Breckenridge Magazine Issue 11 2025:26

Huts & Cabins + S h o p p i n g , H i s t o r y, Breckpreneurs, Homestyle, Delicious Dining & More

ISSUE 11 2025/26

I am a philanthropist.

“I support school fundraisers and join cleanup days with my friends— because doing my part is fun and it matters.”

I am Madison.

Philanthropy starts with a single act.

Be a philanthropist.

www.summitfoundation.org

Rooted in the Rockies, reimagined for today. Unwind at the base of Peak 9, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and embark on authentic mountain adventures in Breckenridge.

Join us at Breckenridge’s gathering place for exceptional dining. Enjoy unique, open-fire pizzas and creative dishes celebrating local history. Savor modern mountain dining with us.

Find our secret entrance and step into an exclusive lounge where skilled mixologists craft daring cocktails. Immerse yourself in intimate ambiance and engaging conversation for an unforgettable escape.

H OT E L A L P E N RO C K .C O M • 55 0 V I L L AG E ROA D, B R EC K E N R I D G E , C O 8 0 424 ( 9 70 ) 5 47 - 555 0

ICE CLIMBING BACKCOUNTRY SKIING SNOWMOBILING READ THE AVALANCHE FORECAST BEFORE SNOWSHOEING HIKING A WINTER 14er SPLITBOARDING NORDIC SKIING

CHECK THE FREE DAILY DANGER RATING AT COLORADO.GOV/AVALANCHE OR SEARCH “CAIC” ON YOUR PHONE’S APP STORE

146 CR 926 | Breckenridge

1275 Silver Tip Lane | Evergreen

4 bd | 4 ba | 3,899 sf | $2,795,000

5 bd | 10 ba | 16,020 sf | 14.5 acres | $6,500,000

Nestled on 5+ private acres, this log home offers rustic charm and panoramic mountain views just 10 minutes from downtown Breckenridge. Enjoy vaulted ceilings, a wraparound deck, bonus rooms, a remodeled kitchen, and direct access to Peaks Trail – your mountain retreat awaits.

A rare mountaintop masterpiece on 14.5 acres in Soda Creek, this estate offers unrivaled privacy, sweeping views, and world-class amenities from an indoor pool and tennis court to a wine cellar and theater. A true Colorado sanctuary just moments from Denver and the mountains.

THEO JORDAN | 970.401.1487 tjordan@slifersummit.com SummitHomesRealty.com

LUKE CORBITT | 303.949.8104 luke@sliferfrontrange.com LukeCorbitt.SliferFrontRange.com

586 Discovery Hill Drive | Breckenridge

214 Windflower Lane | Frisco

4 bd | 3.5 ba | 2,939 sf | $4,750,000

5 bd | 5.5 ba | 3,421 sf | $4,499,000

A private mountain retreat on 2.42 acres in The Highlands, bordered by National Forest. Stunning views, refined interiors by Studio B, dramatic design, and curated finishes. A true “Scandie Modern Snow Globe” with unmatched serenity, craftsmanship, and Breckenridge charm.

Stunning custom home in The Reserve at Frisco with unobstructed mountain views and peaceful open space. Luxury finishes, chef’s kitchen, Sonos audio, and elegant design throughout. Centrally located and move-in ready – an exceptional Summit County treasure.

BRENDA HUGO | 970.485.4486 bhugo@slifersummit.com RealtyBreck.com

RENEE IMAMURA | 970.393.2308 renee@slifersummit.com BuyInSummit.com

COLORADO

Some call it a destination, WE CALL IT HOME. We connect the people and places that make Colorado home.

View all our properties anytime at: SummitCountyRealEstate.com

All proceeds from this event benefit local non-profit organizations

Saturday, March 14th 2026 Riverwalk Center, Breckenridge Huge Raffle! Beers! Food!

www.BreckF3T.com for tickets and info

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Publisher’s Greeting

In Breckenridge, we don’t wear crowns—we wear helmets.

Helmets with horns. Some sparkle, some are furry, and others are forged from iron, whispering of days of olde. Many of us craft our own—like the one I’m wearing above.

Welcome to our Winter–Spring issue of Breckenridge Magazine.

There’s nothing quite like sharing a new issue, and we think you’ll love everything we’ve tucked between these covers. First, take a moment to meet our contributors. These talented writers and photographers are all residents of Breckenridge. They know this town like the back of their hands and tell a mean (and very nice) story.

We open the magazine with news and information about what’s happening around town, including highlights of our local nonprofits. These incredible organizations help make Breckenridge a better place to live, and we’re proud to share their stories.

We were also delighted to witness the Northern Lights dancing over Breckenridge recently and are thrilled to share a photo capturing our town beneath a kaleidoscope of color.

You’ll find stories about makers, entrepreneurs, and locals living life large. Around here, shopping is practically a sport—and it’s one you can enjoy year-round. Alyssa shares her insider intel on the best places to shop.

We especially love our Kids’ Corner, featuring a story told by a local kiddo who shares his dream weekend in Breckenridge—packed with adventure and activities.

Our feature article explores Breckenridge Backcountry Cabins.

You may be surprised by how many there are and the breathtaking places you can ski, hike, and soak in incredible views.

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We also share a wonderful story about Father Dyer Methodist Church, written by local historian Lee Girvin, who has lived here her entire life. Founder Father Dyer led a fascinating life and left a lasting mark on our town.

Breckenridge is home to some truly amazing architecture, and we’re seeing a resurgence of classic A-frame construction. Our featured home showcases a cozy, resilient design—perfect for those long winter nights.

Looking for a great place to stay? Don’t miss Shauna’s story on Hotel Alpenrock. From there, head out to explore our vibrant dining scene. Local bartenders share their favorite winter cocktail recipes with Lisa Blake, and we round up some of the fantastic new restaurants that have opened in the past year. Be sure to check out our food trucks, too—another Shauna specialty.

We also love spotlighting our neighbors. Just over the pass in Alma, you’ll find what might be the best new bake shop around. And on the other side of the Tenmile Range, Copper Mountain continues to offer plenty to explore.

Discover what’s happening around town in our events calendar, and don’t miss our Last Lift article, where we explain everything about the Kingdom of Breckenridge—a place where you are always welcome.

Enjoy, and have a wonderful winter and spring.

Holly Battista-Resignolo Founder & Publisher

Contents 12

CONTRIBUTORS

14

KINGDOM NOTES

18

PHOTO ESSAY

20

BRECK MADE

22

BRECKPRENEURS

26

FAMILY

28

SHOP BRECK

32

BACKCOUNTRY CABINS

40

HISTORY

44

HOMES & REALTY

48

ART

51

DINE LOCAL

70

SOCIALLY SEEN

74

NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS

76

BRECKENRIDGE SCOUT

78

CALENDAR

80

LAST LIFT

Cover: Backcountry Skiing

by Ellen Hollinshead

32

18

52 8

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From the Mountains to the Shore...

published by

MTN Town Media Productions

publisher

Holly Battista-Resignolo

communications

Gaynia Battista, Heidi Anderson

contributors

Shauna Farnell, Lisa Blake, Holly Resignolo, Alyssa Pullekins, Daniel Dunn, Leigh Girvin, Elaine Collins

advertising sales

Holly Resignolo, Caren Austin, Heidi Anderson

visionaries

Carl Scofield, Linda Watts, Holly GoSpritely Media, Leig Girvin, Summit Huts, Elaine Collins

Design Director Holly Resignolo

cover image

Ellen Hollinshead

method behind the means Publications Printers

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Adventure Awaits We ski , hike, swim, fish, wine, dine, relax and have a whole lot of fun anywhere we go! Discover your next adventure - Scan the Code:

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Please visit us at www.BreckenridgeMagazine.CO to subscribe to our publication released two times per year.

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Contact our corporate office or request a Media Kit: Email: MTNTownMagazine@gmail.com Office Phone: 970 485 0269

features

If you would like us to consider you or your business for a feature, please contact us at mtntownmagazine at gmail dot com 2025 MTN Town Magazine. All rights reserved. No portion may be duplicated, in whole or in part, without the written consent of its publishers. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. The publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy of information or omissions from the material provided. MTN Town Magazine cannot be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services rendered by the advertisers published in this magazine.

Winner of the Summit Chamber’s Business Excellence Award for Medium Business of the Year!

1655 Airport Road, Suite 3 Breckenridge, Colorado

CreativeCabinetry.com (970) 453-6500

Proud supporters of the Summit Foundation, Summit Rotary Club, FIRC, and the BOEC!

Contributors

LIAM DORAN 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 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.

ALYSSA PULLEKINES Born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, Alyssa felt the call of the mountains in Colorado and has happily called Breckenridge home since 2020.

Alyssa is the founder and owner of Folcland boutique in Main Street Station, an expression of her love for independent fashion that came to fruition after more than a decade working within the industry in New York City and Pittsburgh. She spends her free time enjoying endless outdoor activities, from downhill and cross-country skiing in the winter to SUP boarding and “peak bagging” in the summer. She is a regular contributor to our Shopping + Business articles and an active member of the ShopBreck Retail Association.

Visit her shop online at folcland.com.

JOHN KERNAGHAN 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 COLLINS 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.

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DANIEL DUNN Breckenridge ski bum, mountain lover, diabetic. I have fallen in love with being outside a thousand different ways. Love moves quickly, don’t miss it.

CARL SCOFIELD 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

SHAUNA FARNELL 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.

ELLEN HOLLINSHEAD 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 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.

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Kingdom Notes

The Smithsonian Comes to Breckenridge Breckenridge History will host the Smithsonian traveling exhibition, “Americans” January 17, 2026 to March 15, 2026 Breckenridge History and the surrounding community has been chosen by History Colorado to host “Americans” as part of the Museum on Main Street program—a national/state/local partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations. The exhibition will tour 5 communities in Colorado through July 5, 2026.

The exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street and the National Museum of the American Indian explores how deeply intertwined American Indians are in the history, popular culture and identity of the United States.

Based on a major exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., “Americans” highlights the ways in which American Indians have been part of the nation’s identity since before the country began.

Images of American Indians are everywhere, from imagery on commercial products and professional and high school sports mascots, to classic Westerns and episodes of Seinfeld and South Park. Indian names are everywhere too, from state, city, and street names to the Tomahawk missile. Beyond these images and names are familiar historical events and stories—Thanksgiving, Pocahontas, the Trail of Tears and Battle of Little Bighorn—that have become part of everyday conversation.

Through photographs, hands-on interactives, objects, and videos, the exhibition offers a new way of understanding a country forever fascinated, conflicted and shaped by its relationship with American Indians.

A short, animated film, The Invention of Thanksgiving, provides a whimsical take on how a simple meal shared between Native Americans and early English settlers evolved into a central part of America’s traditional origin story and a national holiday.

The exhibition examines three stories that are part of American national consciousness and popular culture. The first is devoted to Pocahontas, the young Powhatan woman who played a key role in saving the colony of Jamestown. Another story explores the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Signed by President Andrew Jackson, the act envisioned a United States without Indians. One of the boldest and most far-reaching laws in American history, removal transformed the country—generating great wealth for the nation and catastrophe for Native Americans. The third looks at the complicated story of the Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as Custer’s Last Stand. “Americans” explores how these events have been remembered and represented throughout the years.

The exhibition title is a play on words and nods to the name originally given to this country’s Indigenous inhabitants by Europeans. It is meant not only as a reminder of the primacy of American Indians in the territory known as the United States but also of the tangled relationship between Indians and the people now called Americans.

With support from History Colorado, Breckenridge History will host Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Member Mark Wing for a special program, Americans Reflections, on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 6 pm, at the Breckenridge Welcome Center Museum. This talk will be free and open to the public.

Wing is a respected member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, known for his involvement in youth programs, cultural leadership (like giving blessings at state meetings), and connection 14

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to traditional Ute ways. Wing is a cattle and horse rancher in Towaoc, on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation, and is the Culture Specialist in the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Historic Preservation Office. He is also the Sun Dance chief for the Bannock Creek Shoshone of Fort Hall, Idaho, and the Vice President of the Native American Church for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and State of Colorado.

He previously served as an Educator at Kwayigut Community Academy, a Project Manager at Moguan Behavioral Health, and a Youth Advocate in The Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1.

Wing is Bear Dance Chief at the yearly spring Ute Bear Dance and is a youth mentor in his community.

Support for “Americans” is provided by the Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250, a Smithsonian-wide initiative commemorating the nation’s 250th. Signature support for Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250 has been provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.

Get to Know MoMs & Breckenridge History MoMs

MoMS is a collaboration of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service | Smithsonian Affiliations and state partner organizations. It serves museums, libraries and historical societies in rural areas, where about one-fifth of all Americans live. The partnership brings exhibitions, educational resources and programming to small towns across America. MoMS has visited all 50 U.S. states as well as Guam and inspired over 1,900 towns to rediscover their local histories while finding a renewed sense of community pride. Visit online at museumonmainstreet. org.

