
Hydrate, eat and hydrate some more.
EATING AND DRINKING IN BRECK
There are so many amazing places in this magical town. Unfortunately, I didn’t know anyone who had ever been there (at least in the last 5 years) so I relied on the internet and yelp to plan our dinner reservations. It worked out perfectly.
Ember
The best food we had during our trip! The menu is eclectic, changes seasonally and there is an excellent cocktail and wine list. I had a full bodied cabernet called “Sorcery” and it was amazing. The second time we went, just for cocktails, we had espresso martinis and they served them with a cigarette. #Classy
It’s CANDY and no, neither one of us ate it.
The best part? Our waiter’s name was Miles (just like my son) and because we raved about the food so much he asked if we wanted to meet the chef. My husband loves shit like that so back into the kitchen we went after dinner and boy were we surprised. The head chef greeted us with a group hug, beckoning “bring it in, bring it in!” and had the demeanor and look of a 20 something surfer boy who somehow ended up in a restaurant. It was bizarre and hilarious and I think we made a friend for life. #BFFinBreck
Hearthstone
This place looked like and was decorated with old victorian flair. It was completely outdated and the staff there reminded me of the cast of Downton Abbey. They run a very tight ship and, if you don’t have a reservation, you are completely SOL. They must have told half a dozen people they were not taking any more parties the Saturday night we were there. They wouldn’t even let us stand in the bar area because it backs up into the dining room. If there was one word for this place it was “control.” If there were two, they would be “control” and “no-one-cares-because-the-food-is-pure-deliciousness.”
I own you!
I had the elk. I have never had elk but I certainly hope I can have it 100 more times in the next six months if it’s prepared the way they prepared it. Get the elk.
THE BLUE MOOSE
I love a good breakfast, especially before riding powdery snow all day, and this was a great breakfast! The Blue Moose was directly across from our hotel and they had whole wheat french toast. Winning.
Just enough fuel.
RELISH
We ate here on our last night and again, a unique menu, great service and a fantastic view! My favorite here was the scallops and the bananas foster dessert!
HOTELS AND HILLS
Every local in Breck is way too cool and young for me and all the men have longer hair than I do. Just referring to Breckenridge as “Breck” makes me feel like an impostor of sorts. The other hip lingo they all use to describe the towering, sky scraping mountain range that surrounds the village is “hills.” I basically spent my days with my mouth gaping open staring at the “hills.” When I wasn’t doing that, I was photographing them.
Yep, just a few hills.
We stayed at a Wyndam hotel property (Main Street Station) but our room was rented though a different agency since it is privately owned. Beware of this in Breck. I had no clue until we got there that this was the case. It mattered because we had to pick up (and drop off) our keys at a separate location. But, the room was amazing, had a full kitchen, fireplace, living room and large bedroom and bathroom area. The gym was fantastic (yes, this is important) and was fully equipped with showers, changing rooms, a steam room, amenities, three hot tubs and one giant heated pool.
Good luck breathing during any of that.
The hot tubs are just beyond that window behind me.
The mountain. Oh the mountain!
Breckenridge is basically 10 peaks, each reachable by a maze of lifts and gondolas. Our hotel was within walking distance to a great lodge where you could purchase lift tickets, store gear, get food, hear a great band, get a Starbucks coffee and, of course, access the mountain – – in this case, Peak 9.
Peak 9 is second from the left. The one with lots of color and no, not at the top.
If you are a better skier/snowboarder than I am you will be psyched to hear the blasting of the mountain all day long as they clear it for avalanches. There is some truly gorgeous outback skiing up there, all with lift access save for one trail you need to hike into. Good luck with that.
There is also plenty of room and wide open trails for the novice.
I snowboard somewhere in between and my views and experiences were out of this world:
My favorite trails!
I was smiling, whooping it up, and trying to take it all in as I flew down the powdery trails.
It was also the first time I had zero trouble breathing. Maybe pure joy is loaded with oxygen.
[Tweet “Thinking about a #trip to Breckenridge? Read this first, learn what not to do! @breckenridgemtn “]
Have you ever been to Colorado?
Where is your favorite place to ski/snowboard?
Have you ever had elk?
I seriously thought that was a real cigarette! I was thinking – what kind of place does that?!?! But the candy version – kind of cute. I’m ready to book my trip…do you get a commission?
I know! I thought it was real too when they served it and I was so confused!!
I wish I got commission but instead, I will just go with you 🙂
Wow! Love the pictures. Beautiful snow capped mountains! Aspen and Breckenridge are definitely on my bucket list! I prefer colder climates! Those desserts looked yummy!
Well, you will love it because it was freezing at night and I’m sure much colder during Dec and Jan. We lucked out with gorgeous weather and only one storm 🙂 Obviously I highly recommend the area!
