Time for a Spring Cleaning! Every June, Breckenridge invites employees and locals to come spend the day outside, while making the place we know and love look great for summer! Its not just trash thats picked up, but some interesting treasures as well! Check out what they found durring Clean-Up Day 2013

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Chef Sebastian had been looking to enhance his salad bar with healthier, fresher, and more flavorful alternatives, and  Olive Fusion’s products were just what he had been searching for.  He met with the owners of Olive Fusion and together they designed some truly innovative salads. This collaboration led to a new selection of greens paired with hand selected oils and balsamics meant to compliment the dynamic creations now offered.  One example is a crisp spinach salad with mouthwatering basil olive oil and strawberry balsamic.

Chef Sebastian and his culinary team are constantly exploring new flavors to entice the palates of Breckenridge visitors,  providing them with fresh and flavorful meals that fuel their mountain adventures.  It’s a healthy, fresh alternative with exciting new flavors. These products are Organic, Gluten Free and GMO free, providing a daily diet with the healthy benefits it needs via monounsaturated fat and low sugar. A new line of salads are coming to the Ski Hill Grill this summer, so come taste these fresh, seasonal flavors for yourself!

Check out some photos of the delectable new offerings below:

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Speaking of which—if you haven’t yet booked your Breckenridge summer lodging, now’s the time. Breckenridge’s lodging options span the spectrum—from high end to hostel-like.

So what kind of place should you book?

There’s no right answer to that. Families and foodies might appreciate condos—there’s room to spread out and a stocked kitchen at your fingertips. Revelers might appreciate an in-town location for the convenience of being able to stagger walk home from the bars at night. Sporty adventurous types will want bike storage. And many out-of-towners will be grateful for the knowledge and service of a concierge.

Confused yet? Don’t worry. There’s a place for you in Breck. Read on to find it.

1. One Ski Hill Place

Luxury defined. One Ski Hill Place, a RockResort located at the base of Peak 8, is an elegant lodge crafted in the model of the great lodges at the turn of the 20th century. Hand-hewn exterior logs give way to an elegant, spacious interior.

Accommodations range from studios to four-bedroom condos with wood floors, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and some of the best views in the valley.

One Ski Hill Place also has a bowling alley, two movie lounges and a game room, fitness facility, aquatics center, sauna, and a rejuvenation center.

Summer in Breckenridge means the Fun Park on Peak 8 is open — and right below One Ski Hill Place. This property is THE most convenient one in town to the Fun Park and has a gondola and shuttle for easy access to town.

2. Mountain Thunder Lodge

Located directly across from the BreckConnect gondola terminus in town, Mountain Thunder Lodge offers high-end lodging in a variety of suites and rooms. The on-site concierge will help plan activities and dining—that is if you feel like leaving the property.

Here’s what might keep you “home”: heated outdoor pool, pool house, deck, and hot tubs; state-of-the-art fitness facility; Barbeque grills; children’s play area (OK this one’s for the parents out there…you know who you are).

Mountain Thunder Lodge also has complimentary bike storage, parking, and curbside shuttle service.

3. Crystal Peak Lodge

Looking for luxury at the foot of the mountains, nestled in the forest? Find it at Crystal Peak Lodge, which offers one- to four-bedroom suites. Think of it as home away from home. That is, if your home has a concierge, daily housekeeping, a shuttle service, and access to the bowling alley, pools, movie lounges, and billiards table at a nearby luxury hotel (in this scenario, we’re talking about One Ski Hill Place).

Summer at Crystal Peak Lodge is serene, romantic, and one of the best places in town to get away from it all.

Rugged and refined, Crystal Peak Lodge strikes the balance in location (close to town and the mountains), comfortably accommodates groups of all sizes, and is an excellent springboard to the full suite of Breckenridge adventures.

4. The Village Hotel

This is for the traveler who wants a clean, well-appointed hotel room at a fair price. Situated in the heart of the base at Breckenridge ski resort, the Village Hotel is literally steps from historic Main Street. But just because it’s not a luxury resort doesn’t mean it’s lacking in accommodations and service. Here you’ll find rooms with flat screen TVs, a mini fridge, coffee maker (and Starbucks coffee), and high speed Internet. There are three different room types: Classic (king size bed or two double beds); Deluxe King (King Size bed and sleeper sofa); and Executive King (suite with a separate bedroom with a King and a sleep sofa). There are also indoor and outdoor pools and outdoor hot tubs to soak in that summer sun.

