Be a part of something bigger!
Our small-town charm comes from a community of people that make caring for each other a way of life. It is a sense of belonging that embraces giving back and getting involved, we call itPhoto: Joe Kusumoto Photography
DEEP PERSISTENT SLABS CORNICE
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GLIDE
Summer in Breckenridge has started strangely, with lots of clouds, rain, and snow. The unusually gray winter continues to creep over our afternoon skies. I just attended our annual Town Party and all that weather didn’t keep any of us away. There was music in the air and our community’s people coming together. Big hugs, lots of chatter, yummy barbeque, and some time spent in each other’s presence under an umbrella or tented area actually made the event more fun. It didn’t matter that it was raining, we all wanted to see each other. Some of us still have not seen each other since Covid made its debut, and like the weather, I see that shade of gray dissipating soon.
There is music in the mountains and we highlight some fantastic local bands and musicians that make this town their home. We have an in-depth article on the National Repertory Orchestra too. Not sure where to find them? We have a great piece on all of the locations to go see live music!
Summer is about to pop and the flowers are sure to be spectacular. Hanging baskets, gardens galore, and meadows and forests carpeted with flowers will be brilliant. We highlight some of the spectacular gardens found in, around, and behind some lovely Breckenridge Homes. Along with that, we spent some time talking with Architect Matt Stais who has made this town his home and helped craft some of the homes here in the community for others.
What’s better than the warm summer sun? Maybe a patio with a specially selected wine and a small plate to complement the complexity of the varietal. There are
many talented culinarians in our community, in this issue we discovered and interviewed two Sommeliers who enhance your experience in our restaurants and cafes.
We close out with some fun ideas for activities in and around the Town of Breckenridge. Dog Sledding in the Summer? Yes! We have that! Check out The Breckenridge Scout for that article and other ideas too for fun in and around the mountains. Lastly, check out the Calendar of Events. Breck Create has some remarkable events and concerts, there are fantastic Art Festivals, a Sunday Market, Bacon & Bourbon, Breckenridge Wine and so much more stretching into Fall and the early winter months.
Thank you so much for reading our magazine! If you are wondering about the picture above, I had a chance to meet up with some of our town’s students and talk about reading, writing, and producing magazines. Our company produces a few different titles and it was so much fun to show them how a magazine is made plus how important reading and writing is as they get older.
Oh, and one last tidbit of information. Be sure to get out early. Mornings are always best for adventures outside. Then you can rest up to dance the night away at one of our bars, music venues, or theaters. Whether you live here or are just visiting, stay in touch with our website: www.mountaintownbreckenridge.com
Cheers to Summer!
Holly Resignolo Publisher
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Trusted by locals and favored by athletes, Vail-Summit Orthopaedics &
has the most experienced fellowship-trained doctors in sports medicine and orthopaedic surgery. Our skilled and compassionate teams will get you back to doing the activities you love.
Liam is a full-time professional photographer specializing in action sports, landscape, wildlife, and travel. He shoots commercial and editorial assignments around the world but is always happy to be home in Breckenridge with his friends and family. Follow Liam’s adventures at @liam_doran_ outdoors
Lisa Blake is a freelance writer and children’s book author living in Breckenridge, specializing in food writing and ski resort and wellness content. She is happiest on her mountain bike, yoga mat, or in a raft with her husband, son, and pug. Her work has been featured in Purist, Yoga + Life, and 5280 Magazine. Find her at lisablakecreative.com.
Robyn lives at 9,600 feet elevation here in Breckenridge with her tasting team (aka husband David and teenage son Jacob). She is the chief recipe developer, photographer, writer, and burnt pan-washer for Butter and Air. Cooking is her creative outlet, and any skills she has developed come not from culinary school but from a lifetime of finding yummy-looking things in newspapers, magazines, restaurants, and the internet, and being curious enough to try making them at elevation in her home. butterandair.com`.
Born in New York, raised in Pennsylvania, but always finding his home in the mountains, John came to Breckenridge in 2019 to chase his passion for snowboarding. John is now a freelance graphic designer and our Design Director. When the snow isn’t flying John can be found rock climbing on one of the many epic crags around Summit county or skateboarding at the Breckenridge Skatepark. You can follow his design work at jdk3design.com.
Elaine is a part time professional photographer who enjoys takeing and share photos of beautiful Breckenridge, Summit County, and the world. She loves our community, the events, people and wildlife. We always see her around town and out on the trails.
Dori was born and raised in Breckenridge, where she continues to create a life treasuring the outdoors with her family. A nurse since 2005, she works in various areas of the local hospital. As a champion of health, Dori has also branched into Board Certified Nurse Coaching to support people in their inherent wellness. Dori has a lifelong passion for writing within a variety of content and enjoys being a part of the Breckenridge mountain community.
Carl Scofield lives in Breckenridge, CO where for over twenty-five years he has created a successful career as a full-time freelance photographer. His work has been published both nationally and internationally in many books and magazines including Ski, Skiing, Powder, Outside, Sunset, and many others. Balancing work and a lifestyle that allows him to enjoy his passion for living, travel, art, and adventure have been some of his greatest talents. carlscofield.com
A Colorado native, Shauna Farnell loves every self-powered means of mountain exploration. She launched her journalism career at the Summit Daily Newspaper in 2000 and after traveling the world as a media correspondent for the International Ski Federation, plus a few years in New York City and Denver, is thrilled to be back in Breckenridge full time.
A fixture in Breckenridge since 1985, Ellen along with her husband, local character, and town councilman Jeffrey Bergeron have found a way to spend almost every day on skis during the winter, which she defines as generously as possible. “I usually start skiing the minute the snow flies, about the start of October, and I’ll ski six days a week through mid-April.”
Leigh Girvin moved to Breckenridge with her family in the early 1970s when the streets were dirt and the rock piles left by dredge boat mining towered over town. As a child, she attended Breckenridge Elementary and graduated from Summit High School. Seeing dramatic changes over the decades, Leigh dedicated her adulthood to the protection of trails and open space, and later to historical preservation. Leigh’s particular interest is in Breckenridge’s modern history, from the economic decline of the early-20th Century through resurgence as a ski town.
Drafty, cold, with puddles of rain on the floor, substandard acoustics, and porta-potties around the corner, Breckenridge’s original Event Tent was sorely in need of an upgrade after a decade of service to the Breckenridge Music Institute. In 1992, the National Repertory Orchestra expressed interest in moving to town. As Breckenridge grew through the 1980s, the community identified arts and culture as top priorities for the future. What was a small town to do? The time had come to build a performing arts center.
“We had no idea whether the arts were going to make it in this community or not,” remembered then-Town Manager Gary Martinez. A deadline loomed. The NRO needed a new home by June 1993.
“We had no arts center, no plan. But we accomplished the quickest, most complex project on the shortest time frame,” he added. Martinez credited local builder Ken Colvin with constructing the structure over the winter. With a limited budget, the Town commissioned the back-of-thehouse facilities: office, rehearsal spaces, dressing rooms. The public space would be a heated, tiered floor covered with a tent, by the same company that roofed Denver International Airport.
Connecting a tent to a permanent structure proved challenging. “We used some bubble gum and paper clip solutions the first few years,” Martinez recalled.
In June 1993 the new Riverwalk Center (RWC) opened, anchoring downtown Breckenridge and providing a needed focal point for community gatherings and performances. The Breckenridge Music Institute, now Breck Creative Arts, and the National Repertory Orchestra collaborated to provide classical music most nights of the week all summer long.
Not long after opening, the RWC earned its infamous nickname. Two pronounced points supported the white fabric roof, looking like a 1950s-era brassiere. The artist Madonna was then famous, in part for her provocative fashion. The building reminded locals of Madonna and so “The Madonna Dome” it became.
Every fall the tented cover would come down to be erected again in the spring. The facility sat rarely used during the winter. And while an improvement over the Event Tent, the RWC was far from perfect. The roof still leaked, revving Harleys
could be heard through the fabric walls, and acoustics were not ideal for music other than classical. Restrooms garnered complaints -- and still do to this day -- though they were a vast upgrade from the Event Tent’s porta-potties on wheels, called Crowd Pleasers.
By 2007, it was time to replace the fabric material. Local boosters raised over $1 million to “raise the roof.” The Town of Breckenridge kicked in several million dollars more to create the permanent structure we know today.
Now thirty years in place, Dave DePeters, CEO of the NRO, noted the facility’s impact: “Breckenridge has grown up around the Riverwalk. Town looked very different when it was built. One of the coolest things is this: they built it, and the people came. And this wonderful centerpiece in town speaks to the arts and how important they are to the community, even in a place with a focus on outdoor activities. The Riverwalk adds something very special to Breckenridge that a lot of other mountain towns don’t have.”
A significant technological upgrade in 2014 allowed Breckenridge to experiment with even more creative offerings. According to Tamara Nuzzaci Park, CEO of Breck Create, the catwalk provided new sound, lighting and rigging possibilities that permitted circus arts and other high-tech performances in the facility.
With a year-round performing arts and community center, the RWC fulfilled its mission of bringing Breckenridge together. It’s hard to think of a use that the building hasn’t seen in the past thirty years, expanding far beyond music, theatre, dance, and film. Countless non-profits use the space. Families gather for graduations, weddings, and memorials. The International Snow Sculpture Championships surrounds the facility. The annual Town Party spills out onto the lawn.
The Riverwalk Center continues to serve as that community gathering place for Breckenridge residents and visitors. An exhibit celebrating 30 Years of the RWC debuts at the Town Party in June 2023 and will be on display throughout the season. The exhibit also looks forward, asking ‘What do you want for the future of the RWC?’ The Town wants to hear from you. After all, this is your performing arts center.
Tamara Nuzzaci Park’s favorite moments at the Riverwalk revolve around the “meaningful and emotional connections that people make with each other and with the music.” Here are some others’ favorite performances and memories:
Carol Craig
First Events Coordinator for the RWC
Bringing back the Town Party; Spyro Gyra on July 4th; Aspen Santa Fe Ballet; Wendy and Bob Moore performing with the Backstage Theater.
Kim Dykstra
Former Communications Director for TOB
The NRO with Genuine Jazz in July; Peter Kater & R. Carlos Nakai; Big Head Todd and the Monsters.
Laura Dziedzic
Breck Create Board member
Breckenridge Music covering the Beatles; Bela Flek.
Leigh Girvin
Local historian and writer
The Goo Goo Dolls outside on a very cold January night; joint concerts of the NRO and Breck Music; Sam Bush post-COVID.
Gary Martinez
Former Breckenridge Town Manager
The first Rock-Reggae concert, so loud it set off car alarms; Carl Topilow conducting the NRO in Scheherazade; former mayor Frank Brown crying to the Star-Spangled Banner.
Tamara Nuzzaci Park
Breck Create CEO
Trampled by Turtles; introducing the Kuffners on their anniversary to Donovan Frankenreiter.
Carl Topilow
Music Director Laureate for the NRO
NRO performing Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending with my daughter Jenny Topilow as violin soloist.
John Warner
Former mayor of Breckenridge
Breck Music and the Summit County Chorale performing Beethoven’s Ode to Joy; Leon Russell.
by Holly Battista-Resignolo
Every season, the BTO’s One Breckenridge Committee recognizes individuals and businesses for providing exceptional guest service The Breckenridge Recreation Center skateboarding staff was named 2022 business of the year by the Breckenridge Tourism Office (BTO) at their 2023 Annual Meeting. The staff was recognized for both the creation and execution of the inaugural Kingdom Skateboard Am Jam competition in August 2022, and for proving engaging youth skateboarding programs. The Recreation Center staff recognized were Jimmy Leaphart, Hartman Austin, Rob Grandy and Brady Stevens.
A VERY SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO LEIGH GIRVIN our amazing writer, local Historian and now the Breckenridge Tourism Office Volunteer of the Year Award winner for 2022. Leigh is passionate about the history of our community and gives back a remarkable amount of time and energy to Breckenridge History and more. We think very highly of this amazing woman.
Congratulations Leigh!
by Holly Battista-Resignolo
There is another great new way to access Breckenridge, Breck E-Ride. The new e-bikeshare system is a Town of Breckenridge pilot program running May 20 - October 31. This new community e-bike sharing network has been designed to help you get around as a hub-to-hub transportation system. Run errands, hit the grocery store, connect to transit, and get from point to point quickly and easily with these stealth bikes.
Here is how it works:
• Download the Breck E-Ride app onto your phone and create an account and payment profile.
• Head to one of the many Bike Hubs in the Community (there is a map within the app to locate the one nearest to you). Scan the QR Code on the handlebar to release the lock tether.
• Remove the lock tether and secure it under your seat. Adjust the seat height for optimal comfort, strap on your helmet, and ride! If it is getting dark be sure to check your front and rear lights to be sure they are illuminated.
• Please note: All riders must stay within Breckenridge Town Limits.
• Once you arrive park the bike at a Bike Hub near your destinations. A map can be found in the app. Bike sessions can only be ended at a designated hub location.
• To end your trip, use the available racks to lock up your bike. Wrap the tether around the rack and insert the end loop into the wheel lock. Once the end loop is inserted, close the lock ring using the bright orange tab on the left side.
