Whether for GOLD or “white gold,” Breck draws visitors from near & far!
Years ago, they came to Breckenridge for the GOLD! Now, we come for the “white gold” – snow! Breckenridge, just nine short miles from Frisco, Colorado, started out as a gold rush town. After a series of booms, Breckenridge was deserted and listed as a ghost town in the mid 1900s. Today, Breckenridge is a world-class ski resort and popular mountain town. In addition to the “white gold” on the ski slopes, modern day Breck’s gold also includes the wide variety of condos, townhomes, and other mountain real estate.
Before it was the ski town we know and love today, Breckenridge was a rough-and-tumble town full of miners looking to strike it rich! Back then, they weren’t looking for real estate, they were looking for gold. To accommodate all the miners, several bars opened, including the Gold Pan Saloon, which originally opened in 1859 and is still in business today! While many miners didn’t find a fortune in Breckenridge, a few did! Tom’s Baby, 13.5 pound gold nugget, was found near Breckenridge by local miners and is now on display at the Colorado Museum of Natural History in Denver.
Soon after the miners came the railroad. The railroad was constructed over Boreas Pass down to the town of Breckenridge, a scenic route enjoyed by many in the late 1800s. The old railroad track is still in place today and is open to visitors who would like to drive, walk, or bike up to the top of the pass.
After the miners and the railroad, there was a lull in activity. Then the Rounds and Porter Lumber Company was issued a permit for a new ski resort. December 16, 1961 was the official opening day at Breckenridge Ski Resort. Before the ski resort, the town’s population was only about 400. Today, the population is over 3,200 year round, sometimes peaking above 32,000 during the ski season. The population increase has caused an increase in homes, townhomes, and condos to accommodate residents and visitors.
Breckenridge is now known as a friendly, historic mining town located at the base of the Ten Mile Range. The range runs from Peak One in Frisco all the way to Peak Ten, part of Breckenridge Ski Resort. Breckenridge offers skiing for the whole family throughout the winter months and plenty to do in the summer, too! Summer activities include golfing on a course designed by Jack Nicklaus, hiking up to one of the many mountain peaks, or just strolling down historic Main Street and stopping in the many boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and saloons. For those with extra energy, Frisco and Breckenridge are linked by a bike path with scenic landscapes and beautiful mountain real estate to see along the way.
Breckenridge has certainly evolved over the years! What started as hunting grounds for Native Americans turned into a booming gold rush town. After the gold rush, Breck was a sleepy mountain town until the ski resort and I-70 opened. Breckenridge has certainly claimed its spot as a destination resort, complete with amazing real estate and activities for every season!
While Breckenridge is a great mountain town, it is just one of many Summit County towns worth exploring. Whether you would like a condo on Lake Dillon, a centrally located home in Frisco, a Silverthorne ranch, or a townhome in Keystone’s River Run base area, Summit County is place for mountain real estate!
Do you have any questions about any of the local towns or real estate so far?