5. The Village at Breckenridge

Remember how much fun it was in college to live in the dorms with easy access to all things fun: the dining hall, campus, downtown, and the gym? The Village at Breckenridge is reminiscent of those days—minus the smell of stale beer in the hallway. The Village at Breckenridge is an ideal trifecta of location, variety, and value. Accommodations range from studio to four bedroom condominiums with full kitchens. Head to the Dillon Farmers Market on the weekends then try your hand at cooking Colorado cuisine.

6. DoubleTree by Hilton™ Breckenridge

Bring the pooch on vacation and stay in the newly renovated DoubleTree by Hilton. This hotel boasts enormous rooms, a terrific location—a two-block walk to Main Street and steps from trails on Peak 9. Fully equipped with a fitness center, indoor pool, outdoor hot tubs and inviting lobby, the DoubleTree also has an on-site restaurant, the 9600 Grill, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

Thinking of checking out the Fun Park or the Rodeo? Check out the vacation deals for these properties to save up to 30% off both when you stay.

– Rachel Walker

The post The best summer lodging in Breck appeared first on Blog.Breckenridge.com.

The first thing to choose is a location for your family’s basecamp.  Check out the steals found from our vacation deals, and select the setting for your clan.  Once settled, pack a daypack with water, a few layers and a map of where you’re headed.

1. Have breakfast with Dad.
   Wake up early and make him his favorite breakfast, or go out to eat in one of the local eateries like the Blue Moose, the Columbine Cafe, or Daylight Donuts.  For a tasty cup of java,  head on over to Cuppa Joe on Ridge Street.
2. Plan an adventure.
   Spend time fly fishing in the Blue River with a local outfitter.  Or, take a hike by a stream in the woods on the Burro trail.  Or, spend time with the wranglers at the Breckenridge Stables, located onf Peak 9.  Ride on trails through the forest with the views of the Continental Divide.  Stop and smell the roses and take lots of photos to document and share your journey riding the recreation path by the lake in Frisco for a slideshow to show later on that night. Take a turn at the rides at the Breck Summer Fun park. Finish the day with a round of nine holes designed by Jack Nicklaus at the Breckenridge Golf Course.
3. Be time travelers and tour a museum.
   The area surrounding Breckenridge is full of stories of miners and their quest to strike it rich. The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance offers historic walking tours visiting saloons, mines and dredges that scoured these hillsides for gold.  Take a tour and listen to stories about the colorful characters who once called Breck home.
4. Go up the mountain.  Come down the mountain.
   Rent bikes from Breck Sports and find a ride up the mountain and a killer way to enjoy coming down the mountain.  Or, simply grab the map and choose one of the singletrack trails that criss cross the valleys and take a leisurely hike with plenty of stops for photos.
5. Watch outhouses race on Main Street.
   As part of Kingdom Days, the Outhouse Race is not to be missed. Teams compete for the “Gold throne, the Silver Moon, and the Bronze Bucket.”  Witness the action by clicking here to see a video.
6. Make Dad a mug.
   Make a custom coffee mug at Ready, Paint, Fire on Main Street.  Paint it any color you want and personalize your gift.
7. Shred with Dad. 
   Visit the Town of Breckenridge Recreation Center’s outdoor skate park and ride the bowls and features.  Or, grab your longboard and cruise the recreation path.
8. Don’t forget the dog.
   Erin Opsahl, Breckenridge mommy blogger, suggests to “take all the kids, dogs included, to the dog park at Carter Park on South High Street in Breckenridge.  It’s a “place for some fun the whole family can enjoy.”

– Stacy Sanchez

The post 8 fun ways to celebrate Father’s Day in Breck appeared first on Blog.Breckenridge.com.

