The Lost Cajun

Four tables and an eight-person counter: This makes up the seating at Lost Cajun in Frisco, Colorado. You would not think this would be enough to support a restaurant, but Lost Cajun makes it work. Like all successful restaurants, it has unique things going for it. Mostly, it has character and great beignets, the French version of a donut. Lost Cajun is located on Main Street, Frisco, in a small shack-like building on the south side of the street. As you enter, there is a small display to the left, four tables on the right wall, a tall counter with seating on both sides, and the kitchen on the far side of the room. That’s it!  You are greeted by cheerful and often exuberant waitresses (yes, with only four tables, there is always more than one person working the front of the house). This is the reason you visit Frisco — to get away from the rigors of city life and enjoy the character and flavor of Summit County.

Joy, Ashley, and Melissa! The best staff ever!

At Lost Cajun, you often have to wait, but the wait is painless as they offer samples of everything on the menu. Once seated, you’ll find that the menu is short and reliable with nothing but Louisiana staples listed: gumbo, jambalaya, etouffee, fried fish and my favorite, red beans and rice. I have not had the fried fish, but the gumbo and etouffee have been reliable, and the red beans and rice is always fantastic. Orders are placed with the waitress who immediately yells at the top of her lungs, “One gumbo and one beans and rice!”  In response, the cooks yell back the same. At first it becomes a little unsettling, but you get used to it. If nothing else, there is a certain efficiency to the process that is mesmerizing. With the tight proximity to your neighboring diners and the exuberance of the staff, conversations inevitably start up. Your small group of two or four quickly becomes a group of 16 chatting away.

We like the food and enjoy dining at Lost Cajun for a quick, comfortable home-style place to eat, but more than not, we simply love the beignets. I have had beignets in Paris, New York, San Franciscoand, most importantly, at Café du Monde in New Orleans. The beignets at Lost Cajun definitely hold up, which is rather impressive for a local spot in the high country. There are two basic types of beignets; those that are dense and cake-like, and those that are airy and balloon-like. Lost Cajun lands on the side of “airy fluffy.”  They serve them hot — really hot!  They come out of the fryer with a mound of powdered sugar on top, which is all it takes to make me happy. Please, please do not breath in when taking your first bite, as you may find yourself inhaling this powdered sugar delight, and sitting in anguish for minutes trying to breath. I learned the hard way, and I felt like an amateur!

Beignets

The beignets are the perfect end to a cold winter day when eaten inside, but they are best eaten when walking Main Street on a warm summer evening, leaving a trail of white sugar down the sidewalk. Our dining experience at Lost Cajun leaves us walking out the door feeling full and relaxed — the restaurant is a perfect real-life metaphor.

Spring Fever

It’s my absolute favorite time of year, and for good reason! It’s Spring, and every year the town of Breckenridge and the resort put on their signature Spring Fever events throughout the month of April.

Starting the first weekend of April the local shops around Main St. begin “Fever Reliever” discounts. During the “Fever Reliever” weekend, visitors and locals alike get an opportunity to go check-out their favorite new, and old, stores and score some great gifts and discounts.

If you find yourself wandering about on Saturday the 7^th be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Easter Eggs “hidden” around town that are filled with not only goodies for the kids, but adults as well – you’ll be sure to stumble across a few and if you’re lucky you may find some cash!

Early-riser? No worries. On Easter Sunday Breckenridge hosts a sunrise service on Peak 9 at 6:30am with free lift access (sorry, no skiing) starting at 6:10am – need a little more incentive? All attendees get $2 off Easter brunch at Ten Mile Station afterwards.

If waking up with the sun doesn’t sound fun, don’t fret – there are plenty of other ways to get your Easter Brunch fix at a more reasonable hour. Be sure to check out either the Maggie (7:30-11am) or Sevens Restaurant (10am-4pm)  at the bases of Peak 8 and 9, respectively.

Need your competitive fix? During the weekends in mid-April, if you visit the base of Peak 8 you’re sure to find a race going on. Afterwards you can grab a drink at the T-Bar and watch one of the free shows going on at the Bud Light Concert Series that run throughout April from 2-5pm on weekends. Rusted Root and Toots and the Maytals are scheduled for the next couple of weekends.

