With all this heat, you may be dreaming about your ski vacation. July is a great time to start planning so that you can secure your perfect vacation rental property before they someone else beats you to it. There will be greater availability if you start planning early, and you will end up with more choices if you book early. For the ultimate winter luxury and convenience, a ski-in/ski-out vacation rental is exactly what you need. You can hit the slopes earlier, stay out longer and come home for lunch when your vacation rental has easy access to the mountain. Here are the best neighborhoods for ski-in/ski-out in Breckenridge and what is so great about them!

Four O’Clock

There are a number of neighborhoods west of Main Street that offer slopeside access. The Four O’Clock neighborhood is one of them. It is named for the Four O’Clock run, one of the the longest runs in Breckenridge. It goes all the way into town so you are able to ride back to your property at 4:00 when the ski lifts close. The Snowflake Chairlift is easy to hop on when you are ready to head out in the morning. It is easy to get to all of the peaks from this convenient location.

White Cloud

Nestled away just to the south of Peak 10 is the “White Cloud” area of warrior’s mark.  This neighborhood boasts some luxurious single-family homes, with stunning views.  Though this area is noted as ski-in/ski-out, the path to Peak 10 to upper Lehman is a bit more difficult to access for beginner skiers and can be inaccessible in the early season depending on snow conditions.  However, the serenity of the area, views, and luxurious choice of homes is unmatched in Breckenridge.

Peak 7 and 8

Peaks 7 and 8 have quickly become the “village” of Breckenridge and offer several luxury lodges and single family homes. From these areas you can access lifts on Peak 7 and Peak 8 just steps outside the lodges. This area offers stunning views and is a little quieter than the neighborhoods closer in towards Main Street.

Peak 9

The base of Peak 9 is full of activity. It has condos that are situated close to the quicksilver and Beaver Run chairlift. It also has great options for aprés ski dining and entertainment. Many Breckenridge celebrations and events are centered at the base of Peak 9 due to the easy access to town both using the free town bus and your own feet.

The Best Vacation Rental For Your Trip

The great thing about Breckenridge is that you are never far from town or from the slopes. An excellent shuttle system and gondola keep the whole town well connected. Unlike other ski resorts, Breckenridge ski-in/ski-out vacation rentals are not remote, hard-to-get-to locations. They are close to the runs and close to town. You can get a few runs in on the slopes, and a few minutes later be enjoying a massage at a spa, or savoring a meal in town. In addition, if you don’t choose a ski-in/ski-out property for your vacation, it is not too hard to get to the chairlift. You can use the free shuttle system to get on the mountain fast, without having to worry about parking. With advanced planning, you will be able to choose from plenty of properties so that you can find the right one for your ski vacation. Check out Breckenridge Resort Managers to begin planning your ski vacation today.

Summer brings warm daytime temperatures, cool comfortable nights, beautiful mountain views, wildflowers, and calm flowing streams. In addition to the ideal climate and setting in the summer, Breckenridge offers fun activities for the whole family. Check out these five family-friendly activities that will keep everyone entertained.

1) Epic Discovery

Epic Discovery offers high adventure for older family members including climbing walls, a high ropes course, and a zip line. Younger kids will enjoy the bounce house, mini zip line, and tubing. The whole family can enjoy mini-golf, the Mineshaft Maze, and the alpine coaster. Be sure to call ahead to make sure the weather conditions are right for the activities you want to do.

2) Biking

You can rent road bikes or mountain bikes from a variety of outfitters in town. There are many paved and single-track trails throughout Breckenridge and Summit County. You can find a trail for any skill level. You can also rent a bike trailer or a tag-along, so even the littlest family members can join in.

3) Hiking

You don’t want to miss the wildflowers in Breckenridge during the summer. You can find them on almost any trail. There are several easy trails with access from right in town. Lengths of the trails range from less than one mile to 10+. Check a map to see how much distance your hike covers, and how much elevation gain the hike includes. This will help you plan how much time it will take. Don’t forget to bring extra water and rain gear, as afternoon showers are normal.

4) Mine Tours

There are several mines in the immediate Breckenridge area that offer tours and activities. Mining is a big part of Breckenridge’s history. With these tours you can learn about this incredible history in a way that will fascinate everyone. Family members of all ages will love sliding down the ore shoot, gold panning, and petting the burros at the Country Boy Mine.