• The app will verify that you are within a hub, and that the bike is locked. Choose to end the trip in the app and you will be prompted to take a photo of the parked bike. Please make sure the photo is taken from the rear of the bike, clearly showing the tether wrapped around the rack and inserted in the closed wheel lock.
Everything you need to know is on the bike and if you have any questions you can scroll through the app to learn more or email them at support@ breckeride.com
• Yield to Pedestrians
• Stop at All Red Lights and Stop Signs.
• Use hand signals for turning.
A Medical Teaching Lab From Rescue To Hospital Care
It’s easy to jump in with both feet to all that Summit County’s outdoor activities offer – from hiking, mountain biking, water sports, climbing and skiing.
And in the off-chance that you’re injured while summiting one of Summit’s peaks or cruising down a single track on your bike, it’s reassuring to know that top nursing and emergency medical service professionals are being educated and trained right here at a new high-tech teaching facility at the Colorado Mountain College Breckenridge campus.
The Nursing Simulation and Outdoor Skills Lab at CMC Breckenridge opens its doors for students in the fall of 2023. Seamlessly attached to CMC’s sizeable campus building, it’s an $8.5 million, 7,761 square foot addition filled with high-fidelity medical equipment, from technologically advanced “patient” mannequins that simulate breathing and bleeding to a hospital wing that replicates the real thing and even a two-story repelling wall where wilderness EMTs can practice high-angle rescues.
Colorado Mountain College is known for its 11 campuses scattered throughout the central Colorado Rockies, its innovative instruction and its bachelor’s and associate degree and certification programs offering educational opportunities in a wide range of academic programs, from business to education, fire science to health care, encompassing over 130 college credentials.
CMC Breckenridge needed this new lab. Classes for the campus’s nursing degrees and emergency medical service certifications – including EMT and wilderness EMT training – fill to capacity with waiting lists each semester. Regionally, nurses are in demand, as are EMS personnel. Breckenridge’s lab joins two other state-of-the-art labs recently built at the college’s Spring Valley campus near Glenwood Springs and Steamboat Springs campus to address the growing need for health care professionals.
Hundreds of students have already graduated from one of CMC’s health care programs and gone on to work in area hospitals, medical centers and with search and rescue organizations. With CMC’s new lab, more students can benefit from learning in a top-notch teaching facility right here in Summit County. Instruction and clinical hours close to home are that much more accessible to students on their way to successful careers in the mountains.
For more information about Colorado Mountain College, go to https://coloradomtn.edu.
Juried fine art festivals featuring artists from Colorado and across the nation in 13 categories including painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry and more! All artists will be present to discuss their original work.
Free admission and family friendly
40th Breckenridge July Art Festival
July 6, 7, 8
Village at Breckenridge & Main Street Station
5th Silverthorne Fine Arts Festival
July 14, 15, 16
Next to Silverthorne Rec Center
22nd Breckenridge August Art Festival
August 3, 4, 5
Village at Breckenridge & Main Street Station
48th Breckenridge Gathering at the Great Divide
September 2, 3, 4
Colorado Mountain College
Longest running art festival in Summit County!
3rd Palisade Art Festival
September 23 & 24
Veteran's Memorial Park
Palisade, CO
www.MountainArtFestivals.com
Meg Harper
Entrepreneurs are the life blood of every town and we have a ton of them. Here are a few Breckenridge Made products for you to enjoy
Enjoy local hand crafted granola snacks crafted by two Breckenridge High School students, Evan and Jonah. Their goal is to create the best product to share with the world and with flavors like Cherry Stachio, Birthday Cake and Peach Cobbler Granola Snacks we think their mission is accomplished. Find them at the Sunday Market located in the confines of Main Street Station or head to their website:
www.alpineoats.myshopify.com
Katie Pickens started KP Mountain Metals in 2016 and has since grown her business to become one of our town’s successful entrepreneurs. Her studio is in her home right here in Breckenridge and everything she offers is made with love and perfection. She hand picks all of her stones which include Colorado Turquoise, Bumble Bee Jasper, White Buffalo Variscite, Agate, Labradorite, and Black Onyx. All pieces are made with sterling and fine silver. She also offers customs and private ring making classes. Find her at the Breckenridge Sunday Market.
Step into the Midsommar Hat studio on Main Street in the —-where Meredith and Nicole sustainably source materials for their Handcrafted and sewn chapeaus. Pick your colors, hat charms, feathers, bands and they will bring your hat style to life. Design a custom hat with these talented millenery’s or purchase online. Stop in or call
720-381-3006 to make an appointment.
306 Main Street Breckenridge
Higgles Ice Cream began as one woman-owned business in 2011, making small-batch ice cream in a shared commercial kitchen for farmers’ markets, summer events, independent grocers, and restaurants. Today her shop can be found on the second floor of 100 n. Main Street where she crafts all of her unique flavors including a few varieties for the lactose intolerant and Vegans in the crowd. Look at the delicious flavors in the picture and you’ll get the idea! Everything is made fresh and for those traditional Ice Cream lovers, you will always find Vanilla and Chocolate in her freezer too. Grab a cone, ice cream sandwich or sundae or take home a pint or twenty…
100 N. Main Street
Breckenridge
www.higglesicecream.com
Breckenridge author Christina Holbrook took center stage winning top honors for her book, All the Flowers of the Mountain, in a celebration of literature for the Colorado Humanities Center for the Book – 2023 Colorado Book Awards in the Romance Category.
The book is fantastic and from the first chapter, we were immediately pulled into the story. The combination of romance, a mysterious secret, and the backdrop of New Hampshire in the summer will have you wishing the story would never end. Head to our local bookstores or Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
www.christinaholbrook.com
Enjoy a fun day with the whole family in a very special part of our mountains, the Country Boy Mine gold tunnels. Country Boy Mine offers an authentic experience in their historic mine. Learn how mining was done then and now and while you are at it learn how to pan for gold. There are a variety of things to do: Take an award winning 1000 foot deep tour into one of Colorado’s most famous mines. Learn all about life (and death) down a gold mine. See their most recent gold and silver ore strikes too.
Participate in one of their highly rated treasure hunts (like an outside escape room). The Treasure/ Scavenger hunts set you on a fun filled trail following clues to find a buried treasure with a metal detector. Pan for REAL gold (keep what you find) and come explore the mine’s private trails and take in their panoramic views.
You won’t want to miss meeting their burros and miniature donkeys, Goldie and Darn. Donkeys and Burros were used extensively in gold mine times. Oh! They also have a frisbee golf course! This is five-star rated fun for the whole family.
www.countryboymine.com
The Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) offers year-round adaptive outdoor programs serving individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities and other challenges, who want to enjoy outdoor experiences. Pauli Novak, BOEC Marketing Manager says, “everyone, regardless of ability should have the chance to enjoy nature, including those who use wheelchairs or require assistance while walking.” In our conversation with Pauli, she recommended the following locations to find wheelchair friendly trails while visiting Summit County this summer. Sapphire Point is a .60 mile loop trail located near the top of Swan Mountain Road. Swan Mountain Road climbs up and around Swan Mountain and connects Keystone and Breckenridge. The high point of the road is Sapphire Point, where there is a parking lot and a small overlook about 100 yards up the trail to the west. The entire loop trail is flat and easy for any ability and offers great views of Lake Dillon and the surrounding mountains.
To access the trailhead to Sapphire Point from Breckenridge, follow CO-9 to Swan Mountain Road, turn right on Swan Mountain Road 1.9 miles to Sapphire Point Overlook.
Another popular trail for those with mobility issues is Sawmill Reservoir. Once known as the Old Town Reservoir, Sawmill Reservoir is circled by a wheelchair friendly trail which is accessible via a trail head located near the public parking area. BOEC’s Wilderness Program area also exists within this scenic location. One can enjoy the sounds of nature, watch the sun sparkle on distant peaks, and hear the soft murmur of nearby Sawmill Creek. The trail is a wheelchair/stroller-friendly trail that is close to town.
To access this trailhead to Sawmill Reservoir, take Park Avenue to Four O’Clock Road. Turn Left on Kings Crown Road and follow a short distance to Snowflake Drive and turn right. Follow the road .02 miles and turn right on Westridge Road. Follow .02 miles to Snowy Ridge Drive. There is limited public parking and trail access is located at one end of the parking area leading to the Sawmill Reservoir Trail.
My favorite hometown tree is the Bristlecone Pine. So much so that if I were to die before my husband, he knows to spread my ashes under a particular Bristlecone, one I have skied and hiked by many times on the windy Continental Divide, at 11,800 feet. It’s a classic Bristlecone – thick twisted two toned branches slanted at a crazy 45 degree angle due to hundreds of years of westerly winds hammering this sturdy tree. The roots at the base are scarily exposed and if it weren’t for a few green pine needles, one might wonder if it is dead. You only find these trees, our oldest in the United States, in the worst possible environments – high elevations often on desolate west facing slopes. The oldest Colorado Bristlecone, thought to be 2500 years old, is found in our neighboring Pike National Forest. What I especially love about my old buddy is that you can comfortably sit in a groove on the lower part of the tree trunk and enjoy the view of a couple of distant fourteeners. Bristlecones always come with stellar views –widely spaced in the high alpine, there is plenty of blue sky between them, and often alpine wildflowers thrive nearby.
My least favorite is the Lodgepole Pine, the tree most prevalent above town, and where we spend much of our time recreating on our extensive trail network. They are susceptible to disease and in the late 1990’s we went through a scary period of pine beetle infestation, killing 800 million trees in Colorado, leaving our hillsides a dull brown shade, a somewhat depressing visual. Its name refers to the Native Americans’ use of the slender straight trunks for their teepees. When you enter a lodgepole pine forest it does give one a strange comforting feeling, as if you are in the middle of a regiment where every narrow straight trunk is a soldier standing at attention. With few lower branches and limited undergrowth due to poor soil, you can see a fair distance through these woods. They do have their moments of beauty. On a cold dreary winter day, when you can hear the wind howling, I love to cross country ski through this forest, where it is absolutely still, and the north facing half of the trunks are all plastered with snow, their military vibe does give one a feeling of security.
The only tree I have hugged, (and probably won’t hug again) is the Engelmann Spruce. The older ones, with their fat rusty red trunks always seem to beg for attention and so I have hugged a few in my younger days. But wrapping your arms halfway around a scratchy stiff loose bark tree with awkward footing and no intimate connection, is just not that satisfying despite my desire to let this tree know how much I love them. Engelmann Spruces, I’ve decided, prefer conversation. So we talk. I usually give them words of encouragement for living this long through climate change and development and I do think they listen. Before you think ‘she’s wacko’ I ask you to watch Patagonia’s incredible short flick called “Treeline/The Secret Life of Trees” which mentions how trees communicate underground through a fungal highway,
almost like a bunch of telephone lines. The Smithsonian also published an interesting article, “Do Trees Talk to Each Other? And yes they do, often to warn their neighbors when danger is approaching, like drought or disease. Whenever you come across a cluster of Engelmann Spruces, you will most likely also see its partner, the Subalpine Fir, not nearly as majestic with its skinnier smooth gray trunks, but still a good sign of a healthy forest, since ‘spruce and fir’ is the forest most cherished by ecologists and also what my husband and I have fought hard to protect over the years from development - ski area expansions in particular. Spruce and fir is where wildlife thrives. It provides food and shelter for lots of species – elk, moose, deer, porcupine, pine martens, but in particular it is home for snowshoe hares, which is also the main food source for the reintroduced Canadian Lynx. Colorado has had a successful reintroduction of Lynx, and Summit County is lucky to have a small thriving population despite development.
The last local tree I want to give attention to is probably what most people think of when you think of Colorado and trees – the Quaking Aspen. Summit County, especially the southern end, doesn’t have too many, but there are enough to keep one happy, especially in the fall. Quintessential Aspen photos often show a hillside of peaking fall colors - yellow to orange and even some red – with snowcapped peaks behind, but my favorite way to experience (and photograph) Aspens is to head inside a peaking grove, riding my bike on a narrow trail through a canopy of yellow. They also show off their beauty in late May when the first leaves appear in a lighter shade of green which along with a 360 view of white tall trunks all seem to illuminate the trail. And of course I have had a few magical moments skiing through Aspens, especially after a snowfall when a few inches of snow cling to the white branches. For the last thirty fall seasons, the hubby and I spend a couple weeks traveling through Colorado, riding our favorite aspen trails in peak color, and it is somewhat addicting. Wildlife also love Aspens – Moose are famous for wandering through our neighborhoods eating the twigs and foliage. Beaver, rabbits and elk eat the bark, grouse and quail feed on the winter buds. We don’t have many species of trees in Summit County, but there are enough to keep a tree lover like myself, content. The dramatic Bristlecones, the calming Lodgepoles, the healthy spruce and fir and the gorgeous Aspens are just enough. Thank you trees for all that you bring into my life here in the high country, and my apologies for no more hugs.
Bristlecone Pine Quaking Aspen Engelmann Spruce Lodgepole Pine Subalpine FirThank you trees for all that you bring into my life
“The submission came back and basically said, ‘Dear Mr. Doran … learn how to take good photos or you’ll never hear from us again.’ So, I did,” Doran says.
