Breckenridge

• Breckenridge sits at 9,600 feet (2,926 meters), so start drinking plenty of water as soon as you arrive, take your first day gently, and keep an eye out for headaches, nausea, or short breaths that signal altitude illness. Mountain sun stays fierce all year, so pack broad-spectrum sunscreen, good sunglasses or goggles, lip balm, and clothes you can layer for anything from sudden snow squalls to bright seventy-degree sunshine.
• If you do bring a car, learn Colorado’s traction and four-wheel-drive rules and check road conditions before you go. Many travelers skip driving altogether and rely on FreeRide buses, the Main Street Trolley, Summit Stage shuttles, lodging vans, ride shares, bikes, or a short walk because parking costs money and fills up fast.
• Local shops charge a fifty-cent fee for disposable bags and cafés hand out straws only when asked, so carry a reusable bag and water bottle and avoid single-use plastic. Refill stations with top-quality tap water sit all over town, making it easy to stay hydrated.
• On trails and in town, follow Leave No Trace: plan ahead and prepare, stick to durable surfaces, pack out trash, leave what you find, keep campfires small and only where allowed, watch wildlife from a distance, and stay courteous to everyone around you.

• Respect the Outdoors: Pack it in, pack it out. Locals take "Leave No Trace" seriously, littering or going off trail is heavily frowned upon. Stay on designated trails and avoid cutting switchbacks.

• Trail Sharing: On bike/pedestrian trails, bikers yield to pedestrians, and everyone yields to horses (if present). Give a friendly “on your left” when passing and slow down near families or pets.

• Community Vibe: Breck feels like a tight-knit community tucked inside a postcard. It has all the stunning alpine beauty you'd expect, but with a friendly, unpretentious feel. You’ll find ski bums, artists, entrepreneurs, and families living side by side—and often sharing a beer at the same Main Street brewery.

  “It’s a town where you can wear snow pants to dinner and no one bats an eye.”

• High Altitude Awareness: Breckenridge sits at 9,600 ft (2926 m), so visitors often experience altitude sickness. Hydrate, take it easy the first day, and avoid alcohol initially. Consider electrolyte drinks and don't skip meals.
• Sun & Weather: UV exposure is intense at altitude, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are essentials, even in winter. Weather changes fast in the mountains. Always bring layers and check the forecast before heading out.
• Wildlife Caution: Breckenridge is surrounded by national forest and home to moose, black bears, and foxes. Keep a safe distance and never feed wildlife. Store food properly at campsites and be cautious on trails, especially at dawn and dusk.

Breckenridge is widely considered a very pet-friendly mountain town, especially for dogs. Here’s a breakdown of what makes it great for traveling with your pup:

• Roughly 33 restaurants on BringFido’s list allow leashed dogs at outdoor tables, popular spots include Empire Burger, Motherloaded Tavern, Blue Stag, The Canteen, and Fatty’s Pizzeria

• Dogs are welcome on the free BreckConnect Gondola; leashed pups can ride up to Peaks 7 and 8 and explore trails or patio areas at the summit (operates summer through ski season)

• Excellent dog-friendly hiking trails include:

  • McCullough Gulch

  • Crystal Lake Trail

  • Spruce Creek to Mohawk Lake

  • The Blue River Recpath & Boreas Pass Rail‑Trail

• Gold Run Nordic Center allows dogs on specific snowshoe or ski trails and even offers skijoring clinics for cross-country skiing with dogs

• Leashes are required everywhere in town. Off-leash is only permitted outside town limits or specifically in designated areas/hiking trails

Breckenridge offers a strong commitment to accessibility across transportation, trails, lodging, and municipal services, striving to ensure inclusive experiences for residents and visitors alike.

• All Free Ride and Summit Stage buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts, and ADA paratransit service is available via Mountain Mobility for qualifying individuals, with service animals permitted under ADA rules
• The Trollstigen Trail (leading to the Isak Heartstone troll) features a 48-inch-wide firm path, maximum 3% grade, with rest stops, designed to be usable by many mobility needs
• The Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) offers adaptive ski and snowboard lessons, equipment, and instruction to support guests with physical and cognitive disabilities

Breckenridge takes sustainability very seriously, approaching it through an inclusive, community-led initiative called SustainableBreck, which is part of the broader "B Like Breckenridge"® movement.

This unified effort by residents, local government, businesses, tourism offices, and nonprofits aims to balance environmental stewardship, a healthy economy, and cultural vitality

• Fake Vacation Rentals on Craigslist and Other Sites
  Scammers have posted listings that appear to belong to reputable property management companies. Visitors wired money for bookings only to arrive and find the property already occupied, or even a stranger living there.

• Timeshare or Trial Vacation Pitch Scams
  Visitors have been lured in by offers of "free stays" or gift cards in exchange for attending a high-pressure sales presentation. Many times, the presentation lasts hours, and buyers end up with a burdensome, misleading timeshare contract they can’t easily cancel.

• Lift Ticket Scams via Craigslist or Informal Sellers
  Some guests reported buying ski lift tickets from Craigslist sellers only to discover the tickets were invalid or blacklisted.

  Tip: Secure tickets only through the official Breckenridge Ski Resort website, ticket offices, or authorized vendors.

• Watch for Distraction Pickpocketing
  Though rare here, pickpockets still use classic tricks, spilled drinks, dropped items, bumping, especially in crowded areas.

In any life‑threatening or time‑critical situation, call 911; For non-emergency dispatch you can reach Summit County Dispatch at: (970) 668-8600; Breckenridge non-emergency Police: (970) 453-2941