Breckenridge History

Breckenridge History is a nonprofit organization that conducts preservation work in town and the surrounding area, operates free museums, and provides guided experiences. In 2026, Breckenridge History will celebrate its 20th anniversary. The Breckenridge Welcome Center Museum will also host exhibits focused on celebrating the America 250/Colorado 150 anniversaries through a local lens. This includes the Spirit of ’76 exhibit which will examine the 1976 bicentennial in Breckenridge.

Breckenridge Welcome Center Museum 203 S. Main St., Breckenridge, CO 80424 Open daily, 9:30 am to 4 pm 970-453-9767 ext. 1 www.BreckHistory.org History Colorado 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203 Open daily, 10 am to 5 pm 303-447-8679 www.HistoryColorado.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF BUILDING HOPE

Building Hope Sol Center Built by the Community for the Community as A Unified, Accesible Hub for Summit County Residences In mountain towns, the strongest foundations are not always concrete or timber. Often, they are the people who look out for one another and make life here possible. That spirit is the heart of the Sol Center, a new collaborative hub led by the Family and Intercultural Resource Center (FIRC) and Building Hope. As the first building on the Town of Breckenridge emerging nonprofit campus, the Sol Center reflects a community stepping forward to meet its own needs with clarity, compassion, and unmistakable Summit County grit .

The Sol Center offers something our community has needed for a long time. For years, residents searching for support moved between different offices and locations, trying to piece together help one appointment at a time. In a community where the cost of living challenges almost every household for the local workforce, these extra steps made an already demanding daily life even more complicated.

The Sol Center brings a fresh way forward. This warm and welcoming place gathers essential services under a single roof.

A person can walk in with a question or a worry and find food resources, family support, mental health guidance, financial assistance, thrift items, or referrals without weaving across the county. It is a setting designed for working families who power our ski-lifts and restaurants, for neighbors who bring heart to our communities, and for people who want to stay rooted in the mountains they call home.

The location reflects that purpose. Set along the free bus line and beside the Vista Verde workforce housing neighborhood, the Sol Center is convenient and easy for residents to reach. Inside, bright and welcoming areas bring staff and partners together, allowing conversations and collaboration to unfold naturally.

The building is filled with the energy of partnership. Food access programs, family services, mental health support, financial assistance, thrift resources, referrals, and collaborative offices will all share one home. A case manager can connect with a mental health navigator in moments, and a family visiting the market can find guidance on housing or budgeting in the same visit. The shared hallways and spontaneous conversations may seem simple, but they create meaningful shifts in how care is offered, making support easier to provide and easier for residents to receive.

And yet, the story of the Sol Center is as much about how it was built as what it will become. This project came to life because the community said yes again and again. Residents, donors, local businesses, civic partners, and the Town of Breckenridge all contributed their hands, their resources, and their belief that Summit County thrives when everyone has a fair chance at stability. The Town provided a long-term land lease, and countless donors, builders, volunteers, and advocates placed each figurative stone along the way. The Sol Center is truly built by the community, for the community.

FIRC and Building Hope anticipate opening in the spring of 2026 and will host a community celebration in the summer, a moment to come together and enjoy the new patios under the sun. It will be a chance to thank everyone who helped make it possible and to welcome residents into a place designed with their needs at the center.

In a landscape known for its peaks and open sky, the Sol Center offers something just as powerful. It is a reminder that our greatest strength has always been our people and the way we show up for one another. This new center is more than a building. It is a promise that Summit County is and will remain a community where every person matters.

For more details, visit: www.buildinghopesummit.org

Kingdom Notes

Nonprofit Nook

Summit County Rescue Group

by Shauna Farnell

A New Facility to Assist in Saving Lives Now set up for faster, more efficient rescue missions, Summit County Rescue Group opened its new headquarters in Frisco this August. Composed entirely of unpaid professionals, SCRG is dedicated to saving lives when people become lost or injured in rugged terrain.

The nonprofit never charges for its arduous and sometimes dangerous work. In 2024 alone, SCRG took 184 calls. The new facility, shared with the Sheriffs Office special operation units, has been in the works since 2019 and was funded largely by individual donations. Whereas the Rescue Group’s previous facility could only accommodate about 20 of the group’s 75 members and its garage would often freeze shut, the new facility has garage space for all of SCRG’s equipment, including trucks, ATVs and snow-tracked vehicles as well as a spacious classroom with recording capabilities and an indoor technical training area and climbing wall with which to practice high-angle and rope rescues.

cannot afford winter clothing. When he discovered that none of the local nonprofits could accept this volume of donations, he founded Breckenridge-based nonprofit Slopes to Hope.

“I rented a storage unit last week,” Roberts said in early November. “Since then, the Dillon Community Church picked up 35 pounds of jackets after noticing people standing in line for food who didn’t have coats and were cold.”

Slopes to Hope

by Lisa Blake

Connecting People to Clothing So many things are left behind when guests check out of a hotel—winter coats, gloves, boots, swimsuits, pillows, phone chargers. Oftentimes, guests are contacted to be reunited with their belongings and they don’t want them, so the items end up in landfills.

Working the front desk at the Grand Lodge on Peak 7, Drew Roberts decided to connect the tens of thousands of pounds of winter clothing sitting in trash bags with the tens of thousands of Coloradans who are experiencing homelessness or 16

After that, a children’s clothing store that had just closed dropped off 30 brand new jackets and 40 pairs of mittens along with boots and goggles. US Bank in Breckenridge offered to host a Slopes to Hope clothing donation box in their branch to help gather winter clothing before the holidays. Keystone and Copper Mountain ski resorts reached out and donated their lost and found hauls and, in a single week, Roberts received 400 pounds of clothing.

“I’ve got to get a bigger storage garage,” he says.

The 40-year-old Breckenridge Mountain Rotary Club member has been working with homeless shelters, churches and community organizations in Summit County and the Denver Metro Area, including Christ’s Body Ministries, ReSaddled Thrift Store, Dillon Community Church and FIRC. He has already donated more than 4,305 pounds of clothes, gloves, hats and blankets in his first year and was able to collect 500 pounds of queen-sized

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blankets from Hampton Inn & Suites in Silverthorne as they were replacing linens.

Slopes to Hope was awarded a $2,000 HC3 Strong Futures Grant and $6,500 through the Town of Frisco small business waste reduction program. Roberts is currently working to raise $12,000 to reach the goal of collecting and distributing 10,000 pounds of winter clothes.

“I’m figuring out the nonprofit world,” he says. “Fundraisers are huge. You have to bring the money in somehow, some way.

Grants are great, but you can’t rely on them forever.”

How You Can Help Slopes to Hope Donate Clothing: Reach out to Roberts via the website below.

Donate Money: Funds from grants, sponsorships and individual donors are welcomed.

Donate Time: Roberts needs help with community outreach and connecting with hotel and resort managers and volunteers to help pick up donations and sort clothes. www.slopestohope.com

Photo Essay

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Northern Lights Over Breckenridge

Breck Made Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of every town and we have a ton of them. Here are a few Breckenridge Made products for you to enjoy.

The Way Out “The Way Out”

by Devon O’Neil Released this fall by Harper Collins, “The Way Out” is long-time Breck local and acclaimed journalist Devon O’Neil’s first book, unraveling the harrowing true story of survival and tragedy during a backcountry hut trip in the Sawatch Mountains just outside of Breckenridge. An avid backcountry adventurer himself, O’Neil spent years interviewing families and friends involved in and impacted by the hut trip. The tale begins with three fathers and their teenage children – all experienced in backcountry and high alpine adventure – who set off on the adventure with the hope of quality bonding time with their teenage children.

When a monster snowstorm strikes, the drama unfolds and the page-turning ramps up to all-nighter status.

The outcome strikes on many emotional levels, offering profound takeaways for those of us who love spending time outdoors.

Find O’Neil’s book at AMR Ski & Snowboard Rental located in the Citymarket Shopping Center 400 North Park Avenue Suite 9A, Breckenridge, CO

Studio Frame Shop Where concert posters, keepsakes and statement art come to life.

Signed Taylor Swift albums, Phish concert posters, time-worn pages from a thrift store novel, old mining claims—if it’s important to you, Studio Frame Shop owner Jenny Wright will gladly memorialize it.

Breathing new life into the 1986 Breckenridge framing business, Wright reopened Studio Frame Shop in February 2025 at 160 E. Adams, upstairs in the Big Sky Building (former home of the BHH Architecture Firm). Wright’s intimate and artful custom design process takes clients through mat and frame selection to bring their vision to reality. Glass is hand cut and Wright’s frame and mat samples span every shade, from mocha to midnight green to aquamarine.

“We’re collaborating to create something beautiful,” she says.

“Whenever you acquire a piece of art, your soul is tickled. And then, when you go the next step to custom frame the piece, that spark continues to grow. You become part of the art because you amplify it with the finishes you’re choosing.”

By appointment. Book online at breckframeshop.com.

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A Marvelous Place for You and Me - A Red Rocks Raccoon Tale Breckenridge author and illustrator create the legendary music venue’s first children’s book.

Standing between intense red sandstone monoliths Ship Rock and Creation Rock and taking in the sublime acoustics and magical energy that only Red Rocks can deliver is a quintessential Colorado experience. Your first time—or 50th—is something that’s never forgotten.

It’s this full-body buzz and jaw-gaping astonishment that went into writing and illustrating each page of A Marvelous Place For You & Me. The 32-page hand-illustrated children’s book is the brainchild of Breckenridge author Lisa Blake and illustrator Lauren Schulz.

The playful tale was sparked by the natural beauty and wonder of Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre and the native raccoon family— lovingly dubbed Rocky, Roxanne, and Roxy—that calls the area home. A hit with adults, children and music lovers everywhere, the book pays homage to our favorite Denver Mountain Park and music venue.

Find A Marvelous Place For You & Me at the Red Rocks Trading Post or order directly from the author on Instagram @lisananblake.

Mystique Medicinals At the forefront of the growing functional wellness movement.

In the former Garden of Eden space along Highway 9, sunlight floods in through glass garage doors, illuminating snaking pothos vines and glinting off curio cabinet shelves lined with tonics, tinctures and tarot cards. Newly opened Mystique Medicinals has found a warm Farmers Korner home to showcase its handcrafted small-batch medicinal mushroom extracts and herbal supplements.

Founded by partners Kat Carter and John Peralta, the apothecary specializes in dual extract tinctures (the medicinal properties of the plant in liquid form) for immune and cognitive support. You’ll find reishi, lion’s mane, chaga and cordyceps adaptogenic products made with intention and integrity.

“We’re serving a community seeking alternatives to conventional health products,” says Mystique Medicinals founder Kat Carter. “We’re actually extracting the fruiting body of the mushroom for the most potent extract possible.

You cannot find tinctures of this potency at your local health food store.”

A longtime Breckenridge local, yoga instructor, retreat leader and Ecstatic Dance Colorado innovator, Carter says her goal is to offer a community gathering space to connect over functional mushroom grow labs, yoga classes, sound healings, tarot readings, ecstatic dance and more.

Watch for event and workshop announcements at mystiquemedicinals.com.

Breckpreneurs

Beloved Boutique Mindy Thein Meet the Big-Hearted Visionary Behind Beloved Boutique

By Shauna Farnell

With an eye for design and chic but feel-good women’s wear, Mindy Thein hopes to one day launch her own line

After college, Thein took an internship helping Flow Snowboards redesign its women’s line.

Some of us might go as far as referring to a long-time favorite jacket, sweater or pair of jeans as “beloved.” That’s the goal of Mindy Thein’s boutique women’s clothing shop on Main Street, Breckenridge.

She managed Gap and Banana Republic stores as well as an upscale women’s fashion boutique (Ella Blu).

After managing a pop-up Billabong store in Dillon, she realized the time had come to open her own shop. Her creative skills kicked into action with the help of an investor who believed in her vision, plus friends and her now-husband. Beloved opened its doors in May 2013.

The 42-year-old handpicks pieces from high-quality brands and sells for reasonable prices. And everything is soft, so soft.

“I have women come in all the time and say, ‘I bought this here five years ago, 10 years ago. I love it so much, I just can’t get rid of it,’” Thein says. “I understand consumers want more for less, but what if you came in and bought two pieces rather than three or four at Amazon or Target? Our stuff is unique and will last a lot longer.”

Growing up in North Carolina, Thein earned a degree in Apparel and Textiles at Appalachian State University. While home “and bored” during break her freshman year, she created her own line of purses, selling dozens to friends and family. Her final college project involved designing, producing (and modeling) a wedding dress and snowboard outfit.

“My ultimate dream is to do more handmade branded stuff, a Beloved product line,” she says.

“I’ve always been crafty. I have a big imagination.”

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Since then, Thein has had two daughters, overcome breast cancer, run the shop with only part-time help as well as masterminded and managed Beloved’s online boutique (belovedboutiqueshop.com) and social media channels. She’s kept her designer juices flowing, concocting handmade candles and fleece beanies, available at the shop this holiday season.