Wow I love Colorado! Your trip sounds amazing!
It really was! I had not been to Colorado in 17 years and I had never been to Breck so it was a win/win!
These pics are so beautiful….I’d make a trip just for the views and the food/drinks even if I wasn’t going to ski or snowboard. I don’t think I’ve ever had elk. Being in LA, we always end up in Big Bear or Mammoth, but we really do need to venture out.
Big Bear and Mammoth are both great but the Colorado/Rocky Mountain experience is truly one of a kind. I would also love to go there in the summer and run and ride…after I acclimate 🙂
OOh, a kid free trip to eat your way through a fun place – so jealous! So glad you guys had a little getaway. I’m jealous of your snow boarding skills- that’s something I’ve never tried. I’m a little nervous, but I think I need to make myself do it sometime.
You would be great at it because runners already have the essential thing – balance! Of course the older I get the more fearful I become but I still have a great time out there 🙂
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE? I love your blog. Ha ha! You’re awesome. I have solid poos now, so we can share a bottle of wine any day now.
I haven’t been to Colorado but I’ve heard that a lot of PNW-ers go there. We’ve got Whistler, so I’m good with that for now. If I’m going to fly anywhere, it’s going to be far away from all these kids and it’s going to involve sun, heat, sand, and a cabana boy.
LOL – I feel the same about you 🙂 Good news about the poos, wine time here we come!
Ah Whistler!!! That is a definite bucket list for me but we will have to bring the kids and stay for 2 weeks. And yes, my husband and I were laughing because most people from the Northeast go somewhere warm in the spring…not us!!…of course now I want a week in Mexico.
I had an elk burger in Portland after my marathon and nearly cried with how delicious it was. I’ll take some of that French toast also please.
Like Angela said above, you should get commission because I’m ready to book a trip to Breck. I’ve been to almost all of the mountain states except Denver! Luckily my brother-in-law lives there so it’s a perfect excuse to visit. I’m so happy for you that you had such a great trip!
OMG I so could have wept over that meal!!
I think we need to have a runner’s retreat there – altitude training!!
Thanks so much Laura. Have a great weekend my friend!
Looks like an amazing trip. But all I could think was how was the bus ride back? Was it another 15 hour tour?
HAHA! No, I should have explained that. It was fine! We were one of the last ones picked up and we drove right to the airport. The only downside was, because the weather is so unpredictable, we left Breckenridge with tons of time and were at our gate with about two hours to spare. But, it gave us time to eat a real meal and I was able to get some work done so…
Your trip sounds amazing! We were supposed to honeymoon there but there was no snow and puddle jumper planes weren’t in service yet. (dec 3) We ended up Stowe Vermont, which had 3 feet of snow when we booked. Was 60 Degrees on wedding day, Stowe was a mud pit. That’s ok, it was our excuse to go back for Valentine’s Day, which ended up to be unforgettable. Happy belated bday!
Someday we will be able to control the weather!! Sounds like you made the most of it 🙂 Thanks Christine.
I feel ya on the flying. I’ve started paying the extra fee to book through Alaska (we’re in Seattle) for direct flights. And I also pay for the in-flight wine service. Both have helped me immensely. 🙂 I’ve spent time in Denver and Aspen but never Breckenridge. Thank you for the restaurant recs!!
In-flight wine service always helps!! And totally worth the money for direct flights and drinks 🙂
I have yet to go to Aspen but I’m sure it’s just as amazing…and more expensive!
Thanks Lauren.
Your trip is like foodie heaven!! All of those restaurants look amazing and so cool that you got to meet the surfer chef! 🙂
Love all of your pics and I can’t believe they call those beautiful mountains “hills”! 🙂
We have spent a good amount of time in CO (Aspen, Boulder, Vail, Denver), but never Breck! I am sold!!!
Oh, and I tried snowboarding and fell so many times that I literally had to be dragged out of bed the next morning. That being said, it is so much fun!! I think I need a lesson before I try it again though.
So glad you two lovebirds had a great trip!!! xx
Oh you need to go to Breck! And they have tons of stuff for the kids as well. We already decided we have to bring the boys on the next trip!
And I felt the same way when I first switched from skiing to boarding but…I was about 20 years old!
Thanks Natalie!
I actually ended up here in NM after many years of traveling out to Telluride with my former husband. It usually took us days of driving (stopping along the way) and we had a nightmare trip the one year we flew — which took us 3 days. Go figure.
Funny story…the third year out I wondered why the altitude was kicking my butt. I was dizzy, nauseous, etc. Not altitude. Same symptoms, but I was actually pregnant 😉
That is hilarious!!! And it feels eerily similar to being pregnant!! Thank God that was NOT the case with me 🙂