1. Check out the Breck Summer Fun Park 
   On an all-day Fun Park ticket you zoom down the Gold Runner Coaster, pan for gold, bounce in the bounce house, putt putt golf, take a scenic chairlift ride, speed down the Alpine Slide, climb the climbing wall, navigate the Mineshaft Maze, and bounce on the trampoline. Chances are your legs will be exhausted at the end of it all, but you’ll have a fantastic smile on your face.
2. Catch a symphony
   The National Repertory Orchestra is based in Breck and puts on some of the most incredible symphonies in Colorado. Opening night is June 15 and concerts are held a few times a week throughout the summer. Check out the calendar of events. 
3. Take a Segway Tour
   New this year at Breck, segways offer a different vantage point of our trails. Take a guided tour of Breckenridge mountain for a few hours, rest your legs, and get a thrill ride. Learn More.
4. Race an Outhouse
   Breck was left off of maps when it was first founded in 1861 — leading to the “Kingdom of Breckenridge.” Celebrate our rocky start on June 16 as we race outhouses down Ridge St. Think you have the fastest pooper? Enter now.  
5. Go Dog Sledding
   “Sledding” typically happens in the winter, right? In Breck, our sled dogs need exercising in the summer too, so we like taking them for off-road scooter rides. Take a sled dog out and make a friend for life.
6. Learn to Mountain Bike
   Mountain biking can be intimidating so starting off like you would skiing is a great call. Take a lesson from a mountain bike guide to hone your skills, try a new trail, or just learn what Breck mountain can offer you.
7. Try out geocaching
   Like scavenger hunts? Like hiking? Geocaching is the perfect combination of both. Rent a GPS or download the Geocaching app to find hiding spots and use latitude/longitude and compass to find where they’re at. The Town of Breck is even offering a Geocaching Day on July 18 to try it out.
8. Go to Camp
   Summer camp is a bit different at 9,600 feet. With more of nature to explore on Breckenridge mountain, kids can really get their imaginations going. Themes and activities for camp change daily, and multiple-day packages are available. Learn more about Breck’s Summer Day Camp.
9. See a Rodeo
   This summer, the PRCA Pro Rodeo will put on 11 shows highlighting bronc riding, mutton busting, barrel racing, and more. Cowboy up in Breck at the Rodeo. See the schedule here. 
10. Hike to Mohawk Lakes
    According to locals, this hike is one of the most beautiful in the area. A fairly steep trail will take you up to old mining cabins, an old mine, and one of the most picturesque lakes in Colorado. See 8 wildflower hikes here. 
11. Ski
    A snowy spring means we’re expecting a wet summer — and for a lot of that snow to stick around at the highest elevations. A popular spot to get some turns in is 4th of July Bowl over Peak 9 — ski it on the 4th of July and stake your claim in Colorado bad ass-ness.
12. Race Rubber Ducks
    Every Labor Day weekend, thousands of rubber ducks hit the waters of Blue River in a race to support the Summit Foundation. This year the event is on Saturday, August 31. Kids can enter their ducks and adults can learn more through the Summit Foundation. Learn more about Labor Day in Breck.
13. See the sights by 4×4
    Summer in Breckenridge is quite different than in the winter and if you haven’t seen it — you’re missing out. One of the best ways to take in the sights is by 4×4. 4×4 tours are offered daily on mountain for groups of 7 people. Learn More.
14. Roast some s’mores
    What’s summer without a little roasted marshmallow?  Head to the DoubleTree by Hilton Breckenridge every Friday and Saturday at 5:00pm for FREE s’more roasting on the deck. (Hint — put a rolo in the marshmallow and then roast it for a real treat!)
15. Mine for Gold
    Breck’s roots are in our rich mining history and you’d be remiss to not experience our town the way our founders did over 150 years ago. Pan for gold at the base of Peak 8 in the Fun Park then take a mine tour at Country Boy mine to really see it all.
16. Climb every mountain 
    Become the VonTrapp family and attempt to scale each of Breck mountain’s 4 peaks. Take the Colorado Chair up to Peak 8 for a head start and remember to bring lots of water as altitude can really effect you above 12,000 feet (Peak 10′s summit is at 13,643 ft, Peak 9: 13,198 ft, Peak 8: 12,998 ft, and Peak 7: 12,677 ft.).
