When people think of Breckenridge, most people just think of skiing and great mountain views. But there is much more to Breckenridge than just the slopes. Breckenridge has indoor and outdoor ice arenas for skating and hockey. You can watch and play in games and take lessons as well.

There is also the Breckenridge Golf Club, which features a 27 hole course designed by Jack Nicklaus. The Riverwalk Center hosts the Breckenridge Music Institute Orchestra from June to August as well as the National Repertory Orchestra, Breckenridge Music Festival, and other events.

You can also check out the Breckenridge Film Festival which will allow you to rub elbows with celebrities and watch the latest Hollywood flicks. The Breckenridge Theatre is home to Backstage Theatre, Inc., who provides many theatre performances during the year. There is also an art gallery in the theatre.

There are also many hiking and biking trails throughout the town and area which allows you to see many scenic areas and gives a great alternative to traveling in cars. The Breckenridge Mountain Bike Freeride park is an entry-level, free ride stunt park. It is one of the first five parks permitted on public lands in the country. The park has about 10 features such as ramps and teeter totters and jumps for mountain bikers.

You can also check out Kayak Park, which has the longest whitewater kayaking in the state. The 1,800 foot park has 15 features including drop structures, splash rocks, play waves, and much more.

If you want to get the most out of your Breckenridge winter vacation, one thing you will want to do is ski and snowboard. If you have yet to learn, no problem, as Breckenridge Ski & Ride School is there to help.

Whether you are an adult or child, Breckenridge Ski & Ride School can teach you. There are both adult and child classes to meet any skill level. Reservations for both ski and snowboarding classes are strongly recommended. Ski classes for children can range anywhere from $105 for one day to $910 for a week for ages four through 13. Snowboarding classes are for age seven through thirteen and carry the same price range.

For adults ages 14 and up, skiing and snowboarding lessons there are many options. For both skiing and boarding there are two sets of lessons, one for beginners and one for intermediates. Beginner prices can range from $75 for a half day to $233 for three full days. There is also a First Time Discovery series of lessons. The goal of these lessons is to develop life time skiers and riders by creating a comfortable atmosphere allowing guests to fully realize the fun of the sport. First Time Discovery prices of $235 include three full days of lessons, lift tickets, and rentals.

Private lessons are also available from Breckenridge Ski & Ride School. These lessons offer one-on-one ski and ride instruction. The responsive environment provides instant individual feedback. The lessons also include video analysis with intermediate or advanced private lessons. There are also foreign language lessons available. Prices range from $365 for a value half day to $560 for a regular full day.

Not surprisingly, Breckenridge, Colorado, is one of the best places on earth for trail running. Whether you are looking for a casual run or a high mountain road race, this town has it all. Most of Breckenridge�s running trails are shared by hikers and bikers alike, but with wide dirt tracks and open skies, there is plenty of room on the road for all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. Most trails begin above tree level, which means that you�ll need to bring water, gel packs, and sunscreen with you on your run. And, since this is wilderness country, stick to the marked trail ways without venturing off into open woods � although it�s tempting! Runners will find trails that lead up mountain sides, through old mining camps, and past waterfalls. But put your best pair of trail running shoes on, you�ll need the extra grip. For the really adventurous (and for those looking for a great workout) hike or climb up a mountain side trail and then run back down the trail to the base � this will help work your quadriceps and will allow you to feel the wind in your face on the way back down, which is half the fun of running.

If you are seeking something a bit more competitive, the Nike Summit Trail Running Series is an annual event that brings runners from all over the nation to the small town of Breckenridge. The event runs from June to August and welcomes runners from all levels to join in the fun. The various races range form 5k-12k, but most of them are an uphill battle. Ranging from the tree lined Baker�s Tank run to the Horseshoe Gulch 12k run, runners are sure to enjoy the sound of feet hitting earth for once � you won�t find any street racing here! In order to encourage youth involvement in physical activity, any runners under the age of eighteen can register for free. No matter what your ability level is, there is nothing in the world like the feeling that you are alone on a long, winding road that seems to go on through the mountains forever.

Horses, Snowshoes, Skis, Boards, Bikes, Hiking � there are many ways to view all of what beautiful Breckenridge has to offer, so why not ride a machine? To really feel the wind at your back and the snow in your face, try the newly popular sport of snowmobiling. Many people may feel that riding a machine through the snow isn�t really a good form of exercise, but they couldn�t be more wrong. Snowmobilers actually burn a lot of calories simply from twisting and turning, standing up and squatting down, and spending time in the outdoors. So, consider heading to Good Times Adventures (located in Breckenridge), or to Colorado Snowmobile Tours (located just outside of Breckenridge) for your first snowmobiling adventure. If you happen to be well acquainted with the sport, these local snowmobiling outfitters also offer challenging courses for experts only.

Good Times Adventures offers snowmobiliers over forty miles of untouched wilderness to explore. They currently have one hundred machines for you to try, and all snowmobilers are in constant communication with their staff members, so you�ll never get lost. Additionally, Good Times will send an experienced guide with your group, just in case. But don�t worry, this team of experts is proud to boast a small instructor to group ratio, so you�ll never get lost in the crowd. All of their trails begin at an elevation of 11,585 feet and trails are mapped out from beginner to extreme advanced to make your ride worthwhile.

