A-Basin is getting ready for an epic season of skiing and riding.

Arapahoe Basin: Colorado Ski & Snowboard Area

Iowa Hill Trailhead is located just a short walk away from Breckworks, and is a sweet little hike that is perfect for a mid-day break, or maybe a way to clear your head before/after work. Part of the trail is shared with the mountain bikers, but even so, there is rarely anyone there.

A lovely autumn day on Iowa Hill trail

Our dog loves snow, so I took her up the hill at the first site of white flurries. The trek up to Peak 9 was worth it, as you can see.

Dogs are awesome!

First snow is forming at the top of Peak 9 road. A fun little adventure on a sunny day. Enter the road via Beaver Run Parking Lot and drive up as far as your can can take you. Then hike up the rest of the way. The views are great, and you get to leave all the crowds at the bottom.

En Route to Peak 9

It's only September but the snow has settled on Peak 10 near the weather station. With a little bit of rain, and a little bit of luck, it's here to stay. A few more weeks, and this whole place will be covered. Get your gear and your Epic Pass ready. This is going to be a good one!

The winter is coming

With the colder temperatures settling in, it's only a matter of days until the peak is permanently white for the season. The air is fresh, the sunshine low, and you the mountain staff is out in full force getting the lifts ready. The winter, it's coming!

Peak 8 is getting ready for the 2023/24 Season

By the river's side,
Little homes upon the hill,
All is quiet now.

Simple Little Town

Look at how pretty the sunset reflects off the water 

Beautiful day by the river

It's been a fantastic summer and now you can clearly see the fall approaching. It's in the color of the clouds, in the shade of the sky, in the way the trees sways in the wind during the afternoon storms. 

The clouds are coming

Take the popular Spruce Creek Trail just south of Breckenridge, and along the way you will stumble on this quiet beauty. Go early enough and you will hear nothing, and see no one. It's perfect.

A quiet lake along the Spruce Creek Trail 

Something very special about food being cooked in a real brick oven, with a real wood fire. You can feel the heat, smell the taste, and sense that your dinner is special.

Wood burning fire at Piante Pizzeria

Many tourists go hiking or mountain biking on the Boreas Pass road, but how many make it all the way through? If you take it easy, the route from Breck to Como to Fairplay and back to Breck can take over 2 hours. Well, if you push yourself past the continental divide, here is what you will see.

What is on the other side of the Boreas Pass Road?

The weather in the mountains can change really fast. Here's side of a mountain, near the Kite Lake hike. One moment it was sunny and clear sky, and the next it's dense fog that rolls over the hills, and right onto your feet. A few minutes later you couldn't see 10ft in front of you. It got cold, dark, and wet. When high up in the mountains, remember to prepare for the unexpected.

Mountain Weather Changes Quickly

Sure it may have rained a bit more in Breckenridge this summer than usual, but without rain, there are no rainbows! Isn't it better to have lavishly wet forest, than to walk on scorched earth? The greens just look so delightful!

It has been a wet summer

If you are coming to Breckenridge from Colorado Springs, this view is familiar to you. It's the final frontier, somewhere between Woodland Park and Fairplay. It's gorgeous, open, and filled with epic views. If you've never driven on US-24, it's a little detour that can bring a lot of joy, especially in the summer.

A road less traveled

The weather is getting better every day, and now it's just the perfect combination between moist and pleasant, and before it gets too hot during the day.

You can smell the summer

Typical Breckenridge. It might not look like that on the surfaces, but hundreds of people live in their cars all around town. It's not fancy, it's not always comfortable, but for many it's the only way to afford rather high prices. 

Employee Housing

This little ant is out for a walk and a meal. Is it snaking on the juices in the buds?

The spring is in the air

Breckenridge is heating up, the snow is melting, the rivers are flowing, and you can almost smell the summer in the air. A couple more weeks and everything will be green, and blooming, and birds will be chirping. It's going to be great.

The summer is almost here

Just when you thought the winter was over, Breckenridge delivered a ton of fresh snow. With the warm weather and sunshine, the forest looks as stunning as ever. Let's hope for a few more of these before the end of the season.

April Pow in Blue River

A short walk away from Breckworks, River Park provides a cheerful place to rest and play for both kids and parents. 