17. Eat a Crepe
    One of the most popular restaurants in town isn’t actually a restaurant at all — it’s a crepe stand. Right next to the Patagonia store on Main St., Crepes A La Cart offers sweet and savory concoctions fireside for a truly unique Breck experience.
18. Find a diamond ring / clean a mountain
    It’s incredible what skiers leave behind or drop off chairlifts in the winter. Hunt for treasure underneath the chairlifts while picking up trash and see what oddities and precious metals you can find.
19. Fly fish
    Colorado trout are a bit different than anywhere else making the fly fishing in and around Breck slightly more difficult. Go talk to Breckenridge Outfitters to see what’s biting where and string up that rod for an incredible day in Colorado.
20. Have a spa day
    Thunderstorms tend to roll through the mountains almost every day for about 30 minutes in the afternoons — giving you the perfect opportunity to spend some time at the spa. Check out the Rejuvenation Center at One Ski Hill Place, A RockResort to get a massage, pedicure, or just enjoy the flavored water in reception. Check out the 7 best spa treatments here.
21. Get lost
    Meander your way through the Mineshaft Maze at the base of Peak 8 to really test your navigation skills. Kids love trying to see who can get through the fastest and parents love watching the confusion from the viewing deck above.
22. Go horseback riding
    After a rodeo, embrace your inner cowboy by saddling up to one of Breck Stables‘ many competent horses. Horseback rides are for 90 minutes or can be over dinner.
23. Attend an Art Festival
    Mountain Art Festivals throws a few fantastic events throughout the summer for every taste of art. Checkout the local craftsmans’ work at the Riverwalk Center and take a piece of Breck home with you. See the event calendar. 
24. Go on a cruiser ride
    Downtown Breckenridge is the perfect place to explore via cruiser bike or townie. Rent one from a bunch of shops in town, including Breck Sports. 
25. Enjoy happy hour
    Every local’s favorite after-work activity is happy hour where the drinks are cheap, the views are awesome, and the weather is perfect. Head to the T-Bar or Kenosha for a few of the greatest decks in town.
26. Conquer a 14′er
    Quandary Peak tops out at 14,265 feet and is one of Colorado’s 53 legendary 14′ers. Drive through town to Blue River to start this hike (and do it before 6:00am as you’ll need to be off the mountain before 1:00pm) for some major bragging rights.
27. Go white water rafting
    AVA Outfitters offer whitewater rafting on five rivers really close to Breckenridge. Whether you’re looking for an easy-going float trip, or an adrenaline pumping paddle-fest, the rivers and guides offer it all.
28. Go bowling
    Staying at One Ski Hill Place? Guests can use the Mine Shaft Bowling Alley for free. Two lanes are decorated like an old mine shaft in a way only Breckenridge can.
29. Say “Prost!” at Oktoberfest
    Breck’s Oktoberfest is one of the biggest in the state as Main St. shuts down for more than two dozen food vendors, bier carts, polka music, and other traditional German activities. Start looking for lederhosen as this year’s event will be held September 13-15.
30. Work out
    Think you can’t get enough activity outside? Head indoors to the Breckenridge Recreation Center to work out, swim, attend a class, rock climb, or run on the track. Daily admission for an adult is $15.
31. Go on a Haunted Tour
    Breck’s town is full of history. Learn about our local legends like Barney Ford and Father Dyer as well as what their spirits might be up to now on the Haunted walking tour. 
32. Shop
    There are over 200 shops and restaurants in Breckenridge and it can be a challenge to get to them all. Be sure to stop by Breck Sports, Valley Girl, Canary in a Clothes Mine, Mountain Outfitters, and more on your trip.
33. Golf
    They say your ball travels faster at altitude — why not take a swing at that theory at Breckenridge Golf Club? Take your pick up the beautiful 27-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed course and see how your game improves.
34. Go Ice Skating