Growing up in Parker, Colo., Doran learned the basics from his father, an amateur photographer. Even when the family moved to Connecticut, there were always copies of National Geographic and Ski Magazine on the coffee table. After a stint in North Carolina, Doran’s passion for the outdoors brought him back to Colorado in 1997, when he settled in Breckenridge.
His early years here were spent working in a ski shop in winter and painting houses in summer. He got outside as much as possible, exploring the wilderness and the high alpine on foot, skis and bike. He always brought a pocket camera.
“At that time, photography was a hobby with the idea of trying to make it a profession,” he says. “The only way to learn was to try and fail … a lot. I was not a naturally gifted photographer. It took me a while to pick it up.”
After that initial submission and rejection from Powder Magazine in 2002, Doran advanced his photography skills while also navigating the industry shift to digital. He started submitting to Powder again. The publication, along with many others, began running his photos. By 2007, photography was his full-time job. In 2014, he stepped on stage to receive an award for a Powder Magazine cover photo featuring a skier ripping down a slope ensconced in a cloud of powder with ethereal snow crystals glistening in the foreground.
“That same editor that sent that rejection letter hands me a letter about winning a photography award,” Doran recalls.
These days, Doran travels the world photographing wildlife, action sports and stunning landscapes. He is an ambassador and public speaker for Sigma Corporation and shoots commercially for numerous international companies. You’ll find his work in Mountain Town Breckenridge as well as in National Geographic Adventures, Ski and Backcountry, among many other publications.
In his 15-plus years as an entrepreneur, Doran has managed to continue doing only “stuff I want to do.”
He lives with his wife and two children (ages 10 and 12) in Breckenridge and occasionally meets with young local photographers seeking his wisdom.
“Almost all of them assume that once you’ve done everything to establish yourself, the phone rings off the hook. I say, once you stop hustling, the business is over. The hustle never ends.”
Rather than naming a rate, he advises asking each client for a project budget. He emphasizes the need for responsible financial management when riding the inevitable waves of feast or famine that come with freelancing.
Beyond the magical landscapes he’s explored and photographed – the peaks of northern Norway and Switzerland among his most memorable – Doran’s proudest achievement is his longevity in the industry.
“The most rewarding thing is to do this so long when the business bounces a lot of people,” he says. “To be able to have lasted this long puts me in a solid group of well-known photographers. It feels good.”
When Liam Doran submitted his first photograph for publication, he received a scathing rejection letter.
Living the dream means keeping up with the hustle for local photographer
The Ridge Street salon’s welcoming plush emerald bench; cozy waiting area nook stocked with tea, bubbly waters and snacks; and thriving greenery feel familiar and intentional. Settling into one of five deep oversized swivel chairs (with arm rests for comfort!) under reclaimed beetle-kill pine ceilings surrounded by soothing salt lamps feels like sinking into a friend’s living room.
That’s the vibe Chopping Block Salon owner and stylist Melanie Dunn was going for. The Breckenridge business’ third owner, behind Irelande King-Barbu (2015-2017) and Denise Queen (1991-2015), Melanie purchased the salon in January 2018 with a dream of creating a team that is punctual, communicative and brings positive energy to the revered salon.
A Virginia native, Melanie moved to Breckenridge from the East Coast in 2015, working at Blue Sage Salon before becoming salon manager at the Chopping Block under previous owner Irelande King in 2016.
“When I arrived to three feet of snow on December 1, 2015, and I walked into this glittering snow globe with hundreds of happily bundled up people speaking different languages, browsing independently owned boutiques, it reminded me of everything I love about being downtown in a city,” she says. “I knew this was not a boring, quiet little town. I knew I would love it here.”
Chopping Block stylists get to know clients and their hair care routines and lifestyles, they ask questions and educate clients on things like curl patterns, a hairline’s natural tendencies and how to understand and care for their hair. Stylists serve an average of 37 clients each week and see around 167 wedding services per year.
The Chopping Block’s Most Popular Services
• Blonde color and hair extensions with Monique
• Dimensional brunettes with Melanie
• Pastel pink blonde highlights with Emily
• Partial rooty, ashy bright highlights with Maddie
• Long haircuts with Alex
• Red color and shag haircuts with Whitney
“You deserve to feel confident and happy with your hair,” Melanie says. “You do not need to be shamed for asking the wrong question or having the wrong habits. Stylists are here to support and encourage you on your own personal hair journey.”
To stay on top of ever-evolving hair trends, the Chopping Block team taps into online education resources like “Behind The Chair University” for cut and styling trends, and “Wella Ed” for hair color technique and formulations. Stylists seek out in-person and in-salon training that includes travel to Wella Studios Toronto and New York for cut, color and style classroom demonstration and hands-on training with live models.
What’s trending in 2023?
Layered messy bangs with shaggy face framing — great for stylish ponytails, Melanie adds — the “hot guy mullet” and “butterfly shag” are on-trend, along with lots of layers and short pieces around the face and ears. Color trends are leaning toward subtle fantasy colors like lavender, pale pink, rose gold, rose brown, and pastel silver-blue. “These colors are almost natural, so your boss might not notice, but you still feel like a festival-going rebel,” Melanie says.
Chopping Block expert stylists and apprentices want to cultivate an inviting, judgment-free space for clients, offering easy-to-style cuts and reliable service while constantly growing as individuals. The accolades continue to pour in as the Chopping Block team stays focused on getting to the heart of what their clients want and teaching them how to care for and style their hair in between salon visits. When Melanie isn’t caring for her own clients, she’s nourishing her team and mentoring stylists.
“The best compliment I’ve received this year has been ‘I love your business model,’” Melanie says. “I felt validated because I have stepped into mentorship more this year, and having a business model where clients see value and stylists feel supported is exactly my goal.”
118 S. Ridge St. #1, Breckenridge 970-453-2660, bcbsalon.com
Outdoorsy doesn’t mean lacking in style at The Chopping Block in Breckenridge.
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and The Best Venues to See Them
It’s Sunday evening and The Pine Beatles are packed into the small living room of their bass player’s downtown cabin. They face each other in a tight circle, guitars romping through a rhythm, banjo twanging, stand-up bass thumping, harmonica squealing and fiddle infusing poignant refrain amid a range of voices meeting every few verses in collective harmony. Careful in their close quarters to avoid jabbing each other in the neck with their instruments, band members bob their heads and tap their toes.
Circle back 18 years and most of this crew would have been sitting in this same space in utter silence, practicing transcendental meditation.
The founding members of The Pine Beatles – local physician Dr. Craig Perrinjaquet (aka Doc PJ) on stand-up bass, clinical psychologist Dr. Mark Gidney on banjo, former Breckenridge ski patroller Matt Krane and Breck native/real estate broker Ben Brewer on guitars – initially came together this way, meeting
for weekly meditation sessions in Doc PJ’s living room. They began bringing instruments and adding a musical element to the meetups. The jam sessions, like The Pine Beatles’ ever-growing song list and the uncanny synchronicity among the musicians, transpired organically.
“It’s really a flow state where you just connect with people,” Doc PJ says. “You’re coordinated to the point that all of these organic changes happen collectively. The volume goes up, the speed changes. It’s individual, but more than just yourself. It’s some subliminal connection that brings on a special energy. It always strikes me every time we play, like, how did that happen?”
The ensemble played its first gig in 2007 and after harmonica player and vocalist Moose (Daniel Bednarski) joined the band a year later, The Pine Beatles began etching a special place in Summit County’s music scene. They have been perennial performers at Breckenridge’s Oktoberfest, have played many times on the big stage at the base of the ski area at Breck and
Keystone and at music festivals around the county. You’re bound to catch them at one time or another this summer on Breck’s air stage and in pop-up performances around town.
Their repertoire spans from a handful of originals to a broad gamut of genres, covering around 150 tunes. At any given performance, you might hear a speedy rendition of “Big River,” by Johnny Cash, a twangy “Blackbird” by The Beatles, “Dream Like Mine,” by Bruce Cockburn or “Sing to the Mountain,” by Elephant Revival, the latter performed with a sprinkle of coyote pack howling.
“We’ll always bring a new song into the mix,” Krane says. “Being ready to explore is part of what makes it fun.”
All songs are delivered with one-ofa-kind Pine Beatles’ flavor, which many would describe as bluegrass-y. However, band members are reluctant to plug their sound into a pigeonhole.
“I’m trained in more of a traditional bluegrass sound, so this has been an adjustment for me,” Gidney says. “I guess you could call it ‘Breckgrass.’”
The common thread of all the tunes is that they are uplifting.
Reminiscing about a snowy spring gig during which The Pine Beatles played through an extra long set, wiping snow off of their instruments and blowing onto their cold red hands, PJ says,
“We like each other enough that it’s always fun, even when we freeze our fingertips off in a full-on blizzard.”
The joy that circulates among the bandmembers every time they’re in that so-called flow state is palpable and contagious to their audiences, whether the audience is a friend or two sitting in on a Sunday evening living room jam session, 50 or so locals at a summer gig on the library deck or hundreds who stop by their stage at Oktoberfest or at a weekend bluegrass festival.
“There are some magical moments when things come together,” Krane says. “You always want to perform for your audience, but also for your fellow bandmates in a way that moves you.”
A skilled violinist/fiddler who graduated college in 2021 with a degree in Musical Performance and Audio Engineering, 25-year-old Kira Benson is at least four decades younger than everyone else in the band. They joined The Pine Beatles last summer.
“Every old man band needs one token, blue-haired, Gen Z lesbian,” they joke. “Graduating during Covid, into a world that wasn’t that friendly toward live music, for me, this has been a wonderfully healing experience.”
The positive energy generated among bandmembers is what brings The Pine Beatles together every week. After more than 16 years, the band’s tightness as musicians and as friends only continues to grow.
“I do this for the camaraderie first,” Brewer says. “We’re not going to win a Grammy anytime soon. Therefore, it’s about being together and creating something unique.”
“It’s really a flow state where you just connect with people”
It was several years ago at the Breckenridge Distillery up on a stage tucked into the distillery’s barrel room. It was the perfect location to enjoy their vibrant and energetic blending of Violin, Guitar, Mandolin, Bass and their harmony of sweet songs and synergisitc vocals. I knew there was something special.
Blue River Grass was founded in Summit County, Colorado. Its members are Maureen Bozsan (Violinist/ Multi-instrumentalist), Benjie West (Mandolin/ Guitarist/Vocals), Brett Lomoro (Bassist). The group was formed after many bluegrass picks in a backyard located near the Blue River in Silverthorne, Colorado. Each musician came from different musical backgrounds and projects, creating a sound that’s perpetual and ever changing.
Maureen Bozsan (Violin) is a work of art, her and Brett have played together for years before BRG was formed. Maureen’s educational background is in Violin and her talent extends further to piano as well as other instruments. She is a force of nature on and off stage - while she plays with BRG she also teaches music full time in Denver. Her energetic, melodic style is unmatched and would be impossible to replicate - Once you have seen her once, she will have you entranced in musical bliss. Maureen is one of the most driven musicians in the Colorado music scene and her willingness to continue to push musical boundaries is an art form that can simply not be put into words.
Benjie West (Mandolin/Guitarist/Vocals) is the brilliant mastermind behind this musical project. He has been wowing crowds for over 2 decades with his pure magic on stage. With a background in progressive psychedelic rock, he is able to carry song into a musical abyss and bring it back with elegance and passion. Benjie’s ability to share his heart and soul through his mandolin/guitar playing and singing is captivating to those watching and incredibly inspiring to those he plays music with.
Brett Lomoro (Bassist/Vocals) is human metronome, sound tech guru, and gear enthusiast. There is no song that he could play that he didn’t have an answer for. His wittiness on a microphone is something to behold, and his ability to keep a crowd engaged is on another level. If you haven’t seen the tricks he has up his sleeve then you are in for a real treat. Brett’s played bass since he could hold one in his hands, and you can tell - “Everybody knows he’s the man on the lows”.
The synchronization of the violin, mandolin, guitar, and bass delivers an innovative show full of energy, creating a sound and feeling that encapsulates music goers from any and every genre.
The beauty of the group is there desire to see each other grow musically, financially and creatively and crafting a space together that they are proud to call family.
I remember the first time I experienced Blue River Grass.
Blue River Grass is a mind blasting, energetic, “jazz blues grass” band that can do it all. Our shows are intimate, emotional, and absolutely rocking. This is just the beginning as we continuously learn and grow, getting better everyday on our instruments and in life. Our music is derived from who we are, where we have been, and where we hope to be going. We hope you will join us on this ride.
-Benjie West (Mandolin/Guitar/Vocals)“Why?” he asked when Mtn Town Breckenridge Magazine requested a profile. Well, this issue focuses on music, we explained. You’re one of our best-known musicians. You’ve been the mayor of open mic nights for years. You’ve performed with famous people. And frankly, you’re a local character. We want people to know about you. He agreed. Reluctantly. Meet Acoustic Moose.
The best way to get to know Moose is through his music. Enjoy happy hour at South Ridge Seafood and listen to Moose play guitar and harmonica while singing covers and original tunes. A burly guy with a grizzled beard, Moose proves that appearances deceive, as his sweet baritone voice, thoughtful lyrics and gentle manner evoke a troubadour of the modern era. “Singer-songwriter is the title I like,” he confessed.
“I love writing. I think musicians are the ones who are going to help right the world, to add to the culture of healing, sustainability, getting along with each other. I think of that a lot in my songs. Even in the darker songs I try to have some light in there,” Moose explained.
