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Colorado lamb and elk steak entrees. Empire Burger is a great
lunch — or casual dinner — spot. You can get wings, nachos, and
fried zucchini chips, and you can’t go wrong with the Western burger.
Other delicious options include breakfast at the Columbine Cafe,
pizza at Giampietro, fish tacos at Angel’s Hollow, and Vietnamese
soups at Pho Real.
No matter where you decide to eat, be sure to sidle up to the
bar at one of the town’s original drinkeries. According to local lore,
a watering hole called Long’s Saloon opened its doors (figuratively
speaking, since it probably didn’t have much in the way of actual
doors) on Main Street in 1861. It was most likely a large A-frame
structure with canvas walls and ceiling, a simple wooden bar, maybe a
few tables with chairs, and some random tree stumps on which weary
miners could relax. Eighteen years later, a permanent building was
constructed in place of the ramshackle tent. The establishment, now
called the Gold Pan, remains a fixture of downtown Breckenridge,
and was recently declared a local historic landmark.
In addition to the beverages and cool, old-timey bar, the Gold
Pan is essentially the starting point to one of Colorado’s largest —
and most visually striking — nods to yesteryear. More than 200
structures scattered around town rank on the National Register of
Historic Places. And when you first arrive, it will seem as though the
vast majority are all right on Main Street — because many of the
storefronts seem out of place without a horse or two lingering at a
hitching post.
About a block from the Gold Pan, you’ll find the Breckenridge
Welcome Center. Stop by for information about regional museums —
including Victorian homes, a sawmill, andmore—and to join one of the
guided walking tours hosted by the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance,
many of which are offered year-round and run the subject-matter
gamut from saloon excursions to paranormal investigations.
If you want to live a bit of history, consider a jaunt to the Country
Boy Mine. Through October (depending on the weather), there are
all sorts of family-friendly mining-camp activities available, including
panning for your own gold. The can’t-miss attraction is a hard hat–
required mineshaft expedition that takes you some 1,000 feet into a
mountain, where you’ll see a jackleg drill demonstration, experience
a moment of utter darkness when the lights go out (simulating con-
ditions when candles were inadvertently extinguished), and acquire
a basic understanding of the sacrifices early settlers made in their
attempts to hit the mother lode.
WHITE GOLD
Breckenridge’s modern-day mother lode isn’t found in dark mountain
tunnels or roaring rivers. It falls from the sky in the form of light, fluffy
snow. Some 300 inches or so per year. Indeed, the majority of intrepid
travelers who make their way across the plains and into the high coun-
try these days do so for the world-class skiing and snowboarding.
The season typically kicks off in mid-November, and once it’s in
full swing, the resort area becomes a winter wonderland with 187
runs spread out across 2,908 acres and five mountains (peaks 6, 7,
8, 9, and 10 from the aforementioned Tenmile Range).
Beginners — whether you’re brand new to the sport or feel as
though some more practice would be a good idea — might want
to consider enrolling in a day or two of lessons. Options include
age-specific children’s classes for 3-year-olds and up, adult tutorials,
family sessions, and women’s-only programs. After you’ve mastered
your “pizza” and “french fries” turns, head to wide-open, easy-going
green runs such as Springmeier on Peak 8 or Lower Lehman, Frontier,
and Silverthorne off of Peak 9’s Quicksilver SuperChair.
While the bottom portion of Peak 9 is about as good as it
gets for beginning skiers and snowboarders, the backside of the
mountain is a secret stash for advanced riders. Over the past few
years, the ski management team at Breckenridge has worked dil-
igently to open new and more expert terrain. The majority of this is
found in bowls and chutes above tree line on peaks 6, 7, and 8. Some
of it is hike-to only, and some is accessible after a quick ride on the
Imperial Express SuperChair, which was installed in 2005 and remains
the highest chairlift in North America.
The backside of Peak 9, however, is old territory and seems
to have been nearly forgotten by most Breckenridge visitors. But
veteran skiers and snowboarders continue to make their way up
the Mercury SuperChair and then a skier’s left to the ridgeline where
trails with ominous names, such as Inferno, Hades, and Mine Shaft,
begin. The runs are tight and steep, and are often embellished with
moguls big enough to play hide-and-seek behind. When you get to
the bottom, simply hop on the E-Chair and it will transport you right
back to the top.
And if you find yourself wanting something between the
slow-going Lower Lehman and rush-of-adrenaline Inferno, don’t
worry — about 31 percent of Breckenridge is dedicated to inter-
mediate runs. Some of the most fun are the gentle rolling slopes on
Peak 7, such as Monte Cristo and Claimjumper.
A century and a half ago, back when Breckenridge was not nearly
as hospitable as it is today, claim jumping would most likely have
landed you in some serious trouble. Fortunately, things have changed
quite a bit since then. So go ahead, have some fun on Claimjumper,
and then head to the Gold Pan for happy hour. Because this mountain
town truly has grown into a wonderful place to visit. n
INTERVAL WORLD ■ Issue 2, 2018 49
AREA RESORTS
Nestled between the Snowflake Chairlift and the
Beaver Run SuperChair, Grand Timber Lodge offers
ski-in/ski-out access, and is just a short walk
from downtown Breckenridge. Enjoy the on-site
Lodgepole Bar and Grill, Refresh Spa, video arcade,
ski equipment rentals, and courtesy shuttle.
This Breckenridge Grand Vacations resort
offers wintertime ski-in/ski-out convenience to
Breckenridge Ski Resort, and in summer, access to
hiking and biking. Amenities include a family game
room, movie theaters, an après-ski bar, and an
indoor/outdoor aquatics area.
Grand Colorado on Peak 8 is a Breckenridge
Grand Vacations resort, located just steps from
the Colorado SuperChair and Summer Fun Park.
A lobby bar, family entertainment center, movie
theaters, and an extensive indoor/outdoor aquatics
area are on-site.
Overlooking Maggie Pond, Hyatt Residence Club
Breckenridge, Main Street Station is located on
Main Street at the base of Breckenridge Ski Resort.
Surrounded by snowcapped mountains, the resort
is within walking distance to the ski lifts and the
nearby shops and restaurants.
48 INTERVAL WORLD n Issue 2, 2018
Breckenridge Tourism Office; Breckenridge Tourism Office; Liam Doran/Breckenridge Tourism Office
Take a Breckenridge Haunted Tour of the William H. Briggle home, where
the ghost of Katie Briggle, William’s wife and one of Breckenridge’s well-
known socialites, is rumored to live.
There’s no way around the fact that fall is a tricky season in Breckenridge. Temperatures can easily range from the mid-50s to well below freezing,
so it’s important to have a few ideas of what you’d like to do while visiting, and then play it according to what Mother Nature gives you. Shopping is
weatherproof, and Breckenridge is home to more than 200 stores, ranging from eclectic boutiques and fine jewelry to art galleries, mountain-themed
home furnishings, and kitschy souvenir shops. If you arrive before the snow, but still want to get outside, go for a hike. The Mohawk Lakes Trail, just
south of town, is about as scenic as it gets, with a mix of open meadows, pine forests, and picturesque high-altitude tarns.
Changing Seasons
Comprising one of the largest historic districts in Colorado, Breckenridge’s
Main Street embraces its past and present with just as many historic
structures as 21st-century storefronts.
Located in the 125-year-old Victorian-style Kaiser House, Hearthstone
Restaurant has been a Breckenridge staple since 1989, offering a selection of
naturally raised beef and game dishes, and sustainably caught seafood items.