    When hockey isn’t in session at the Stephen C. West Ice Arena on the south end of town, the public is welcome to come skate. Come try your Tanya Harding skills on our rink — one of the highest in the country.
35. Take a Cooking Class
    Check out the Culinary Adventure Series (Page 7) at Colorado Mountain College — you’ll learn how to cook something delicious, and get to eat it right there in class. Classes this summer include cuisines from Basque Country, Mumbai, Bordeaux, Northern Italy, Thailand, and the Yucatan Peninsula.
36. Take a dip
    Guests at Mountain Thunder Lodge can enjoy one of the best pools in Breckenridge. Feel like cooling off or just sitting poolside for an afternoon? Book your stay at this walk-to-town hotel to take a dip.
37. Stand up paddleboard on Maggie Pond
    The newest craze in high country is stand up paddleboarding. Before hitting the rivers, try your balance on Maggie Pond. Demos are held every Sunday afternoon and many shops around town rent boards if you feel like you get the hang of it.
38. Learn how bourbon is made 
    The Breckenridge Distillery is quickly becoming one of the best bourbon makers in the world. Take a tour of their Airport road location to learn their secrets. Put your name on their email list and you can help them bottle their famous bourbon on certain nights of the summer as well.
39. See the pros cycle
    America’s Tour de France lands in Colorado every summer as the U.S. Pro Cycling Challenge. This year, Breck has a start AND finish making our town the best place to base yourself for event viewing. Get here Aug. 20-21 to see the pros live.
40. Take a hot air balloon ride
    Two companies offer hot air balloon rides that get riders views into 5-7 counties in the area. Soar above the tallest peaks in Breckenridge as you really get a new perspective on Colorado.
41. Learn about Breck’s flora and fauna
    Take a guided hiking tour at Breckenridge and you’ll learn about the history of the area, local flowers and wildlife, and how different summer is from winter here.
42. Paint a plate or mug or bowl
    Feeling creative? Head over to Ready Paint Fire on Main St. to see what masterpiece you can create. Reserve your spot for a canvas party and bring your own wine (or bourbon after the bourbon tour) to embrace your inner Picasso.
43. Attend Breck’s Beer Fest
    On July 13 over microbrewers will come to Ridge St. for sampling, dancing, and admiring the views at the Breckenridge Beer Festival. Get a VIP ticket to get some delicious food, or just peruse the vendors to find your favorite brew.
44. Meet our firefighters
    Our heroes are our ski patrollers and our firefighters. Meet them and see the Red, White, and Blue Fire Museum with a tour of the building. The town of Breck formed their own fire department in 1881 and we have some of the original equipment on display. Little boys will love to pretend they’re actual firemen.
45. Play in an arcade
    Head to Downstairs at Eric’s for some pizza, Pac Man, and prizes. With a big arcade to entertain those waiting for a table or just wanting to get inside, this restaurant is a must-do in Breck.
46. Dangle your toes
    Riding a chairlift without skis on feels kind of funny — your feet are so free! Take a scenic chairlift ride on the Colorado Super Chair to hike to Contest Bowl, stop into the Vista Haus, or hike back down (that’s really the best way to see the views!)
47. Have a Bloody Mary at the T-Bar
    The T-Bar’s bloody marys are legendary. You may think you’re sipping on a salad while drinking this cocktail, but the views of Peak 8 on the patio are a great distraction from that conundrum.
48. Cycle up Hoosier Pass or Swan Mountain Road
    Want to be a super hero? Earn your descent by hoofing it up Hoosier Pass (South end of town) or Swan Mountain Road (on the way to Frisco). These roads have been the site of the U.S. Pro Cycling Challenge and are some of the most grueling in the area.
49. Kayak the Blue River
    Practice paddling on the Blue River which goes straight through town. The Breck Kayak park is 1,800 feet long and has over 15 features to test your skills on.
50. Tell us your favorite activity
    Tag your Instagram or Twitter photos with #Breck to show off your favorite Summer activities in Breckenridge. We’ll post the photos to our social picture page and highlight the best ones of the summer on Facebook and more.

