There are many winter activities to partake in Summit County. I am mostly addressing the Breckenridge area but will note if something is in Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, or out of the county. This page is a work in progress and I do plan to update with more information and pictures.
Cross Country Skiing and Winter Hiking
Check out one of our nordic centers. We have three on this side of the county. Gold Run, Breckenridge, and Frisco. Here you will have groomed trails for cross country skiing. Gold Run also has fat tire bikes you can rent and take out on some of the trails.
Gold Run Nordic Center
https://www.breckenridgerecreation.com/rates/locations/gold-run-nordic-center
Breckenridge Nordic Center
Frisco Nordic Center
If you have nordic skis/snowshoes you can also check out some of our local trails that are not at Nordic Centers. Even if you don’t have skis/snowshoes you can usually hike these with just some yak trax or good traction shoes as the trails get packed down during the winter. Here are some sample of trails to check out:
Boreas Pass Road
I love this spot in the winter. It is also a winter closure so it is used for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. A short 5-10 minute walk takes you out to some amazing views of Breckenridge. Then you can keep going as far as you want as this road goes on for a while. As long as it has not just snowed this is pretty packed down and walkable.
Hoosier Pass
Head to the top of Hoosier Pass. There will be a lot of snow up here, but this area is heavily used. So unless it has recently snowed the trails are pretty packed down. It is uphill but a short 1/4 mile hike will bring you to some really nice views. Please stay on the roads/trails.
Blue Lakes Road
This road goes up to Blue Lakes in the summer. It is a winter closure so it can be used for snowshoeing or cross country skiing. Even just going a short distance you can get some really nice views. Just keep in mind the lake is frozen and snow covered so if you get up there it will look like a snow field and not a lake. Again this gets used quite a but, so as long as you stay on the trail it should be packed down.
Lake Dillon
Did you know that the lake freezes, and the ice gets thick enough that you can ice fish, snowshoe, or cross country ski!!! There will even be come groomed trails on the Dillon side. I sometimes start on the north side and ski out to an island.
Gold Hill Trailhead
You can get to some nice views on this trail too. Views of Breckenridge. It is an uphill trail. This is right off of highway 9 heading towards the high school.
Reiling Dredge
This dredge boat is really cool to go check out. Drive up to french gulch and park in the B&B parking lot. Hike up the B&B trail until you get to the dredge boat. This will be a little bit longer of a hike. Maybe about 1 mile each way.
McCullough Gulch
This is a favorite of mine in the winter. Park in the Quandary parking lot and walk down McCullough Gulch Road. If you walk down the road about a mile, it opens up to some really nice views. I would say its about a mile to get to where it opens up to that really nice view.
Country Boy Mine
This location is open year round. You can tour the mine or partake in monster truck sleigh ride! Check their website for various activities. They seem to always be adding new things.
https://www.countryboymine.com
Sledding/Tubing
You have the free sledding hills or tubing where you pay and get to ride a carpet up the hill. If you go tubing, I suggest trying to go on a weekday when it’s less busy so you can get more runs in.
Carter Park (Bring Your Own Sled) – but there is also a sled shed and you may be able to find a sled to use there. Just put it back when you’re done for others to use.
https://gobreck.com/trip-ideas/family-friendly/sledding-in-breckenridge
Runaway Sledding Hill (Bring Your Own Sled)
This hill was built during COVID. It is in the free parking lot on Airport Rd. There is also a sled shed and you may be able to find a sled to use there. Just put it back when you’re done for others to use.
Frisco Adventure Park (tube rentals)
https://www.townoffrisco.com/things-to-do/frisco-adventure-park/
Frisco Sledding Hill (Bring Your own Sled) – last year they did start a sled shed, but when we were there there were never any in the shed.
https://www.townoffrisco.com/things-to-do/frisco-adventure-park/traditional-sledding-hill/
Copper Mountain Tubing (rent tubes)
https://www.coppercolorado.com/things-to-do/activities-amenities/tubing-hill
Keystone Tubing (rent tubes)
Rainbow Park (bring your own sled) – no sled shed
This is a great place for a smaller hill for little kids. My kids who are older now still love it as people usually build jumps for the sleds. The sledding spot is on the hill right next to the Silverthorne rec center .
Maryland Creek Park (bring your own sled) – no sled shed
This is really good for older kids. The hill is pretty big! Last year it was a bit much for my kids, so they would walk up about 1/2 way.
Look for your own hills. Just make sure they are not on private property.
Snowmobiling
There are several companies nearby and in other towns, so if you are willing to drive and Good Times is full there are other options. Check out areas such as Vail Pass and Leadville for other snowmobiling options.
Good Times
https://goodtimesadventures.com
White Mountain in Leadville
https://whitemountainsnowmobiletours.com
Nova Tours (Vail Pass)
https://www.novaguides.com/colorado-winter-activities/snowmobile-tours/
High Country Tours
Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides
Look into various options. Some are just hot cocoa rides and some will include dinner. I believe Golden Horseshoe has a show.
Keystone
Breckenridge on the mountain (Peak 9) / Gold Run Nordic Center
https://breckstables.com/sleigh-rides/
Golden Horseshoe
https://www.coloradosleighrides.com
Frisco
Fat Tire Bikes
You can rent fat tire bikes in town or at the Gold Run Nordic center.