Much more than just a store, Thein considers Beloved her own creative canvas, a vessel for making shopping an inviting, relaxing and unifying experience.

“It’s a place I get to meet people from all over the world,” she says. “I want women to look in the mirror and feel good. I have laughed, cried, and prayed with customers. What’s great is meeting people and loving on them. Clothes are just a part of it.”

115 S. Main Street www.belovedboutiqueshop.com

I S S U E 11 2025/26 | www.bre cke nr id ge m a ga z ine.C O

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Local Lifestyles

Chloe Zimmer

By Daniel Dunn

Chloe Zimmer Really Likes Having Fun Mountain towns like Breckenridge seem to have a much higher percentage of fun people, than say, Cleveland. With constant giggling, and big laughs heard across large spaces, you’ll quickly come across young people like Chloe Zimmer living it up. Honestly, her vibe is contagious-you will have a good time hanging with her.

Whether it’s skiing, embracing two jobs, belting out karaoke, laughing at everyone’s bad jokes, Chloe has all the bases covered.

She knew the lively atmosphere of resort towns would suit her well.

Skiing fuels the daily routine. Her family has done the “Z Ski Trip” most of her life. While renting a big house somewhere, the goofiness and connections create memories. She’s brought that passion for making turns to her own life, with a goal of hitting 2 million vertical feet skied this season. Skiing is auto stress relief.

People come from around the world to party in Breckenridge. “I love going to the HD and singing karaoke. Everyone just lets their guard down and makes complete idiots of themselves. I know certain places, on certain nights, as soon as I walk in, I’ll know 10 people. Lots of people who migrated here, they just want to make friends. Breck has a “local” vibe, which I really like.”

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We talked about living in the moment. “Yes, you have to have your ducks in a row, but you gotta enjoy yourself and be happy.

Eliminate stress and just enjoy yourself. Embrace and be open to everyone. There are a lot of different types of people in the world, but there’s also enough room for all of them.”

Partying with family on Thanksgiving has influenced this very likable gal’s outlook on life. “Oh yeah, I have a big family, like 50 for Thanksgiving, we eat in the garage, with lots of very loud laughing, and Dad’s telling bad jokes. I love my family, they’ve definitely helped shape who I am.

Chloe has a surprisingly mature complex view on the world, with deep thoughts on living a good life. “It’s a great lifestyle, people are so nice, it’s such a healthy place , there’s so many outlets for outdoor activities that I think a lot of people don’t get to indulge in anywhere else, we’re very lucky, I love it here.”

An old wise man would be hard pressed to better summarize having fun, “My M-O is of course to prioritize having a good time, but also prioritize being kind. The reason I have so much fun is because I have a positive mindset and I’m able to make friends and that all just comes from having an open heart and being a nice person. Do that, and it’ll take you far.”

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Family

Kids Corner

By Braxton Blake

A Kid’s Dream Weekend in Breckenridge The greatest thing about growing up in Breckenridge is the fact that, when you’re not at school or hockey practice, you’re on vacation. When our little ski town is covered in snow and the holiday lights are glowing, it can feel like we’ve been dropped into a Hallmark movie.

Here, a born-and-raised Breck kiddo shares his ideal winter weekend.

Starting the weekend with a great meal in a fun restaurant is a Friday family tradition. Empire Burger has the best burgers, hand-cut French fries and colorful sauces like sweet mango and curry ketchup. Make sure to get an Oreo milkshake and catch the Avs or Broncos game on the TVs. After dinner, if it’s not getting too late, walk around town and stop into some kid favorites like Peak-a-Boo Toys for books and games, Rocket Fizz for wild flavored sodas, and Nature’s Own for rocks and fossils.

Get up early Saturday and catch first chair! But first, grab Daylight Donuts black bottom chocolate donuts and warm sausage rolls to eat on the gondola. Hop off at Peak 7 for warm-up groomer runs and, if you’ve never been, ride the highest chair lift in North America, the Imperial Express Superchair, to take in the views at 12,840 feet. If the snow is fluffy and soft, ski down Whale’s Tail.

Do some fast steep runs on Peak 10 and leave before lines get too long, like the locals do.

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Back in town, load up an arcade card and play all the video games at Downstairs at Eric’s while your pizza and baked wings cook. Mario Kart, Ninja Turtles, four-person Pac-Man and the claw machines are a blast. Dessert at Higgles is a must try. Their flavors change with the seasons and there’s always something yummy like mint chip or apple pie.

For some downtime, a movie at the locally owned Eclipse Theater is a nice way to spend the afternoon. Or, if you’re feeling creative, check out a class in the Breck Create arts district or go paint something cool at Ready, Paint, Fire. For more movement, hit the rock climbing wall and pool at the Breckenridge Rec Center. The hot tub and lazy river are very relaxing.

On Sunday, head back to Breckenridge Ski Resort for more high alpine runs, terrain park jumps or fun rollers. Go sledding at Carter Park or enjoy a snowy hike on the Peaks Trail or Gold Hill.

If your legs aren’t too cooked, cap your day off at the Stephen C. West Ice Rink during a stick and puck or open skate session.

I hope you love your time in Breck as much as we do! ~Braxton

As told by Braxton Blake, 10, to his mother, Lisa Blake, 45.

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Shop Breck

Shop Breck On Display

by Alyssa Pullekines

Holiday shopfronts glow like little snowglobe scenes

D

id you know our beautiful mountain town is home to dozens of Winter Windows?

Find yourself in Breckenridge during the holiday season and you may feel like you’ve stepped into a postcard, snowglobe, or holiday Hallmark movie. Between the dazzling lights adorning the trees downtown and snowcapped peaks in the background, there is no denying the picture perfect, magical buzz of Breckenridge during the holidays.

This year, Breck’s collection of independent small shops are adding even more to the winter wonderland aesthetic with their first annual Holiday Window Decorating Contest sponsored

by The Summit Chamber, ShopBreck Retail Association, and Breckenridge Tourism Office.

Starting December 3rd through January 5th, visitors will have the chance to ogle at beautiful and playful holiday displays filling the windows of shops and restaurants all along Main Street and beyond. To up the fun, visitors and local families alike are invited to cast a vote for their favorite display. The winning business will earn some fun bragging rights for having the best holiday window display and get to hold onto Harriet the Snowshoe as a trophy in their shop for the year ahead.

In town later in the season? Don’t fret - the voting contest may only run through the peak holiday shopping season, but many businesses will keep their lights and decor on display through most of the ski season.

Have fun exploring the shops and small businesses of Main Street, and don’t forget to browse and shop for unique gifts as you enjoy the festive window displays! From shops dedicated to your four-legged furry friends, toys & games for kids, outdoor adven28

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Shop Local.

Eat Local.

Play Local.

L CAL summitchamber.org

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Shop Breck

turers, wine lovers & foodies, or fashionistas of all ages, you are bound to find something unique and special at any of the dozens of independent small businesses on Main Street.

We’re here to help you find the best of the best locally owned boutiques. From specialty food merchants and local art gallerias to trendy women’s apparel and independent outdoor recreational stores, there is truly something for everyone! Explore our page to discover all that Main Street Breckenridge has to offer and be sure to #shoplocal and #shopbreck during your next trip to Breckenridge. www.shoplocalbreckenridge.com

Photos: Lighting of Breckenridge: Credit @gobreck tourism office Off The Slopes: Credit Sam Harris, Owner-Operator Joy of Sox: Credit Annie Evans, Owner-Operator Continental Divide Winery: Credit Michelle Owens, Tasting Room Manager Beloved Boutique: Credit Mindy Thein, Owner-Operator 30

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MEN

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WO M E N ʻ S • C H I L D R E N ʻ S

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Joy

SHOP EAT PLAY Discover our website where we provide a local’s perspective on all things Breck, a mountain town rich in history with a laid-back vibe. Let this be your Breckenridge Guide to our town.

www.breckenridgemagazine.CO

A Boutique for Women 505 S Main Street A3, Main Street Station

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Breckenridge Backcountry Cabins What to know about the Five Backcountry Cabins and Huts in and around Breckenridge

By Shauna Farnell

Nothing parallels the thrill and reward of an overnight backcountry hut trip. With the efforts of carrying in your own provisions, heating snow for water and living off the grid come warm, cozy evenings with friends or family (and bonding opportunities with fellow guests) as well as the backcountry glistening outside your door awaiting fresh exploration.

“It’s unique because there’s a shared objective to get to the cabin,” says Summit Huts Association Executive Director Greg Guevara, who takes his children, aged 5 and 8, on hut trips.

“There’s something special about this experience of working toward something hard together. Then, once you’re at the hut, you’re totally unplugged. My kids just come alive.”

With five cabins in Summit County, including four in Breckenridge, Summit Huts Association launched its own independently operated reservation system this winter (having previously partnered with Tenth Mountain Division Huts). Cabins have undergone major recent renovations and are filling up quickly in the coming months.

Equipped with wood-burning stove, a variety of beds and bedrooms, pots, pans and utensils, each property occupies its own corner of high alpine paradise and a distinctive character.

Pictured: Section House

Section House Dating back to 1882, when it was built to house railroad workers who maintained the section of Denver, South Park & Pacific narrow-gauge track that ran over Boreas Pass, The Section House (Interior Photos above and to the right; Exterior Photo on previous Page) sits at 11,481 feet.

Located just off the dirt road that is drivable in summer, but snow-covered and closed to motorized traffic in winter, the Section House brings a more rustic experience. Equipped with 12 beds and a propane oven as well as brand new insulated ceiling and roof, its composting toilet is located in an outdoor structure. The journey to the Section House involves a 6.5-mile glide, skin or snowshoe on the road, going slightly uphill for 1,200 vertical feet. Many Section House guests opt for Nordic skis and stick to gliding excursions, but steeper terrain is easily accessible for avid backcountry adventurers.

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Ken’s Cabin Located adjacent to the Section House on Boreas Pass and built in the 1860s, Ken’s is the optimal choice for a couple’s getaway. The cozy one-room cabin, also newly equipped with roof insulation, features a double bed and small single bed as well as wood-burning stove and kitchenette with two-burner propane stove, sink and utensils. It shares an outside toilet with the Section House.

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Francie’s Cabin The most popular hut in Colorado, Francie’s sits at an elevation of 11,360 feet in the Crystal Basin, surrounded by wilderness and snowfields of various slope angles for downhill or cross-country skiing. Reaching the cabin from the Spruce Creek trailhead just south of Breck involves a 2-mile, just under 1,000-vertical-foot hike (on skis, split board or snowshoes) up a wide trail.

With beds for 20 guests and equipped with an indoor sauna and composting toilet, Francie’s recent $200,000 renovation included new hickory hardwood floors, stainless steel kitchen countertops, energy-efficient appliances and LED lighting.

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Sisters Cabin Located on the slopes of Bald Mountain just below treeline at 11,445 feet, Sisters Cabin is the newest of Summit Huts’ repertoire. Built in 2018, inspired and funded by Sue Storm, who has cherished hut trips for decades with a sisterly group of friends, Sisters Cabin sleeps 14 guests and is equipped with a sauna and indoor composting toilet. Getting there involves a 3.7-mile trek uphill for more than 1,300 feet from the French Gulch trailhead. The journey begins on the wide Sallie Barber trail and continues onto narrow trails though pine forests.

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Janet’s Cabin Janet’s is located on the east side of Vail Pass in Guller Creek drainage, right at timberline at 11,610 feet. The approach begins with a trek (or chairlift rides) from Copper Mountain Resort. If taking the chairlift route (which includes a short ski down to the backcountry gate), the trek is 3.7 miles and 1,160 vertical feet. Surrounded by both high- and low-angle peaks with downhill routes ending at its door, Janet’s is a favorite among experienced backcountry users. It features four bedrooms and 20 beds, outdoor wood-burning sauna and indoor composting toilet.

Summit Huts has additional exciting news to be revealed this spring. Keep tabs on what’s to come, learn more about each hut and make reservations at summithuts.org.

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Breck History

Father Dyer Methodist Church Story & Photos by Leigh Girvin

Father Dyer United Methodist Church in Breckenridge: A Spiritual Home Expands to Serve the Community Father John Dyer, certain that he would make it to Heaven, must be smiling down on his congregation in Breckenridge. 163 years after his first ministry to miners of the Blue River Diggings, the church he built continues to grow. In 2025, the congregation completed a 2500 square foot addition to the historic building to bring even greater service to the community.

The church’s namesake, John Lewis Dyer, first came to the Breckenridge area in the spring of 1862 as a circuit-riding minister. By the following winter, Dyer was an old hand at mountain travel, making his way to the far-flung mining camps on what were called “Norwegian Snowshoes.” Today we know them as skis.

When Breckenridge grew into an established community, Dyer was again on hand to minister to the spiritual needs of the booming town and its families. In 1880, Dyer built the first Methodist Church in Breckenridge, next to today’s Old County Courthouse.