What do you think of our list? Did we leave anything off? Post your favorites or any tips on how to do these best in the comments section below.

– Morgan Bast

The post 50 things to do in Breck this Summer appeared first on Blog.Breckenridge.com.

Starting Friday, the Fun Park will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. through Sept. 3, and then Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only Sept. 6 – 15, with free parking available for guests in the Gondola North parking lot. Free shuttle buses on the black route will begin service from the gondola lot starting this Friday at 9:30 a.m. The BreckConnect Gondola will also be running at this time with free service to the base of Peak 8.

Fun Park visitors can also enjoy dining during the day on the spectacular Ski Hill Grill patio conveniently located at One Ski Hill Place at the base of the Fun Park.  In addition, the T-Bar and Ski Hill Grill will be open daily through Sept 15, 2013, from 11 a.m. until the gondola closes.  Sevens restaurant, on Peak 7, will also be open daily beginning June 14^th, from 11 a.m. -10 p.m. for both lunch and dinner.

Stay and Play Lodging
With tons of activities to choose from on an all-day ticket, the Fun Park is the most fun you and your kids will have in Colorado this summer. Plus, when you book one or more all-day Fun Park tickets for you or your child, you’ll get 30% off lodging at a variety of properties in town – including the top rated Mountain Thunder Lodge. Full offer details information on all vacation packages can be found at Breckenridge.

Mountain Cleanup Day
Breckenridge Ski Resort and Vail Resorts Echo also invite the public to the annual Mountain Cleanup Day and Local Appreciation Day Thursday, June 13. Crews will start from the Peak 8 Base and head out all over the resort to help beautify our trails for the official start to summer. For more information, including a complete list of all the events taking place during this weekend’s official “Breck Kickoff to Summer” festival, please visit www.Breckenridge.com.

Because of current snow conditions, mountain biking programs and Segway Tours will open at later date and hiking programs will be limited.  Keep checking Breckenridge or call 970-453-5000 for updates on those activities.  All Breck Summer Fun Park activities are weather dependant; get the latest updates, purchase Fun Park tickets online and stay connected all summer long at facebook.com/Breckenridge and @breckenridgemtn on Twitter.

 – Kristen Petitt Stewart

The post Breck Summer Fun Park Opens Friday appeared first on Blog.Breckenridge.com.

Energy Efficiency

Ski resorts do not strike many as an energy conserving operation. Snowmaking, restaurants, lift operations, running ski shops and other day-to-day operations require large amounts of power. However, Breckenridge has worked with Xcel Energy to decrease the amount of energy it uses.

According to Ray Weller, the Environmental Manager for Breckenridge, the resort has consumed 30 percent less energy by installing almost 200 low-energy snowmaking guns. Breckenridge has also upgraded many of its lift motors, which use energy more effectively and therefore require 30 percent less electricity to run. In addition, by installing energy-efficient lights, the mountain saves the equivalent electricity consumed annually by 15 US households.

In the Freeway terrain park, permanent features were built out of dirt over the summer. As a result, less snow-making (only about 3,000,000 gallons of water’s worth) is required each year to build the park.

In other areas, the mountain has installed LED exit signs, compact fluorescent bulbs, air temperature sensors so that unnecessary heating does not occur, Clivus toilets that do not require plumbing or water (such as the one in the Chair 6 warming hut), and motion sensor lights in bathrooms.  All of these efforts decrease the energy required to run the resort.

Corporate & Environmental Stewardship

Breckenridge Resort is part of Vail Resort’s Echo program. This is the “community giving and stewardship side of our business,” Weller says. This year the program gave over six million dollars to approximately 212 different organizations that support education and the environment. 

Additionally, each resort involved has its own environmental stewardship programs.  Recently, Breckenridge focused efforts on composting food waste, a project started in 2010. Each season, Breckenridge composts approximately 60 tons of food and recycles over 65 tons of other materials (such as plastic, paper, etc.). The goal, Weller says, is for the resort to move toward “Zero Waste” in its food and beverage departments.

Education

To keep tourists, locals, and other stakeholders informed about the Rocky Mountain environment, Breckenridge promotes education.

Ski with a Ranger is a guided ski program. Skiers and snowboarders can take turns down Peak 7 and learn about the resort’s environmental efforts, Breckenridge wildlife, the destruction from the Pine Beetle, town history and gain avalanche awareness. This free service is held on Fridays throughout the season at the base of the Independence Chair.

Beyond these initiatives, Breckenridge partners with many different organizations and is involved in the environment through a variety of other projects. To learn more, visit our website.