Another good option for the snowmobiler in you is Colorado Snowmobile Tours. This well established company is located just outside of Breckenridge (a few miles), but they offer almost the same types of trails and acreage. One additional offering that this tour group has is Extreme Snowmobile Tours. These extreme tours are for advanced snowmobilers only and they last up to three hours taking you all over Summit County.

Whether you choose Good Time Adventures or Colorado Snowmobile Tours, Breckenridge and its surrounding area is the perfect winter playground.

Forget magic carpets, for the ultimate in air transportation climb inside of a hot air balloon. Almost everyone has seen a sunrise in their lifetime, but not that many people have seen the sun rise from several thousand feet up in the sky. Colorado Hot Air Balloon Rides out of Breckenridge, Colorado, offers visitors to this area the perfect activity for ending their vacation. Begin your hot air tour early in the morning, before sunrise, and climb inside the colorful balloon that awaits you � you�ll find the launch site at 9,000 feet.

As your eyes begin to open, your ears will pick up the sound of classical music. This owner operated balloon ride prides itself on the smaller details, such as a gorgeous sunrise over the Colorado Rockies, and soothing music for your trip � when you�re this high up, you need to be calm! According to their website, riding in a hot air balloon has been ranked number eighteen on the proverbial �fifty things to do before I die� list, so why not scratch this one off while you are vacationing in the picture perfect little town? You will travel two to ten miles from your starting point during your adventure and the entire tour will take approximately one hour. Upon your return to land, a champagne toast and a full, sit down, breakfast awaits you. And don�t forget to grab your complimentary framed portrait of your trip when you leave. With sunsets this beautiful and heights this high, you�ll want to show people this vacation photo.

If you think that there is truly safety in numbers, prove your beliefs to be true and sign up to do some white water rafting. Because of its ideal location, Breckenridge offers visitors the ultimate adventure in rafting. Two places located in the town center offer this extreme sport to anyone that is brave enough to try it. The Breckenridge Adventure Company and Performance Tours will have you and a group of your friends inside of a raft and screaming your heads off in no time.

Both companies have a wealth of highly trained staff members waiting to take you out on your first rafting adventure. Whether or not you�ve tried this sport before, beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses are offered at both facilities. Beginners often face smaller, calmer, rapids that don�t require previous skill � in fact, many families bring along their young toddlers to experience this beginners trip. Intermediate levels require minimum training as they approach swifter rapids, and advanced and expert levels will present a test for anyone who thinks that they can tame the quickly flowing rivers.

While rafting during the daylight hours is a good idea (better ability to see rocks and oncoming waves), the Adventure Company offers a Full Moon rafting trip on semi-tranquil waters that is perfect for any lover of mystery and romance. Additionally, this rafting company offers two to five day tours that include camping and rafting your way up the river bank � sure to be an unforgettable trip. If you like the idea of camping, but aren�t sure about spending more than one day out in the wild, Adventure Tours also offers a �Boat, Bed, and Breakfast� tour that lasts only one day and includes a hearty breakfast. There is no feeling quite like plunging down a swiftly moving river bed, so don�t let this opportunity float by.

If you really want to experience what it is like to have your heart in your throat, try your skills and test your fitness level with white water kayaking. Blessed with many types of rapid waters, Breckenridge challenges even the most experienced kayaker. But this sport isn�t just for vacationers; the Breckenridge Recreation Department offers courses from beginner to advanced throughout the year. In fact, the recreation department might be a good place to start if you�ve never been kayaking before. An indoor pool allows you to kayak in warm water (you will get wet), before you head out into the wild. The recreation center also offers kid kayaking lessons, to get your children interested in outdoor sports and a healthy lifestyle at an early age. The lessons are held every Sunday evening from 7-9 pm, including an open practice during the winter months, just in case your skills get a bit rusty.

If you�d rather jump right in, try the Rocky Mountain Adventure Company, specializing in all things heart pounding. This company provides beginners with a one to two day course that will have you turning over in no time. The class teaches all the basic skills, so that you won�t have to panic when a wall of white water waves comes at you full force. And if you are in a real rush, the group offers a Two Day Fast Track class that will have you in your kayak and in the water in no time. This class even offers a free lunch, riverside, to maximize your time. Try your hand at conquering nature�s most ferocious rapids by signing up for a kayaking course, or just heading out to Breckenridge�s white water park. If you are seeking adventure, this activity won�t let you down.

Belay, piton, prusik, rapel � if you want to actual understand what these terms mean, you�ll have to try your hand at rock climbing. No other place on earth has been so perfectly carved, literally, out of stone for rock climbers to enjoy than the Rocky Mountain Range. And no better town sits at the base of this range than Breckenridge does. Whether you have been hiking for years, or whether you�ve never really been into sauntering along dirt paths, perhaps you need to kick it up a notch and try your hand at scaling mountain walls.