To call congregants to Sunday service, Dyer would ring the bell of

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the neighboring Fire House, sending the faithful and the firemen to his sanctuary. After much confusion, the Town locked Dyer out, silencing the church bells for many years.

Preaching the gospel came without a paycheck, and to supplement his income, Dyer carried the mail and mined for gold. Soon he was sought after for mining advice and help locating valuable veins. His generous expertise in mining probably helped softened the blow when he would arrive at a camp and make the miners listen to a sermon before he would release the mail.

Dyer and his successor, Reverend Florida Passamore, preached the old “fire and brimstone” form of the gospel. Passamore’s strident sermons against drink, and his exhortations for Sunday saloon closures, prompted Breckenridge miners to dynamite his new church bell in 1892, quieting the Methodist Church’s call to service yet again.

Top of Page 40: Father Dyer Church exterior with newly built addition TOP LEFT: Exterior Father Dyer signage TOP RIGHT: Stained Glass Image of Father Dyer on Skis MIDDLE LEFT: Alledged Original Ski with Pole Cross BOTTOM LEFT: Father Dyer’s Original Cabin BOTTOM RIGHT: Pastor Ben with Father Dyer Portrait

In 1977, the original church building, now named for Dyer, moved in one whole piece to its current location at 310 Wellington Road. In the early 2000s, the church bell was decommissioned again when lightning struck the steeple. Today the bell rings a welcoming peal to the newly remodeled and expanded house of worship.

At the helm is Pastor Ben Wentworth leading a vibrant congregation. Wentworth was only 10 months on the job when the remodel began in May of 2023. During the previous two years of Covid, the price doubled. Yet the congregation remained committed to the expansion, spending over $4 million on the project.

As the construction commenced, church members pivoted to new venues, with Sunday services in the Eclipse Movie Theater, community dinners in the nearby Library building, and the food pantry continuing in utility trailers in the church parking lot.

The addition pushed out 25’ from the west facing Fiester Sanctuary (added in the 1980s in honor of retired Rev. Mark Fiester), and incorporated a complete remodel of the entire basement, taking over two years for construction.

The gleaming new kitchen pumps out over 5,000 meals a year for the Sunday night community dinners. “Our numbers fluctuate, dipping a little in the summer, 42

and increasing when the lifties get back in town,” recounted Pastor Ben. The food pantry is seeing increased demand these days. It now occupies a dedicated store room with commercial-grade freezers and refrigerators.

With the addition, other services are included: a conference room with Dyer memorabilia gracing the walls, a cheerful Sunday school space, women’s book club, bible study, men’s group, and adult Sunday school. Beyond the church walls the congregation’s hand extends to jail ministry and Guatemala mission trips.

Methodism remains an itinerant ministry to this day. “Our founder, John Wesley, went to the people,” Wentworth explained.

Terms typically last 5 to 10 years. Wentworth portrays himself as a “mountain kid,” raised in Colorado Springs and on military bases. After much searching, working with youth ministry, and organizing Spirit-Palooza, Ben found his calling as a pastor. And he is happy to be back in the mountains.

He described how today’s Methodist church is different from the old style of Dyer and Passamore: “We now lean into grace. We are all fallible. Come as you are, we move forward together, the past is past, and we focus on the here and now.”

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Today, the church he leads is more welcoming than ever, with more space to worship, more room in the Fellowship Hall, more services for families, and inviting colors and appointments. The mission statement: Father Dyer UMC is a spiritual home, allowing all to be the hands and feet of Christ, sharing God’s light and love.

While John Dyer’s circuit ranged across Colorado and New Mexico, his only surviving church is found in Breckenridge. Dyer’s legacy is also recognized at the State Capitol, where he is honored as one of 16 founders of Colorado, with a stained-glass portrait way up high in the cupola, where he can look down, as if from Heaven.

For a schedule of programs offered, dates and times, community dinners, food pantry, and church services, please visit the website www.fatherdyer.church.

For more information on Father Dyer’s history and the ghost town of Dyersville, please see www.breckhistory.org/fatherdyer-and-dyersville-ghost-town.

For a complete biography, see Rev. Mark Fiester’s book “Look for Me in Heaven: The Life of John Lewis Dyer.”

Page 42 LEFT: Pastor Ben with old Window Page 42 RIGHT: Exterior view of new addition windows TOP LEFT: New addition windows looking out to Ski Area TOP RIGHT: Stained glass image of Father Dyer preaching LEFT: Communion Set BOTTOM RIGHT: Father Dyer Quit-Claim Deed

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Homes & Realty

A-Frames Making A Comeback

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STORY SHAUNA FARNELL

DESIGN ENGINEER MIKE THOMPSON INTERIOR DESIGN Studio 8 Decor.

PHOTOS Elizabeth & Rich Devenney Alan Stenback

CONSTRUCTION Travis Construction

The modern iteration of the classic mountain style has pretty much eradicated its downsides

Certain styles of home hold a special place in everyone’s heart and memories. Afterall, who doesn’t love a log cabin? When it comes to classic A-frames, however, they tend to appeal to a more specialized taste. Some people have always wanted one, cherish memories of a childhood vacation involving an A-frame. Meanwhile others, say, someone who grew up in an A-frame, might regard them with contempt, a home in which you can never hang wall art and where there is only a single line available for humans to walk without bumping their heads on the sloped ceiling.

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Homes & Realty

A

-frames appear to be making a comeback and with their modern design, there isn’t much not to love.

“A traditional A-frame is the pitched canvas tent. It’s novel in the sense that you’re occupying the space of the immediate shape of the roof. You’re bringing in that camping spirit, the comfort and coziness of being in the wilderness,” says Mike Thompson, owner and designer of the newly built home at 297 Robertson Lane, North Star neighborhood on Hoosier Pass about 10 miles south of Breckenridge. “The nice thing about this home is you can get both environments, the spatial feel of a normal home, but with the A-frame in the top, you get that classic retreat feeling.”

With three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and covering 2,516 square feet, Thompson’s home certainly looks like an A-frame from the outside, but inside, it does indeed offer the space of a streamlined home, its triangular exterior roof poised atop regular vertical walls. The vaulted ceilings with the A-frame roof not only make it feel spacious and airy, but with a massive wall of windows and skylights, it is much brighter than a classic A-frame, the inside of which can feel like being under an upside-down book, the only light coming in through small openings at either end.

“You can see the artistic qualities of the home, but it’s still practical,” says Taryn Brooke of RE/MAX Properties of the Summit and listing agent for 297 Robertson Lane. “You don’t have unusable space. You have head space. You can push the

chair against the wall. The windows are amazing. It’s light and bright, but it still feels intimate, like you’re in that mountain oasis.”

Built on a half acre lot amid pine and fir trees with views of the surrounding 13,000-foot peaks and access to neighborhood trails, the home’s exterior features fiber cement and corrugated metal siding, a flat patio and garden area. The covered balcony outside the master bedroom gives one the distinct feeling of taking in the views from a cozy pup tent. Inside, Douglas fir exposed timber beams create a functional geometric art piece in the vaulted ceiling, Thompson’s favorite feature of the home.

“I love the architectural style, the real dramatic pop it adds to a space,” Thompson says. “There was some talk about flushing everything and wrapping it in dry wall. I said no, no, no, I want these exposed.”

The property is comprised of two A-frames put together in an L shape to accommodate the shape of the lot, the spiral-like subalpine flora surrounding it inspiring Thompson’s design. The harmony of this pointy shape continues inside with the sleek black hardware in the railings, doorknobs and chandeliers.

A structural engineer who also studied architecture, Thompon was also inspired by his father, a fellow structural engineer, who took the family on trips to an A-frame in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., when Thompson was growing up.

“He taught me at a young age that the most structurally stable shape is the triangle,” Thompson says.

“You’re creating a shell-like structure that’s stable for high winds. Also, having the walls and roof be one and the same allows you to put more insulation in to have a more energy efficient, cozier home. It holds the heat in.”

The home is zero net ready, ideal seamlessly adding solar and going off-grid. A pet project of Thompson’s, who lives in Colorado Springs with his family, the North Star property is listed at $1.680 million, the lowest priced new construction in Summit County.

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“A traditional A-frame is the pitched canvas tent. It’s novel in the sense that you’re occupying the space of the immediate shape of the roof. You’re bringing in that camping spirit, the comfort and coziness of being in the wilderness.”

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Art

Breckenridge Gallery

By Lisa Blake Summit County’s longest running fine art gallery invites you to fall deeply in love When a piece of art speaks to you, it practically jumps off the wall. Your eyes light up, lips part and corners of the mouth draw upward, your heart or stomach may even flutter a bit. There’s a certainty, a recognition, a page of your story that has just been written—it’s a lot like falling in love.

Breckenridge Gallery owner Antonio Pacheco has seen that look time and again.

“Someone will walk into the gallery and stop in their tracks, look at the wall and say, ‘yep, that’s the one,’” Pacheco says. “When you see that moment in someone’s eyes, it’s special.”

The Colorado native and former Starz Entertainment program planning and scheduling vice president took over the Main Street gallery in April 2024. After 20 years in the television industry, Pacheco says he realized he wanted to do something more for himself. On the hunt for either an art gallery or a fly fishing shop (the latter eliciting a strong veto from his wife, Wendy), he made an offer on Breckenridge Gallery.

“I’ve always loved small art galleries,” Pacheco says. “We’d be on vacation in Santa Fe, Maui, Phoenix, and I’d drag my family to the local art gallery. My kids always hated it.”

Today, Pacheco splits time between Denver suburb Parker and Breckenridge, running the two-level gallery and filling its white well-lit walls with acrylic and oil paintings, hand-welded pieces, bronze sculptures, woodworkings and more by impressionist, 48

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contemporary and abstract artists. Most of the gallery’s artists are either from Colorado or have strong ties to the state.

The gallery’s ambiance is crisp and clean with a warm, welcoming glow. Guests find a wide range of Western-inspired fine art and top-selling mountain landscape paintings alongside stainless steel abstract works from local coal mining welder turned artist Levi Larkin and Littleton artist Melissa Cooper’s bronze song birds. Pacheco calls the gallery’s aesthetic a crossroads between nature and culture, where rugged wilderness meets refined creativity.

After extensive training from the previous gallery owners—Pacheco is only the third owner in the gallery’s 50-plus-year history—the father of two chats up gallery guests with ease, helping them find artwork that evokes emotional connection.

If you see something you like, Pacheco will bring more of that artist’s work out from the back so you can find the one. He’s even gone as far as to bring five paintings to an indecisive couple’s new Breckenridge home, hanging each above the fireplace so they could select the one that looked just right. That couple returns often to fill more of their home with Breckenridge Gallery works and sends visiting friends in to see Pacheco.

“I’m not selling art,” Pacheco says. “I’m just trying to connect people with things they love.”

124 S. Main Street, Breckenridge www.breckenridgegallery.com

Say

“ I Do”

to Beaver Run in Breckenridge Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center: at the center of romance in the Rocky Mountains.

Beaver Run in Breckenridge is the perfect location for your wedding. Let our team of experts help you plan your special day from the rehearsal to the reception so you can cherish every moment along the way.

For more information about weddings or your special event at Beaver Run contact our wedding group sales manager by emailing groups@beaverrun.com or calling 970-453-8718.

BeaverRun.com 970.453.8718

Stay

Hotel Alpenrock Hotel Alpenrock is not just luxurious, but rife with creative, locally inspired salutations

By Shauna Farnell

When exploring Hotel Alpenrock at the base of Peak 9, be sure to take in the details. Celebrating its first anniversary this winter, the 205-room Hilton Curio Collection property features 205 spacious, amenity-rich rooms, three dining areas including Summit County’s only speakeasy (The Canary, accessed via a hidden door), a complimentary valet and shuttle.

“We pride ourselves in our guests not lifting a finger,” says Alpenrock Guest Experience Director Carlie Behan. “We have mountain luxury on point.”

The hotel’s most striking feature, however, is its Breckenridge-inspired personality, shining through its one-ofa-kind artwork and creative, thoughtful touches, all paying tribute to Breck’s colorful landscape and history.

The main floor takes you through four seasons, beginning with winter in the lobby, its desks crafted to resemble giant granite boulders, its wood-slated backdrop a throwback to vintage skis and square hanging lights designed to look like gondola cars. Even the wavy markings on the white granite bench are distinctly reminiscent of fresh tracks in powder.

As you wander down the hallway behind the open-concept Carter bar, you’re met with a wall-sized photographic art piece of yellow, orange and red trees, the cloud-shaped light fixture sealing the cozy autumn vibe. In the staircase from the dining area, a massive floral painting crafted by the hotel’s anonymous owner represents spring.

The Edwin restaurant stops you in your tracks with its summer-inspired details.

Named, along with the neighboring bar, after iconic local naturalist Edwin Carter, the hotel’s main restaurant is equipped with a wood-fire oven and serves pizza, seafood, salads and elevated pub fare. It welcomes you with a trio of actual aspen trunks –removed from the front of the property during the Alpenrock’s 50

$100-million development and featuring authentic knife carvings of hearts and initials from decades past.