– Jesse Ambrogi Yanson

The post Breck’s focus on the environment appeared first on Blog.Breckenridge.com.

Those stories always seem to come out. (The joke goes “How do you know a ski patroller? He’ll tell you.”)  For one Breck patroller however, even an appearance on the Discovery Channel (where Mike Rowe poured her a beer) and a “Characters Welcome” commercial aren’t enough to get her to talk. 

Tali is a border collie / English setter mix who has served as an avalanche rescue dog with Breckenridge Ski Patrol for five years.  It’s fitting that she would lead a life built around rescue, as she was rescued from an Eagle County shelter six years ago at six months old.  Hunter Mortensen, a Breck patroller, came across Tali after she was transferred from a Mesa County shelter to the no-kill shelter in Eagle County.  Hunter brought her home, and she immediately showed the intelligence and temperament required of an avalanche dog.  Together, they started the process of certification.

To become a CRAD (Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment) certified search-and-rescue dog is no small undertaking.  Once training begins, it takes about two full years of training and testing to receive certification.  Handler and canine become a team, and each must learn not only the technical aspects of search and rescue, but also to trust each other implicitly.

Part of the certification includes avalanche training on rescue techniques. As dogs have an incredible ability to identify scents, they can almost always find buried victims faster than a team of people using more traditional methods such as probes. With proper training and handling, a dog will conduct a methodical search quickly, then offer an “alert” when she finds a positive contact.  The alert depends on the individual dog; some will bark, some sit down.  Tali’s alert is to bark and begin to dig.  (Breckenridge Ski Resort has four other certified avalanche dogs – Atticus, Roux, Loki, and Rudy – and two more in training, Ayup and Orion.)

In order to keep her skills sharp, Hunter and Tali train throughout the winter season.  Volunteers allow themselves to be buried in a designated field at the ski resort, and Tali’s job is to find them.  She takes great delight in digging, because in training there is always a reward – a ball or a Frisbee to play with.  Training is a game for Tali, but always present is the idea that one day the game may mean the difference between life and death for a skier trapped in an avalanche.

In her five years of service, Tali’s skills have not been needed at the ski resort.  Thanks to an aggressive and hugely successful avalanche mitigation program administered by Breckenridge Ski Patrol, in-bounds avalanches have been nonexistent.  A few skier-triggered slides have occurred out of bounds, but no skiers have been caught in them.

Tali also serves with Summit County Search and Rescue, and has been called upon in that capacity, assisting with a recovery of a backcountry snowmobiler.  More recently, she and Hunter traveled to Rocky Mountain National Park to join a search for a missing man.

The demands of the job are hard on a dog.  The average length of service for an avalanche dog is about eight years, so Tali may well be on the back side of her career.  The physical nature of the job also typically shortens a dog’s life expectancy – working dogs sleep less and are taxed physically and mentally.  But after getting a new lease on life six years ago in Eagle County, Tali is happy to sacrifice a few extra months or years of leisure to help others get a similar reprieve.  If you stop in at a patrol hut on a day she’s working, you’ll likely find her looking out the window, watching patiently for Hunter to come back.  They’ll go outside and have a catch, and it becomes obvious that sometimes a rescue has a happier ending than anyone could predict.

To donate to the Summit County Rescue Group, an organization that helps train rescue dogs and pays for their medical care. please visit their website.

– Brad Stewart

The post Tali the Patrol dog tells all appeared first on Blog.Breckenridge.com.

Summer days are better spent at Breck! The Summer Fun Park opens for the season on June 14. Check out the activities we have available this summer! Favorites like the Gold Run Coaster, Alpine Superslide, SuperPutt Mini Golf, Mineshaft Maze, SuperBungie Trampoline, RockPile Climbing Wall, and 4×4 Tours are back! New this year: Off-Road Segway Tours! So much to do! Also, save 30% on Lodging when you buy a Fun Park Pass

The post The Summer Fun Park [video] appeared first on Blog.Breckenridge.com.

