The MTS attendee’s guide to Breck

A mountain industry meeting of minds — approximately 1,200 of them from around the globe — descends on Breckenridge April 9–16. For the first time since the 1980s, Breckenridge Ski Resort will host the Mountain Travel Symposium (MTS), North America’s largest gathering of mountain travel professionals.

In between inspiring dialogues with nationally known speakers, business development meetings and loads of hugs, handshakes and business card swapping, make some time to experience all that Breckenridge has to offer.

5 Tips for MTS Attendees — Getting the most out of your Breck experience:

Top spots for delicious breakfasts
Start the day off right. Hit local favorites Clint’s Bakery for fresh-baked bagel or croissant breakfast sammies or Daylight Donuts for apple fritters and addictive little sausage rolls. Park & Main is perfect for gourmet sit-down or to-go and the best pancakes in town. For full-on biscuits and gravy or chicken fried steak & eggs, visit Salt Creek.

Best break-time runs
You have a 1.5-hour daily lunch break. You’re awesomely situated at Beaver Run Resort at the base of Peak 9. Hop on the Beaver Run SuperChair and ski your heart out. Rip down long, intermediate runs Cashier and Columbia, or steeper pitched American. Pop over to Peak 10 for some all-black-diamond cruisers and powdery tree stashes along The Burn and the mountain’s southside.

Must-have souvenirs
A stroll down historic Main Street is crucial to capturing the Breck vibe. You’ll find an abundance of T-shirt shops, gift boutiques, pet goodies, sweets, spices and more. Visit the Breckenridge Distillery tasting room to sample award-winning spirits and snag cool logo or bar ware. Hit a Breck Sports for gear and apparel. Read our Top 10 Shops in Breck blog for more amazing shopping ideas.

Ways to extend your vacation
It’s inevitable. The postcard scenery and local hospitality will suck you in. You’re going to want to stay one or two extra days to experience the resort’s newest high-alpine bowl terrain on Peak 6, the many Breck Spring Fever events going on, the Gold Runner Alpine Coaster (it’s a blast), the fabulous spas, delicious restaurants, sleigh rides, historic tours and much, much more.

Happy hour hotspots
Here’s where the real business meetings go down. Breck’s après scene is incredible. Cheers over Colorado brews at new-guy Après Handcrafted Libations, clink martinis at Blue River Bistro (2-for-1 during happy hour) and try the house-infused margaritas at the T-Bar. Here are 7 must-try drinks and a quick guide to 7 days of après in Breck.

“This is our chance to show what we’re all about,” says Danielle O’Grady, Breckenridge Ski Resort Group Sales Manager. “It’s about our guests and our locals and how important they are to us. And the people of MTS. We want to really wow them so they’ll be able to get that Breck feeling.”

View event details and the full schedule and check out this video showcasing a week in the life at MTS.

– Lisa Pogue