Snow Cat Tours
Breckenridge Nordic Center offers a SnowCat tour, although pricey. Keystone used to offer a family snowcat tour at the top of the mountain but I think they stopped it after COVID.
https://breckenridgenordic.com/nordic-snowcat-adventures/
Dog Sledding
Good Times Adventures
https://goodtimesadventures.com/dogsledding.html
Alpine Adventures
https://www.alpineadventuresdogsledding.com
Colorado Dog Sledding
https://coloradodogsledding.com
Ice Skating
If you need to rent skates then check out Stephen C West Ice Arena or there is a pretty small rink on peak 8 at Breckenridge.
Keystone and Copper also have some ice skating rinks.
If you have your own skates then you can skate on a pond in Frisco and North Pond in Silverthorne when the ice is thick enough.
Stephen C West Ice Arena
https://www.breckenridgerecreation.com/locations/stephen-c-west-ice-arena
Keystone Ice Rinks
Copper Ice Rink
https://www.coppercolorado.com/events-activities/winter-activities/ice-skating
Mountain Coaster
Copper has a mountain coasters that operates in the winter.
Snow Fort at Keystone
This is a great activity for kids if you are in the Keystone area. Usually this is not built until sometime in January and will be dependent on snowfall. If they need to use the snowmakers on trails, then the snow-fort will have a lower priority.
Hot Springs
There are no hot springs right in Summit County, but there are several within a day trip.
- Glenwood Springs
- Iron Mountain Hot Springs located in Glenwood Springs
- Mount Princeton in between Buena Vista and Salidangs
- Strawberry Park in Steamboat
- Old Town Hot Springs
Day Trips
If the weather is good and you want to get out of Summit County for a day trip here are some fun ideas:
- Royal Gorge Bridge or Train ( about a 2 hour hour drive)
- Train Ride in Georgetown (time of year dependent. The train closes not long after new years until spring)
- Steamboat Springs
- Buena Vista/Salida
- Great Sand Dunes NP (a long drive)
- Hot Springs in Glenwood
Playgrounds
Playgrounds can be a lot of fun for kids in the winter. Just dress appropriately!
River Park (located off of airport road)
Highline Train Park (located off of Boreas Pass Rd). This park not only is a playground but has some trains on display as well. It is right by the ice rink .
Breckenridge Elementary when school is NOT in session.
Upper Blue Elementary when school is NOT in session.
Playgrounds not directly in Breck
- Rainbow Park (Silverthorne)
- Dillon Marina Park (Dillon)
- Keystone has a few in the village
- Frisco Elementary (When school is not in session)
- Dillon Town Park
Breck Creates
Maybe it is a really cold day and you are looking for something to do indoors. Do you or your kids like crafts? Do you like crafts? Check out Breck Creates they hold all sorts of art classes. From clay-making to glass blowing to painting. Some of the kids classes are free. There is even a toddler art class. Which is a great idea with little ones. I used to take my daughter to toddler art weekly!
The Troll
Go check out the troll. This is more of a walk than a hike. It is very short from the ice rink parking lot. Head to the southeast corner of the parking lot and look for the trail to the troll. After you see the troll, this is a good area to walk/play in the snow.
Spending the day at Keystone with Kids without skiing
Unfortunately Keystone got rid of their daily kidtopia activities. This is what made keystone very kid friendly. They do have some activities from time to time, usually around holidays. But they no longer have the daily activities. Instead here are my ideas for spending a day at keystone with kids. This might be a lot for one day, so pick and choose what interests you and is within your budget.
1. Scenic Gondola trip to the top of the mountain (This will cost unless you have an epic pass)
2. Check out the snow fort at the top.
3. Consider tubing while you are at the top of the mountain – there is a higher height limit with keystone tubing
4. Hit up the playgrounds in the village
5. Ice skating (In the village or at lakeside village)
6. Consider the horse drawn sleigh ride
Breckenridge Rec Center
Are you looking for an indoor activity with your kids? Check out the Breckenridge Rec Center. There is also a rock climbing area, family gym time, an indoor play area, and a hot tub. During family gym time there are inflatables set up in the gym.
https://www.breckenridgerecreation.com/youth/family-gym-time
Zip Lining
Did you know that you can zip line in the winter!?!? This is out in Leadville. So about a 1 hour drive.
https://www.topoftherockieszipline.com
Winter ATV/UTV
Winter UTV rides are also out in Leadville.
Mountain Top Children’s Museum
Need another indoor activity for kids, check out the children’s museum.
https://www.mountaintopbreck.org/
Ride the Breckenridge Gondola
Young kids love to ride the Breck Gondola and it is free. At the top of Peak 7 or Peak 8 wander around and take in the sights, grab a hot cocoa, maybe have lunch, or go ice skating.
Sapphire Point
If you have a car, drive up to Sapphire Point for great mountain views.
Ready Paint Fire
Need an indoor activity for you or the kids? Do you enjoy painting? Ready, Paint, Fire has reopened in Breck.
Copper Snow Maze
Copper Mountain has a snow maze that is free, you just have to sign a wavier. This usually opens up in late Dec or early Jan.
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The Understory at the Breck Library
This is another good option if you need some indoor time. Here you can do crafts, play games, work on a puzzle, etc…
https://summitcountylibraries.org/services/the_understory.php
The library is also good for story time, playtime, etc….
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Have a Photography Session!
Create some memories that will last forever by hiring a photographer to document your trip. Whether you choose me or someone else, having pictures in the mountains will be a great memory from your vacation. Make a photo book and you’ll have memories in print forever. I highly suggest hiring a local photographer. That way if there is bad weather and the highway closes, you are not stressing if your photographer will make it up to Summit County.
You can check out my website at www.micheleschankerphotography.com