Even the carpet in the hallways leading to the property’s guestrooms (all equipped exclusively with king-sized beds to honor Breck’s historic status as a Kingdom) features a winding, watery pattern designed to look like the Blue River that runs through Breck and Summit County.

Don’t miss the hotel’s free art tours highlighting these fun, colorful features.

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www.hotelalpenrock.com

Dine

Local

Cocktails

Winter Cocktail Recipes

Breck Bartenders Share Their Favorite Cozy Winter Cocktail Recipes

By Lisa Blake

Move over hot toddies and Irish coffees. These liquid sorcerers are shaking and stirring what you need this season.

The Place: Ember The Bartender: Sam Swainston The Drink: Sam’s Old Fashioned The Recipe: 3 oz of your favorite bourbon 1 oz Amaro Nonino Italian digestif 2 dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters 2 dashes of orange bitters Sam’s secrets

Garnish with dehydrated orange slice and one Luxardo cherry.

Served in a rocks glass over a large square rosemary-infused cube.

During her five years at Ember, countless thirsty guests have bellied up to the 12-seat half-moon bar at Ember and asked the spunky petite bartender for a drink recommendation.

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“I tell them, ‘I make one hell of an old fashioned,’” she says. “Then they say, ‘I don’t like sweet cocktails.’ And I say, ‘I make one hell of an old fashioned.’” Swainston proceeds to concoct her spirit-forward version of the classic bourbon sipper, minus the extra sugar and splash of cherry juice or mashed orange that are sometimes incorporated to offset the strong liquor. Her secret ingredient: an Italian digestif that lends a teeny bit of sweetness alongside notes of orange, licorice and honey.

“Bourbon warms your soul,” Swainston says. “Everybody needs that. From the minute you walk in the door, you’re going to feel warmth and coziness.”

Visitors return year after year asking for Sam’s Old Fashioned and regulars have dubbed Ember’s dim-lit lounge space, dressed in deep ruby hues and funky art installations, “Sam’s five-star dive bar.”

“I’m not foofoo,” she says. “If you come in here and order something with lavender foam, I don’t do that. But I do pour a nice stiff drink. I only have two rules at my bar: you can’t talk politics and you have to be kind.” www.emberbreck.com

The Place: The Gold Pan Saloon The Bartender: Nick Kyle The Drink: Spiced Painkiller The Recipe: 2 oz Breckenridge Distillery Spiced Rum 4 oz pineapple juice 1 oz orange juice 1 oz coconut cream dash of nutmeg Shaken and served in a pint glass over ice, garnished with an orange slice.

A little bit tropical, a little bit holiday in the mountains, this hangover cure in a pint glass brings the flavor with warming Breckenridge Distillery Spiced Rum, coconut creme, orange juice, pineapple juice and a dash of nutmeg. Longtime Gold Pan bartender Nick Kyle landed in Breck by way of Lahaina Maui and brings the tiki vibe to this historic mining-era saloon—the Gold Pan holds the longest continuous liquor license west of the Mississippi. When you’re finished with your painkiller, ask about Kyle’s browned butter old fashioned and signature wiki waki woo.

“I love the relaxed and cozy atmosphere at the Gold Pan and the people who work here that keep bringing people back, not just for the great food and drinks, but because it’s a place where you can have a laugh or two and feel at home,” Kyle says. www.thegoldpansaloon.com

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Cocktails

The Place: El Perro Negro The Bartender: Owner, Joe Vandal The Drink: Wake Me Up Before You Cocoa The Recipe: 1 oz chocolate milk washed mezcal 1 oz reposado tequila .5 oz Maxico Mistico Licor Cortaespantos (chile, coffee liqueur) 1 oz espresso .5 oz vanilla-infused agave simple syrup couple dashes of chocolate and orange bitters Served up in a coupe glass.

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Espresso martinis are trending hard right now and Breck’s newest Mexican-inspired cocktail bar, El Perro Negro, has two on tap. Order this sweet and spicy winter pick-me-up affogato style (over a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream) and slurp your way through heavenly notes of Mexican chile coffee liqueur, vanilla agave, and orange and chocolate bitters.

“I’ve always wanted to do an agave riff on an espresso martini,” Vandal says. “First, I’m letting mezcal sit on chocolate milk for 2 to 3 days, then straining it off. Then, we are using reposado to add some oak and vanilla notes to the drink, the rested tequila also adds some backbone to the drink.” www.elperronegrobreck.com

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What’s Your Favorite Breckenridge Coffee Shop?

Tell Us Which is Your Favorite Coffee Shop for our Next Issue!

Scan to Vote or Visit: https://mtntownmagazine.com/best-coffee-tea

La Cima Mall 520 S Main Street Breckenridge

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Eat + Drink

New Restaurants

10 New Breck Bars & Restaurants To Try Threefold Bakery James-Beard-Award-winning chef and Rootstalk and Radicato mastermind Matt Vawter has partnered with friends and California-based chefs Sean and Melissa McGaughey to launch this artisan bakery inside the cozy former Mom’s Baking Company space. The McGaugheys own and operate Healdsburg, California’s acclaimed Quail & Condor bakery, named one of the best bakeries in the country by the New York Times, and the Michelin-recognized Troubadour Bread & Bistro.

Opening December 2025, Threefold specializes in long-fermented naturally leavened sourdough breads, authentic French pastries, and high-quality Huckleberry Roasters espresso. The bakery will open its door daily, 7am to 3pm, serving morning croissants and beautiful iced and stuffed pastries before shifting to gourmet

grab-n-go sandwiches, and a beer, wine and cocktail program in the afternoon. threefoldbreck.com El Perro Negro This new 45-seat Mexican-inspired cocktail bar calls on Mexican gin, whiskey, rums, cane spirits, liqueurs and, of course, agave to build its high-level bar program. Inspired by its proprietors’ travels to Mexico, expect elements of Mexico City, Oaxaca and Guadalajara and a glinting back bar stocked with small-batch favorites, rare agave finds, and bottles that honor the families and producers that are keeping Mexico’s traditions alive. Watch for DJs 56

spinning vinyl a couple nights a week and a creative brunch menu to roll out this winter. elperronegrobreck.com Shifty Lifty Shifty Lifty sits steps from the BreckConnect Gondola. It’s worth the schlepping of ski gear and clunky walk in ski boots to nab a barstool inside this friendly sandwich spot and pub. Grab a morning kolache on your way to the hill and an Italian sub and a cocktail when your quads are cooked for the day. Live here? Ask for the local’s discount. shiftylifty. com Forage Long awaited Forage is opening this season, promising a Michelin-level 12-course tasting experience built around Colorado ingredients. Sample menus lean heavily on sustainable Colorado trout, beef and bison with generous nods to the Centennial State’s mining roots and diverse agricultural scene. Expect a healthy dose of local art, history and nature in an elegant, modern space. foragebreckenridge.com

Shifty Lifty

Baretto 1931 Step into this Venetian-style Threefold is a new artisan bakery from espresso bar a cortado Cheffor Matt Vawterorofflat Rootstalk and white. European cafe culturesourdough hit Radicato, offering breads, Main Street last fall when local classic pastries, sandwiches, and entrepreneurexcellent Nichole Shepherd coffee everyday. and her partner Christian Von Graevenitz opened Baretto (Italian for “little bar”) following an in100 trip N MAIN ST UNIT 214 BRECKENRIDGE, CO 80424 spiring to Finale Ligure, Italy.

Like Shepherd’sWWW.THREEFOLDBRECK.COM vintage clothing and jewelry boutiques, the coffee @THREEFOLDBRECK shop is chic and sophisticated. baretto1931.com

Forage

Colorado BBQ Not to be confused with Mephis or Kansas City’s take on smoked meats, Colorado BBQ pulls from carnivorous cultures around the world—from char siu in China to carne asada in Mexico. Grab an IPA or lager inside Highside Brewing’s Breckenridge outpost and order from the barbecue

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Colorado BBQ

shack out back. The kid- and dog-friendly taproom boasts games, 15 beers on tap, and, of course, smoky wings and brisket. highsidebrewing.com/ colorado-bbq Rotolo’s Craft & Crust

Bar Down Tavern A ski pole’s toss from the Independence Chairlift at the base of Peak 7, the newest Breckenridge Grand Vacations concept beckons with biscuits and gravy and smoked salmon avocado toast in the morning and gourmet pizzas, burgers and salads in the afternoon. Don’t miss the weekday 3–5pm happy hour food and drink specials. bardownbreck.com The S’more Shack Ski to the base of Peak 9 and bop over to this cozy, inviting dessert depot in less than a minute. Warm your hands by the fire while the pros inside the Village Plaza food cart artfully construct your perfectly gooey, decadent s’mores. Try the s’mOreo version with Oreo marshmallow and chocolate honey grahams or dig into a savory deluxe grilled cheese. (Watch for a new Frisco location this winter, too!) facebook.com/thesmoreshack Page 56: Left Center, Threefold Bakery. Top, Shifty Lifty. Center, Forage Bottom, CO BBQ. Page 57: Top Left, Rotolo’s Craft & Crust, Center Allberto’s Mexican Kitchen, Bottom, Bar Down Tavern. Top Right, The S’More Shack

Allberto’s Mexican Kitchen

Bar Down Tavern

Allberto’s Mexican Kitchen This humble Airport Road restaurant space has been many things over the years and the community is clamoring for the newest offering: genuine Mexican street food. Family-owned Allberto’s brings traditional bowls of hearty pozole and slow-cooked birria to the table alongside pork pastor tacos and hand-breaded and fried rellenos. It’s casual and friendly—and the Modelo michelada is legit. allbertoskitchen.com Rotolo’s Craft & Crust A Louisiana-based franchise with numerous locations sprinkled across the south, this elevated pizza and beer spot opened on North Main Street in October. The Breckenridge location stands out with 35+ beers on tap, specialty pies, pastas, and handhelds that include a smashburger and dynamite shrimp tacos. rotolos.com Breckenridge Coffee House Filling the former Cuppa Joe spot next to Meta Yoga, this beloved upstairs nook answers a.m. cravings with expertly crafted lattes, scones, an egg soufflé trio, and Bonfire breakfast burritos (try the hearty Barbacoa).

Specialty roasted beans from Breckenridge Coffee Roasters and comfy stylish decor make this the local go-to for reading the paper or kicking back for a casual catch up. 118 S. Ridge St., Breckenridge w w w.bre ckenr id gem a ga zi ne.C O | I S S U E 1 1 2 0 2 5 / 2 6

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Eat

If you think food trucks are only found in big cities, think again.

Breckenridge is home to a multicultural variety of hot, reasonably priced culinary delights that can be ordered from the convenience of a window.

Learn More At:

www.breckenridgemagazine.CO 58

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Breck’s Food Trucks

Your guide to the town’s best Greek, Baked Goods, Coffee, Empanadas and Mexican fare on wheels

By Shauna Farnella

Gyros Delish

Oaxacan Bites

If you’re lucky this winter, you might land on the most delicious, authentically Cypriot baklava you’ll ever taste.

The baklava, like many menu items from this tiny truck in village square at the base of Peak 9, Gyros Delish chef/ owner Michael Halouvas, who was born in Australia but grew up in the kitchen looking over the shoulder of his Cyprus-born mother, adds his own special touch. At any time during the truck’s 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Sunday operating window, don’t miss his Grecian hot chocolate (made with milk and chocolate chips), the grilled Haloumi (a dense, mild but tasty squeaky cheese) with fresh mint in a grilled pita, or specially sourced Aussie lamb gyro. Everything is hot, fresh and extra tasty fuel before or after your ski day.

Home to what could be the most effective hangover cure in town (the Tylayuda – a combination of pork, beans, cheese, avocado, tomatoes and chorizo), this little shack at the North end of Main Street, pictured lower left, is the real deal. Open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, you’re not going to find a tastier breakfast burrito (or breakfast torta) or any sort of tortilla-wrapped or folded lunch option grilled to greater perfection. Spanish comes in handy when ordering (just so you know, Tylauda is pronounced “claw-you-duh”), and you can’t really go wrong with anything on this menu.

Sabor Michoacan Much to the delight of staff at Colorado Building Supply on the north side of Breck, Sabor Michoacan set up shop in its parking lot last summer and serves flavorful tacos filled with hard-to-find meats (tripa, lengua, campechanos, etc.) as well as classics like pollo and asada. Whipping up breakfast burritos starting at 9:30 a.m. every day but Sunday, the truck also specializes in quesadillas, alambras, volcanes and creative tortas (Cuban-style, Italian style, etc.). all piled with freshly made pico de gallo.

SnacFood Empanadas Taking over the former Trolley location in Main Street Station, SnacFood Empanadas is sure to be the new comfort food go-to for skiers and riders going to and from Peak 9 this season; pictured lower right. The Argentinian-style eats range from the bacon, egg & cheese breakfast empanada to pulled pork and mango, ham and cheese, spinach and mozzarella, spicy chicken on the savory side and a Nutella and brownie for the sweet tooth. Open daily from morning until evening, the truck also offers coffee and beer.