“Moose has a really positive upbeat nature. You never see him waste time on negativity,” shared Carl Scofield, local artist, percussionist and friend.
“He’s upbeat and fun to play music with,” added Ben Brewer, former Breckenridge town council member and current bandmate with Moose in The Pine Beatles. “Moose is a kind-hearted character that only Breckenridge could produce. Breckenridge reinforces his unique qualities. He’s community-minded, kind, he values things like music, camaraderie, having fun with friends.”
Scofield continued: “When we think about community, who stands up? Moose. He’s an example of what’s great about Breckenridge. He doesn’t care about money, he doesn’t care about getting ahead, that’s not his goal. His goal has been living the life. He came as a ski bum. He’s seen all the changes. And he still loves this place. He doesn’t get down or negative about it. He accomplished the life and stuck with it better than just about anybody I know.”
Moose has followed that path of “living the life” in Breckenridge for 38 years now. He arrived in 1985 fresh from teaching skiing at Hidden Valley in Estes Park. As a typical ski bum, he skied during the day and waited tables at night.
Drawn to open mic nights, Moose worked to improve his harmonica skills, playing during idle moments like on a chairlift, mimicking heroes Muddy Waters and Howling Wolf. His first group, Buckwheat Groats, soon appeared weekly as the house band at Shamus O’Toole’s Roadhouse Saloon. Within months, they were filling the bar on a Sunday night.
But that band went the way of many in the mountains, splitting up to pursue other paths. Moose spent the next few years roaming area venues, asking to sit in
with anyone who’d take him. Breckenridge had a shimmeringly vibrant local music scene in those days.
“On any given night, even mid-week during the winter, you could see Bela Flek at JohSha’s, Shakedown Street at Shamus’, early String Cheese at Sherpa & Yeti’s, Leftover Salmon at The Mogul. It was incredible the live music we had here,” he recalled.
“I got to play with Chris Daniels & the Kings, Tiny Barge & the Big Chill, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Leftover,” he continued. His second band, Soul Biscuits, opened for Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, and Foghat at JohShas. “The loudest show ever,” he laughed.
For almost two decades, Moose officiated open mic nights in Breckenridge. “The level of local musicianship here
keeps going up. The mountains are like a cauldron of musicians, people move around, different groups get together, and great music comes out of it.”
His third band, Raised on Rhubarb, formed in the early 1990s, provided Moose’s second stint in a house band at O’Toole’s. He added accordion to his repertoire, and “singing as much as they would let me.”
Today Moose’s harmonica playing takes The Pine Beatles “to another level,” according to bandmate Brewer. “He’s good at orchestrating our vocal harmonies,” noted Pine Beatles rhythm guitarist, ski patroller and photographer Matt Krane. “When you stack them properly, they utilize everybody’s different ranges and it becomes another instrument entirely. He’s a joy to play with,” Krane added.
Wrapping up our interview, we asked Moose for more background. He was raised in upstate New York. He got his nickname as a kid when his dad, a hunter, would bring home the harvest and his mother would cook moose stroganoff and moose meatballs for the neighborhood. His real name is Daniel Bednarski. When he’s not playing music, Moose manages his landscaping business and tries to tire out his border collie Charley. “Boring,” he concluded.
We disagree, which is why we profiled Moose. Anyone who can figure out how to lead a successful yet modest life in Breckenridge, gives back to the community, intertwines into the fabric that makes this a special place to live and visit, enhances our cultural scene, and makes us laugh: that person is not boring.
As buddy Krane said, “Moose
is Breckenridge.”
He came as a ski bum. He’s seen all
That person is not boring
30 Years in Breckenridege
By Leigh Girvin
Maestro Carl Topilow’s history with the National Repertory Orchestra goes back more than 40 years.
He remembers when the NRO needed a lifeline, “Without the creation of the Riverwalk Center and the invitation from the Town of Breckenridge to move our operations, the orchestra may have ceased to exist.” Now, thirty years later, the NRO has become an integral part of Breckenridge, providing musical and artistic pride in a community of athletes and adventurers.
The genesis of the NRO began in 1960. Its mission then and now was to inform and educate young musicians to prepare them for professional careers in classical music. Starting in Estes Park, the orchestra bounced around Colorado mountain towns for its first several decades. Today, NRO-trained musicians appear in every major orchestra in the United States.
Being settled in Breckenridge for thirty years means “we have roots,” explained CEO Dave DePeters. “The NRO has become members of and part of the fabric of the community. We work with other non-profits, teachers and the school districts, arts groups. And we give back to the community. In addition to the paid concerts at the Riverwalk Center, the NRO gives many free performances throughout Summit County. Rehearsals are open to the public. And we offer scholarships for local kids to learn under private instruction.”
Education remains the primary focus of the NRO. Not just to expand the musicians’ repertoire so they can seamlessly move into their careers, but to “create the Citizen Musician of the 21st Century,” according to DePeters. “The education they receive asks ‘What are you prepared to do for your community when you leave the NRO?’”
NRO Alumnus David Dzubay offers an example. Now a teacher and composer, Dzubay created the original Fanfare for the Opening of the Riverwalk in 1993. This
year, the orchestra will perform the world premiere of Dzubay’s Ridgeline, encapsulating Breckenridge’s Peaks 6 through 10 in musical form. The Opening Night concert on June 24 also includes Higgins, Strauss and Bartok, conducted by Musical Director Michael Stern.
This season’s theme is The Immigrant Experience. The orchestra features a second world premier inspired by NRO patron Dr. Kai Yiu Yeung’s life coming from Hong Kong to the United States. While not biographical, composers Chen
Yi and Zhou Long offer their personal perspective, bringing “deep cultural roots of a thousand years…grown on the American soil,” according to their notes for the program on July 19.
The orchestra also welcomes special performances on July 22 and 23 by Midori, one of the world’s outstanding violinists, known for her graceful precision as well as humanitarian efforts.
What an honor for Breckenridge to host such talented young artists from every corner of the country and the globe here to learn their craft and carry it out into the world. Every resident and visitor to Breckenridge deserves to treat themselves to an NRO concert. All are welcome. As Carl Topilow said, “it’s something very special indeed.”
In Breck, we’re blessed with gorgeous state-of-the-art venues like the Riverwalk Center and innovative takes on live music with the roving Breck Music AirStage (a 1975 Airstream travel trailer boasting a 14 x 9-foot stage). But, if you look a little closer and dig a little deeper, you’ll stumble upon some incredible acoustic offerings and welcoming tucked-away backyard performers. Here’s where to find local tunes and lively crowds around Breckenridge this summer.
The hidden back patio beer garden at retail-tavern hybrid Rocky Mountain Underground is a local favorite for happy hour cocktails and al fresco indie performances. Play corn hole, nosh on extra-cheesy grilled sandwiches and dance on the AstroTurf — and shop for the latest mountain bike and ski gear in between jams.
Hit the original taproom north of town off of Airport Road for acoustic Sundays. Solo acts to full bands, mountain bluegrass to Psychedelic rock, local artists showcase their sounds from 6 to 8 pm every Sunday. Pair it with one of the brewery’s sours or IPAs and you’ve got mid-summer’s eve perfection.
This cozy Main Street hangout brings together barn wood walls and beetle kill wood ceilings with two fireplaces and a heated back patio. Catch live music alongside some stellar late-night drink specials.
Ultra-chill Napper’s is the spot for pool, pub food, stiff cocktails and high-energy local acts. Don’t miss the 6 Million Dollar Band for a rockin’ 80s party upstairs.
When you just want to catch up with friends and sip really good wine, seek out the slightly secret wine bar above Breckenridge Cheese and Chocolate. Follow the brick path down charming Ridge Street Alley and head upstairs for easygoing musical stylings and a friendly atmosphere.
Come to momma’s for happy hour music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5 to 8 pm and take in locally loved talent that includes Stoney, El Paso Lasso, Moose and Affordable Housing. Munch on southern fried okra, Wisconsin cheese curds and gravy-doused poutine while you’re there.
The Bistro combines regional blues and jazz acts with one of the best happy hours in town. Catch live tunes Sunday through Thursday 5 to 10 pm and late-night happy hour with two-for-one martinis and gourmet appetizers starting at 9 pm.
July 14–16, 2023
Notching 25 years of live music, artwork, good food and community, the free Festival in the Clouds is presented by the Alma Foundation and takes place at Alma Town Park each July. Acts kick off the weekend celebration on Friday night and roll through Sunday evening, presenting Colorado (and beyond) pop, rock, jam, bluegrass, folk, funk and more. There’s even a Rolling Stones tribute band and a drum circle. Catch a yoga class, shop for tie-dye skirts and hula-hoop in the grass to your heart’s content. See the full lineup and learn more about camping, food and art vendors at festivalintheclouds.com
The longest running art gallery in town, Breckenridge Gallery has served as the springboard for several now-famous artists. Classy, colorful and diverse in its range of exhibits, the gallery also emanates a vibe uncommon in the world of prestigious fine art.
“We’re trying to help everyone have a good time in Breckenridge,” says gallery co-owner Tina Rossi. “I love it when young people stop by. They sometimes stop at the door and are like, do we have to pay to come in? I’m like, no! Look around for as long as you want. Let me know if you have any questions.”
Rossi, who first visited the gallery as a child with her art-collecting mother, worked for original owners Gary and Janet Freese for seven years. The Freeses launched Breckenridge Gallery in 1969 and successfully ran it for nearly half a century. Looking to retire in 2017, they wanted to leave the gallery in good hands. Rossi and her partner, photographer and long-time Breckenridge ski patroller Alex Kendall, stepped forward.
“Our goal buying the gallery was to hang on to what they built but to mix in a contemporary feel,” Kendall says. “Tina and I try to rehang the work every month. Not only does this keep things fresh for us, but it delivers a new perspective on each piece.”
Located in the middle of Main Street on two renovated floors featuring vaulted ceilings, plenty of space and natural light, the gallery displays work (ranging in price from $96 to $35,000) from 38 artists.
Rossi and Kendall discovered several, including Breckenridge sculptor Levi Larkin, whose work includes life-sized torsos made from welded steel bolts and Judith Kohin, whose abstracted mixed media pieces beg to be touched.
Gordon Brown, who the Freeses discovered decades ago, is now a renowned oil landscape artist, his oil paintings found all over the world, as well as in a permanent collection at Denver Art Museum.
Chris Veeneman grew up in Breckenridge and also first displayed his work at Breckenridge Gallery, which continues to be the only gallery in North America to carry his work. He now resides and also exhibits his work in Paris. He continues to send new abstract oil paintings to Breck every season, most of which is snapped up quickly by enthusiastic collectors.
“That’s the best part of this job, meeting new people and finding homes for our artists’ pieces,” Rossi says.
“The best part for me is to see what they send us,” Kendall adds. “It’s like Christmas when a new body of work comes in and you get to open it.”
Perhaps the best part for anyone who sets foot in Breckenridge Gallery, whether browsing or buying, is the bright, welcoming, and joyful ambiance of the place.
“We have some fun in this gallery,” Rossi says. “We want everyone who comes in to relax and enjoy looking around.”
124 S. Main Street, Breckenridge www.breckenridgegallery.com
By Pepper Hamilton
Returning to Breckenridge for the 43rd year, the Breckenridge Film Festival is set for another long weekend of world-class film premieres, memorable guests, exciting parties, and transformative special events. From September 21-24, Breck Film Fest brings the essence of Hollywood back to the high country, in one of the most beautiful and historic towns in America.
Over their 40+ year history, the Breck Film Festival has brought high-level screenings and premieres such as The Shawshank Redemption, Kung Fu Panda, Best in Show, CODA, and more. It’s easy to see why filmmakers and audiences alike celebrate this festival year after year! As one the longest running festivals in the country, the festival has hosted such celebrities as James Earl Jones, Donald Sutherland, Peter Fonda, Danny DeVito, AnnaSophia Robb and, most recently, Michael Shannon. The festival eventually evolved into Breck Film, a 501c3 non-profit arts organization that now hosts a Film Society, the art-house Eclipse Theater, and film programming all year long. Through everything, the festival remains Breck Film’s crowning jewel and will undoubtedly sparkle for years to come.
Over the course of four days, the festival showcases over 80 films across three venues, including four high-level feature films at Breckenridge’s Riverwalk Center. These films often include Q & As with directors, producers, actors, and more. This wide array of films includes something for everyone - the categories range from exhilarating Adventure films to heart-warming Human Spirit films, and more classic categories like Comedy, Drama, and Documentary. Beyond the world class film screenings, the festival hosts a number of VIP parties for audiences to mingle with filmmakers and other guests, panels focused on current topics in the film industry, and other special programming.
For months prior to the festival, the Breck Film team of volunteer reviewers watch hundreds of film submissions to find the best of the best from all over the world. The final program mixes together world premieres of both shorts and feature films and work from first-time filmmakers and seasoned directors alike. However, the Breck Film Festival is not only a place for elevating the film industry. Every year, the Breck Film Festival hosts an
assortment of children and youth programs to help create a new generation of filmmakers and cinephiles. Partnered with Keystone Science School and their Girls in Stem program, young aspiring female filmmakers get to create short films, screen them in front of a wide audience, and even walk the red carpet. Additionally, the Breck Film Fest’s High School Competition is one of the most unique aspects of the festival - it’s rare for high school film artists to get a chance to show their films in such an impressive arena and it continues to grow and improve each year. There is even a Children’s Program for the little ones to enjoy their own curated selection of shorts - a free program with a craft included! Breck Film is truly a festival for the whole family.
