Breckenridge Information Center

Breckenridge Information Center

The Breckenridge Welcome Center, located at 203 S. Main St. at the Blue River Plaza, provides guests staying in Breckenridge lodging with all the information they need for their Breckenridge vacation.

The Welcome Center includes an information desk and center with a few souvenirs, and a historic museum within the 4,000-square-foot facility. Knowledgeable people give guests in Breckenridge vacation rentals tips on dining, shopping and activities in town.

The actual building used to be called the Bailey Building, a historic structure dating back to the 1880s. When the town purchased the property, it didn’t realize it would discover an 1880s log cabin within the building.

The previous owner simply built a wine and cheese shop around the existing 1880s hand-hewn log cabin he had bought in 1971, rather than tearing it down. The original cabin is unusual because it’s a two-story structure. When the town began remodeling, workers found an earring with the date of 1925 printed on the back of it.

Now the cabin is fully exposed and renovated, with preservation of the same floorboards that miners once walked upon. Visitors experience an interpretive museum with displays on Breckenridge life in the 1880s.

The Welcome Center includes multimedia displays portraying the town’s history, from Native American settlers to present day. It also educates guests about Cucumber Gulch, a preserved wetlands area near many of the newer and most prestigious Breckenridge vacation rentals. The wetlands are home to moose, elk, deer, beaver, nearly 50 species of birds and the endangered boreal toad.

The Welcome Center also sells a VHS video series called “The Golden Stories of Breckenridge.” The documentaries feature prominent local historians and descendents of early Breckenridge families talking about various aspects of Breckenridge history.

For example, “The Depression Years” interviews three residents who lived in Breckenridge during the 1930s and ’40s as they talk about the railroad, dredge boats, schools and recreation. “The High Line” showcases the narrow gauge railroad, which was one of the most impressive projects in railroad history because it stretched up over Boreas Pass. It was in use from 1882 to 1937. “Rest in Peace” reviews the Valley Brook Cemetery, opened in 1882 and still in use today.

The latest film, “Peaks on the Past,” highlights the first Breckenridge gold strike in 1859 and pioneer stories.

If you’re staying in Breckenridge lodging and want more information on the Breckenridge Welcome Center, visit www.townofbreckenridge.com.

Breckenridge Real Estate

Breckenridge Real Estate is a Good Deal Now

This may be the best time to consider buying Breckenridge real estate, or any other real estate in Summit County.

I have a good friend who has been a real estate agent in Dillon since the late 1970s. He’s seen Breckenridge real estate ebb and flow (mostly flow, and flow a lot). The last and only time, he watched Breckenridge real estate and Summit County real estate go down was in the 1980s due to an oil crunch, when Front Rangers wondered about the practicality of driving back and forth to their Breckenridge vacation home when gas seemed to be going higher and higher.

The dip in Breckenridge real estate prices that he’s seeing now is not as bad as it was in the 1980s, but it’s down about 20 percent, which means it could be a very good time to buy.

By 1990 the Breckenridge real estate market had recovered from the 1980s crash, allowing a friend of mine to buy a one-bedroom condo overlooking Lake Dillon for $45,000. The buyers she bought it from paid almost $80,000. Now the latest tax assessment, which came out last month, says her condo is worth $216,979! Every year since 1990, it has steadily increased, and she’s glad she purchased when she did; now the mortgage is paid off, and she rakes in $850 a month in rent.

This summer, it’s a strong buyer’s market. Homes are discounted about 20 percent from their top prices at the beginning of 2008 and end of 2007. And buyers have plenty of Breckenridge vacation homes from which to choose.

My Realtor friend just closed on a home listed – and worth -- $1.7 million, but in this buyer’s market, the sellers agreed to the buyer’s offer of $1 million. So, essentially, these buyers got a steal – the sellers had paid more than $1 million to build the Breckenridge vacation home on its premium lot.

It’s true that there’s still uncertainty in the economy and in the market, but buyers who wait until it’s clear that the economy has recovered often jump back into the real estate market too late, wishing they had purchased their long desired Breckenridge vacation rental sooner.

The beauty of purchasing a home in Summit County is that it continues to draw visitors and investors like a magnet. With three world-class ski areas, championship golf courses, proximity to Denver and all of the recreational activities, magnificent environment and amenities Summit County offers, Breckenridge real estate remains a good bet.

(Note that when St. Anthony’s Summit Medical Center opened a few years ago, the “perfect storm” of sorts occurred; many retirees who longed for a second – or primary – home in Summit County finally jumped in and bought, because the county finally offered a hospital capable of dealing with major medical problems. Before that a larger percentage of patients were flown in helicopters down to Denver for care, which caused some older potential buyers to pause.)