In an odd way rock climbers resemble Superman as they awkwardly edge themselves up intimidating mountain edges attached to ropes and propelled by sheer human strength. While you�re in Breckenridge, why not try your hand at wearing tights? Well, you don�t actually have to don the superhero costume to head up a cliff, but a bit of that infamous courage might help. And if you aren�t brave enough to go it alone (and why would you want to) head to one of the towns two hiking companies. The Adventure Company or The Rocky Mountain Guides will gladly assist you in scaling rock walls. These skilled experts offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses to help you get over your fears. They will teach you how to gain your own ground, tackle rough edges, and use your own strength to your advantage. Choose either a half or a full day hike depending on the amount of stamina you possess. With metal hooks, ropes, and non-optional helmets as part of your necessary equipment, this is not your average adventure.

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to glide across snow and ice without actually walking? How about literally walking on water � well, frozen water? If the idea of dog sledding has never crossed your mind, while you are on vacation in Breckenridge, abandon your skis for a day and head out to Good Times Adventures, a local company that specializes in making your stay in Breckenridge unforgettable.

Dog sledding is an activity that has become readily available throughout many ski resort towns, but unlike many other resorts that just take you along for the ride, Good Times Adventures actually allows you to be in control of the sled. That means that you have a team of specially trained Siberian Huskies at your command. Don�t worry, before you set out the guides will teach you how to properly control the dogs, so that you don�t wind up in the snow. But just in case, wear a few extra layers!

You will embark on a six mile tour across the Swan River and through the woods with six other people � so bring your friends and a camera. The entire trip takes around one hour to complete. This tour doesn�t include any stops along the way, other than to take turns driving the sled, so don�t expect any hot chocolate or lodge retreats � this is the real thing. If you are lacking for great vacation photos, and truly unique adventure stories to tell your friends back home, this is the trip for you -- Mush! Mush!

Wintertime outdoor enthusiasts come to Breckenridge, Colorado, for one reason � to ski the Rockies. The towering purple giants were put on earth for man to conquer, and that is exactly what Breckenridge Ski Resort has been trying to do since it opened many years ago. Ski season beings in November and runs until April, and all throughout the summer months skiers and boarders alike wait anxiously for the first snow flake to fall that signals the beginning of the ski season.

These mountains are massive � there is no denying that fact. With the base of the mountain at 9,600 feet and a vertical rise of 3,398 feet, these slopes can be slightly intimidating. The Breckenridge Ski Resort spans an impressive 2,358 acres and includes 152 trails ranging from beginner to extreme expert. Beginners will delight in trails that slowly twist and turn around awe-inspiring blue spruce trees while the winter sun beats down upon their face. And extreme skiers will meet their challenge course with trails that include steep 45-55 degree pitches. These expert trails are filled with trail obstacles, such as rocks to jump over and well groomed coarse snow. The intermediate skier or boarder will also find pleasure in trails that are not too treacherous, but still have the award winning view of the Rockies. No matter how big your group of ski buddies is, this resort has a total of 29 lifts that can accommodate anywhere from two to eight people at one time. And when temperatures get uncomfortably cold, head to the resort lodge for a cup of hot chocolate or a few carbohydrate packed munchies to fuel your next run. Whether you seek a challenge, or just want to learn to ski on some of the best terrain the world has to offer, The Breckenridge Ski Resort has a trail for every level.

Before going on vacation, most people try to lose a few pounds, but usually all of that lost weight is gained back when reaching a destination to find loads of restaurants and bars, but no physical activities. In this sense, Breckenridge, Colorado, is anything but your normal vacation spot. While the town does have some award winning cuisine and plenty of night life, this vacation spot bustles during the daytime hours. With activities from skiing to fly fishing, you will never have to worry about gaining a pound. And unlike most tourist destinations, the locals here want you to come and visit, so they�ve made the whole thing a lot easier by setting up Central Reservations Network.

The Central Reservation Network offers visitors numerous vacation packages that are sculpted to fit your specific vacation needs. For those that want to take advantage of everything that Mother Nature has to offer, the �Summer in the Rockies� package is not for the faint of heart. This package includes rafting, an ATV tour, horseback riding, fly fishing, biking, and spa treatments all in one. Bring your friends and family along for your Rocky Mountain adventure, this package is only good for groups of four.

If you enjoy spending your time outdoors, but aren�t much of a thrill seeker, choose the golf package, which allows you to play on the only Jack Niklause designed municipal golf course in the world. In addition, you will receive two nights accommodation for four in a private condominium. For golf enthusiasts, this package is a must.

Then again, physical activity may not be what you need to unwind. Instead of exerting your muscles, try flexing your brain while you listen to jazz that is played upon a floating stage. With the GenuWine and Jazz Festival package, you will get to hear great music, unwind, and receive twenty free vouchers for local wine tasting. Whether you intend to keep in shape on your vacation, or prefer to simply relax by listening to music, Breckenridge�s Central Reservations Network can take care of all your vacation needs.