5) Fishing

The streams, rivers, and high alpine lakes surrounding Breckenridge are well known for their amazing trout. Fishing is an activity that everyone can do together. You can stop at an outfitter and rent equipment to go out on your own. You can also schedule a guided fishing tour or take a class to learn the ins and outs of fly fishing.

Make Memories

These are just a few ideas for family friendly activities in Breckenridge, there are many more. Take time out from your everyday life and enjoy a vacation. With these activities, your family can have quality time all together, no matter the age range. Get out and make memories this summer with an adventurous vacation in Breckenridge.

This winter had some incredibly extreme snowfall. As all that snow melts and moves down the mountain it encourages stunning, well-watered wildflowers. The more moisture the mountains get, the more magnificent the wildflowers are. This year is sure to be spectacular. You can discover wildflowers on any hike in the area, but these five hikes offer particularly beautiful displays of the mountain’s finest.

Black Powder Pass

Black Powder Pass trail is accessible from Boreas Pass Road. From Breckenridge, take Boreas Pass all the way to the top. The trail begins at the section house. It is a 3.4 mile out and back trail. It climbs through an open meadow and offers amazing views in all directions. In July and August, the meadow features all of Colorado’s best wildflowers. The road to access the trail is closed during the winter. Because of the high amount of snowfall this year it may be closed later than usual. You may want to save this trail for later in the summer.

Cucumber Gulch

This trail is accessed off of Ski Hill Road. During the winter it serves as cross country ski and snowshoe trails for the Breckenridge Nordic Center. The trail meanders through meadows, by streams and ponds, and through forest offering a range of wildflower habitats. There is little elevation gain over 2.9 miles making it an excellent beginner hike or first day at elevation hike. You are also likely to see moose and other wildlife along the way. The trail is closed until July 9th for wildlife conservation.

Sawmill Creek

This short, 1.5 mile hike is ideal for families. You can access the trail from town, so you don’t need a car to get there. Look for the trailhead near the Snowflake Lift. This trail winds back and forth across the creek with the help of charming wooden bridges. It is forested, so you can see all of the wildflowers that enjoy the shade offered by tree cover.

Guided hike on the Horseshoe Bowl Hiking Loop

One of the best ways to see high alpine flowers is to take a chair lift. You can take the Colorado SuperChair to Alpine Camp. Every day at 11:45 there is a free ranger guided hike through this area. Learn all about the landscape as you hike this high alpine terrain. You can learn more about the area and how to get lift tickets at breckenridge.com.

Emma Lake

You will have to drive a bit to get here, but it is worth the distance. Emma Lake can be found outside of Alma, a small mountain town just on the north side of Hoosier Pass. Take the road to the Kite Lake day use area. This is a popular jumping off point for several fourteeners. There is a small fee to park here. The trail wanders through open meadows and climbs to a stunning high alpine lake. The wildflowers are dense and brilliant, especially along the stream that flows through the meadow. The road to Kite Lake can be difficult to navigate. It is best to take this trail later in the summer when the roads are dry.

Hike Smart

Remember, as you hike that the same conditions that make wildflowers so abundant can also make the trails difficult. Roads may be wetter than usual and even impassible. Wear sturdy hiking boots and wool socks so that your feet will stay comfortable even if they get wet. There may still be snowfields to cross even late into summer. If you are headed to high alpine terrain, do it early in the morning to avoid being caught in a dangerous afternoon thunderstorm. Whether you trek to a high alpine lake or hike forested trails near town, any trail is sure to offer bountiful mountain wildflowers.

Photos by Louie Traub courtesy of Breckenridge Office of Tourism

Summer is prime time to rent out your vacation home. Families gather for reunions, old friends meet up, and couples find some one on one time during June, July, and August. You can make your vacation rental appeal to all of these groups so that your rental stays booked all summer long.

The Great Outdoors

Unlike winter in Breckenridge, guests flock to the mountains in summer for the variety of activities that can partake in outside and in nature.  Hiking, cycling, water sports, and simply sitting in the woods and having a picnic are all reasons guests love to come to Breckenridge in the summer.  No matter if the trail or stream is out your back door or way down the road, highlighting how a guest can easily access the great outdoors from your property will catch their interest and give them a reason to book your property.  Supply directions, maps, and details to make their decision easy, and their vacation wonderful.

