Well, it’s almost May in Summit County, and to us locals, that means it’s “mud season.” What’s mud season, you ask? Like the name states, it’s usually the time of year when the county is wet and muddy. But, it’s really not all that bad, especially this year since snow pack is pretty low. Everyday gets warmer, and as the temperatures rise, the snow melts, providing a plethora of fun activities to enjoy. The rivers fill up and make whitewater rafting a possibility. If you’ve never been, it’s definitely something to check out. Last summer, I used Performance Tours, based out of Buena Vista, and we had an excellent experience. (Look for a blog about that later this summer!) The rapid snow melt also means that hiking is right around the corner, and if you don’t mind a little bit of mud, it’s already here. Breckenridge is still a little wet up on the mountains, but there are a ton of good Frisco trails already open. Biking season has already begun, as all of the recreation paths in the county are open, and the Frisco bike park is too! Really, mud season is one of the best times to be in the county. Since it’s an “in-between time” as far as tourist seasons go, the county is nearly empty, which is such a great reprieve from the last six months of nonstop winter. Restaurants promote 2 for 1 deals, 50% off the check, and other great savings, so it’s the perfect time to check out those you’ve never been to at an affordable rate.  Finally, mud season is really just the best time of year to relax, enjoy the local community at its quietest, and get yourself prepared for another season. And as such, it’s time for the SMR family to start taking vacations, and reset for the summer. So, we’ll be taking the next month off from writing here, and hope you have a great “mud season.” We’ll catch up in June!

Winters in the high country can wreak havoc on your skin. When I first moved from sea level to Summit County, I had no idea how to protect my skin from all sorts of awful damage. Luckily, I was able to get in with an esthetician right away, and she taught me some very valuable tips. So, I thought I’d share Mychelle Dermaceutical’s top five tips on keeping your skin radiant during the winter at altitude.

MyChelle Dermaceuticals

1) SUNSCREEN! Remember that song made from a graduation speech that said, “And trust me on the sunscreen” while talking about the future? Well, it’s true. Sunscreen is the best way to protect your skin in the high country. I mean, think about it: We’re nearly two miles closer to the sun here, and the air is so thin. And, since sunscreen provides moisture too, it’s a win-win. A 50 spf for faces is your best bet.

2) Take warm showers, not hot showers. I know this one is kind of weird, but I had no idea how important it was. Steaming hot water brings out the natural oils in your skin, and then your soap strips those oils from your body. So what you are left with is dry, dull, and flaky skin. Gross! I know it’s hard to resist a super-hot shower after a cold day on the slopes, but trust me, your skin will thank you for it.

3) Vitamin C. We all know that vitamin C helps build our immunity against germs and things like the common cold. But did you know that it also increases radiant skin and improves overall skin luminosity? As Mychelle tells me, it will “lighten, brighten and tighten” your skin. It’s the perfect tool, as it works for any skin tone and any age!

4) DRINK WATER! Hydrating your skin is one of the absolute best things you can do to make it through the winter. Up in the high country, the air is super thin and dry, and it will literally suck all of the moisture out of your skin. This loss of moisture will cause your skin to be dehydrated, red, and inflamed. To avoid this, drink plenty of water; water can also help flush out any toxins that your skin is holding.

5. Exfoliate. One of the biggest threats your skin faces is a buildup of dead skins cells. Exfoliating will help remove the dry, dead skin cells, and make hydrating more effective. So, go to the local drugstore and pick up some sort of scrubbing exfoliator. I promise you’ll never look back after using it!

I know all of these tips seem like “no brainers,” but if you’re anything like me, you might have never known how important they are. Most of all, each one is simple and easy! So, take the time and follow each step. I promise these tips will make your skin look like you live at a spa — freshly hydrated with a glowing complexion!

The town and mountain in all it's glory!

When I think about how I ended up in Breckenridge, I can’t decide whether I chose Breckenridge or if this quaint mountain town chose me. It’s a familiar story. I graduated from a reputable college, landed a great job at a respectable law firm in Boston, and worked — unhappily — for a year before grabbing the reins and taking control of my life. I grew up as a competitive ski racer and, having traveled the states, I have always called the mountains home, even growing up in flat Minnesota. On a whim, I left my job in Boston last April, packed the car, and drove west on a quest for some kind of freedom and a new career that involved more human interaction (no offense to attorneys intended).

After a brief stint in Minnesota, I rolled into the mountains in mid-May with the sun shining and the windows down. I felt relieved, even though I was jobless during a recession with no place to call home. I managed to weasel my way into an uninhabited townhouse in Vail while I frantically searched through job listings. My focus was on Summit County, Breckenridge to be specific. I was fortunate to land a position at Summit Mountain Rentals, working the front desk on a year-round basis.

Boreas Pass and the Continental Divide

After spending a summer and half of a ski season here, it is readily apparent that the town chose me. It’s the quintessential mountain town for so many reasons! Once I started hiking last summer, I couldn’t get enough of the crisp mountain air, the smell of the pines and, most important, the incredible mountain vistas. When Summer turned to Fall, the hikes were even more stunning as the sunsets, colored aspen leaves and pines all blending into sensory bliss.