Not only is the Breck Film Festival a dream for any audience member, the festival is a favorite for the independent film community. On FilmFreeway, the world’s foremost festival submission site, the Breck Film Festival is repeatedly ranked as one of the 100 best festivals in the world. This ranking comes straight from filmmaker feedback and it’s why the Breck Film Fest is known as a “filmmakers’ festival”. Additionally, the festival has previously been ranked as one of the top 20 film festivals in the country by USA Today. Eric Bilitich, director of Locating Silver Lake which screened in 2018, noted,
Breckenridge has a fantastic reputation as an independent film festival and for fostering independent talent. And I mean - c’mon - who wouldn’t want to go to Colorado in September!?
Who wouldn’t want to indeed! We can’t wait to welcome you back to Breckenridge on September 21st. Whether you come for the films, the Breckenridge community, or the fall foliage, there is a place for you to have a life-changing experience at the Breck Film Festival.
To learn more about the festival, including volunteer opportunities, visit breckfilm.org. Be sure to sign up for Breck Film’s newsletter to ensure you receive notifications when passes and tickets go on sale, the program release for this year’s festival, and the year-round Breck Film events.
world premieres of both shorts and feature films
truly a festival for the whole family
High up on Peak 7 sits a unique property with a lot of history, the High Country Lodge.
Built in 1963, it was once known locally as the Polaroid house as it was built by Eastman/Kodak. The High Country Lodge is a towering three story A-Frame offering 12 Bedrooms, 15 Baths, 4 Living Areas, a Game Room and a huge fully equipped kitchen with a generous dining space. A large deck with a Hot Tub offers stunning panoramic views of the Continental Divide where you can catch a spectacular sunrise along with gorgeous alpenglow sunsets.
In addition the property sits on 12 acres and borders the White River National Forest. The land itself is surrounded by Pine, Fir, Spruce and Aspen with a large meadow in the backyard. It would be unusual if you did not spy some of the area’s wildlife. Moose, Foxes, Bears, Pine Marten, Hawks and Eagles all make this area their home too. The location of the High Country Lodge is also convenient to Downtown Breckenridge as well as the Ski Resort.
During the summer and fall, there are trails to hike and mountain bike in every direction from their location. The amenities of the Town of Breckenridge and ski resort are hikeable or minutes away from the location of the Peak 7 address. The Town of Breckenridge is also a short drive away to enjoy area festivals, events, restaurants, and shopping. In the summer go ziplining, fly fishing, rafting, learn to SUP, head out horseback riding, or attend a yoga class. In the Winter Snowshoeing and Nordic skiing are right out the front door. Snowmobiling, Skiing, Snowboarding, and more are a short drive away.
This four season mountain retreat specializes in hosting reunions, weddings, retreats and group vacations. There is even a private chef available if cooking for that size of a group sounds overwhelming.
www.ahighcountrylodge.com
He followed the standard mountain town tale, moving out to Colorado to ski for one winter…that was 32 winters ago.
Matt attended the University of Virginia for Architecture, from 1980 to 1984. He was inspired early in his youth while he was living in Europe with his parents who were both professors. He and his entire family spent a year traveling around Europe when he was seven. He fondly remembers cruising through Switzerland in a VW Squareback and visiting all the little mountain valleys and towns. He recognized how the architecture of their structures were slightly different from town to town due to each town’s location. Building styles for these towns were influenced by the resources they had available 500 years ago as the locations were separated by mountain passes and transportation was severely limited. He appreciated how each town had its little similarities and differences, not only in building styles but how they celebrated their regions though food and products too.
Matt shared, “As I got older I really enjoyed working on buildings and seeing things get built. I worked for builders and did all kinds of woodworking-type stuff when I was a kid and remodeled parts of our house when I was in high school. I’ve always found building and remodeling fascinating. It’s not just designing things.” It’s designing a structure and then seeing it get built that he finds so satisfying.
After Stais graduated from UVA school he then moved up to Portland, Maine, where he worked for six years staying in touch with friends from school. A friend of his, Bobby Craig of Arapahoe Architects reached out, he was looking for architects. Matt was designing prisons in Massachusetts which wasn’t that much fun. Bobby offered the opportunity to stay on his couch while designing ski homes. Matt said, “okay, yeah”, it only took one phone call and he ended up in Breckenridge a week later.
Matt worked with Bobby Craig for a couple of years and then in 1995 started his own business, Matthew Stais Architects. His group grew and recently expanded as Stais Architecture & Interiors (SAI). The firm proudly produces custom homes, assists ski resorts with work, and also focuses on another passion, community work. Stais and his team realized four or five years ago that the housing thing is a real crisis in Summit County. He wanted to help the area locals out because nobody can sell their house and buy a bigger house anymore, and that was before COVID.
One of SAI’s main tenets is to help the community’s locals and help with workforce housing and other community projects. For Matt, it’s about the people and helping people. He strives to do good projects for good people. So if a local resident or restaurateur has a condo or home remodel he and his firm try very hard to help make it affordable while still crafting something beautiful and sustainable. He realizes community is exceptionally important to families as many of us do not have the support of nearby relatives.
SAI has grown and expanded over the years and now features an interior studio that enables his team to expand their offerings and design more comprehensively. He is exceptionally proud of his team. Each of his associates comes from a variety of backgrounds,
giving SAI the opportunity to see new design perspectives and implement multiple disciplines in thoughtful ways.
There are four architectural staff and one interior designer, as well as people with years of experience in landscape, historic preservation, sustainability, and business.
He and his crew are enthusiastic about design and have a passion for living at the top of the Rockies. They all love mountain culture, playing outdoors, the rich history of this town, and a great sense of community. Each of his members jump at the opportunity to get out on their skis, bikes, and boats whenever they have the chance. Balancing work and play helps them design better and give back to this place they love.
Pictured within this article are several houses that Matt and his team have completed; some as new builds and others as remodels. You can see and learn more here:
www.staisarchitects.com
970.453.0444
409 Main Street, Suite 107 Frisco, Colorado
Photo: South Ridge Seafood Grill
Every mountain town is an Island and Breckenridge is one filled with Breweries, a Distillery, Bars, Saloons and Cantina’s. When the Sun’s out so is the Fun and afterwards you can steer your ship to some delicious Island Apres Tiki Drinks.
Here Are Some Suggestions: Castaway’s Cove
Grab a table next to the rushing sound of the Blue River’s water or head inside for some classic tiki hut vibes. Rum punches, frozen concoctions, fun flaming drinks and more can be found on their menu.
100 S. Park Ave Unit C102, Breckenridge (downstairs next to the river) www.castawaysbreck.com
Breckenridge Distillery
Settle down on the patio and play some games while sipping on Liquid Chef Billie Keithly’s incredible cocktail recipes. The new summer cocktail menu boasts a variety of Tiki time drinks like This Sh** Is Bananas, a Tiki Classic Daiquiri and Cuckoo Coconut Breckenridge Spiced Whiskey, In-House Orgeat, Crème Of Coconut, Almond Milk, Pear Juice and Turmeric.
1925 Airport Rd, Breckenridge www.breckenridgedistillery.com/restaurant
BoLD Restaurant -
Brunch at BoLD is available everyday from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and offers an elevated breakfast menu along with exceptional lunch selections with enhanced takes on America’s classics. Huge Breakfast Burritos, Huevos Rancheros, Chicken and Waffles along with a variety of Benedict’s grace the menu. These selections touch upon only some of their offerings. For those who seek gluten free ingredients most items, including pancakes, waffles and French toast, can be prepared gluten free served with 100% pure Organic Vermont Maple syrup. Brunch cocktails are legendary here with DIY Mimosas, Beermosas, Espresso Martinis, Breakfast Mules and other morning ‘centric cocktails.
505 S Main St
Breckenridge
970-423-5150
www.boldbreck.com
Blue River Bistro -
Enjoy Brunch on both Saturday and Sunday at this beloved Breckenridge restaurant with fresh regional ingredients inspired by the seasons in their beautiful dining space and flower filled patios. Their menu offers Classic Benedicts, Egg Dishes, Pancakes, Salads, Sandwiches and more. What is brunch without Steak and Eggs? Blue River Bistro’s Steak + Eggs Skillet brings tenderloin medallions, fried eggs, fingerling potatoes with peppers and onions, roasted seasonal vegetables heightened with a Chipotle hollandaise to your table. Give their Red Chilaquiles a try, it is a regional favorite. Pair it with a Passion Fruit Bellini, Grapefruit Aperol Spritz or a Spicy Maria.
305 North Main Street
Breckenridge
970-453-6974
www.blueriverbistro.com
The Blue Moose knows a few things about Breakfast and Brunch. This family run restaurant has been delighting hungry locals and visitors since 1987. From 7 am to 1 pm everyday you will find three pages filled with Omelets, Egg Preparations, French Toast, Baked Good, Mexican Inspired breakfasts, Baked Goods, Fruits and Granola along with a variety of kid plates for your little ones to enjoy. A lengthy cocktail list also will tempt you and we love their use of local Breckenridge Distillery spirits in their Bloody Mary’s, Screwdriver, Greyhound and Raging Bull: Breckenridge Vodka and Red Bull. If you have a good dog who behaves they can join in on the Blue Moose outside patio too.
540 S. Main Street
Breckenridge
970-453-4859
www.bluemooseatbreck.com
When it comes to the holidays check in with Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center. Their restaurant, Spencer’s Steaks & Spirits, often holds special holiday and seasonal brunch celebrations. These Brunches are grand with Omelette and Craving stations combined with an array of hot and cold seafood, vegetable and meat dishes.
620 Village Road
Breckenridge
www.beaverrun.com
Full Service Grocery with Great Selection of Wine & Liquor, Fresh Produce, Deli Meats, Made To Order Sandwiches, Hot Prepared Foods, Juice & Smoothie Bar
Open Every Day 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
GROCERY: 970-453-2398
LIQUOR: 970-453-6085
311 S. RIDGE STREET BRECKENRIDGE BRECKENRIDGEMARKET.COM
For a young woman to take out a second mortgage to open a wine bar in beercentric Breckenridge requires a leap of faith. But who better to take that leap than a former U.S. Ski Team freestyle skier accustomed to spinning through the air and trusting the landing.
Anne Dowling landed well in her leap from competitive skier to wine boutique owner and certified sommelier. In 2000, Anne opened Ridge Street Wine and ushered in a new era of higher end libations in Breckenridge.
Stop by the shop today and relish the extensive variety of European vintages mixed with California and Colorado wines. Wine is the focus. The cooler holds only a few cases of crafted beers mixed in with the whites, for their beer-loving friends. Budget-wise bottles can be found on the $10 rack. And everything you can taste by the glass is available for purchase by the bottle.
Anne selects every product herself. Wine requires constant education, learning about regions, terroir, vineyards, and wine-making styles. Every day, Anne immerses herself in the wine world. In addition to running her own wine shop with husband Ken Buck, she represents wine sales to restaurants in Breckenridge, Vail and Summit County.
“Being a wine rep really keeps me on the pulse of the wine business,” Anne said, citing new vintages, wineries and winemakers as sources of inspiration.
Early in her career, Anne earned her Sommelier certification to further her education and connect with experts in the field, providing a deep background to talk about wine. For many years, Anne taught wine tasting at Colorado Mountain College. Now at the wine bar, Anne offers seminars several times a year on a specific region or grape varietal. These popular classes include cheeses and foods to complement the wine along with plenty of time to taste and discuss each pour.
Cheeses come from Breckenridge Cheese & Chocolate behind the neighboring door. Anne imports gourmet foods from out-of-the-way places. This is where you’ll find the wine bar as Colorado’s liquor laws require service be separate from sales.
Before diving into the world of wine, Anne competed as a freestyle skier on the U.S. Ski Team and then on the Pro Mogul Tour. Raised in a skiing family with three older brothers, she started competing at age 5 in freestyle combined. Growing up, she traveled the world to pursue her sport.
Anne remembers participating as a teen in competitions in Breckenridge with the ballet and aerials at Beaver Run Resort, and moguls on Solitude or Mach I. Later in her skiing career, Anne specialized in moguls with top U.S. finishes and several winning seasons as a professional. After retirement, she coached young athletes with Team Breck.
On a Pro Mogul Tour stop in California, a canceled event opened the door for Anne’s next career. Pivoting from the ski slopes to Napa Valley, Anne fell in love with the beauty of wine country, “gorgeous lunches and the lifestyle of wine.” She defines that as good living, enjoying well prepared foods, paying attention to ingredients, and pairing food with wines of the same region.
“At age 25, I was tired of living out of a suitcase. I always loved Breckenridge with the small-town feel, historic charm and the amazing ski mountain. My brother was coaching Team Breck, so this is where I came after competitive skiing,” she added.
Working in a local restaurant, she found a business card on the floor. “Fine Wine Specialist” it said. Bells went off. “That’s what I want to do,” she told herself.