Outdoor Spaces

Outdoor spaces are key for summer rentals. Vacationers love to use outdoor seating, grills, hot tubs, hammocks, and more. It doesn’t take much to set up an inviting outdoor space. Hang a swing on your front porch. Provide a fire pit and some Adirondack chairs. Put a propane grill on your patio along with a table and chairs. If you don’t have any outdoor spaces available, point out your proximity to local parks, trails, or other activities. Remember to consider fire danger and take appropriate precautions. If there is a fire ban and you have a fire pit or charcoal grill remind your guests that they are not allowed to use them. Do not provide firewood or charcoal during a fire ban. Make sure you have any burn permits easily accessible so that your guests know all of the rules and regulations.

Highlight Family Spaces

Many people use vacation rentals instead of hotels because they are traveling with a group of people. Show off any bunk spaces or rooms with multiple beds. Families prefer homes that have spaces for older children to stay together, or rooms large enough for families with young children to sleep together. Be sure to point out any amenities like pool tables, ping-pong tables, or even yard games and fishing equipment.

Pet Friendly

Many summertime vacationers look forward to taking their favorite furry friends with them on their adventures. Hiking with dogs is an especially loved pastime. Consider making your property pet friendly. Many visitors would gladly pay a fee instead of having to pay for a kennel to board their pet.

Peak Season

These simple steps will help your property stand out as the ideal summer vacation home. Know the best things to do in your area during the summer and highlight them for your guests. Think about what a summer renter wants in a vacation home and do your best to provide as many of those amenities as possible. When you rent your home in the summer, you can get premium rates and enjoy the fruits of a high traffic season.

Summer is full of fun community events in Breckenridge. You can gather with locals and tourists to celebrate art, music, acts of physical endurance, and great food and drink. The following is a list of our favorite summer events, but there are certainly more throughout the summer. What will you celebrate in Breck this summer?

WAVE

This event kicks off the summer. Be entranced by this magical festival that happens in June. WAVE focuses specifically on sound, water, and light. Huge, interactive installations invite the onlooker to participate in the art. The best time to view these displays is after sunset when the light and color vividly come to life against the dark mountain sky. Check out workshops, live music, kids activities, and more, during this weekend of wonder from May 30th to June 2nd.

4th of July

Celebrate Independence Day with the whole family. Start the day off with a parade, check out art installations or enjoy the sunshine along the river. If you are feeling competitive, you can participate in the 10K trail run or 50 mile bike race. The quaint Main Street in Breckenridge is the idyllic place to enjoy this summer holiday. Get out of the heat and relax in the mountains for Independence Day. Be aware that dry conditions can exist and fireworks displays can be and are often cancelled due to fire danger.

Summer Beer Festival

Who can wait until Oktoberfest to enjoy all of the great beers Colorado has to offer? The Summer Beer Festival is scheduled for July 13th, 2019. Vendors from craft breweries all over Colorado and even as far as Montana will be bringing their best brews for you to taste. Enjoy sunshine, live music, food vendors, and beer tasting all at the Beaver Run Resort area. Kids are welcome at the event, but kids 12 and older will need to purchase a general admission ticket. When you buy your tickets online, you can get into the event an hour earlier than if you purchase them at the gate.

Breckenridge International Festival of Arts

This ten-day festival features artists from all over the world. The festival includes live music performances, outdoor installations, dance, film, and other outdoor activities. This year Thomas Dumbo will create a new wooden troll. The dance troop BANDALOOP will perform vertical dance in various locations, including a dance on a 14,000 foot mountain. This year the event will run from August 9th-18th. Schedule quality time with your family before the kids head back to school and enjoy this truly distinct art festival. Look for the full schedule of events on the BreckCreate website in May.

Labor Day Weekend

Come back to the mountains for one last hurrah before the snow starts to fly. Don’t miss the annual Duck Race put on by the Summit Foundation. Each Labor Day the Blue River is filled with bright rubber ducks swimming the current to the finish line. This event includes fun for the whole family with a bounce house, toddler zone, and other fun activities. Take advantage of discounts at the annual sidewalk sale. Breckenridge’s unique shops and boutiques, take their wares outside and offer deep discounts. Whether you are looking for new gear, charming home decor, or a chic outfit, this is one of the best opportunities to explore Breck’s one-of-a-kind shopping scene.

Plan Your Vacation

Take time to plan a vacation and enjoy some of Breckenridge’s best festivals this summer. There is something happening almost every weekend throughout the summer to keep everyone entertained. Rent a condo or home through Breckenridge Resort Managers so that you can stay in the middle of all the action.