One of the perks of owning Breckenridge real estate is that you can place it on a short-term rental program with Ten Peaks Lodging. We’ll ensure your property remains clean and meticulously maintained, while you collect extra income. At any time you can block off a few weeks for your own personal enjoyment of your Breckenridge vacation rental.

Of course the closer your Breckenridge vacation rental is to the ski area, the more desirable it becomes. Million-dollar-plus homes on Peaks 7 and 8 are listed for incredibly low prices right now. Call Mark Gossman at Ten Peaks Lodging if you’d like to see some properties during your visit to Summit County.

Breckenridge Weather

Breckenridge Weather

I’ve been traveling this week, and I have to say, Breckenridge weather is something to be envied.

I spent Fourth of July in St. Louis, and though it was exciting to watch fireworks at the arch, I missed Fourth of July in the mountains. For one thing, Breckenridge and Frisco fireworks are spectacular in our clear mountain air. In St. Louis, it had been rainy, so the heavy air caused a smoke out within a few minutes, where we could no longer see the fireworks through the thick haze.

Then there’s our lack of humidity. After spending several days in southern states, it’s a relief to return to crisp air.

But most of all, guests staying in Breckenridge vacation rentals have one distinct advantage when choosing one week out of the year, and that’s our ever-changing weather patterns. How many times have you gone on a beach vacation, only to be rained out for days? It’s happened to me plenty.

The beauty of Summit County weather is that even when it rains during the summer, it rarely ruins an entire day. Weather passes quickly through our mountains.

Of course, that has its pros and cons. To mitigate the cons, you just have to be prepared. I’ve learned to pack clothes, including a raincoat, for the changing weather conditions. If you awake from a good night’s sleep in your Breckenridge vacation rental master suite and the sky is clear, don’t assume it will remain sunny every minute during your afternoon bike ride or hike; plan for a half-hour or hour downpour if we’ve been in a weather pattern of afternoon showers.

On the other hand, if it’s cloudy when you rise, don’t assume your day of outdoor fun is shot; chances are, the clouds will pass and the day will warm up. I’m always amazed at how fast Breckenridge weather can change. It’s like the fickle mood of children; they can go from crying to smiling in an instant.

That’s what I love when my family and friends come out for Breckenridge vacations; I know we can duck in and out of any rain that comes our way. You can usually see the clouds coming and feel the wind picking up, so it gives you warning. And often after a quick downpour, the sky returns to its brilliant clarity.

Winter snow storms tend to last a bit longer than a few hours; they can last a day or two. But then there are those “perfect” storms that bring fresh powder to the mountains at night and usher in blue sky for a powder day in the morning.

The bottom line is: Guests at Breckenridge vacation rentals rarely experience a full day where weather has foiled their plans – unlike most other parts of the nation, where, when a storm comes, it’s there to stay for at least a day. With such rapidly changing weather patterns throughout the day, it’s important to wear layered clothes, from T-shirts to a fleece, so you’re prepared in case a rain pattern blows through.

Breckenridge Dining: Spencer's Restaurant

Breckenridge Dining: Spencer’s Restaurant

There are so many great restaurants to visit in Breckenridge that are a quick walk or free shuttle from Breckenridge vacation rentals, I thought about avoiding the temptation to focus on one in particular, but I figure, what the heck. I’ll eventually hit upon the highlights of many of Breckenridge’s best restaurants as I continue to blog.

So, I’ll start with Spencer’s Restaurant, which is part of Beaver Run Resort, located at the base of Peak 9.

Beaver Run Resort expanded about two years ago, spending $3.5 million to spruce the place up, and management remodeled Spencer’s in 2002.

The restaurant offers a sophisticated mountain dining experience. As guests enter, a four-sided gas fireplace surrounded by massive stone columns welcomes them. The rounded booths are cozy, and the lighting provides an intimate atmosphere that’s perfect for a romantic night out.

But there are really two main things that make Spencer’s stand out. One is the beef. The second is the buffet.

Spencer’s caters to large organizations and groups staying in Breckenridge lodging, and restaurant personnel understand that when guests come to the mountains, they don’t necessarily want to spend over an hour eating breakfast and then lunch too. So they offer a full breakfast buffet including eggs, biscuits, fresh fruit, sausage, pastries, thick-peppered bacon and French toast, as well as a lunch buffet with a full salad bar, soups, sliced meats and cheeses, vegetables and desserts. The buffet allows people to “load up” and head out for their day of skiing, biking, hiking or other mountain adventure.