A stint in France inspired the wine bar. “I wanted to create a community around wine, where people can come in and talk about wine without feeling rushed, sit and relax with good cheeses, catch up with friends, and share their day.”
The upstairs wine bar feels like stepping across the globe to Europe. High open ceilings, warm colors, and local artwork invite relaxation, assisted by a cheese plate and dozens of vintages to sample from the Italian-made Enomatic wine dispenser.
Summer allows time to sit at the tables outside, chat with friends, listen to live music, warm up by the firepit, and enjoy wine and cheeses. “We call it Romance Alley,” Anne explained, just what she envisioned when she started the business 23 years ago.
Today Ridge Street Wine and Breckenridge Cheese & Chocolate epitomize a local, family-run business. Anne buys the wine, manages the back of the house, and is at the shop as much as possible. Kenny is the daily face of the business. Teenage son Finn, also a competitive skier, washes dishes.
With the changing environment in liquor sales in Colorado, where grocery stores are now allowed to sell wine, Anne and Ken’s shop contributes to the community’s character and success. It’s a place to try and buy distinctive, hand-picked wines, cheeses and chocolates, sit, chill out, and soak in Breckenridge.
Growing up, Amy Flannery was the pickiest eater around. So when she left suburban Chicago for Johnson & Wales University’s Providence campus to study food and beverage management, she embarked on a whole new culinary journey that forever opened her mind — and palate.
The 36-year-old certified sommelier and Flame Restaurants Group (parent company of Briar Rose, Giampietro’s, Sancho and Empire Burger) beverage director changed the Breckenridge hospitality scene when she created the resort town’s first sommelier job at upscale steakhouse Briar Rose.
“Growing the wine program at Briar Rose elevated our restaurant, but also helped pave the way for other chef- and wine-driven restaurants to join our community, and I am proud to have been at the forefront of this growth in the restaurant community in Breckenridge,” Amy says.
After setting her sights on a career in food and beverage management, Amy experienced a world of culinary labs and kitchen internships. Stints in catering, corporate fine dining and food service lead her to Denver where she earned a bachelor’s in Food Service Management from Johnson & Wales while serving at Sullivan’s Steakhouse.
“I learned from my time in school and in restaurants that hospitality was in me,” Amy says. “It came from my mother’s nurturing side. She was always hosting big family parties. My mom cooked for everyone all the time and it was coursing through my veins.”
While she loved cooking, Amy quickly realized that wasn’t the career path for her. She’d carved a comfortable niche at the front of the house, when her Washington Park neighbor — an elderly man who would kindly clip New York Times food and wine articles to inspire her — spurred the young server to look into mountain resort restaurants. So, in the fall of 2008, Amy spent some time driving around Colorado’s high country and found herself circling back to Breckenridge and its welcoming community vibe.
Drawn to the family-owned restaurant group, 22-year-old Amy landed a job in the bright pink building that housed the newly purchased Briar Rose. She created a server training program and a wine training program, cultivating a new wine director position for herself and growing the restaurant’s wine buying reach.
Amy’s expert tips for ordering like a pro the next time you’re out to dinner.
• Match weight for weight. You don’t want a trout with a tannic Napa cabernet. You don’t want the food to overpower the wine either. Match the wine to the food and vice versa. Order a nice crisp sauvignon blanc with your white fish and a bold big-bodied red with your rib-eye.
• Acidity in wine is your best friend in food pairing. More acidity makes your mouth water, balances out sweetness, gets your palate ready to enjoy your meal. It’s the lemon squeeze over a dish — it brightens it up, enhances the flavors.
• Talk to the sommelier. If they aren’t on staff that night, engaging with your server is a great starting point.
• If you’re going to splurge on your meal, splurge on the wine. If the restaurant has an extensive wine list and nice wine service and glassware, take advantage and treat yourself.
Amy still remembers her light-bulb moment and the bottle that changed everything. “We were training before service one day and tried a 2004 Franciscan Magnificat, a cabernet Bordeaux-style blend from the Napa Valley. I’ll never forget that bottle.”
Amy obtained her Level 1 Sommelier Certification from the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs and her Level 2 status at the Little Nell in Aspen. In 2016, she fashioned her current positions — sommelier at the Briar Rose and beverage director for Flame Restaurants Group.
“What some people don’t realize is sommelier certification doesn’t actually require classes or school,” she explains. “You learn on your own and build your own wine tasting community. Level 1 is a two-day class with tastings and a test. Level 2 includes a blind tasting, comprehensive written test, and a service portion where you serve a master sommelier under a particular scenario.”
There are four sommelier levels — introductory, certified, advanced and master — and only a couple hundred masters in the state. Amy says she’ll likely pursue her advanced and master status someday.
Always seeking to grow her oenophile knowledge, Amy loves traveling to small production wineries around the world. A notable trip in 2018 took her to Argentina to stay at renowned vintner Dr. Laura Catena’s summer home where she absorbed the local food, wine and culture. “They broke down a side of beef for us and served us course after course paired with their wines,” Amy says. “They brought out traditional dancers. It was an experience.”
In 2019, Amy traveled around Italy with a wine importer and distribution company buyer visiting small family vineyards. A trip to France’s Burgundy countryside is on the docket for later this year.
At home, she’ll relax with a glass of red most nights, gravitating towards Old World medium-bodied nebbiolo (she recommends Langhe Nebbiolo for a nice, bright everyday sipper). When
she’s craving something a little bigger, she’ll uncork a full-expression Barbaresco with big tannins and big acidity and tar and rose petal notes that pair with an osso bucco or a rich, earthy mushroom risotto.
At Briar Rose, Amy likes to maintain a 200-label wine list, pulling from California, Italy and France while introducing new seasonal offerings, a handful of surprising esoteric bottles and weekly specials. There’s always a featured off-the-menu bottle and she keeps servers engaged with frequent trainings and a sales-based incentive program that helps introduce them to new wines.
There’s palpable passion that lights up inside Amy when she animatedly describes California’s cabernets paired with Breckenridge’s cooler summer evenings and crisp, minerally, high-acid Northern Italian white wines with lemon and pear notes on warm July afternoons. She smiles with excitement when she explains wine characteristics and finds indescribable joy in converting staunch pinot drinkers to lighter nebbiolos and granache-syrah blends. Autumn in the mountains means a slightly heavier Brunello di Montalcino — one of Amy’s all time faves — and a darker, heartier Sangiovese with bigger tannins.
“My favorite thing to do is to teach people about wine and get them excited,” she says. “I learn what their preferences are and introduce them to new wines to fall in love with that they never would’ve chosen on their own.”
Locals can expand their horizons with special Briar Rose wine dinners offered a few times a year and the annual Breckenridge Wine Classic held in August.
“That’s a great opportunity to attend seminars, try different restaurant offerings and a grand tasting,” Amy says. “Our restaurant group always hosts a luncheon paired with two master sommeliers with our executive chef Todd Nelson and myself. We look forward to it every year.”
For people who say ‘I don’t like wine,’ I say you haven’t tried the right wine yet. Let me help you get there.
From Touring the Award-winning spirit’s production facility to indulging in world-class cuisine, Breckenridge Distillery is truly an adventure for the senses. Whether you have time for the full experience at the Distillery on Airport Road, or you’re simply curious about tasting its award-winning spirits while strolling Main Street, the Distillery makes it easy, fun and delicious to discover what it’s all about. Here are 10 ways you can experience the Breckenridge Distillery.
Modern-American Steakhouse
Executive Chef Robbie Reyes’ style brings an international flare to the Breckenridge Distillery Restaurant’s menu. Their modern-American steakhouse atmosphere showcases seasonal and approachable dishes that impart not only the fantastic spirits of Breckenridge Distillery but also their upscale mountain dining experience. Their family-style menu features a 45-ounce Aged Tomahawk Ribeye, 16-ounce Garlic Rubbed Creekstone Prime Rib and other seasonally focused dishes. As always, the menu revolves around local produce, comfort foods with a twist and shareable dishes meant to encourage interaction and conviviality. Enjoy Happy Hour with $13 plates.
If it’s edible, chances are Liquid Chef Billie Keithley has made a cocktail out of it. And that’s one of the reasons she loves working for the Distillery so much. Because of the Distillery’s special liquor license, Keithley can’t go out and buy spirits and cordials elsewhere, so she creates them herself. Products like amaros, bitters, vermouth and liqueurs are all made in-house. “Which means we can put our own twists on them,” she said. Keithley and Bar Manager Griffin Bovich are creating schnapps, shrubs, syrups and juices, among other fresh products, for every specialty cocktail. Popular menu staples include the ObiWan Old Fashioned, made with Breckenridge Port Cask Whiskey.
Every Sunday, guests are taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Breckenridge Distillery’s production facility. This abbreviated tour starts by tasting their award-winning Breckenridge Vodka and Breckenridge Gin in their original production facility. Their expert guides will take guests on a one hour tour and finish up the experience with a tasting of their Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey. Tours are reservation only and include a signature Glen Carin tasting glass. Book a tour.
There’s no need to drink and drive when you can drink and ride. The Breckenridge Distillery wants its guests to drink responsibly, which is why it offers a free shuttle for customers with pick-ups and drop offs anywhere within town limits. The shuttle fits up to 14 people—all you have to do is call the Distillery at 970-445-8613 to book your ride.
The Breckenridge Distillery offers one of the most highly awarded craft bourbons on the market and you can try it for free. Guests are offered two complimentary samples from a limited menu and have the option to upgrade their tasting to try their high-end spirits. A great way to explore their award-winning line of hooch.
Breckenridge Distillery offers guests a VIP experience during their After Hours Tours. Use your senses to experience the inner workings of how these hand-crafted spirits go from grain to bottle while learning about the history of whiskey and how the distillery was founded. Guests also have the opportunity to try spirits that have yet to be released to the public. Tours are offered at 5:00pm and 6:15pm by reservation only Book a Tour.
Nerd out with our distillers and become a master blender for a few magical hours. Breckenridge Distillery’s distillers are
experts in nosing, flavor categorization and pairing substrates together to create a whole that far exceeds the expected sum of its parts. Guests will be taught to break down aggregate flavors while building a whiskey blend complete with mouth feel and finish. You will hand bottle your creation and complete the experience with a customized label. Reservations required. Book Now.
Book a private dinner or event at the Breckenridge Distillery. Parties up to 30 people can reserve our exclusive spaces surrounded by aging whiskey barrels, old barn wood, leather couches and an authentic mountain vibe. This exclusive, private dining area comes with a personal wait staff and can be used for families, micro-conferences, executive meetings or small parties. For inquiries and bookings, email events@breckenridgedistillery.com.
In the heart of downtown Breckenridge, get a taste of not only the Distillery’s spirits but also a taste of what the Breckenridge Distillery is all about. From merchandise to personable, knowledgeable staff, this small tasting room is a glimpse of what you can experience at their main location on Airport Rd. Learn more about current hours and offerings at breckenridgedistillery.com.
Breckenridge Spirits are available nationwide at your local retailers. Don’t want to leave your house? Get home delivery on your favorite spirits through Caskers. com. If you’d like to practice your at-home bartending skills, head to Billie’s Cocktail Lab to get inspired.
Rooted in Italian cuisine Radicato offers a family-style dining experience in a beautiful setting on the Riverwalk in Breckenridge. Radicato is inspired by old world traditions and showcases techniques like handmade pastas. Sharing food, drink, and conversation with friends and family is at the heart of the dining experience at Radicato. Chef’s Matt Vawter and Cameron Baker have designed a menu that is meant to be explored and experienced collectively as a table. There is something truly special about passing plates around a table and being able to share in the same food as the person seated next to you. The menu includes vegetable and seafood-focused starter plates, a wide selection of handmade pastas, and large plates from our grill. Our wine program focuses on Italy and the United States with something for every palate.
Located in the heart of Breckenridge on the Riverwalk the views from the dining room and patios are idyllic. The lateday sun bathes the dining room with wonderful light and enhances the elegant setting. It is a welcoming environment for parties large and small. Focused, friendly, and genuine hospitality is provided by an experienced professional service team. Radicato aims to whisk you away to Italy while you are located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.
137 South Main Street. Breckenridge Colorado www.radicatobreck.com
Rootstalk is a modern American restaurant founded on the idea of coming home. Chef Matt Vawter was born and raised in Summit County and spent the formative years of his culinary career in Keystone and Breckenridge. After spending a period of time away from Breckenridge, Chef Matt returned to his hometown determined to open a restaurant of his own and help grow the culinary landscape in Summit County.
The name Rootstalk refers to rhizomes that are all connected via a complex underground root system. The name was inspired by the large stands of Aspen trees surrounding the community of Breckenridge. From old dormant roots, Rootstalk was opened in December of 2020 in a historic home on North Main Street in Breckenridge. The restaurant seeks to provide “Elevated, Everyday Dining” to the local community as well as out of town visitors. The cuisine is ingredient focused, technique driven and deeply committed to quality at all levels. From 7 course tasting menus paired with wine to simply having a quick snack and beverage at the bar. There is truly something for everyone on the menu. Our hospitality model is team-oriented and based on the idea of welcoming someone into your home. The two dining areas of the restaurant are beautiful juxtapositions of each other. Upstairs is bright, elegant, and airy with views of main street offered by bay windows in the front. The Root Cellar downstairs offers a more intimate dining experience with a Chef’s Counter available for those who love to be part of the action. Cocktails are created with intention and given the same level of care as the food on the plate. The wine program is focused on small-scale quality producers from across the globe from the classic to more esoteric modern styles.