Taqueria Mi Roca The Mexican lunch doesn’t get much more authentic or tasty than from the latest truck to hit town. Nestled into the Colorado Mountain College parking lot (107 Denison Placer Road), Taqueria Mi Roca is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and to 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Tacos, burritos, enchiladas and sandwiches are packed to the brim with slow-cooked shredded and braised beef, pork or chicken and homemade salsas serve up the ideal (somewhere between eye-opening and ear-smoking) amount of kick, all topped with fresh cilantro and onion.

Crepes a la Carte Drawing a line that often winds down Main Street, this crepe stop has no wheels to speak of, but a few picnic tables and heat lamps surrounding its permanent spot in the middle of downtown Breck. Boasting what might be the longest list of crepe options on earth, ingredients get fancy – smoked salmon, steak chimichurri, cheesecake. If one of the many signature combos don’t float your boat, build your own.

Danielle’s Delights Tucked into her little pod in the Breckenridge Distillery parking lot off Airport Road, Danielle Walters has gathered quite a crowd of ravenous breakfast, lunch and caffeinated beverage fans. Her creative baked goods rival those of any pastry maker in Colorado. The mini donuts and pancake puffs are the stuff of dreams. Then there’s the stuffed waffles – the pizza, caprese or grilled cheese making for the best treat-style lunch around and the fresh fruit and homemade whipped cream-stuffed sweet versions just straight-up treats. The espresso-centered beverages are all winners anytime between Danielle’s hours of 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily.

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Baked

Bristlecone Bake Shop High Altitude Baking in Alma, Colorado

by Holly Battista-Resignolo

Meet Maggie Kraft, Maggie has been baking with sourdough since 2013, after reading the cookbook, Tartine, a go-to classic for home and professional bakers where she became interested in the idea of naturally leavened baked goods. Her initial attempts were not good, and as they say, “she persisted”. Maggie has been baking bread once (or twice, or three plus times….) a week ever since and now owns her own retail storefront, Bristlecone Bakeshop, in Alma, Colorado.

She is a self-taught baker who has been spending time in the kitchen since she was a child. One of her very first memories is mixing pancake batter at the kitchen table and pretending to be a ‘Chef’. “I spent much of my childhood testing out any and every recipe I could get my hands on, making a total mess in the kitchen, and baking for friends, birthdays, and lemonade stands”.

In 2008 she left New Jersey to attend Colorado College where she majored in history and perfected a chocolate chunk cookie recipe in a toaster oven that she kept under her dorm room desk and it is the same recipe Bristlecone Bake Shop is using today!

Since graduating, she has lived all over the West, and has been involved in a variety of food related work; from building school gardens, to combating food waste, as well as baking and cooking in restaurants and cafes in both Telluride, CO and Seattle, WA. After nearly 4 years operating as a cottage bakery, she and her team opened a retail space for folks to stop, munch and crunch on her delicacies (and take home too). It’s been less than a year since the Bristlecone Bake Shop opened in January 2024 and they have 60

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a large following. Here you will find crusted sourdough loaves, baguettes, sweet and savory pastries, cookies, cold sandwiches and more. Her baked goods are divine.

It has always been Maggie’s dream to operate a bake shop, and she is thrilled to have the opportunity to share her passion with people who really love the craft of sourdough based whole grain baking in Alma and those driving through. I asked her if her delicious breads are due to the water and she said, “I disagree that good bread is due to an areas water, excellent bread is the result of people who care and love the craft of baking”.

It’s been less than a year since the Bristlecone Bake Shop opened in January 2024 and they have a large following. Here you will find crunchy crusted sourdough loaves, baguettes, sweet and savory pastries, cookies, cold sandwiches and more. Her baked goods are divine. The shop currently operates Wednesday - Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm. She will be opening at 7am in November for skiers heading North to Breckenridge, or South to Monarch Mountain and beyond.

Her goods are also available in other locations in Salida, Buena Vista, and Breckenridge. Check the website to discover where or plan to stop in: 15 S. Main, Alma, CO 80420 (908) 451-5727 www. bristleconebakeshop.com

DINE LOCAL GUIDE

YOUR ONE STOP SHOP

Discover THE BEST Places to Eat in Colorado’s mountain towns!

Full Service Grocery with Great Selection of Wine & Liquor, Fresh Produce, Deli Meats, Made To Order Sandwiches, Hot Prepared Foods, Juice & Smoothie Bar

Colorado Mountain Towns

Issue 4 - 2026

Photo: Yampa Valley Kitchen

Open Every Day 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Elevate Your Celebration

Whether it is an intimate mountain wedding or a corporate retreat, our culinary team will craft an unforgettable dining experience that is artfully presented and full of love.

970-468-9999 BlackDiamondGourmet.com

GROCERY: 970-453-2398 LIQUOR: 970-453-6085 311 S. RIDGE STREET BRECKENRIDGE BRECKENRIDGEMARKET.COM

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Breckenridge Distillery Tours, Tastings and More in Breckenridge, Colorado

FROM TOURING THE

FREE SHUTTLE RIDES - 970-445-8613

The Breckenridge Distillery offers a free shuttle to and from the Breckenridge Distillery and Main Street Tasting Room within Breckenridge town limits. The shuttle fits up to 11 guests. To book a ride, call the Distillery Shuttle

award-winning spirit’s production facility to indulge 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-win- WEEKLY TOURS ning spirits while strolling Main Street, the Distillery makes it easy, On our weekly tours (Wed. – Sun.), guests can take a behind-thefun and delicious to discover what it’s all about. Here are 10 ways you scenes tour of the Breckenridge Distillery’s production facility. can experience the Breckenridge Distillery.

This abbreviated tour starts by tasting their award-winning Breckenridge spirits in the Founder’s Lab. Their expert guides will take guests on a one-hour tour through their original and active MODERN-AMERICAN production facility and our Grand Barrel Room. Guests will learn STEAKHOUSE Breckenridge Distillery’s modern-American steakhouse atmosphere about their whiskey production and get a brief history of this rich spirit. Book a tour at BreckenridgeDistillery.com/tour. 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 loPRIVATE VIP TOURS cally sourced steaks from Fitch Ranch. As always, the menu revolves Breckenridge Distillery offers guests a VIP experience during their around local produce, comfort foods with a twist and shareable After Hours tours. Use your senses to experience the inner workdishes meant to encourage interaction and conviviality. Join us for ings of how these handcrafted spirits go from grain to bottle while Happy Hour 2pm-5pm. Book a reservation at breckenridgedistillery. learning about the history of whiskey and how the distillery was com/restaurant. founded. Enjoy samples of their award-winning spirits along the tour. Tours are offered at 5:00 pm and 6:15pm by reservation only.

Book a VIP tour at breckenridgedistillery.com/tour.

COCKTAILS 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 BLEND YOUR OWN WHISKEY the Distillery so much. Billie Keithley was named Icon of Whiskey Nerd out with our distillers and become a master blender for a for Bar Manager of the Year, a tribute to her creative cocktail menu. few magical hours. Breckenridge Distillery’s distillers are experts “You will find suds, bubbles, fire or smoke on our menu, giving the in nosing, flavor categorization and pairing substrates together guest and exciting experience paired with bold and seasonal flato create a whole that far exceeds the expected sum of its parts. vors,” says Keithley. Popular menu staples include the Obi Wan Old Guests will be taught to break down aggregate flavors while Fashioned, made with Breckenridge Port Cask Whiskey. Ask for it building a whiskey blend complete with mouthfeel and finish. Your smoked! blend will be hand bottled with a customized label. By reservation only. Book at breckenridgedistillery.com/tour.

Book a private dinner or event at the Breckenridge Distillery. Parties up to 30 people can reserve their exclusive spaces surrounded by aging whiskey barrels, old barn wood, leather couches and an authentic mountain vibe. Their exclusive, private dining areas come 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

MAIN STREET TASTING ROOM IN DOWNTOWN

TASTINGS & FOUNDER’S EXPERIENCES

SHOP YOUR LOCAL RETAILER

The Breckenridge Distillery offers one of the most highly awarded craft bourbons in the U.S. Guests can choose from a limited menu of spirits and have the option to upgrade their tasting to try their high-end flights. Tastings are on a first-come, first-serve basis at both of the Distillery’s locations. Looking for a more personalized and unique tasting experience? Book a Chocolate & Spirits pairing, small bites and spirits pairing, Cask Finished Flights, among others.

Book at breckenridgedistillery.com/tour.

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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. Shop your local retailer or get home delivery on your favorite Breckenridge spirits. Visit breckenridgedistillery.com to get delivery. Looking for fun cocktail recipes? Visit Billie’s Cocktail Lab on their website for 100’s of hand-crafted cocktail recipes.

Distillery Bar & Restaurant

1925 Airport Road, Breckenridge 970-547-9759

Main Street Tasting Room

137 S. Main Street, Breckenridge

www.breckenridgedistillery.com

Photo Credits: Liam Doran

PRIVATE DINNERS

t s o Get L s! u h t i w

There’s nothing better than enjoying award-winning beers with friends.

Airport Road Location 68 Continental Ct Unit B-12 Breckenridge, CO 80424

La Cima Mall Location 520 S. Main St. Breckenridge, CO 80424

www.brokencompassbrewing.com

Come out for all our events, including trivia nights Tuesdays and Wednesdays, One Off releases every Wednesday, Comedy Nights and Monday Night Potlucks! Catch live music, including El Paso Lasso live at our Main Street Taproom the first Friday of every month, all winter long. See our full event schedule at www.brokencompassbrewing.com.

Eat

Continental Divide Winery Create Your Own Custom Wine at Continental Divide Winery Continental Divide Winery, Breckenridge’s original locally owned winery, gives you a fun and unique opportunity to be a winemaker for a day! Explore the art of wine blending with guidance from their professional staff. Use authentic vintner equipment to custom craft your own personalized wine blend, then bottle, cork and label your custom-crafted wine as a souvenir of your experience.

Awarded Best Winery Experience by Lux-Life Magazine, the Wine Blending Experience is an interactive and enter-

taining two-hour program offered daily (reservations required). “Think of this as high school chemistry where you play with wine instead of chemicals,” explains winery founder Jeffrey Maltzman.

Verified customer reviews sum up the activity best. “The best thing we did in Breckenridge! I cannot recommend it enough!” wrote Eileen from Boston, MA. “This was such a unique cool experience,” boasted Brittah from Big Lake, MN. “I loved learning and experimenting with how the flavors changed as we made our blends,” wrote Steve from Denver CO.

The winery’s Main Street Station tasting room is open daily. Wine Tasting reservations can be made through OpenTable, but walk-ins are welcome.

To book a Wine Blending Experience call 970-771-3443 or book online at cdwinery.com.

Continental Divide Winery Main Street Station 505 S. Main Street Breckenridge, CO 80424 970-771-3443 www.cdwinery.com

Threefold is a new artisan bakery from Chef Matt Vawter of Rootstalk and Radicato, offering sourdough breads, classic pastries, sandwiches, and excellent coffee everyday.

100 N MAIN ST UNIT 214 BRECKENRIDGE, CO 80424

WWW.THREEFOLDBRECK.COM @THREEFOLDBRECK

photo credit: Two Were Tamed Photography, Micah and Caleb Light

Golden Horseshoe Sleigh Rides

Ready for a whimsical winter journey? Join us for enchanting horse-drawn sleigh rides through serene snowy landscapes sipping on custom hot chocolate with cozy blankets, and the jingle of sleigh bells.

Visit Coloradosleighrides.com to schedule your ride today!

www.coloradosleighrides.com 970-453-2005

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Gold Pan Saloon

In 1859 thousands of gold seekers flocked to Colorado, taking part in one of the greatest gold rushes in North American history. In 1861 on this very site, a tented structure known as Long’s Saloon opened for business as a local watering hole for thirsty miners with the permanent building being erected in 1879.

In one form or another, The Gold Pan Saloon has stood for over 140 years playing host to gunfights, outlasting Prohibition, and boasting the longest continuous liquor license west of the Mississippi. Today, locals and visitors alike come for the camaraderie, to tell a few ski and ride stories, listen to music, and enjoy some outstanding food and libations. Now, the Gold Pan adds another chapter with the addition of Carboy Winery, a unique Colorado winery offering a selection of select Carboy wines in bottles and on TAP! So come in and enjoy a piece of Breckenridge history.

103 N Main St, Breckenridge, CO 80424 www.thegoldpansaloon.com

Carboy Winery At 9,600 feet above sea level, the Carboy Breckenridge tasting room offers an unforgettable alpine wine-tasting experience paired with the history of the Gold Rush.

Carboy Winery Breckenridge is a new way to Après Ski and Bike. Situated in part of the infamous Gold Pan Saloon on Main Street, they invite locals and visitors alike to loosen their boots and share tall tales of their day in the mountains while sipping on tall(er) glasses of our award-winning wines. Beautifully prepared menu items are made to complement every glass of wine you choose to taste. Come in from Noon to Nine in the Evening (10 pm on Friday and Saturday) and enjoy Lunch, Happy Hour or Dinner.