Kids get to crawl all over the play structures, while parents bask in the sun, or do pull ups, or swing on the swings and ride their bikes around in circles. 

A nearby biking trail provides endless miles for a walk, a run or a stroll. You could get anywhere from town of Breckenridge to the town of Frisco. 

River Park and Playground

It’s hard to believe the mountain is starting to shut down. Last weekend for Peak 9 and 10. Till next season, you beautiful beasts!

Last of peak 9 and 10 this weekend

It's hard to believe that Keystone ski resort will be closing this coming Sunday. It's been a great season.

Keystone Ski Season is Almost Over

I had a pleasure of going uphill this morning on the Peak 9 route, and it was excellent. Snow was soft, yet firm and cold. The views were stunning as always.

Delightfully groomed snow on Peak 9

Whether you ski, snowboard, or having a stroll through the woods with your dog, Breckenridge has got a lot to offer, and on a sunny warm day like this, it's just a joy to be here!

Beatiful day in the mountains

If you are a hungry after skiing in Breckenridge,  Keystone, or Copper, then Bird Craft is your best bet for a quick and extremely satisfying meal. Order a bird, make it all dark meat for an upcharge, get some dairy free ice cream with it, and sit back as you look at the mountains on the outdoor deck, while devouring this feast! Birdcraft is fast and delicious, and you will not walk way disappointed. In the photo, Joe is laughing as I am hopping around him with a camera :)

Bird Craft

Winter forest on a cloudy day is deprived of any emotion. It's still, quiet, and colorless. There is almost nothing joyful about it. And somehow this lack of any excitement is interesting in itself. It's just there. That's all it does. 

So boring it is mesmerizing

Town of Breckenridge streets are quiet on a weekday night. A perfect time to stroll around undisturbed. 

Calm before the storm

Inside Breckworks coworking space there is an inspirational poster from YCombinator that encourages makers to create something that people want. In this case, it's a place to host meetings, have zoom calls, and to work before and after skiing at Breckenridge.

Make Something People Want

Great views from the Vista on top of Peak 9.

Blue Bird Day in Breckenridge

Somewhere in the backyard of America, children get to have fun and live a life full of joy and excitement.

Narnia

Another fantastic morning ascend. It doesn't have to be far, and it doesn't have to be long. The joy is in the process.

Early bird gets no lift lines

The best time on the mountain is early in the morning while the lifts are still asleep. It's the only time when the world is standing still. Watching sun rise slowly over the peaks in perfect silence is pure magic.

Cold and Quiet

View from a lovely hike that starts at the top of Hoosier Pass. If you have snow shoes or uphill skis, bring them along and you can go further. The trail is well compacted, but if you step off to the side, it's a few feet of deep deep snow.

Beautiful Blue Bird Day in Breckenridge

A hike with a view. Walk up the hill for long enough, and you will get rewarded. If you have skins or snow shoes, might be a good idea as you'd be able to go further, and not fall into deep snow on occasion. Although most of the hike to this point is well compacted.

Lower McCullough Gulch Hike in the Winter

You are already here, there is no rush. The mountain will be there regardless. In a waist-deep snow, there is nowhere to go.

Take it slow in the mountains

Great way to let others know you exist is to put yourself out there. Here's Breck.Works car parked across the street from The Crown early in the morning. Lots of tourists walk by every day.

Breckworks Coworking Tesla on Main St.

That dog knows - the usual two hours will take four. He isn't looking forward to the drive either.

Snow day traffic back to Denver

The best time to ski Breckenridge is by far a pow day that lands on a Wednesday, when nobody is expecting it. It is especially good if the temperature is a bit cold, and the road conditions are gnarly. Be it 8am or 3pm, there's still plenty of the white stuff to play with.

Fresh pow on a weekday

What a great way to spend a holiday. Just a few friends on the trail, enjoying a beautiful sunny and snowy morning. Endless possibilities.

Friends enjoying Breckenridge side country

Quiet forest on the pow day. You can see some folks have already been up and down a couple of times. There is no one here otherwise. Just you, and the nature. 

A perfect day in the high country

It is only January, but the weather is warming up. We just got a lot of new snow, but will it stick around? Get your turns int before it's too late.