207 North Main Street Breckenridge, Colorado, www.rootstalkbreck.com
A locals’ favorite since 1989, we invite you to spend an evening in their beautiful, Victorian-era home, while you take in breathtaking views of the town and the Ten Mile Range. Executive Chef Michael Halpin takes pride in creating a menu highlighting the very best of Colorado. Locally farmed, seasonal products, including meats, fish, artisan cheeses and fresh produce, take the stage as our culinary team expertly prepares each dish with a commitment to the highest quality. Enjoy a craft cocktail and one of our enticing small plates during Happy Hour from 4-6 daily, then follow with a dinner of Colorado Lamb, Blackberry Elk, and wine from their Wine Spectator award-winning cellar. Come experience the legendary hospitality that has earned the Hearthstone Restaurant a reputation as one of Breckenridge’s best restaurants!
130 South Ridge Street
Breckenridge, Colorado 970-453-1148 www.hearthstonebreck.com
Say Cheers to the Spirit of Celebrating: Take a step back in time at the restaurant named for George Spencer, the founder of the town of Breckenridge, with classic cocktails and old-fashioned Western hospitality. Spencer’s is *the* place to gather with a large group to celebrate a special occasion or group dinner.
This is THE PLACE for groups large and small to gather and enjoy delicious breakfasts, lunch, apres, and dinners.
Breakfast classics are available along with Benedicts and huge Omelets. Sit down for lunch and enjoy sandwiches, soups & salads, and more. The dinner menu is filled with exceptional steaks, fish, burgers, and a wide variety of entrees. Everyone in your group will find something to love, even the kids.
Breakfast | 7 am - 10:30 am
Lunch | 11 am - 2 pm
Apres-Ski | 3-5 pm DAILY Dinner | 5-9 pm
Beaver Run Resort
620 Village Road
Breckenridge
970-453-6000
www.beaverrun.com/dining/spencers
Since 1981, Mi Casa Restaurant & Cantina has been serving locals and visitors in Breckenridge with one of the most family friendly Restaurants in town for popular Mexican cuisine and Happy Hour gatherings. The authentic menu and colorful tropical atmosphere create a festive dining experience.
The tradition continues today with some recent tweaks including contemporary, spirit forward margaritas, and a menu featuring some Tex-Mex flair. House made Ancho Chile Chorizo, Signature Salsas, Street Tacos, and Cremas are just some of the highlights.
All of Mi Casa’s menus are great for sharing and remain one of the best values in town. From sizzling Fajitas to tasty Vegetarian or Vegan entrees and kid friendly options, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
As one of the largest restaurants in Breckenridge, Mi Casa seats 300 people and is a fantastic location for families and groups to gather and celebrate. A visit to Breckenridge is best topped off with a taste of Mexico. Mi Casa is the local favorite.
We invite you to enjoy Lunch, Dinner or Happy Hour with us. We look forward to serving you and your family in the tastes and traditions of Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, a local favorite for 42 years.
600 S. Park Ave. Breckenridge 970-453-2071
www.micasabreck.com
Yield: approximately 3 dozen 2-inch cookies
Cookies
• 1 cup (2 sticks) + 2 TB salted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2-3 tsp freshly grated lemon zest (from 1-2 medium lemons)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
Icing (optional)
• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
• 2 TB fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp vanilla
• 1 TB heavy cream
• Extra lemon zest and crushed freeze-dried strawberries, for decoration
With just a handful of simple ingredients, shortbread is wonderfully easy to make. In fact, it’s exceedingly hard to screw up. The dough comes together quickly, can be made in advance, and once baked, makes an exceedingly sturdy yet tender cookie. It’s the perfect portable treat for camping trips, picnics, and outdoor concerts.
I love this strawberry-lemon flavor profile for summer; it’s a perfectly balanced combination of sweet and tart, with just a hint of warm vanilla. For a butter-forward cookie, these are surprisingly light, and their bright flavor feels just right for warmer months. Freeze-dried strawberries are genius for baking, as they lock in all the ripe sweet flavor of the berries
1. In a small bowl, combine ¾ cup granulated sugar and lemon zest. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a medium bowl if using a hand-held mixer), cream butter, vanilla, and lemon sugar on high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
3. Reduce mixer speed to low and add the flour slowly until fully incorporated.
4. Mix in the crushed freeze-dried strawberries. The dough will be slightly crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
5. Divide the dough in two equal portions and form each into a log approximately 2” in diameter and about 10” long. (Alternatively, you can roll the dough out to 1/4“ thickness and cut out shapes of your choosing). Place dough in refrigerator and chill thoroughly, at least 2 hours and up to 24 (I often make the dough in the afternoon and let it rest overnight, baking the next day).
without any of the moisture, which can turn your baked goods soggy and sad. Likewise, the essence of the citrus is most concentrated in the zest, and it doesn’t take a lot to pack a punch. To better distribute the lemon flavor, I like to infuse the zest right into the sugar.
• 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries, finely crushed
• 1 egg, beaten (for brushing)
• ¼ cup granulated or coarse decorator’s sugar
sugar, which is a bit coarser than granulated and has a pretty sparkle, but granulated will work beautifully, too.
You can roll the dough out and cut the cookies into any shape you like, but I prefer the slice-and-bake approach because a) it’s easier, and b) I can easily coat the edges of the cookies with a layer of deliciously crunchy sugar. I use decorator’s
6. Remove one dough log from the fridge and allow to soften at room temperature for a few minutes (keep the other log in the fridge so it doesn’t soften too much – this will keep the cookies from spreading in the oven).
7. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two standard baking sheets with parchment paper. (Note: If you’ve rolled the dough out and cut shapes, remove from fridge and bake now for 12 mins per batch).
8. Brush the first log with the beaten egg and roll in the decorator’s/granulated sugar until thoroughly coated. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into ½-inch slices. Place cookies about an inch apart on a baking sheet.
9. Bake 12-14 mins, until the edges of the cookies are just barely beginning to brown (err on the side of underdone to keep them tender).
The cookies are perfectly scrumptious as-is, but if you want to fancy them up a bit, whisk up the optional glaze, which can be easily drizzled over the cooled cookies (tip: use a squeeze bottle!) and artfully speckled with more lemon zest and crushed dried berries.
10. While the first batch is baking, repeat the process with the second log.
11. Allow the cookies to set for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire baking rack to cool fully.
12. If making the optional icing, combine powdered sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and heavy cream in a small bowl and whisk to combine. If the icing is too thick, add a bit more cream; if too thin, a little more sugar. You want it pourable – think pancake batter. When cookies are completely cool, carefully spoon or drizzle the icing on them and sprinkle with bits of lemon zest and crushed freeze-dried strawberries.
13. Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week.
Can a cookie be sassy? I’m saying yes, and this one? I predict she’s going to be your summer bestie. Full of zesty citrusy flavor and flecked with pretty bits of strawberry, these crisp, buttery shortbread bites will melt on your tongue and, dare I say, make your day brighter. Go on, just try to find a more deliciously cheerful cookie.
Dogsledding in the Summer? Yes, It’s called Dog Carting and it is a Blast!
Nestled in the heart of the White River National Forest but just 15 min from downtown Breckenride, Good Times Dogsledding offers one of the most unique summer activities in Breckenridge, Dog Carting.
Good Times Dogsledding is home to over 150 beautiful Siberian huskies. The kennel offers tours of their facility during the summer months, giving a behind the scenes look at a working dog sled kennel. These hour long kennel tours gives visitors a chance to pet and play with their friendly and loveable canines. Their experienced guides cover topics such as dog care, training, breeding, nutrition, and what the dogs do in the winter.
After the kennel tour, you then receive the opportunity to join their dog teams on an exciting training run in one of their dog carts. Here is where you get to see the dogs in action! As well as getting to see these sleddogs do what they love most, you and your guests will enjoy gorgeous view of Mount Guyot and the surrounding area.
The dog teams even take a quick pit stop in a spring fed creek on the way back to the kennel to cool off. This is a must do experience for any and all dog lovers visiting Breckenridge this summer. The dogs and their crew will be ready to run mid to late June. To learn more and sign up head to: www.goodtimesdogsledding.com.
www.goodtimesdogsledding.com
Grab your friends and family and head up to the Breckenrodge Ski Area. Located at more than 11,000 feet above-sea-level, just off the top of the Colorado SuperChair, test your balance and agility as you maneuver 15 different obstacles on this high alpine ropes course adventure, including swinging logs, cargo nets and bridges.
RIVERS & LAKES: Antero, Arkansas, Blue, Colorado, Dillon, Eagle, Eleven Mile, Montgomery, South Platte, Spinney, Swan, Ten Mile, Williams Fork
The Town of Silverthorne has been going through quite the revitalization which is now taking shape as a basecamp for adventure in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. The up-and-coming town not only offers summer hiking, biking and watersports, but also has a bustling arts, culture and dining scene to satisfy anyone’s interests. Over the years a variety of exciting developments have opened:
The Pad, a unique boutique hotel/hostel constructed from shipping containers (and the first Colorado-based lodging company to attain B Corporation certification); the welcoming lobby features the A-BAR and a fantastic outdoor patio right on the Bike Path.
Hotel Indigo, the first IHG Hotel & Resort in a ski resort area and Hotel Indigo is also home to Kúcu Tequila Bistro. Summit County’s first food hall – Bluebird Market – provides local and Denver-based favorites from tacos, burgers and crepes, to ice cream and cocktails. They also offer a fantastic space for weddings, meetings and special events
Angry James was Silverthorne’s second brewery and is central to the towns new walkable center while Baker’s Brewery has been in operation for many years now.
Take a walk along the river with coffee and a treat from Red Buffalo or grab a heartier breakfast at Enza’s Deli. Mangia at Sauce on the Blue for Lunch or Dinner. Their outdoor seating area and private yurts are lovely.
A longtime favorite for locals is the Mountain Lyon Cafe which recently moved to 10th Street. They have been serving up Breakfast and Lunch since 1994.
Silverthorne is minutes away from rafting and kayaking, fishing, hunting, bike trails, parks and hiking, Silverthorne delivers magnetic natural beauty and limitless adventures.
Hikes are available for all ability levels, including: Willow Falls, an 8.7-mile trek in the Eagles Nest Wilderness with the handsome reward of scenic waterfalls along the route; Buffalo Moun-
If you haven’t ever exited off I-70 at mile marker 205 for Silverthorne and Dillon then you are missing a bustling new scene filled with adventures in food, shopping, outdoor exploration and art.
tain, a strenuous 5.5-mile loop starting at Lily Pad Lake Trailhead; Lily Pad Lake, an easy, family-friendly 3.2-mile hike from the Lily Pad Lake Trailhead.
Grab a Bike. The town has bike trails for everyone, including: The 3.5-mile Blue River Trail paved path that meanders through the Town of Silverthorne alongside the Blue River, perfect for any skill level; the Salt Lick Trails in downtown Silverthorne that are perfect for beginner to moderate mountain bikers; and the 31-mile round-trip route climb from Silverthorne to Ute Pass for road bikers.
The Blue River runs through town and lakes are moments away. There are Stand-up paddle board rentals at North Pond Park. Green Mountain Reservoir and Lake Dillon are popular for SUP and are boating destinations; The Blue River offers gentle stretches for scenic rafting and great fly-fishing; and Gore Canyon’s rapids attract more intrepid boaters.
The Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks is among the best mountain courses in Colorado. The challenging course was designed by Tom Lehman and Hurdzan/Fry and features lush rolling fairways and immaculate greens set amidst pine and aspen forests and snow-capped peaks.
Many of the summer activities extend into the fall season, you don’t have to go far to get mountain adventures and prime leaf peeping via a stay in Silverthorne. In the shoulder season,
Green Mountain Reservoir has beautiful campsites that offer a great starting point for fall leaf peeping. Before things get muddy, check out the mountain biking mentioned above. In addition, fall fishing is popular in Silverthorne. Book your flyfishing trip with Cutthroat Angler or Colorado Angler.
After a day outdoors, there is plenty else to do as art and adventure can be found around every corner in Silverthorne. The Town of Silverthorne hosts First Friday events where residents and visitors alike gather to celebrate arts, food, music and fun. These community events take place on the first Friday of each month and showcase the community’s talented makers, artisans and performers.
You can also enjoy a show from Theater Silco at the state-ofthe-art Silverthorne Performing Arts Center. The company is hosting a variety of shows throughout the summer, fall and into winter. A Sunday Art Stroll takes place on select Sundays in the summers. During these events, enjoy a stroll along the Blue River trail from noon to 3 p.m. where you can experience pop-up artists and musicians while taking in the sounds and sights of the Blue River.
If a Sunday Art Stroll isn’t being held, take an art walk around town to see the various public art displays. Don’t miss the fox mural outside the Silverthorne Performing Arts Center or Silverthorne’s newest mural at Rainbow Park, which celebrates the community and Colorado state’s connection to water.
Kids love the Playground and Skateboard Park next to the town’s recreation center. Work out and find community through many of their daily programs.