Even though the ski season is starting to wind down and the sun is starting to warm the air around Summit County, Breckenridge has more events planned now than ever. Whether you’re young or old, there is always something to do in the beautiful High Country during Spring!

Budlight Concert Series

Dillon Ice Melt

Colorado is known for over 300 days of sun in the high country. This year is no different and with March Madness comes Spring Break in Summit County. There are plenty of Blue Bird days with no clouds, warm temperatures and fresh powder. This is the best skiing of the year, and everyone should come enjoy it! Spring is also the time that we have one of the most unique contests in the nation.

This year, we will have our 27th annual ICE MELT contest (with great prize money) that allows locals, families, tourists and businesses alike to guess when Lake Dillon will thaw. This favorite event is sponsored by the Summit Rotary Club. The proceeds go towards the Rotary Club and support many Rotary International programs and projects. At an elevation of 9111 feet, our lake can freeze in thickness up to 18 inches by late fall. We won’t see the water again until late April or early May. The ICE MELT Contest (at $5.00 per guess) begins early April and will end on April 29.

The event kicks off earlier with the selection of a local “Ice Melt Princess.” She, and her court, will go out onto the frozen lake with our local Sheriff to place the timing device out on the ice on April 7. Then we all get to wait for Mother Nature to thaw the lake. Historically, the latest date the ice broke was May 23 and the earliest was April 28. So go ahead, make your bet, there is $2000 on the line! To purchase tickets or find out more information please go here. Once the lake is thawed, spring is truly right around the corner!

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Breckenridge

St. Patty’s day is just around the corner and Breckenridge is celebrating with lots of food and drink specials, plus live music on seemingly every corner. The following are the happenings around town for the luckiest day of the year!

On Main Street is Burke and Riley’s, which, as your headquarters for St. Patrick’s Day, will be opening their doors at 7:30am. This is the best place to start off your St. Patty’s celebration, but make sure you come back for the bagpipers, drummers and dancers later in the afternoon. There will be a heated tent on the deck, so you can party all night, complete with awesome giveaways and contests. Just around the corner on Park Avenue is Park Avenue Pub. The Pub will be serving some good eatin’ traditional Irish meals starting at 11am, like Corned Beef, Cabbage and Potatoes for just $9.95. Plus, they have Guinness on tap and $3 Jameson shots until 8pm. Looking for some live music? Head north on Main Street to join Stony Live at the Motherloaded Tavern, with you guessed it, more drink specials!

Prefer to be on the mountain all day, but still want to celebrate? No problem. The Coppertop at Beaver Run will be hosting DJ Cyn from 2pm-6pm with Celtic Dancers performing at 4pm. There will be Irish Cinn drink specials, as well as beer and shot specials. Stop by and check out the Nuggets vs. Celtics game as it will be on later in the bar. Also, Sevens Restaurant on Peak 7 will be serving a special Irish menu, complete with Shepherd’s Pie, Corned Beef, Colossal Reuben Sandwiches and Irish Lamb Stew! Further up on the Mountain, T-Bar @Peak 8  will have a DJ spinning tunes outside of the Ski Hill Grill patio, along with drink specials, like $4 Bud and Bud Light Drafts and $5 Melon Margaritas. Don’t forget there is a costume contest too!

With all there is to do on and off the mountain, Breckenridge is the place to be to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with great food, drinks and live music. Just don’t forget to sport something green or you may get pinched!

Angels Hollow Logo

Just a block off Main Street is one of Breckenridge’s best kept secret treasures: An old Hell’s Angels biker bar and hangout turned gourmet restaurant. On a Saturday night when the rest of the town’s restaurants are quoting you and your family 45 minutes to 2 hour waits, Angel’s Hollow welcomes.

The restaurant itself is a little off the beaten path, but the food is some of the best in Breckenridge. But probably the best part about Angel’s Hollow are the owners: Lee and Debbie are exceptional characters. Lee doubles (or quadruples rather) as the host, bartender, waiter, and chef. You’ll often find him walking around the restaurant singing and screaming to the music, refilling drinks without you having to ask for another (be careful) and bossing his waiters around. Lee’s antics are completely ridiculous, but at the same time totally welcoming.