Photos Courtesy of the Breckenridge Tourism Office

Important Renovations and Maintenance for Your Vacation Rental

Because Breckenridge is a seasonal town, it’s easy to forget the value of an off-season. We get so busy during high season, that we tend to just shut off when things slow down. There’s real value in downtime. We understand that. Nonetheless, we can also learn how to make the mud season work for you.

Here are a few ways that you can make the most out of your vacation rental’s downtime and maximize profits during the high season.

Routine Maintenance for Your Vacation Rentals

Routine maintenance is not an impressive renovation, but mud season is the ideal time to complete it. Have your furnace and water heater checked, get your hot tub serviced, and check the roof for any damage. The last thing you want is a broken water heater in the dead of winter, during prime time rental season. If it can ward off any major malfunction during peak season, these routine checks are worth it.

Introspection

Now’s the time to go over the numbers. What time period yielded the highest revenue, and what time period yielded the lowest? Why was the lowest time period different than other weeks?

Secondly, read over your and highlight any area you can improve. A little introspection will go a long way in increasing your profits.

Ask yourself the important questions with an open mind and plan out how you can improve the following year.

Renovate!

Now that you’ve had some visitors to your vacation rental, you know what can be improved on, to make your rental unit stand out. Here’s a few renovations that we know work.

Add Luxury to Your Bathroom

When vacationers are on a getaway, they are hoping to relax. A lavish and inviting bathroom can help renters feel like their stay was everything they were hoping for. Considering adding a Jacuzzi tub, or even just a rainfall shower head. A little bit of luxury can go a long way.

An Outdoor Room

Update your outdoor space to get ready for the summer. Create an inviting outdoor room. This could mean putting up a pergola for some shade, adding seating and a gas fireplace, or even putting in an outdoor kitchen. Summer vacationers look forward to spending time outside and cherish the gorgeous Breckenridge sunshine. When you have a space that is comfortable, inviting, and easy to use, you will stand out to potential renters.

Fresh Paint

A quick coat of fresh paint on the walls, especially in the highest traffic areas can bring a new, clean look to your vacation rental. With a lot of people moving through your home, it can easily show wear and tear. Painting is a simple, do-it-yourself project that can quickly and affordably make your home look like new.

Replace Carpet

Carpet can be really hard to take care of. It can attract stains and dirt and after a short period of time can begin to look dingy. Consider adding wood, tile, or an alternative such as laminate in places where it is appropriate. This is much easier to clean after guests leave. If you are a pet friendly vacation home, this can be even more helpful as carpet tends to collect dust and fur. After the carpet is gone, add rugs that are easy to clean. This will keep your home feeling warm and comfortable even if there isn’t much carpet.

Choose Carefully

Try to knock out a few renovations this mud season so that you can attract even more renters in the peak summer and winter seasons. As you renovate, choose styles and pieces that are timeless, cozy, inviting, and fit with the feel of your location. These renovations will endure throughout the years so that you won’t need to constantly changing your rental home.

Connect with Your Property Manager

Reach out to your property manager and discuss the past high season. Your property management company will be intimately knowledgeable about your renters’ experiences and can provide valuable feedback. Make use of that knowledge!

Here at Breckenridge Resort Managers, we value our owners and the relationships we build with them. We look forward to hearing from them!

Reach out to discuss your vacation rental, or becoming one of our valued property owners.

Most visitors to Breck are used to sliding down the slopes at top speeds, carving per-fect turns, and enjoying the thrill of a day on the slopes. However, there are other types of skis that are just as fun. Cross country skiing offers a whole new way to experience the mountains. This sport offers a quieter way to get deep into the mountain terrain and experience views and maybe even wildlife like you have never seen it before. This ski vacation consider heading out on one of Breck’s excellent cross country ski trails.

Breckenridge Nordic Center

If you are a beginner, the Breckenridge Nordic Center is the ideal place to start. It has miles of groomed trails that make cross country skiing more accessible to the beginner. You can also rent equipment and schedule a lesson with their friendly staff. There are also advanced trails that stretch into the Cucumber Gulch area that can challenge even advanced skiers. In addition, there is a cozy lodge where you can relax with a glass of wine and an appetizer by the fireplace after you ski.