Skate, Snowshoe, Ski or Sled?
Bring your ice skates and sticks to North Pond Park
Snowshoe or XC ski at Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks. The two groomed courses, north and south, offer terrain for skiers of all abilities along with spectacular views and exhilarating twists and turns
Bring your sled to Maryland Creek State Park
Down the street you will find the Outlets at Silverthorne with a plethora of name brand shops as well as dining options. A recent development was the arrival of Sierra and T.J.Maxx. Silverthorne has been known for their shopping for quite a long time. The addition of these two new stores has been celebrated by many.
Skiing can be found in every direction. Head east on I-70 and you’ll be at Loveland Ski Area in 15 minutes. Drive East on Highway 9 and you have Keystone Resort and Arapahoe Basin to entice you. Copper Mountain is 12 minutes away. Stay a few days and then depart for Steamboat Springs or Winter Park.
The town was named for Judge Marshall Silverthorn who served as a judge for miners’ in Breckenridge. He came to the town as a prospector and after patenting his claim by the Blue
River discovered that gold was sparse and the claim a poor investment. The land passed to his daughters on his death and was sold several times to various mining companies. In 1953 Clayton Hill bought the property and subdivided it for homes and stores.
From 1961-63 Silverthorne served as a camp for workers while the Dillon Reservoir was constructed. For a long while it was once a pass-through community but with great forethought the town has crafted an exceptional community for residents and visitors to enjoy year-round.
If all of that is not enough, check out 5 Reason Why I Love Silverthorne written by local resident Dan Moroz.
To learn more head to the towns website: www.silverthorne.org
By a lake. With a charming Main Street. And its own marina with rentals and waterside dining. Just 9 miles from Breckenridge.
TownofFrisco.com
June 11, 18 & 25, 2023
Sunday Farmers Market, Breckenridge
The Breckenridge Sunday Market is bigger and better than ever featuring over 45 vendors from all over Colorado with a unique selection of artistic creations, handcrafted and homegrown items. We will be holding the market Every Sunday this summer, starting June 11th. Join us at Main Street Station. Leashed, well behaved pets are allowed. 10am - 3pm www.rockymountainevents.com
June 18, 2023
Breckenridge Distillery First Annual “Dad Fest!, Breckenridge
TheBreckenridge Distillery on June 18th for the first annual “Dad Fest.” Enjoy a wide array of activities with FREE Dad Experiences like tours, tastings, blending labs, cocktail classes, live music, and more. Upgrade your experience to fill your own bottle of Breckenridge Whiskey. Bring the family and get an inner glimpse of everything Breckenridge Distillery has to offer. www.breckenridgedistillery.com
July 2, 9, 16 & 23, 2023
Sunday Farmers Market, Breckenridge
The Breckenridge Sunday Market is bigger and better than ever featuring over 45 vendors from all over Colorado with a unique selection of artistic creations, handcrafted and homegrown items. We will be holding the market Every Sunday this summer, starting June 11th. Join us at Main Street Station. Leashed, well behaved pets are allowed. 10am - 3pm www.rockymountainevents.com
July 4, 2023
Independence Day Celebration, Breckenridge
Every Independence Day, Breckenridge comes alive with patriotism, parties and the annual Main Street Parade. It’s a day of celebration that includes athletic competitions, live music, art festivals, family activities and a few of our favorite small-town traditions. Check out the whole days’ Event Schedule: www. gobreck.com/event/independence-day-celebration
July 6 - 8, 2023
40th Annual Breckenridge July Art Festival, Breckenridge
Nationally ranked fine art festival set under the beautiful backdrop of Breckenridge, Colorado. The juried art show will feature top artists in 13 categories. Artists will all be present to discuss their original work and do demonstrations.
Free admission/ Family friendly
Show will run Thursday- Saturday, 10am-6pm Daily www. mountainartfestivals.com/festivals-calendar/40th-annual-breckenridge-july-art-festival-77clr
July 28 - 30, 2023
Breckenridge Food & Wine, Breckenridge
The Breckenridge Food and Wine Festival brings you a unique, wine-tasting experience. Main Street Station Plaza and The Village at Breckenridge, (at the base of Peak Nine), transform into a beautiful, mountain-side vineyard starring an array of varietals created by top wineries. From the soft and smooth to the unabashedly bold, guests will get more than their fair share of delicious sips. There will be nearly 300 wines to select from! Check the link for all of the events, dinners and tastings that will be held www.rockymountainevents.com/breckenridge-food-wine
August 3 - 5, 2023
22nd Annual Breckenridge August Art Festival, Breckenridge
This Nationally ranked art festival featuring artists in 13 fine art categories. Show will be at the Village at Breckenridge and Main Street Station on the South end of town. Free admission and family friendly 10am-6pm Thursday - Saturday.
www.mountainartfestivals.com
August 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2023
Sunday Farmers Market, Breckenridge
The Breckenridge Sunday Market is bigger and better than ever featuring over 45 vendors from all over Colorado with a unique selection of artistic creations, handcrafted and homegrown items. . Join us at Main Street Station. Leashed, well behaved pets are allowed. 10am - 3pm www.rockymountainevents.com
August 7, 2023
Give Like A Local - Free Concert, Breckenridge
Summit County’s Culture of Giving Back is highlighted at this Free locals concert featuring performances by Moonstone Quill and Split Window. Join Summit County’s local nonprofits and learn about all the ways you can get involved in your community. We call it “Giving like a local,” and it’s what makes an event like this more than great music but a chance to be a part of something more. www.dillonamphitheater.com/events/upcoming-events/ music/free-music/moonstone-quill-split-window
August 24 - 26, 2023
Breckenridge International Festival of Arts, Breckenridge
Immerse yourself in a world of creativity as BIFA brings together renowned artists, performers, musicians, and thought-provoking installations from around the globe. Get ready to experience an extraordinary fusion of art and nature, with stunning outdoor exhibits, interactive displays, workshops, and more!
www.breckcreate.com
August 24 - 26, 2023
Breckenridge Wine Classic, Breckenridge
Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the Breckenridge Wine Classic is a three-day festival anchored by the two-day Grand Tasting in addition to unique seminars such as a guided hike and wine pairing lunch with master winemakers, wine dinners planned by world-class sommeliers, and more than 100 wineries, breweries, distilleries, and epicurean purveyors at this ultimate food, wine, and sensory experience.
Learn More Here: www.breckenridgewineclassic.com
August 25 - 27, 2023
Breckenridge Hog Fest - Bacon & Bourbon, Breckenridge
Bacon is the most loved food in the universe and the route to all things swine and divine. Add in the quintessential American liquor, bourbon; mind blown. These indulgences come together for Breckenridge Hogfest – Bacon & Bourbon. Check out the entire lineup: www.rockymountainevents.com/breckenridge-hogfest
September 2, 2023
The Great Rubber Duck Race, Breckenridge
Don’t miss the Summit Foundation’s Great Rubber Duck Race! You can purchase your ducks either online or throughout Summit County, and join the excitement as more than 13,000 ducks race to the finish line on the Blue River. With hundreds of prizes to
be awarded, including a grand prize of $2,000, there’s plenty of incentive to get involved. Even if your duck doesn’t come out on top, you can still feel like a winner knowing that the funds raised will support over 96 nonprofit organizations, afterschool programs, and scholarships. You and your family can enjoy a variety of fun, family-friendly activities in the beautiful downtown area of Breckenridge. https://summitfoundation.org/events/great-rubber-duck-race
September 2 - 4, 2023
48th Breckenridge Gathering at the Great Divide Art Festival, Breckenridge
The Longest running art festival in Summit county continues this summer over Labor Day weekend in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado. Top artists from across the country will gather with their original works of art in 13 categories including jewelry, painting, photography, sculpture and more! You won’t want to miss the last nationally ranked fine art festival of the summer! The show will be at Colorado Mountain College just north of town with free admission and free parking. To get to the show: Take bus from town, ride your bike on the rec path, easy and free parking onsite. 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm Monday. www.mountainartfestivals.com/festivals-calendar/48th-breckenridge-gathering-at-the-great-divide-art-festival-kg7ep-ywlcj
September 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2023
Sunday Farmers Market, Breckenridge
The Breckenridge Sunday Market is bigger and better than ever featuring over 45 vendors from all over Colorado with a unique selection of artistic creations, handcrafted and homegrown items. We will be holding the market Every Sunday this summer, starting June 11th. Join us at Main Street Station. Leashed, well behaved pets are allowed. 10am - 3pm www.rockymountainevents.com
September 7, 2023
Wine in the Mine, Breckenridge
Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Country Boy Mine as we launch our first ever, “Wine in the Mine.” We’re excited to infuse our love for history into the release of our Specialty Carboy Wine. This inaugural Summit Foundation event celebrates the pioneering spirit of our community with local wines, beers, and spirits. Guests will enjoy live music, mine tours, delicious Carboy Wine tastings, and even ax throwing for the truly adventurous. Your attendance supports our community through the Foundation’s grants, scholarships, and special initiatives. With each ticket purchase, you join us in making a positive impact. Come with your friends and loved ones for a night of education, entertainment, and philanthropy. This is a chance to learn, laugh, and give back to our community while honoring those who blazed a trail before us. Don’t miss out! We can’t wait to see you there. https://summitfoundation.org
September 21 - 24, 2023
Breck Film Fest, Breckenridge
Breck Film celebrates its 43nd festival this September 21-24. With the most film submissions ever, this is going to be a good one! Join Breck Film for films, forums, parties and free kids events all weekend long. EaBreck Film Fest is hosted across three venues in Breckenridge: The Eclipse Theater, The Riverwalk Center and Breck Backstage Theater – all walkable from Breck’s historic Main Street. Experience Breck like never before, through film! Visit breckfilm.org for more info.
September 23 - 24, 2023
Parade of Homes, Breckenridge
Tour the stunning homes of Summit County and be inspired by the creativity and innovation of mountain living. These homes not only boast impressive construction and design but also
provide an opportunity to support the community. The Summit County Builders Association Parade of Homes event benefits the Summit Foundation, which supports Careers in Construction, Career Tech, Scholarships, and nonprofit grants. This event promotes a culture of caring for each other that starts at home. Join us in celebrating and supporting our exceptional community beyond just touring a beautiful home. www.summitfoundation. org/events/parade-of-homes
September 29 - October 1, 2023
Breckenridge Strings, Ciders & Sours, Breckenridge
Ciders and Sours are some of the most loved beverages in the universe and the route to all things magnificent. Add in some live Bluegrass, delicious food, gorgeous Breckenridge mountain views and great friends…….you have an irresistible recipe for making magic! These indulgences all come together for the Breckenridge
Strings, Ciders & Sours. Hosted by Rocky Mountain Events, LLC. See the whole schedule and lineup: www.rockymountainevents. com/breckenridge-strings-ciders-sours
September 30, 2023
TEDx Breckenridge - INSTINCT, Breckenridge
Bathed in the extraordinary beauty of the Rocky Mountains, TEDxBreckenridge is inspired by our environment. We live in an amazing hub for skiing, hiking, mountain biking and every other kind of outdoor activity you can imagine. TEDxBreckenridge is here to bring our community together through thoughtful conversation and exploration and share the way nature influences us. www.tedxbreckenridge.com
October 6 - 8, 2023
Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival, Breckenridge
The Breckenridge Spirits Festival is scheduled for October 6-8 with the Grand Tasting on October 7, 4-7 at the Riverwalk Center. Tickets will go on sale in July. www.gobreck.com/event/breckenridge-craft-spirits-festival
November 6 - 8, 2023
The Summit Foundation Philanthropy Awards
The 31st annual Summit Foundation Philanthropy Awards, in honor of National Philanthropy Day is an evening of inspiration not to be missed. The ceremony honors businesses, nonprofits, and people in eight categories, for their extraordinary commitment to our community. The goal of the award is to inspire and celebrate the Summit County culture of giving back by recognizing those who give of their time, talent, and treasure to make Summit County truly a special place to live. www.summitfoundation.org/events/philanthropy-awards-2020
We hope you enjoyed our magazine. We try very hard to craft a publication that everyone will read, learn and enjoy. We would love for you to take this home to your friends and family to enjoy whether you live here or afar. Once you’re done delving into our pages, we hope you will recycle this content.
Paper can be recycled up to 7 times. By tossing this into the recycling bin you can prolong the life of the tree that was used. This beautiful tree, photographed by Ellen Hollinshead, is a Bristlecone Pine belonging to the family Pinaceae and includes some of the oldest individual organisms known to science. The species are native to the Rocky Mountains and other ranges of the southwestern United States, occurring usually at elevations above 5,500 feet (It is not used for paper making).
We are passionate about sustainability, starting with the pages of this magazine. For approximately every magazine published we plant a tree to replace the one that was used. To this date, we have planted 41.47 Trees utilizing Print ReLeaf, a carbon offset company. We have chosen a paper that minimizes the use of plastics as well, unlike many other Glossy publications you see out there. Plus, we love our rough yet sophisticated cover paper; it’s kind of like all of us living in a Colorado Mountain Town,
We built our company on a belief in local business, relationships, and the impact that locally-focused real estate can have on our communities.
We connect the people and places that make Colorado home. We are Slifer Smith & Frampton, Colorado’s real estate company.