I grew up in Colorado and learned to ski at Breckenridge. My first turns were on Peak 8, and I spent formative years in both the town and on the hill. My summers were spent eating ice cream and tromping through the hiking trails on the ski hill and then terrorizing the town with my friends. As a kid, there’s nothing comparable to storming the streets of “your” town, and barging into every single T-shirt shop like you own it.

When I was a teenager, I tried my hand (unsuccessfully, it’s worth noting) at passing for a few years older than I was—not that I could pull a fast one on those seasoned bartenders at the Gold Pan Saloon. I grew up and became a better skier, swapping Breck’s blues for the T-bar and eyeing the high alpine bowls as test pieces for my new skills.

Now, I’m a mom of two young sons, living in Colorado, and I have an entirely new appreciation for Breckenridge—both the mountain and the town. Year-round, Breck is a family refuge. It’s a cliché, but it’s true: Breckenridge is a great place to raise kids.

I think that even though I don’t live there. And I’m comfortable saying that because I take my family to Breckenridge as frequently as possible. So, without further ado, here are the eight things that make Breckenridge awesome from a mom’s perspective:

1. The Mountain 

If you’re reading this, chances are you know that Breckenridge is a terrific resort made up of four peaks and 2,358 acres. With ample powder stashes, groomed corduroy, terrain parks, high-alpine bowls, and epic tree skiing, this resort keeps us entertained and challenged throughout the day. It’s also got a world-class ski school, and as soon as my sons are old enough, I’m signing them up for Breckenridge Bombers, a multi-week, progressive ski school/camp.

2. Peak 8

Does that sound vague? Well, it’s not. Ever since Peak 8 morphed into the resort’s epicenter, with the opening of One Ski Hill Place, a Rock Resort, the T-Bar, the resort’s only slopeside, full service bar, and One Ski Hill Grill, this terminal for the BreckConnect gondola is a destination in itself. It’s the perfect meeting spot if one of you is on the mountain and the other is in town with the kids; little ones love riding the gondola from town, and—at least according to my three-year-old—the hot chocolate at One Ski Hill Grill is the best.

3. The Superpipe

My husband likes to complain that he was born 25 years too early. Usually he says this when we’re watching jibbers huck their bodies unfathomable heights from Freeway’s 22-foot Superpipe. Personally I’m glad that age is going to keep his skis firmly planted on the snow. But I’m also glad my sons can watch these astounding athletes. Maybe one of my boys will be inspired to test gravity in the same way when he’s older (and maybe I’ll actually be able to summon the courage to watch). At least they can start at Trygve’s Park to get a feel for the park and pipe.

4. Condo central

We have never had a hard time finding a place to stay at a reasonable price. From the multi-bed, refrigerator-equipped rooms at Peak 9’s DoubleTree by Hilton to the budget lodging at the QuickSilver super chair, we’ve always booked through the Breck website and never been disappointed. (Maybe we’ll splurge on the four-star One Ski Hill Place when the kids are old enough to appreciate fine linens).

5. The Breckenridge Distillery

Clearly this is a treat for grown ups only. Hey—a mom can let her hair down! Especially when she’s drinking the smooth and malty whiskey and trying to fit in with the hipsters sipping their concoctions.

6. The Poor Man’s Spa

Summer or winter, the Breckenridge rec center is an affordable place to burn energy (parents know exactly what I’m talking about here) if the weather’s keeping you inside. The rec center features lap and leisure pools, sauna, steam room, and two hot tubs with five star views of the Tenmile Range (adult day pass: $15; under-18 day pass: $7.50).

7. Mountain culture

No, I’m not being ironic. Breckenridge’s Downtown Arts District includes the Breckenridge Theatre, home to the Backstage Theatre Company, the Robert Whyte house, the Quandary Antiques Cabin and Ceramic Studio, the Fuqua Livery Stable and the Tin Shop. The western anchor is the Riverwalk Performing Arts Center across the Blue River. That’s a lot of concentrated culture.

8. Summer

Even though it keeps snowing in the high country, summer is just around the corner. I promise. And with summer comes rafting, mountain biking, hiking, and climbing. Not to mention the Peak 8 Fun Park. I had a blast on alpine slides when I was a kid. Now I can’t wait to bring my three-year-old on Breck’s alpine superslide.

– Rachel Walker

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