Breckenridge is also composed of an incredible group of people — locals and travelers alike — who come out the woodwork for the seemingly endless slew of town and area events. My first exposure to the culture was at Frisco’s annual summer barbeque. I stuffed myself silly, drank some refreshing beverages, met a lot of competitors, and even watched some pigs race around a small track. Next was Oktoberfest a multi-day drinking and eating affair that shuts down Main Street in Breck.

Shortly thereafter, Arapahoe Basin opened for the season. As the snow started falling, it was time to start thinking about the snowpack and the dangers of skiing in the backcountry at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center’s annual fundraising dinner. After a slow start to the snowfall, we praised Ullr, the god of snow, at Breckenridge’s Annual Ullr Fest, which culminated in a massive parade and even bigger bonfire — not to mention a lot of wild people in Viking outfits. Our praises did not go unanswered: It started to snow in earnest not long after the festival! Most recently, we hosted the 22^nd Annual Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Competition, where competitors from around the world carved intricate sculptures out of 20-ton blocks of ice.

If I haven’t convinced you that this isn’t the best town in the world already, lets’ talk about the world-class skiing! I was out there on opening day, and have been cruising groomers, crushing chutes, and skiing powder in the backcountry ever since. Every day is a new adventure on the mountain as there is always a different run open, with a different type of snow, and a varying crowd. It never gets old.

This is a great place to be, and I hope you’ll join us for the fun!

In the backcountry, anything is possible!

At the end of 2011 it seems Summit County real estate sales will be up about 10-11% over the number of transactions in 2010.  However, this is still less than 50% of the sales of 2006.  The improvement is all relative, and the 2006/2007 glory days are long gone. In 2006 there were 2499 residential sales in Summit County. The bottom dropped out at the end of 2008 and in 2009 there were only 917 transactions for all Summit County real estate.

Breckenridge Peak 7 Home for Sale

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Carols fill the air —on the ski slopes, in the shops, and on the radio. IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR, one of my favorite seasonal songs, says it all. It’s mid-December and we are home (in our second and my most favorite home) in Summit County.

We come from the Southeast every year the week after Thanksgiving and leave the Monday after Easter. Here we find “age mates” in their 70s — hikers, bikers, skiers, square dancers, travelers and all-around fun and vibrant people. When we bought our first condo in 2000, we were delighted with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths and a cozy little living/dining space. Within the first year, we realized that we had not planned for the number of wonderful friends we would make in the County.

Loving Life as a Copper Mountain Abassador!

We have our friends from St. John’s Episcopal Church in Breckenridge, the skiers from the On the Hill Gang at Copper Mountain, and our close circle from the Ambassadors at Copper. Since there are so many half- or part-time residents here, everyone is welcomed immediately. There’s little interest in what your status was prior to your arrival. It is not uncommon to go to a party and chat with a ski instructor, a retired banker, a former professional who is now driving a bus to the resort, a goat rancher and a restaurateur. There’s a slightly derisive term used in the area called FIP — short for “Formerly Important Person” — referring to someone who brings his or her former work title into the mix!

There are many portals into the daily rhythm of Summit County: volunteer opportunities through civic organizations, churches, our fine hospital, the resorts, the Senior Center, museums and galleries. There’s even an open knitting group at The Tea Bar at The Next Page book store in Frisco. During ski season, the On the Hill Gang at Copper Mountain boasts more than 200 members who meet four times a week to ski at all levels with a guide, who is a qualified instructor. Breckenridge and Keystone have similar programs. For those with a serving heart and personality, all the ski resorts have volunteer host and safety opportunities. A free ski pass and lots of on-mountain time with guests from all over the world are the rewards for working 14 – 25 days a season.

Summit County also attracts young people stopping out before their first “real” jobs, college grads taking a breather after four years of rigorous study and structure.  Recently, two younger men came to stay with us and ski for the weekend from our hometown of Spartanburg, S.C. Their envy was nearly palpable. One said, “You are living my dream.” An accurate observation! This IS the most wonderful time of the year, unless it’s the summer for hiking and biking and the perfect weather that everyone raves about. This IS the most fun place in the nation to live a healthy lifestyle and meet congenial and adventurous men and women who are capitalizing on their ”senior citizen” status. This IS a dream and we’re privileged to live it right here in Summit County.

After months of nothing but gear talk and staring at the sky in hopes of snow, the day has finally arrived – Breckenridge is open for its 50th year! I thought I would sleep in this morning to avoid the opening rush, but to no surprise I woke up with the sun and was on the mountain by 9:15 a.m. Needless to say, the excitement got to me. I had to take advantage of being allowed to skip work for three hours to make some opening day turns!

The air was electric during the bus ride up to the base of Peak 8. Everyone was chatting anxiously about the upcoming season and the first day on snow. How many runs would be open? How many chairlifts? Would it be crowded? Will the snow be OK? Have you heard about the upcoming snowstorm? Snowboarders, skiers, adults, children, grandparents and travelers alike shared in the growing excitement. The scene at the base of Peak 8 was organized chaos as groups tried to keep track of each other and search for the shortest lift lines. They were all long, but no one seemed to care as strangers high-fived each other and friends from seasons past were reunited.

