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Colorado is home to a number of alpine resort towns, many of which date from the mining boom years of the 19th century. Perhaps the most celebrity-famous resort town in the Rockies is the town of Aspen. Another of the great resort towns to explore in the Colorado Rockies is the town of Breckenridge.

While in Colorado, enjoy one of the most stunning alpine drives in the nation and explore the Million Dollar Highway. One of the best ways to see and soak in the beauty of the Colorado Rockies is with a hot air balloon tour. Another great way to explore the Colorado mountains is with a heritage scenic train journey like the Royal Gorge Train (which also has Wild West battle stories). One more highlight in Colorado? Breckenridge, a top resort town.

Why Breckenridge Is One Of The Top Resort Towns In Colorado

The Town of Breckenridge is dominated by vacation homes with many of the residents being part-time residents.

The first ski trails arrived in Breckenridge in 1961 and since then, it has been one of the most popular destinations for skiers in the region. Breckenridge also has the highest chairlift in North America.

Besides skiing, some of the activities in the area include hiking the trails, seeing the wildflowers, going fly fishing, mountain biking, boating, white water rafting, shopping on Main Street, and more.

  • Elevation: 9,600 Feet (2,926 meters)

Breckenridge is full of charm with Main Street being full of historic buildings with clapboards and log exteriors.

After a day of exploring the many outdoor attractions in and around Breckenridge indulge in one of the 15 world-class spas and enjoy a relaxing and therapeutic massage.

Today all the mines are all shut as commercial operations, but some are open as tourist attractions. Visit the Cowboy Mine and enjoy real-life gold panning with the family.

The Cowboy Mine is touted as the only real gold mine tour in Summit County and goes 1,000 feet deep. Visitors get to see the gold and silver ore strike and learn about the life and death of the mine.

Related: See Real Mining Equipment In Action With The Hundred Gold Mining Tour In Colorado

There are plenty of charming lodging options to select from in Breckenridge, many of which off majestic views, cozy fireplaces, soothing hot tubs, and more. Some of the options are quaint historic homes and ski-in/ski-out lodges.

History Of The Mining Boomtown Breckenridge

Breckenridge was founded in 1859 and was named after a prospector called Thomas Breckenridge. Prospectors arrived in the area during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush in 1859 and soon placer gold was discovered in the area.

The town boomed, but gold production decreased during the 1800s with a rival in 1908.

  • Founded: 1859

In all, Breckenridge produced around one million troy ounces or 31,000 kilograms of gold.

The boom town population reached over 3,000 residents in 1880, after that it fell into decline through the early 1900s getting down to only 296 residents in the 1950s.

Soon after that, the population started to rise as the town was reinvented as an alpine resort destination and by 2020 its population had risen to more than 5,000.

Today the charm of the Old West mining town adds to the atmosphere of the town.

Related: 14 Luxurious Destinations That The Rich And Famous Always Visit

Breckenridge Is A Year-Round Destination

Breckenridge is a stunning destination in all four seasons of the year. During the summer cool mountain breezes and the pristine mountains make it a favored summer getaway.

The summer is also the time to go white water rafting. While hiking the mountains, keep an eye out for wildlife including moose, elk, door, and other native wildlife. There are plenty of outdoor adventures and summer festivals to enjoy during the summer.

In the shoulder seasons of the year, the weather is cooler and perhaps more pleasant to explore the Old West history of the town. Fall is termed eye-candy season in Breckenridge with its incredible fall foliage and there are plenty of fall activities to enjoy.

Fall festivals include Oktoberfest, Wine Classic, & Film Festival (better still, plan ahead and attend the real Oktoberfest in Germany).

Naturally, winter is one of the top times to visit Breckenridge — after all, it is one of the top ski resort destinations in the state. Go snowshoeing, sledding, skiing, take snowmobile tours, and more. Some of these activities can extend into the spring.

Spring can be a great time to go as this is when visitors can get end-of-season discounts.