Breckenridge Co Altitude -
All ski towns are not
created equal.
Breckenridge
rests at an altitude of 9,603
feet,
Aspen makes the scene at
7,815,
Steamboat Springs
sets lower at 6,900 and
Telluride
logs in at 8,750.
But it's not
the altitude that sets them apart. Each lays claim to it's
own style, reputation, and character, something you may
feel, but not recognize until you've spent a few days
playing around and getting to know the local scene.
Breckenridge
(or Breck, as they say) has a slogan that goes "A Real
Town. Friends Welcome". You decide for yourself what
it means. To me it says two things.
First of all, Breckenridge
is not just Breckenridge Ski Resort; it's a town you can actually live in, do
things, make friends, perform your civic duty, run a business and get in
great shape.
Secondly, the locals - the
1600 who do live there - are really glad to see you, and if
you've visited many resort towns, you know this is an extremely valuable
experience.
In the beginning, when getting a post office was a major and
coveted accomplishment, Breckenridge tried to up the ante by
naming their town after Vice President John Cabell Breckinridge.
Later, (after they got their post office) they changed the
spelling when Breckinridge joined the South's Confederate Army.
Contrary to what you
might think, Breckenridge did not get it's beginnings as a skiing mecca.
Nor were it's beginnings humble.
Instead, about 140
years ago, when "Father Dyer", a storybook preacher of the Old West, was
using skis to get around the rugged mountain terrain, a population of
nearly 8000 people were frantically mining for GOLD and SILVER.
It was in fact, one of the hottest spots to mine during the Colorado
Gold Rush.
Gold Rush towns, by the
nature of the times, always have fascinating stories to tell. The
buildings that were once brothels, taverns and bath houses seem to creak
with secrets, nod for golden nuggets found, and weep for ruined lives
and broken families.
The Summit Historical
Society in Breckenridge does of good job of telling these stories in
their
mine and walking tours.
|
The Town Trolley
one of several convenient FREE
transportation
options |
|
Today, the city of Breckenridge, Co - one of the largest districts in the
National Register of Historic Places - is an eclectic mix of rich
echoes from the past and present day state-of-the art sophistication.
It boasts the country's only double-loading six passenger chairlift and
has, for two years in a row, attracted more skiers than any other resort
in the country.
The town welcomes
visitors with quaint Victorian buildings, hide and seek shopping
arcades, an old fashioned trolley, dining for every taste and
budget, and a
Riverwalk, ideal for picnic's and entertainment in a heated
ampitheatre.
At one end of town is a
Recreation Center equipped with tennis, racquetball and volleyball
courts, rock climbing walls, weight and cardiovascular equipment, dance
and aerobic studios, hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms, a leisure pool
and more, plus programs for locals and visitors.
|
|