My coworker Geoff and I decided to take advantage of EpicMix’s new feature this year – free on-mountain photos for pass holders. The man in green scanned our passes, we struck a pose, he snapped the photo, and then (supposedly) the photo was instantly sent to each of our EpicMix accounts. Sure enough, two hours later when I arrived at the office and logged into EpicMix, this beautiful photo was already there:

At the base of the mountain for an Epic Mix Picture!

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I can say without hesitation that this is the most excited I have ever been for a ski season. It’s hard to believe, but it will be my 20^th season on snow. I’ve skied more days than anyone I know, and yet this is the season I am most excited for – quite simply because 80% of my skiing life thus far was spent traveling the United States and ripping race courses in a freezing cold speed suit.

So, what’s exciting and new for the upcoming season? Well, for me, everything! Instead of waking up at 6 a.m., donning my speed suit, and heading to the race trail, I will wake up casually (around 8:30 a.m.), sip a hot chocolate, put on some comfortable gear, and walk to the mountain where I’ll hopefully ski some powder. Rather than hop on a plane and pray to Ullr, the god of snow, all the way to Colorado in hopes of a big storm, I will open my shades daily to find snow falling and walk to the ski lift. And lastly, having grown up skiing in the Midwest and New England, I will ski dry, fluffy, grippy snow every single day, rather than wet, icy snow like back home. (Let’s be serious, people who have lived in Colorado for a long time take for granted that the snow here is, in fact, perfect all the time.) Having considered all these dream-like lifestyle perks, there are four things that excite me the most: EpicMix, Gear, La Nina, and “Casual Skiing with Friends.”

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With Wolf Creek opening last week, and A-Basin opening yesterday, I thought it would be the perfect time to do a recap of last season.

Let’s be honest: If you missed this past season at Breckenridge Ski Resort, you probably missed the best ski season this town has seen in decades. April 24 marked the last day of the season, and we still had a 101″ base. That’s about eight and a half feet! With more than 500 inches from Nov.–April, it was truly EPIC! And, to top it off, A-Basin didn’t even close until July 4^th. Now that’s something to talk about!

Just having fun on the first big powder day of the season. 13"!

This year’s snowfall on the mountain was absolutely mind-blowing. I couldn’t even keep track of how many 10″+ powder days we had. Besides the amazing snow, my favorite part about this year was being able to jump in on the fun of Vail Resorts’ release of EpicMix. EpicMix RDF passes not only track all of your vertical feet on the mountain, but digitally capture your ski and ride experience and share it with friends and family via Facebookand other social media sources. I know I watched Shawn C. and Charles A. ride their way to more than 7 million vertical feet apiece!  And, I was all about tracking my feet on Facebook, finding out where my friends were on the mountain, and comparing stats with everyone. I don’t know how we skied for so long without it!

Up on Art's Bowl in Breckenridge

Get in on the fun next year! Epic Passes are already on sale at snow.com. With the incredible snow from ULLR and an extra-fun ski pass that forced all my big-talking friends to “back it up” with stats, the 2010/2011 ski season was one of my all-time best. Trust me: You don’t want to miss next year! 

This past Thursday, the Summit Mountain Rentals crew and I went on a team hike up the Sawmill Creek Trail. The trail winds up along the Snowflake chair, which I consider to be a hidden gem in Breckenridge and one of the best ways to get up the mountain if you are lucky enough to be staying on 4 O’Clock Road.

The Whole Team outside of The BOEC

Along the way we stopped by the Griffith Lodge at Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center where, Nugget, our resident black Labrador obliged us with some aquatic entertainment while swimming after one of his most preferred targets, a stick!  The trail takes a turn under the Beaver Run Chair and the Peak 8 Super Connect. While walking on what is usually a snow covered landscape, my winter itch became that much worse!

Our ultimate goal was The Lodgepole Bar and Grille for lunch and laughs. Along the way we were immersed in the beauty that is late September in Summit County. With the fall colors at their peak, Mother Nature offered us a splendiferous palette of gold, red and amber, with the mighty Lodgepole Pines lending their usual opposition of deep forest greens. Everyone was in high spirits and I saw it as a great way to get to know everyone and welcome myself into the Summit Mountain Rentals family.

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WELCOME!

Hello and Welcome to “Breckenridge Unwrapped.” This site provides information, commentary and discussion about events, activities and other cool stuff in Breckenridge. We are all local residents or locals by association — second-home owners, business owners and regular visitors. Breckenridge is an awesome place to live and visit, with world-class skiing in the winter and great activities in the summer. We will be talking a lot about why we are here and hope you will provide commentary or maybe even a post of your own. Breckenridge is one of the those rare places where the only residents in town are those that choose to be here. We look forward to sharing that passion and love for the area with you.

Come visit, write, or just read about why we love Breckenridge, Colorado!