Summit County is a great winter destination most notably for the world-class skiing at one of the four ski resorts within a 20-minute drive. But what if you’re not a skier or snowboarder? Luckily there are dozens of other activities around Summit County that don’t require ski boots, though a pair of warm boots would still be helpful for the majority of these activities.
Take a Stroll Downtown
Both Breckenridge and Frisco have incredible downtowns with excellent shopping and dinning. Frisco’s main street is heralded as the “Main Street of the Rockies” and Breckenridge’s Main Street is historic Colorado at its finest. With everything from funky t-shirt shops to candy shops and museums, there’s something for everyone in your group to enjoy during a stroll through downtown.
Check out the Local Distilleries and Breweries
There’s a number of excellent craft breweries and distilleries in Breckenridge and Frisco where you can get a tasty adult beverage. Some of our favorites in Breckenridge are Broken Compass Brewery, Breckenridge Brewery, and Breckenridge Distillery. Our favorites in Frisco are Outer Range Brewing Company and HighSide Brewing.
Dog Sledding
Dog sledding is an excellent adventure for those looking to experience the outdoors while visiting the high country. Snow Caps Sled Dogs and Good Times Adventure Tours offer dog sledding around Breckenridge and Frisco.
Catch a Movie
The Speakeasy Movie Theater in Breckenridge is a great place to catch a flick! With an old timey feel and top of the line seating, you can watch the latest movie and you can even order a beer or wine for the show!
Tubing and Sledding
Tubing and sledding are exhilarating activities and with the help of some of the magic carpet (like the moving walkways in airports) you don’t need to be that athletic to enjoy a day of tubing with the family. The two best hills for sledding and tubing are the Frisco Adventure Park, where you’ll find the magic carpet, and Carter Park in Breckenridge, where you can hike a short hill for some sledding action.
Catch a Live Show
There are plenty of events that take place in Breckenridge and Frisco and plenty of live music at the bars around town. Catching a live show is a great way to spend you evening! Some of the best resources for live events that are going on are the local news paper the Summit Daily News and GoBreck. The Town of Frisco also has a lineup of great year-round events.
See the Dillon Ice Castle
The Dillon Ice Castle is back again this year and is a great place to experience something completely unique while you’re on your vacation. The even offer free performances like fire juggling! Check out their website for a completely list of activities and all the information you need.
Take a Hike
Just because there’s snow on the ground doesn’t mean you can’t go for a hike in the wilderness that surrounds Summit County. Snowshoeing is a great way to hike winter trails, though most of the time a good pair of snow boots is all you need to enjoy the serenity of the trail. Checkout this local trail map and find your favorite Summit County trail!
Ride the Gondola
Riding the Breckenridge Gondola is a great way to see the local landscape and the best part is it’s completely free! Just hop on the gondola and enjoy the views! You can even stop into one Breckenridge’s base area bars like the T-Bar or Robbies Tavern (our new favorite place for on-mountain eats).
Ride a Bike
While it may not be summer you can still get out on a bike! Try the newest hot trend this year and take a fat bike out for a spin. Fat bikes have oversized tires that provide traction in slippery environments like snow and ice. There’s a number of places to rent a fat bike in Summit County. Breckenridge Bike Guides is our favorite rental and guide shop.
There’s no shortage of fun things to do in Summit County during the winter time. Tell us in the comments below some of your favorite ways to enjoy winter in Summit County that aren’t skiing or snowboarding.