Bemrose Ski Circus

When you want to head out on your own, the Bemrose Ski Circus is an ideal loop to try. It is easily accessible from Highway 9. Go south on Highway 9 and park at the top of Hoosier Pass. Carefully cross the highway on foot and you will see a trail marker just up from the embankment. The snow is nearly always ideal in this area and the views are spectacular from anywhere on the trail. There are several loops to choose from so you can make a longer or shorter trip.

Boreas Pass

Boreas Pass is usually known for its fall foliage in September. However, when winter hits, this road is closed to car traffic and is an excellent cross country ski trail. There is a steady incline, so be prepared to put in some effort to get to the top of the pass. It is a little over six miles to the top of the pass. Then, you can glide back down. Or, you can rent a hut at the top and stay the night. If you prefer not to go all the way up, you can turn at Banker’s Tank and take a loop back to the trailhead.

Gold Hill Trail

The parking lot and trailhead for Gold Hill Trail can be found on the left side of Highway 9 when going north out of Breckenridge. This is a relatively straight trail that climbs about 700 feet over three miles. The trail intersects with the Peak Trail if you want to go further, or you can head back down to the parking lot.

A Sport for Everyone

Cross country skiing is a sport that anybody can try and enjoy. While it comes naturally to many people, a lesson can really help beginners navigate the more challenging ter-rain that is common to the Breckenridge area. Once you are confident on your skis, you can see so much more of the beauty that Breckenridge has to offer. Try something new on your ski vacation this year!

Photo by Liam Dorian courtesy of Breckenridge Office of Tourism

Photo by Scofield courtesy of Breckenridge Office of Tourism

Snowmobiling is a high-adventure, high-adrenaline sport that is the most fun in the deep powder, backcountry spaces that Summit County has to offer. On a snowmobile, you can travel far into the backcountry and see views unlike any other in the county. Unfortunately, snowmobiles can be very difficult to travel with. Whether you are a first-timer at this sport, or an experienced snowmobiler, you may want to consider a guided tour. There are many outfitters throughout Summit County that offer tours that are ideal for families, newbies, and experts. Check out some of these outfitters and plan a tour for your vacation.

Breckenridge Snowmobiling

This outfitter offers guided tours in Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Vail, and Beaver Creek. They have three levels of guided tours ranging from family oriented, to high adventure for the experienced rider. Children ages four and up can ride with an adult on the tour. Teenagers 15 and up, with a learners permit, can drive their own snowmobile. You can also rent your own snowmobile and head out onto the Vail Pass trail system for a day at your own pace.

Colorado Snowmobile

Colorado Snowmobile operates out of Keystone, Breckenridge, and Vail. They offer a two-hour tour that is ideal for families. Younger riders can accompany adults on this tour. A longer, high-adventure tour is also available for single riders. This tour has the option of a three-hour tour for a half day, or a six-hour tour for a whole day. A hot lunch is included in the full-day tour. There is even a youth lap track, where kids over the age of four and under 80 pounds can try out driving their own kid-sized snowmobile.

Good Times Adventures

Good Times Adventures offers two-hour tours that will take you to the top of the Continental Divide. First, you will have the opportunity to get comfortable with your snowmobile in an open meadow. Then, the tour continues up Georgia Pass, where the summit offers unbelievable views. After your tour you can enjoy hot cocoa by the fire in a cozy lodge.

Keep in Mind

It can become very cold and wet when you are snowmobiling. Be sure you have the appropriate clothing so that you can have fun on your adventure. Some outfitters have snowsuits and boots available to rent or complimentary with the tour. Ask ahead of time to find out if you will need additional clothing. The sun is also intense. Be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen, even if your face will be mostly covered with a helmet and goggles.

If you are a family group, in most cases, kids under 14 will have to ride as a passenger, while kids between 15-18 cannot carry riders while driving their snowmobile. Make sure you have the right driver to rider ratio, or inquire about special accommodations. In some cases, a passenger may be able to ride with a guide.

These tours book quickly, so if you want to included snowmobiling in your vacation be sure to plan ahead. Many outfitters offer online booking, but it can also be helpful to call and talk with the outfitter to make sure you have all of the correct information. Snowmobiling will give you an entirely new perspective on Summit County. Don’t miss this exhilarating sport.

Photo by Leisa Gibson courtesy of Breckenridge Office of Tourism

Photo courtesy of Breckenridge Office of Tourism