May 4, 2019

Life in a mountain ski town is anything but ordinary. The ebb and flow of tourists, traffic, high seasons and low; sometimes you're elbowing your way through Breck's City Market and others, your swooping into that front row park spot on Main Street. "Mud season" is the time period during which the ski resort is closed but there trails aren't quite ready for hiking and biking. Weather during Rocky Mountain mud season has a reputation of indecision, but isn't that really any time of year in Colorado? During mud season, (late April ~ June 6), hard-working locals and shop owners take well-deserved vacations after a busy ski season. This was one of the most unique things I experienced when I moved to Breckenridge. "You mean to say, restaurants and shops just, close?" It was an odd concept but after living here, I get it. The mountain lifestyle mentality is work hard, play hard. Not work 24/7, 365 in one of the most beautiful alpine environments on the planet. Fortunately, mud season does have it's perks to look forward to. Here are 5 reasons to love Breckenridge in mud season. 1. Incredible Dining Deals Did you know that Breckenridge boasts over 75 restaurants and bars? With so many to choose from, it can really break the bank! Which is why we always look forward to mud season and the Breckenridge Dining Passport. The dining passport is a collective effort of local restaurants in collaboration with the Breckenridge Restaurant Association to offer screamin' dining deals. I'm talking 2-4-1 entrees (the best deals in my opinion), buy a meal and get an app free, exclusive happy hour flat-rate pricing on drinks, and so much more! The passport only costs $10, which means you recoup your investment in one meal at a participating restaurants. I can feel all you deal seekers opening a new tab to Google this right now :) Be sure to pay attention to the deal restrictions, ie, Monday-Thursday, etc. Also, double check the restaurants' intermitent closure dates which can be found at the top of each page in the passport. There is NOTHING worse than getting excited to eat at a place then showing up to realize they're closed. But that's mud season for ya ;) Buy yours at any participating restaurant or at the Breckenridge Welcome Center on Main Street. Cheers to saving money and trying new restaurants in Breckenridge! 2. Backcountry Skiing. While avalanches in the earlier months of the ski season may have given us quite a scare, mud season in the mountains is the perfect time for backcountry skiing. Bluebird skies abound and slushy snow provides an easier uphill journey. Grab your tank top, sunglasses, skins, and of course, a beer for the summit. There are lots of backcountry options in Breckenridge to choose from. Try your hand up Baldy Mountain. The distance from trailhead to point of ascent is about 2.3 miles of moderate uphill grade, that will definitely get your heart rate up in the altitude. The views from above tree-line are some of the best in Breckenridge. Kick back with a snack and revel in the panoramic mountain views, then head back down to catch those turns you worked so hard for! 3. Free Parking If you've visited Breckenridge, you're familiar with the parking in town. It can be crazy! Thank goodness for the Passport parking app, which allows you to add time to your phone if you decide another happy hour drink sounds like the way to go. Fortunately in mud season, there's free parking in all the lots! Not only does that mean front-row parking but you can save a couple extra bucks for an app or a dining passport deal! Free parking goes until May 30 in the lots, while paid parking remains in effect on the streets. Paid parking in lots will resume on June 1. Remember to mark your calendars! More info on parking and the Passport parking app can be found here on the Breck Park Website. 4. Discounted Lodging Mountain life is not cheap. A trip to Breckenridge can stretch the budget, but there are ways to visit affordably! Especially in mud season. When lodging expenses push over $560/night around the holidays in ski season, it's a breathe of fresh air to lock in a room during "off" time of year. Need help navigating the different areas of Breckenridge to determine the best spot for you? Slope-side Resorts in Breckenridge The Grand Colorado on Peak 8 Located at the base of Peak 8, the Grand Colorado is as close to the action as you can get. Enjoy the slope-side hot tubs and pools, on-site luxury spa, movie theaters, state-of-the-art gym and more. The resort offers a shuttle to get you to and from town safely too! One Ski Hill Place The Grand Colorado on Peak 8's neighbor, One Ski Hill Place is equally as close to the action with roughly the same amenities. One differentiator is the on-site private two-lane bowling alley for One Ski Hill guests, only. Grand Timber Lodge For a slope-side option in Breckenridge that offers the most bang for your buck, Grand Timber Lodge is the choice for you! Perfectly situated between Peak 8 & 9, the resort is walking distance to downtown, but still offers front row views of the Ten Mile Range. Bask in the outdoor hot tubs while sipping on a cocktail from Grand Timber Lodge's on-property restaurant, the Stinky Boot Saloon. Beaver Run Resort Breckenridge's largest lodging complex, Beaver Run Resort & Conference center is going to be the most conveniently located slope-side lodging option in Breckenridge. With only a short 5-minute walk to town, Beaver Run offers views and convenience. Other guest favorites include a large arcade, outdoor hot tubs, and restaurants on-site. Some units at Beaver Run are wholly-owned, so each unit may or may not be updated. Downtown Lodging in Breckenridge Residence Inn Nestled just one block up from Main Street, Residence Inn is the ideal downtown lodging spot for location, views, and amenities. River Mountain Lodge Just across the Blue River and one block away from Main Street, River Mountain Lodge offers many sized units, with or without kitchens and options for any type of group. River Mountain Lodge is only 2 blocks away from the gondola which is great for ski season or the summer time too when you can head up to the Epic Discovery Park at the base of Peak 8. Air B n B is an obvious choice because Breckenridge is rampant with short-term rentals. My favorites are the tiny A-frame cabins out in Blue River. But if you're looking to be close-to-the-action on Main Street, stay anywhere near the main drag of downtown Breckenridge! 5. Shopping Deals. With the change of the seasons in the Rocky Mountains comes a need for new outdoor gear and clothes. Whether your style is adventurous, mountain chic, boho, or casual, shopping in Breckenridge should be done during mud season. Store owners are swapping inventory from winter to spring or summer to fall, depending on the mud season. A few favorite spots to check out are Sun Logic (for sunglasses & mountain style clothing), Arabella Boutique or BELOVED (for women's fashion), Belvedire & Hern (for gifts & mountain trinkets), Annie's Alpine Kids (kids clothing), Shirt Off My Back (local T-shirt shop), or Mountain Outfitters (gear, skis, & more). Are these 5 reasons to love Breckenridge in mud season enticing you to visit? Bottom line: any time is a good time to visit Breckenridge. But in mud season, you can save a pretty penny while exploring our charming mountain town! For more on Breckenridge, check out my post on all the local coffee shops or best places to take a photo in Breck! More questions? Email me! I'm happy to provide insider tips!

5 Reasons To Love Breckenridge in Mud Season