Guests can also order entrees off of Spencer’s full menu, which changes seasonally but usually includes New York steak and eggs, salmon lox, huevos rancheros and Belgian waffles for breakfast, and soups, salads and sandwiches such as bison Reubens, burgers and grilled chicken quesadillas for lunch.

Many locals flock to Spencer’s for its nightly all-you-can-eat prime rib specials.

And the prime rib is like nothing else in Summit County. Though other restaurants say they serve Angus beef — and they do — chef Kevin Goodwin is the only one in the county with connections to make Spencer’s the only licensed certified Angus beef provider.

What does this mean to you? It means he obtains his top-choice cuts of steak and prime rib from a registered certified Angus beef distributor. Here’s how it works: Certified Angus beef is held to higher standards. When a piece of meat doesn’t make the cut, it’s sold simply as Angus beef. So when you eat at Spencer’s, you know you’re getting the best steaks and prime rib available.

Their prime rib is specially wet aged for six to eight weeks (as opposed to the standard two weeks), and this creates a more tender, rich flavor. No other restaurant in Colorado, besides the historic Brown Palace in Denver, serves this kind of prime rib.

And chef Goodwin knows how to prepare it just right: He lets the natural flavors come out, while complementing them with various spices and sauces.

And, don’t miss his desserts: In Key West, Florida, where Key Lime pie is a dime a dozen, he won recognition with his frozen blend of lime juice, condensed milk and whipped cream sitting in an Oreo-cookie pie shell. And chocolate lovers, never fear: He has something for you to enjoy in the restaurant, or take home to enjoy later in the evening at your Breckenridge vacation rental.

If you’d like to check out Spencer’s menu, visit www.beaverrun.com/resort.php/BEAVER_RUN/CCM_1060.

Breckenridge Events Feature NRO

Guests who stay in Breckenridge vacation rentals often don’t realize what a rich and talented pool of musicians the Breckenridge Music Festival brings to town.

Friday, June 19, the National Repertory Orchestra, otherwise known as the NRO, opened their summer season (which runs through Aug. 7) with 87 of the most brilliant young musicians worldwide. Conductor Carl Topilow sits through more than 800 auditions and chooses the top 87 to come to Breckenridge. Of the more than 4,000 musicians that have gone through the program, most of them have landed prestigious positions in some of the world’s best symphonies.

The NRO expects the best from every performer throughout its demanding summer schedule: The musicians learn — and perform — an entire nine-month orchestral season, which comprises 29 concerts, in only eight weeks.

The quality of music often surprises visitors in Breckenridge vacation rentals, because unlike the locals, they often don’t know much about the NRO’s distinguished reputation.

One of the best parts of NRO concerts is that guests staying in Breckenridge lodging don’t have to be familiar with orchestral music to enjoy the concerts at the Riverwalk Center. Conductor Carl Topilow strives to help audiences connect with the music, as he talks about interesting sounds to listen for during a piece, or tells stories about what the composer was thinking while writing the music, or what his or her circumstances were.

This summer, the NRO season will be even more exciting, because the nonprofit organization is celebrating its 50^th year! That’s right: The NRO — despite various financial challenges, name changes and home locations — has persevered, thanks to community support, and is now going strong.

Founded in 1960 in Estes Park, the orchestra began as the Blue Jeans Symphony. After six years, it moved to Evergreen, changed its name to the Colorado Philharmonic and performed in a junior high school while staying in substandard housing, which Carl Topilow refers to as very rustic.

When the facilities didn’t improve after 20 years, the organization moved to Keystone Resort and played in a tent at the base of the mountain. It was there, in 1986, that they changed their name to the National Repertory Orchestra. In 1993 the musicians began to perform in Breckenridge’s Riverwalk Center.

Carl Topilow has been conducting the NRO for 32 years. During the regular orchestra season, he lives in Cleveland, Ohio and conducts the Cleveland Pops Orchestra and the orchestra at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He also travels worldwide to be a guest conductor with top symphonies, where he usually runs into a few NRO alumni. In fact, the only place he hasn’t found an NRO alumnus is in the Czech Republic.

This summer, he welcomes some of the top NRO alumni, including JoAnn Falletta — whom the The New York Times called “one of the finest conductors of her generation” — Joseph Alessi, the principal trombonist from the New York Philharmonic and Richard Killmer, the first NRO oboist ever.

Tickets range in price from $22 to $32. If you’re staying at a Breckenridge vacation rental, the Riverwalk Center is just a short walk or free shuttle away. For more information on Breckenridge music featuring the NRO, visit www.nromusic.com.