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Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant & Cantina For more than 40 years, Mi Casa has been serving up bold Mexican flavors, handcrafted margaritas, and mountain-town hospitality just steps from the base of Peak 9. Whether you’re joining us after a day outdoors or celebrating with friends and family, Mi Casa offers a lively, welcoming space that’s full of flavor and fun.

Outdoor Dining with a View

Flavors Everyone Will Love

Happy Hour + Free Chips & Salsa

Large Group Dining - Room for the Whole Crew

Planning a celebration, group dinner, or special event? With large dining areas and flexible seating, Mi Casa is ideal for private parties, reunions, and group reservations of all sizes.

Come Taste the Tradition Open Daily: 11:30AM-9PM Happy Hour: 2-5PM For Pickup Orders: Micasabreck.com 600 South Park Avenue, Breckenridge

Every day from 2–5pm, enjoy one of the best Happy Hours in Breck with unbeatable deals on house margaritas, draft beer, signature cocktails, and shareable bites. It’s the perfect way to relax, refuel, and soak in the vibe.

Take in the fresh mountain air and stunning scenery from our spacious outdoor patio. Whether it’s a quick lunch, happy hour, or long summer sunset, outdoor dining at Mi Casa offers unbeatable views and a vibrant atmosphere.

From sizzling fajitas and fresh tacos to gluten-free, vegetarian, and dairy-free options, our menu has something for everyone. Don’t miss our famous queso and handcrafted margaritas made with topshelf tequila and ffresh squeezed juices.

970-453-2071 www.micasabreck.com

Radicato Radicato, the second restaurant from James Beard Award winner Chef Matt Vawter, is a modern Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of Breckenridge. Opened in June 2022, Radicato celebrates seasonal and technique-driven cuisine inspired by Italy’s rich culinary traditions, while highlighting locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant showcases everything Breckenridge and Colorado has to offer, exploring connections between farmers and diners while creating an atmosphere that fosters interaction among guests.

Vawter owns and operates Radicato alongside partners Chef Cameron Baker and Director of Operations Patrick Murphy. The restaurant features a team of hospitality professionals dedicated to curating memorable dining experiences and executing Vawter and Baker’s vision of Mountain Italian cuisine. Ingredients are diligently sourced and highlighted on ever-evolving seasonal menus. Open seven days a week, the restaurant offers a variety of dining options from happy hour and an à la carte menu of delicious pastas and entrees to a tasting menu with optional wine pairings.

Radicato’s setting changes with the seasons. In winter, the dining room glows with warm lighting from Blue River Plaza— there’s no better place to watch snow fall on a winter evening. In summer, two outdoor seating areas provide fresh air, the sounds of the Blue River, and stunning views of the Ten Mile Range. The dining room provides an intimate setting where guests can dine and connect. Hospitality remains the central focus of the entire team at Radicato, with the goal of creating world-class dining experiences for all who choose to spend an evening with them.

137 S Main Street Breckenridge CO 80424 www.radicatobreck.com 68

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Rootstalk Rootstalk is a modern American restaurant founded

by James Beard Award Winner Chef Matt Vawter, based on the idea of connection and coming home. Vawter was born and raised in Summit County and spent the formative years of his culinary career in Keystone and Breckenridge. After spending time away from the area, he returned to Summit County with the dream of opening a place of his own and helping grow the culinary landscape in the region. He opened Rootstalk in December 2021, and his commitment to excellence was recognized when he won the 2024 James Beard Award for Best Chef Mountain.

Building on his culinary vision, Vawter established the restaurant in a historic home on North Main Street in Breckenridge. The name reflects the interconnected root systems of Aspen groves that surround Breckenridge, symbolizing the connections fostered between guests, local producers, and the community. Rootstalk explores this notion of connection through its cuisine, hospitality, and beverage programs, bringing together locals and visitors in shared dining experiences.

The team seeks to provide “Elevated, Everyday Dining” to both the local community and out-of-town visitors. The cuisine is ingredient-focused, technique-driven, and deeply committed to quality at all levels. They work with local farms, ranchers, and quality producers from Colorado and across the country.

Cocktails are created with intention and given the same level of care as the food. The wine program focuses on small-scale quality producers from across the globe, from classic to more esoteric modern styles.

Dinner service at Rootstalk is available nightly, featuring a range of options that include seven-course tasting menus with wine or non-alcoholic cocktail pairings, a chef’s counter experience, and their à la carte dinner menu. The restaurant can curate an experience for any occasion, big or small.

The restaurant features two distinct dining areas that beautifully complement each other. Upstairs is bright, elegant, and airy, with views of Main Street through front windows. The Root Cellar downstairs offers a more intimate dining experience with a Chef’s Counter for those who love being part of the action. During summer, the patios are abundantly decorated with flowers, offering beautiful al fresco dining. Rootstalk serves as a venue that allows guests to connect with everything Breckenridge has to offer.

207 North Main Street, Breckenridge, Colorado www.rootstalkbreck.com

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BOEC Annual Golf Tournament

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Wake Up Breckenridge

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Breckenridge Distillery Crafts & Cocktails

Nextdoor Neighbors COPPER MOUNTAIN

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TEN MILE

By Lisa Blake On the bluebird ski days or free live music days or family pond hockey days we make it over to Copper Mountain, we know ear-to-ear grins are on tap. I learned to ski at Copper in my 20s. Friends and I would drive up from Fort Collins and fly down the mountain’s ridiculously long, wide-open runs (on skinny planks, without helmets or sunscreen, a few Fat Tires deep; the mom in me now is cringing hard).

Just 17 miles away, our good neighbor and longtime laid-back friend is one we can always call on for a good time. Today, we appreciate the speedy ripper runs off the Super Bee lift on the steeper east side and the long, fun runs off American Flyer that funnel down to Center Village. Families with littles cruise the western side of the resort where green runs flow and hot cocoa and mac and cheese breaks are readily available.

The resort has grown and evolved a lot over the last 20-some years, while maintaining that same laid-back, humble, homegrown feel and avoiding the crazy lift line plague and unnecessary swagger trend. Copper offers that familiar naturally flowing layout—east to west, expert to beginner—high-quality high-alpine terrain, playful parks and pipe, legendary Woodward huck time, and kid- and dog-friendly village parties that we’ve come to know and love.

There’s comfort in knowing Copper’s 2,507 skiable acres bring us to beautiful bowls, accessible tree skiing and lofty highway-wide groomers. The terrain breakdown is agreeable for any friends or families we may be skiing with: 21% beginner, 25% intermediate, 36% advanced, 18% expert. The resort’s high elevation and cold temps keep snow conditions prime well into April and the Copper Live free live music series and Sunsation tunes keep us dancing in our ski boots.

This season, Copper is pushing limits, going big as an athlete’s mountain with new competitions heading into the 2026 Winter Olympics; continued spring sunset skiing, live music and dinner events at the Aerie; expansive daylight and twilight uphill routes, and Play Forever Thursdays where single-day lift tickets are $99 and a portion of proceeds go to a local nonprofit.

When your legs need a break from the slopes, there’s a squeal-inducing four-lane tubing hill, a snow maze, a winter roller coaster, marshmallows around the firepit, and a frozen pond for ice skating, broomball and hockey fun.

Learn more about our treasured neighbor and its hometown, Frisco, Colorado at: www.coppercolorado.com.

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A charming mountain town. With its own tubing hill, terrain park, beginner ski & snowboard hill, Nordic center and sleigh rides.

TownofFrisco.com

Main Street Of The Rockies

Breck Create

Third Thursdays at the Riverwalk Center, Third Thursdays, February–May. New this winter, catch local ski footage, music and an art market at the Riverwalk.

History is Fun with Breck History Tours & Events

Breck Create: Where It’s Been + Where It’s Headed The 11-year-old arts district finds itself at the intersection of creativity, wellness and connection.

By Lisa Blake

New Art Workshops + Classes

Kintsugi: Turning something broken and potentially trashed into something beautiful by mending broken pieces of pottery with gold-colored powder.

A little more than a decade ago, the Town of BreckenCreate a Climbers’ Mug: This beginner-friendly workridge founded Create to promote the community Guided Activities There are Breck so many things to do besides ski and snowboard shop creates a wavy mug with real pins and holds as the as a year-round creative destination. The intention was handle.

Walk Through History Tour in our beautiful town.

Some say History is boring but not when to link cultural venues, elevate the creative brand, and bring people together through large-scale festivals and Walk the Darker History Tour Breckenridge History presents it! This community-supported, First-Time Pottery Spin and Through Smash: Touch and move signature experiences. with clay through wheel-throwing without pressure to Snowshoe the Golden Horseshoe nationally recognized leader in local historic preservation, historcreate a finished, perfect product.

Mission accomplished.and tourism offers spectacular tours, events Tombstone Tales Tour ical interpretation, Bob Ross-Style Painting: Just like it sounds—dreamy andexpansive museums that you want to miss.corri.

The campus nowwon;t includes the creative skies and happy little accidents. dorMuseums from the Riverwalk Center to the Eclipse Theater.

Other Historic Activities The Ridge Street Art Square is a cozy village comprised Beginner Glassblowing: Breck Create’sin most popular class Gold Panning Lomax Gulch Barney Ford Museum of local historic buildings, art studios and the Old Masonthe specialty craft of glassblowic Hall Gallery.

The Museum wide-reaching arts core and affiliated eases participants intoVictorian Tea Edwin Carter ing. venues have hosted countless workshops and visiting Breckenridge Welcome Center Museum artists, festivals and concerts, and hands-on educational Pottery Throw Down Challenge: Join a passionate group classes. for details: www.breckhisto Alice G. Milne Memorial Park of regular local pottersHead in the here ceramics studio for this opportunity to speed throw and compete.

With an entirely new program team, Breck Create continues to flow with the town’s growing infrastructure Building a Bird Whistle: Use hand clay to build a working and economy, incorporating creative art-focused conbird whistle. versations with locals, Art + Wellness weekends, and an Artist-In-Residence program that directly supports core programming, exhibitions, festivals and community “Breck Create is at a really exciting moment. Our team is inspired by the way creativity, wellness, and connection engagement. intersect here in the mountains. As we look to the season ahead, we’re excited to keep building on that energy and Go Fish with our Towns Incredible Guides offering experiences that feel fresh, authentic and deeply “We’re looking ahead with a renewed sense of balance— rooted We are authentic, not playing cardsexperiences here. Our Gold Medal arein Breckenridge’s creative spirit,” says Jill Desdeveloping creative that serve ourrivers mond, Senior Director of Programs and Campus Experiresidents first and, in doing so, create something truly available to anglers all season long and is a beautiful ence. way to take meaningful for visitors as well,” says CEO and President in the spectacular scenery that Breckenridge offers.

Enjoy the Tamara Nuzzaci Park. breckcreate.org outdoors with a guide and learn from some of the Best Anglers in What’s New + Exciting This Season

Flyfishing

the country. Want some solitude? Some gear (subject to availabil-

Arts District Winter December 5–6, 2025. ity) is available forWeekend, those looking to get out on The their own. traditional Handmade Holiday event is now a two-day You don’t want to head out without a Colorado celebration that includes a Campus Crawl, Handmade State fishing Holiday and Ice Garden and winter-inspired license.Market, Head to these great shops: projection installations.

Mountain Angler -311 S. Main Street

Jodiwww.mountainangler.com Stuart: Second Life, Old Masonic Hall, January 24– March 29, 2026. Bold, colorful, anthropomorphic forms take over the Old Masonic Hall Gallery in this immersive exhibition.

Breckenridge Outfitters - 101 N. Main St. #B

www.breckenridgeoutfitters.com Thing Thing Artist Residency, February 9–20, 2026.

Aligning with the Breck Create Precious Plastic Program, this residency engages artists, local creatives and community stakeholders to experiment with transforming waste plastics into art objects.

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Snowcat Adven

See the Mountains Like Never Before Enjoy a snowcat ride in Breckenridge lik

SHOP DINE PLAY

American Eagle | Banana Republic | Columbia | CROCS | Eddie Bauer | Famous Footwear J.Crew | Levi‘s | Le Creuset | Pearl iZumi | Polo Ralph Lauren | The Sports Buffet & MORE!