Spring is in the air in Breckenridge

When the holiday lift lines at Breck get too long, consider spending a day at the Keystone resort. Ample parking, very few people, great views. Then at the end of the day, you can always drive up to Breck for a tasty dinner. Reverse commute!

Consider Keystone

Magnificent views on the mountains around Breckenridge.

Early bird gets the worm!

The mountain has finally opened up for uphill access, and the only challenge now is to get there earlier enough to beat the crowds. Maybe it's the holidays effect, but while last year there were a handful of users, this year there seems to be a never ending train. Still, a lot less than during peak our on a lift! And the views, the views from the top are just marvelous!

Uphill is now open!

Nature makes the best art. Frost over the windshield early in the morning. Deep in the forest.

Winter Wonderland

Sometimes to see something new, all you have to do is turn off the lights.

Look up

While the golden colors are still around, you can see that it is the last few days before the winds, and the cold blows it all away. Don't wait, visit Breckenridge today :)

The fall is almost over in Breckenridge

The colors of the fall play along with the furniture at Breck create.

Breck Create Ceramic Studio in the Fall

Photo taken on a hike towards Continental Falls, along Spruce Creek.  Majestic autumn forest at 11,000 feet. 

View on the Bald and Boreas Mountains

The photo makes everything look beautiful, but the combination of old style buildings and golden colors really accentuate the vibe.

Breckenridge Art District in the fall

If you are looking to get out of Breck for a few hours and spend the day meaningfully, highway 82 going to Aspen via Leadville is a good choice. It's a stunning drive that doesn't take too long, and when you get there, Aspen isn't too bad either. The downside is that the road is closed October to May.

CO-82, Breckenridge to Aspen, Colorado

I like subtle humor. Here is a fun postcard from the Piante pizza 🍕 

Marinara Dealer

Sometimes all I have is an iPhone, but it doesn’t matter. The nature makes it look good either way.

The fall is beautiful!

Isn't it just epic the kind of landscapes that exist just 30 minutes outside of Breckenridge? 

On our way to Kite Lake Trailhead

I stepped out the back door of a coffee shop in Frisco to find this incredibly realistic mummy. Add this to the "wtf were they thinking" collection.

Incredibly Creepy

Sunset over the Tarn in Breckenridge / Blue River area.

There is beauty in every kind of weather

View on Dillon Reservoir from the truck rest stop on highway 70.

View on the Wildernest neighborhood near Silverthorn from I-70.  Just yesterday it was sunny and warm and not a sight of the storms, and a few weeks from now all of this will be covered in snow! 

Every time I walk by this window it makes me look. There is nothing in there that I want, never mind anything that I need, and yet all the little tourist gimmick are so attractive that it makes me stop and look. Amusing how it works.

Tourist attractions await in Breck

Just as the summer is wrapping up and the winter isn't quite here yet, Breckenridge is in full on construction mode. Get it done now or wait for another 8 months!

Construction time in Breckenridge

While the sun is still hot and the roads are still clear of snow, once the sun goes down you can now feel the chillness in the air. It is only a matter of days until the first snow, and a few months until the ski season opens. There is beauty in every moment around here.

The last days of summer in Breck

This squirrel doesn't seem to mind humans at all. It let me stick a camera into its face (no zoom). I suppose it wanted a treat. Sorry little buddy!

Squirrel looking for food.

A quiet hideaway on a busy Sunday. Just a few steps below the Quandary Peak, this lake provides magical views and zero cel signal. A great place to stop by for and chill for a minute.

Blue Lakes near Quandary Peak

I know they say not to feed the wildlife, but does it count if you turn around, and the wildlife is stealing your food from your table? 

Happy Chipmunk

The fall is near. The colors of everything are starting to change, and it’s just the best. So vibrant and cheerful!

Beautiful time of the year in Breckenridge

It only takes about 1.5 hours of running uphill from town of Breckenridge to reach this epic mountain lake. Start early in the morning and have it all to yourself. Later in the day the lake might get "crowded," with a few hikers, and an occasional ATV or Jeep that is able to crawl up a rather treacherous rocky road. 

