As a newcomer to Colorado, talking to all my friends back home in Dallas, the biggest question I get asked is, “Have you gone skiing yet?” No. No, I have not. I haven’t gone skiing, and as the intern of a shuttle company that literally takes people to ski resorts, everyone is always shocked to hear that. In fact, I had never even been to a ski resort. I didn’t get hired as a ski-fanatic, but as a snow lover, with a knack for social media, and an intense obsession with bikes. That’s not to say that I wasn’t eagerly anticipating my first trip to Breckinridge. I was so excited to go.
So, when it was finally time for me to head up to Breckinridge in the passenger seat of our esteemed van, Jean Claude “Van” Damme, I was psyched. I came prepared, decked out in the warmest clothes I have, camera bag by my side, smiling from ear to ear. I met up with Nick and our other passenger at the Woodmen/ I-25 Park and Ride (One of two locations from which Rocky Mountain Ride picks up) and we headed to Breckinridge!! The views on the way were incredible, from snowcapped mountains, to rock formations, to little towns that take you two minutes to drive through. It was beautiful and I couldn’t keep from staring out the window. The two-hour (& some minutes) drive consisted of good music (Thanks, Nick!) amazing photo ops (Thanks, Beautiful State of Colorado), and a super comfortable seat, which, had I not been intently staring out the window the entire time, I could definitely have taken a nap in.
We had left Colorado Springs a few hours later that the usual 6:00am/6:30am departure time, so we didn’t arrive in Breckinridge until about 11:00am. We dropped off our passenger and headed on a tour of the beautiful city of Breckinridge, which honestly included quite a few public restrooms, but I promise Nick will tell you all about that! Luckily, I got to go to Breckinridge during the International Snow Sculpture Championships! The sculptures were incredible. People from all over the world came to Breckinridge to carve these pieces of art from, what is essentially just huge blocks of packed snow. I was amazed. There were deer, geometric designs, fish, dogs, sharks, and I think even a chameleon at one point. I was in awe of the talent these artists showed, but mostly I was shocked at how they managed to stay warm enough to carve anything. It was very cold, but very worth it.
The shops, restaurants, and utter beauty of the location were enough to make me not want to leave. We had no one to take back to the springs that afternoon, so Nick and I stayed until it got dark and watched the fire sculptures get lit up. It was a much warmer art-form than the snow sculptures, but just as incredible. The sun had gone down, we had seen every sculpture in the area, and taken hundreds of photos, but the second we got back in the van, I was already thinking about my next trip. I didn’t even go skiing in Breckinridge and I just can’t wait to go back! If you’re wondering what to do in Breckinridge, if you can’t ski, don’t want to ski, or maybe you’re just not good at it, there is so much to do and see. Breckinridge is beautiful, snow-covered, and just waiting for you to experience all it has to offer. Come take a relaxing ride with us to any of the nine counties we travel to, and you won’t be disappointed.
Ride On,
Amy Hartman
Intern at Rocky Mountain Ride. Bicycle Enthusiast