Timberline Craft Kitchen & Cocktails | Thirsty Pika Taproom Mention this ad at Customer Service and receive a FREE gift! w w w.bre ckenr id gem a ga zi ne.C O | I S S U E 1 1 2 0 2 5 / 2 6

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Calendar of Events December December 18 – 20, 2025 Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, Breckenridge Backstage Theater What if Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was rewritten from Jacob Marley’s point of view? Join us for a highly entertaining new twist on the beloved holiday classic! Age Recommendation: Ages 7 and up: https:// www.backstagetheatre.org December 18 – 20, 2025 Breckenridge Ullr Fest, Breckenridge Grab your Viking helmets and celebrate all things winter at the 62nd anniversary Ullr Fest, December 18-20, 2025! Breckenridge invites locals and visitors of all ages to praise Ullr, the Norse god of snow, in hopes of a powder-filled ski season. Show your devotion at the Main Street parade and become part of history at the longest Shotski® “unofficial” World Record breaking attempt. If you’re in for a legendary party, this is one you won’t want to miss! https://gobreck.com/event/ullr-fest/ + Ullr Festival/World’s Longest Shot Ski – 12/18 Info – https://gobreck.com/ event/ullr-fest/ December 19 – 21, 2025 Rockstar Energy Open, Breckenridge Ski Resort Breckenridge Ski Resort announces the debut of the Rockstar Energy Open snowboarding event, taking place December 19–21 in Breckenridge, Colorado. This thrilling three-day festival is free and open to the public, combining world-class snowboarding competitions with live music, art installations, and an interactive fan village set against the backdrop of Breck’s five iconic peaks. The event is an expansion of the successful skateboarding event, which features elite pros and rising stars, while showcasing top talent and a new approach to competition.

The inaugural snowboarding edition of the Rockstar Energy Open will include both men’s and women’s divisions and spotlight a star-studded roster of Rockstar Energy athletes, including Olympic gold medalist Red Gerard, Colorado native Nik Baden, and fan-favorite Iris Pham.

The Rockstar Energy Open will also debut a new world-class riderdesigned course created in partnership with Snow Park Technologies and the Breck Terrain Park Crew. The competition venue will feature a unique muli-terrain setup unlike traditional slopestyle, halfpipe or big air formats. https://www.breckenridge.com/explore-the-resort/activities-and-events/ event-detail-page.aspx?id={ffc04d4c-a268-45ad-a69a-865419c385a4}&sd= 10%2F01%2F2025&ed=12%2F31%2F2025 *Rockstar Energy Open – 12/19 Mountain Shot ShotSkis at T-Bar (info pending).

December 19 - 20, 2025 Breckenridge Vipers Hockey, Stephen C. West Ice Arena Home Games start at 7:30pm. Get your tickets here: https://www. breckvipers.com/schedule December 20, 2025 Billie’s Cocktail Classes, Breckenridge Distillery Billie’s Cocktail Classes: 12/20, 1/24, 2/21, 3/21. Info – https:// breckenridgedistillery.com/tours/ December 27, 2025 Barrel Room Music Series, Breckenridge Distillery Live Music is BACK at Breckenridge Distillery this winter! Join us in the Barrel Room for live performances by local and Colorado musicians at 1925 Airport Road. Performance – Chief Compliant. Doors at 5:00. Music at 5:30. Reservations Recommended. Full Dinner Service & Cocktail Menu Available. Call our FREE Breck Distillery Shuttle on the day of your reservation for a ride: (970) 445-8613 https://breckenridgedistillery.com/ events-calendar/

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December 28, 2025 Join us in the Barrel Room for live performances by local and Colorado musicians at 1925 Airport Road. Performance – Kenn Lee Band. Doors at 5:00. Music at 5:30. Reservations Recommended. Full Dinner Service & Cocktail Menu Available. Call our FREE Breck Distillery Shuttle on the day of your reservation for a ride: (970) 445-8613 https:// breckenridgedistillery.com/events-calendar/ December 31, 2025 Torchlight Parade, Breckenridge Join us at the Peak 9 base area where we kick off New Year’s Eve with a Torchlight parade! https://www.breckenridge.com/explore-the-resort/ activities-and-events/event-detail-page.aspx?id={d369a4ce-e2d8-421599b6-8aa8fd2b77d4}&sd=12%2F15%2F2025&ed=05%2F01%2F2026

January January 3, 2026 Barrel Room Music Series, Breckenridge Distillery Join us in the Barrel Room for live performances by local and Colorado musicians at 1925 Airport Road. Performance – Alexa & Maureen.

Doors at 5:00. Music at 5:30. Reservations Recommended. Full Dinner Service & Cocktail Menu Available. Call our FREE Breck Distillery Shuttle on the day of your reservation for a ride: (970) 445-8613 https:// breckenridgedistillery.com/events-calendar/ January 10 & 16 -17, 2026 Breckenridge Vipers Hockey, Stephen C. West Ice Arena Home Games start at 7:30pm. Get your tickets here: https://www. breckvipers.com/schedule January 17, 2026 Barrel Room Music Series, Breckenridge Distillery Join us in the Barrel Room for live performances by local and Colorado musicians at 1925 Airport Road. Performance – Sugar Cane Nellies.

Doors at 5:00. Music at 5:30. Reservations Recommended. Full Dinner Service & Cocktail Menu Available. Call our FREE Breck Distillery Shuttle on the day of your reservation for a ride: (970) 445-8613 https:// breckenridgedistillery.com/events-calendar/ January 18, 2026 Barrel Room Music Series, Breckenridge Distillery Join us in the Barrel Room for live performances by local and Colorado musicians at 1925 Airport Road. Performance – Brett Whitson. Doors at 5:00. Music at 5:30. Reservations Recommended. Full Dinner Service & Cocktail Menu Available. Call our FREE Breck Distillery Shuttle on the day of your reservation for a ride: (970) 445-8613 https:// breckenridgedistillery.com/events-calendar/ January 24, 2026 BOEC’s 50th Anniversary Mountain Takeover, Breckenridge Join us January 24th as Breckenridge Ski Resort and the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center partner to celebrate five decades of inclusive outdoor adventures. The BOEC 50th Anniversary Mountain Takeover will feature a community first tracks experience, on-mountain giveaways, and a special celebration at the Maggie, complete with a raffle, live music and more!

Since 1979, the BOEC and Breckenridge Ski Resort have partnered to provide adaptive recreation experiences in the outdoor community.

The BOEC supports over 2,000 participants annually through skiing, snowboarding, and other year-round adaptive programming, including the world’s first and only wheelchair-accessible high-altitude ropes course. Join us on snow this season and celebrate the volunteers, participants and organizers who are fostering a ski community that is accessible to all! https://www.breckenridge.com/explore-the-resort/activities-and-events/ event-detail-page.aspx?id={4d3b41ce-ef2f-4266-904b-824f40afadc0}&sd=1 1%2F01%2F2025&ed=01%2F31%2F2026

January 24 – February 3, 2026 International Snow Sculpture Championships, Breckenridge Breckenridge’s International Snow Sculpture Championships presented

by Toyota is a world-renowned snow sculpting competition where teams fr om around the world descend on Breckenridge, Colorado to handcarve 25-ton blocks of snow into enormous, intricate works of art. Artists are only allowed to use hand tools, creativity and inspiration to bring their ideas to life. No power tools allowed! Teams sculpt countless hours across five days (totaling around 94 hours), resulting in a temporary outdoor art gallery in historic downtown Breckenridge! https://gobreck.com/event/international-snow-sculpturechampionships/ January 24, 2026 Billie’s Cocktail Classes, Breckenridge Distillery Billie’s Cocktail Classes: 1/24, 2/21, 3/21. Info – https:// breckenridgedistillery.com/tours/

February February 7, 2026 Over Look Après, Breckenridge Ski Resort Breck is taking live music apres to new heights – literally. Perched high on Peak 9 with some of the best views in Breck, The Overlook transforms into an unforgettable après spot with a live DJ set and drink specials, set against the backdrop of 11,000+ foot views. Artist announcement coming soon! https://www.breckenridge.com/explore-the-resort/activities-andevents/event-detail-page.aspx?id={a285149e-148d-4cd6-a54d-4df1bf2747 41}&sd=12%2F15%2F2025&ed=05%2F01%2F2026 February 14, 2026 Barrel Room Music Series, Breckenridge Distillery Join us in the Barrel Room for live performances by local and Colorado musicians at 1925 Airport Road. Performance – Tres Tumbao. Doors at 5:00. Music at 5:30. Reservations Recommended. Full Dinner Service & Cocktail Menu Available. Call our FREE Breck Distillery Shuttle on the day of your reservation for a ride: (970) 445-8613 https:// breckenridgedistillery.com/events-calendar/ February 15, 2026 Barrel Room Music Series, Breckenridge Distillery Join us in the Barrel Room for live performances by local and Colorado musicians at 1925 Airport Road. Performance – Maureen & the Brett’s.

Doors at 5:00. Music at 5:30. Reservations Recommended. Full Dinner Service & Cocktail Menu Available. Call our FREE Breck Distillery Shuttle on the day of your reservation for a ride: (970) 445-8613 https:// breckenridgedistillery.com/events-calendar/ February 21, 2026 Billie’s Cocktail Classes, Breckenridge Distillery Billie’s Cocktail Classes: 2/21, 3/21. Info – https://breckenridgedistillery. com/tours/ February 22, 2026 Barrel Room Music Series, Breckenridge Distillery Performance – Los Hermanos. Doors at 5:00. Music at 5:30. Reservations Recommended. Full Dinner Service & Cocktail Menu Available. Call our FREE Breck Distillery Shuttle on the day of your reservation for a ride: (970) 445-8613 https://breckenridgedistillery.com/events-calendar/

March March 21, 2026 Billie’s Cocktail Classes, Breckenridge Distillery Billie’s Cocktail Classes: Info – https://breckenridgedistillery.com/tours/

Treat yourself to an indulgent spa experience at The Spa at Beaver Run. Located slopeside in the heart of Breckenridge.

Use Code MTNWMN 10 to get 10% OFF!

Call to Book 970.453.8757 620 Village Rd. Breckenridge, CO

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE HAPPENING! SCAN THE QR and head to our Online Calendar that is updated weekly with new events: w w w.bre ckenr id gem a ga zi ne.C O | I S S U E 1 1 2 0 2 5 / 2 6

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Last Lift

No Kings in This Kingdom

Welcome to the Kingdom of Breckenridge

By Shauna Farnell Founded as a town in November 1859, Breckenridge has always been a royal oasis of nature’s gifts. Allegedly omitted from official maps of the United States in the early 1900s, it eventually became known as a kingdom – a slice of history that gave birth to a mindset that some people, especially long-time Breck locals, still embrace today.

In the early days, the area’s natural gifts did not fall from the sky, but came from within the earth. People flocked here in search of gold, as evidenced by the remnants of mines, mine tailing piles and dredge boats in and around town.

The mining rushes ebbed and flowed over the years, reaching a high note with events like the discovery of Colorado’s largest gold nugget, Tom’s Baby (which you also may know as one of the steepest ski runs at Breck Resort, under E Chair on Peak 9). Breck’s economy took a dive during the Great Depression, which is when a group of local women came across maps they claimed showed that Breck had never been formally annexed into the United States.

“They contacted the governor and made this huge spectacle. There was a massive turnout. The governor came up, there was a marching band and flag-raising. It made national news,” says Breckenridge History Director Larissa O’Neil. “A Colorado historian contacted them and was like, ‘hey ladies, there’s this other treaty and Breckenridge has always been part of the United 80

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States.’ But the ladies didn’t want the fun police raining on their parade, so they ignored it and went on with their event.”

Run annually for decades to come, the event became No Man’s Land, including beard-growing and chainsaw-carving contests. In the 1960s, the bigger event, launched by ski resort founders Trygve Berge, Bill Round and Sigurd Rockne, was Ullr Fest, complete with a Main Street parade, local king, and queen. The aim was to lure more skiers into town after the resort’s rather slow first season. The town produced its own currency in honor of the event, but the U.S. Treasury put a quick end to it. It was around this time, in the early 1970s, that the town’s Chamber of Commerce placed a sign on Highway 9 reading “The Kingdom of Breckenridge Welcomes You.” “The idea has stuck ever since,” O’Neil says. “Breckenridge has this desire to be seen as a different sort of place from the rest of the country – whimsical and fun and eclectic.”

As the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary and Colorado its 150th in 2026, Breck History is launching a special exhibit at the Welcome Center Museum this April. Stop in to check out the “Kingdom of Breckenridge” road sign and many other artifacts from Breck’s most character-building and debaucherous era.

256 Timber Trail Road | Breckenridge 6 bd | 8 ba | 7,386 sf | $16,250,000

Welcome to “Le Mayen,” arguably the most incredible and unique home in Breckenridge. This masterfully crafted modern-alpine home is nestled in the prestigious Timber Trail Subdivision at the base of Peak 8. This rare offering is where luxury, location, and ski-in/ski-out convenience converge, blending European-inspired elegance with Rocky Mountain authenticity.

9097’ Flats | Frisco

Nature nextdoor. Style, comfort, and connection to nature shine at this collection of 1 to 3-bedroom residences on Main Street in Frisco.

1-3 Bedroom Condos | 3 Commercial Spaces

JIM SCHLEGEL & MICHELE HART 970.389.3528 | 970.376.7799 tenmileteam@slifersummit.com | mhart@slifersummit.com TenMileTeam.com | MicheleHartRealEstate.com | 9097Flats.com