Lower Crystal Lake

When Breckenridge traffic gets too much, there is always an escape to the nearby town of Fairplay, a much more quieter place with an amazing view of the mountains.

Town of Fairplay with a stunning view of the Mosquito Range

Honestly, I wish I knew what this is. Half-way down the Main Street of Breckenridge, there is a wooden troll holding on to his long ... nose. That is it. That's the story.

A scary troll on the Main St of Breckenridge.

Such a magical place to camp, and is only 15 minutes away from Breckenridge. It's hard to find an open spot though. Many sites seem to be booked six months ahead. But overall, a stellar experience as each site is set fairly far apart from its neighbor, while having lake access just a short walk away, and fully functional bathrooms that are actually very clean!

Peak One Campground near Dillon Reservoir

Accidental early morning capture of the crazy weather in this area. One side of the lake is sunny, happy and vibrant. The other side is all darkness. The transition happened in a matter of minutes, and then just like that, whoosh and the lake was sunny again. Photo is taken from the Peak One campground on Dillon Reservoir.

Wild Weather on Lake Dillon

Van life is a fantastic way to explore. I don't think full time living in a car with 4 people would be fun, but being able to jump in and go on an adventure, being able to sleep anywhere at any point, that's a pretty liberating way to be.

Photo is taken on the US highway 6, Loveland Pass.

Sprinter 2500 near Breckenridge

There isn't always a big camera handy when the moment calls for it, and that's when even an iPhone would do. Look at this peaceful, moist, beautiful morning in the forest near the Burro Trail and the Lower Lehman ski run.

Misty Monday Morning near Burro Trail

River Walk

This scrap metal robot is across the river from The Riverwalk Center. 

Robot

A couple of baby moose spotted at a friends hose in Blue River. 

Baby Moose

Juvenile Moose spotted at a friends hose in Blue River.

Juvenile Moose

My first car was a 1966 VW Beatle so I always take a picture when I spot one. This is on N French str.

Beatle

Stormy Fall Day

Did you know we have a soap company in Breck? Neither did I. Sometimes it's fun to play tourists and explore the stores that town has to offer. Fresh Soap Company is located at 500 S Main St, and offers a variety of soaps, and bath products. Bath, as it turns out, can be quite enjoyable!

Breckenridge Fresh Soap Company

Spotted this on a van parked at the City Market lot, and thought it was a good reminder to take life a little less seriously. "We don't make mistakes, just happy accidents."

Happy Accidents

As the sign reads: *UlIr, Snow God from Scandinavtan Folklore, protector of all those who participate in
winter sports."

I've walked by this place a dozen times and didn't see the statue right in front of my eyes.

Ullr Statue in downtown Breck

A fairly easy but rewarding hike just 15 min drive outside of Breckenridge. While most people are busy waiting in line to climb Quandary Peak, this hike delights and amazes with fraction of the effort.

Early morning walk around Blue Lakes

Breckenridge is an amazing place. One day you have a foot of snow, and then next wild flowers bloom in the heat of the sun. 

When the flowers come out life gets really vibrant

Every time I drove this road to Dillon I thought of taking this photo. One beautiful sunny day I decided to make a special trip just for it. I drove down the road, parked the car, hiked up and waited for a while for a break in traffic. 

On the road to Dillon

I was out for a bike ride this morning and delighted in the colors. The combination of deep green and the rain clouds in the backgrounds were magnificent.

Beautiful lavish green grass on peak 9

Riding horses at the Platte Ranch in Colorado is by far the top-10 things to do in and around Breckenridge. 100% you will not be disappointed.

Mike the Cowboy from Platte Ranch, Colorado

This part of the Burro trail used to be all wooded, and pleasantly shaded. Ever since the forest services started cutting a fire-prevention corridor last year, the trail has changed. This is just a part of that change.

Burro Trail does not look the same anymore

Team at the Crown Cafe in Breck is helping a customer on quiet day.

The Crown is Peaceful for once

Maggie Pond is looking majestic on this mildly gloomy day

My friend Dan Lee is a realtor and he is currently working on selling this historic boat. I was walking through town one day delighting in sunshine, and the picture was just begging to be taken!

Photos of Breckenridge, Colorado.