Snow Tubing in the Summer

Keystone Resort has just done something unprecedented: Opened a snow tubing hill in the middle of summer! And the good news is: Your Breckenridge vacation rental is just a short drive over the beautiful Swan Mountain Road from Keystone.

For three years, Matt Hoover, the night operations manager at the tubing hill, called Adventure Point, told Keystone managers they should let him build a couple lanes for snow tubing in the summer. This year, they finally listened, because like every company these days, they’re looking to increase profits through innovation.

Matt spent two weeks hauling snow from the nearby Spring Dipper run to the top of Dercum Mountain (which is Keystone Resort’s first peak). He piled the snow 25-30 feet high, then left for a quick trip to Vegas. The funny thing is, he spotted his heap of snow from the plane, as it took off west from Denver International Airport!

When he returned, he spent four days working nearly day and night to flatten the snow with a snowcat and create two lanes for summer tubing. He literally worked around the clock, only sleeping for a few hours in the yurt at the top of Adventure Point.

But it was all worth it. Now everyone can enjoy winter sports in the middle of summer when the air is warm.

Though the snow gets slushy in the day, it’s still bright white because Matt grooms it consistently, and the lanes still deliver a fast ride. In fact when Matt first made the lanes, they were so fast that his test run, which involved a 75-pound hay bale tied to a tube, flew past the long, flat run out, into the fence. Of course, he redesigned the lanes so that thrill seekers stop well before the run out ends.

Tubing costs $25 for an hour, and most people get 5 to 8 runs in during that time. The ticket includes a ride in the gondola to the top of the hill, as well as the conveyor belt ride, housed in a Plexiglas tunnel, to take guests and their tubes back to the top of the lanes.

People can ride down alone, or in groups of two, three and four as they hold onto each other’s tubes and fly down together — laughing the entire time, and sometimes even screaming.

Keystone hopes to keep the tubing hill open for the Fourth of July weekend and beyond, but everything is weather dependent. Even though the lanes sit at about 12,000 feet, the sun is intense up there.

If you go, make sure you wear closed-toe shoes — your toes will get very chilly if you wear sandals. Dress in layers and make sure you wear sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen, because the reflective sun is very powerful.

The tubing hill opened in conjunction with Keystone’s mountain [http:keystone.snow.com/Home/Resort-Activities.aspx] bike park, which offers some of the nation’s best downhill trails, complete with rock gardens, drops and bridges. Mountain biking remains open through Sept. 7.

New Hiking Trail Near Breckenridge

On a sunny day in mid June, about 60 young people donated their time to create a new 1 ½-mile hiking trail, just south of Breckenridge lodging in downtown. They volunteered through Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, in order to open the path July 26.

The passageway — named Turk’s Trail after Turk Montepare, a long-time local who helped obtain the 1,842 acres of land containing the trail — is about 1 mile east of Country Boy Mine.

The path meanders in a loop, which takes hikers over four small streams lined with moss and lush vegetation.

It took kids, age 12 and older, about an hour to clear each 100-foot section of the trail. But even with 5,000 hours of free labor, the project cost $42,000, most of which came from the Colorado State Trails Grants Program.

Knowing hiking trails are important to visitors who stay in Breckenridge vacation rentals, the town and Summit County officials offered the remaining $10,000 needed to complete the project. Then volunteers got to work, removing pine needles, leaves and bark that sometimes gathered up to 2-feet deep above the hard ground.

The singletrack should be popular with mountain bikers, as it includes boulders, drop-offs and tree stumps to maneuver over and around as it winds and turns through a tight corridor. (In case you didn’t bring your bike to your Breckenridge vacation rental, plenty of shops in town rent mountain bikes.)

Hikers will discover mining equipment and collapsed structures along the route.

But beyond the thrill of finding mining ruins that date back more than a century or zooming along an adrenaline-inducing ride, hiking trails offer everyone — locals and visitors in Breckenridge lodging — an escape from everyday stresses and crowded thinking.

There’s something about placing yourself in the middle of a forest — especially one like Turk’s Trail, which hasn’t been touched by many people because the trail is so new — that causes your mind to slow down, your breath to become more full and your senses more alive.

Walking through the woods connects people with the beauty of nature, which, let’s face it, Breckenridge vacation rentals can only mirror through their use of luxury mountain finishes like hardwood flooring and granite countertops.

And after any day of recreation in Summit County, it’s always nice to return to a comfortable Breckenridge vacation home, to sit out on the deck or relax in front of a glowing fire.

If you’re staying in Breckenridge lodging for a while and wish to get more involved with the community, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities. Specifically, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado can take you to areas you wouldn’t otherwise see, while, at the same time helping you contribute to the environment. For information on volunteering, visit www.voc.org.