Angel's Hollow Restaurant

His wife Debbie fills the well-organized and calmer role at the restaurant. You can often find her at the bar pouring drinks and chatting up a storm. As crazy as Lee can get in the dining room, don’t be fooled. The chef graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, one of the most prestigious culinary schools in the country. His food has a downhome/southwestern/refined feel to it. The dishes are well thought out and the portions are gigantic; you most definitely won’t go home hungry.

If you’re the adventurous kind, you should certainly order one of Lee’s famous margaritas. I’ve never been sure what’s in them, but I know there’s at least 4-5 different liquors, and it’s made with fresh limes; no sweet and sour here.  The dining experience at Angel’s Hollow is fun, funny, and completely out of the ordinary, but not to be missed. So, if you’re okay with a little bit of craziness, some crudeness, and some delicious foods and spirits, get yourself to Angel’s Hollow!

Lee and Debbie

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!

Breckenridge Mardi Gras

Come celebrate Fat Tuesday in Breckenridge! Every year, Main Street sidewalks become packed with Mardi Gras enthusiasts to watch the annual Mardi Gras parade that begins at the north end of main street and finishes at the southernmost end. The terms “Mardi Gras” or “Carnival season, “in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday.  And here in Breckenridge, it is no different, except we celebrate at 9,600 feet!  Every year people dress in their Mardi Gras best, complete with masks and of course, green, gold and purple clothing and beads to watch the parade, complete with the crowning of Rex and his Queen starting at 4:30pm on Fat Tuesday. Watch for yourself this year as Mardi Gras floats take over the street during the parade and see how many beads you can get! Also, don’t forget to stop by the Blue River Plaza before you hit the parade, there will be food featuring the “Taste of Nawlins,” catered by Harvest Catering. See you there!

Last Year's Main Street Parade Turnout!

Most likely, you came to Breckenridge to ski, or ride, or get outside and take advantage of our “winter wonderland.” But when Mother Nature refuses to cooperate, what are you supposed to do?

Me and one of my students!

I’ll bet you didn’t know that Breckenridge is home to a world class indoor ice rink — and during the winter, we have an outdoor rink, too! As a skating coach and volunteer, I spend a tremendous amount of time at the rink, and I LOVE seeing all the visitors enjoy our facilities.

Don’t know how to ice skate? No worries — there are “training” stands that can be used on the ice, or there’s always the option to join group classes or hire a private coach.

When I first started skating, I thought group lessons would be a waste if I wasn’t able to sign up for several weeks of lessons. And hiring a private coach? Seriously? That’s only for REAL skaters, right? Wrong. As a skating coach, I specialize in beginners — my youngest student is three and my oldest student is 52. My entire agenda is to teach people how to have fun on the ice, and to try and take away the “fear factor.” Some of my students hire me on a weekly basis; some are just a one-time lesson. The choice is yours. The point is just to have fun and to learn enough to be safe. Group lessons are also available. They normally run in six-week segments, but that doesn’t mean you HAVE to be there for all six weeks. Use whatever time allocation works best for you or your kids.

An action shot of me during competition.

When it comes to learning to skate — or just enjoying yourself on the ice — there’s no “figure skating” or “hockey skating.” The fundamentals of all types of skating are the same. The rink has both hockey and figure skates available for rental, but don’t stress yourself about which “type” you should wear. Most beginners start in figure skates (they’re easier to learn with) but you can always change if you start with one type and decide you’d rather have the other kind. (Helmets are also available, and recommended, for children.) You’ll want to check the “Public Skating” schedule at the Town of Breckenridgewebsite: www.townofbreckenridge.com. (Public Skating is ice time that’s available for all level skaters.) The cost is $8/adults, $6/children (3 and under are free), plus $4 for skate rental. Private coaching and group lessons are an additional cost, but you can always call the rink to get cost information at 970-547-9974.

And let’s not forget about the outdoor rink — one of the coolest things about the Stephen C. West Ice Arena! The ice surface is maintained by a Zamboni, so the surface is smooth (as compared to pond surfaces) and the sides and top are somewhat protected from the elements. So, if you find yourself craving that “Ice Castles” experience, put on some warmer clothes and skate outside! It’s an experience beyond description, and definitely something to talk about for years to come. Skating outdoors in the mountains … does it get any better?

I promise the kids will forget all about the bedroom trampoline circus…