Our getaway to Blue Rive, Colorado.
We recently headed back to our old stomping grounds of Colorado to venture up the mountain to the cutest, coziest home tucked peacefully in between the Blue River and stunning Mount Quandary: Pines Place.
The Home
As a family of 7, we need lots of sleeping spaces and some space to P L A Y. I was so pleasantly surprised by the spaciousness of Pines Place. Two of the three bedrooms were so much larger than I expected and the third was just perfect for the kids. A bonus I was not expecting was the pull out sleeper couch in the play room, which made for more than enough comfortable sleeping room for everyone. The playroom was adorned with games and puzzles galore, Magnatiles (always a win!) and the kids’ favorite…air hockey! A giant game of Connect Four was a fan favorite too! As if the indoor play space wasn’t enough, the scenic hot tub made for so many fun memories, whether it be in sun or even better…SNOW 🙂 Can we take a moment of the insane mountain peak view directly off of the top floor balcony!?
Things to Do
The Breck Connect Gondola was a HIT for our crew, and quite honestly, the BEST bang for your buck as far as family entertainment goes. Parking for the day is $17, but the gondola ride is free and you can go around as many times as you’d like. Let’s face it, it was SO fun for the kids that we had to do it two days in a row 😉 What an easy way to get the BEST views, a small thrill, and to pop out at the lodge at the base of the slopes for some hot chocolate and dining in the winter, or some Peak 8 adventure fun in the summer including the Alpine Slide and more! Here’s the Peak 8 guide for all things winter.
Strolling the quaint Main Street of Breckenridge is a must when you are visiting. Ice cream shops and treats are abundant, and window shopping (and moose spotting!) does not disappoint. Not only are the majestic mountain peaks and grand ski slopes a perfect backdrop to your Main Street stroll, but the charming, historic flare of the town cannot be forgotten. Don’t forget to stop into one of the many fun clothes or crazy hat shops, and you might just score some memorable Breck t-shirts like we did 🙂 You can find all things dining and doing in Breck here.
The most unexpected, EXCITING find in Breckenridge is….Isak the Troll!! The best part? He is only 1/4 of a mile from the parking lot so he is quick and easy to get to, with the option of extending your adventure into a majestic forest hike on the trails that surround him. We are talking woodsy smell, spongy forest floor, towering pines hike-truly as good as it gets! I mean, how cool is this guy!?
Tip: To get to him, park in the back corner lot of Stephen C. Ice Arena and follow the troll signs! Here’s a little bit more info on him if you are looking to dive a bit deeper!
Feel like finding all the best hikes nearest you? Alltrails.com has you covered! Rainbow Lake is a favorite of ours and can be found in the neighboring town of Frisco. It’s the perfect family-friendly distance with board walks and forest paths that end at a pristine mountain lake.
Looking for a scenic mountain family bike ride? Bike rentals are abundant and a shuttle takes you to Vail Pass to bike all the way down the mountain, along a river, amidst the most gorgeous scenery, and end on a trail around Lake Dillon. Or if you are looking for a simpler bike ride, head to Lake Dillon for bike rentals that have a paved path around the lake directly outside of the rental shop!
Looking for or a peaceful kayak through a mountain lake? Frisco Bay Marina is the best and full of all of your boating and rental needs!
The Logistics
Groceries: For groceries we placed a grocery pick up order from Whole Foods in Frisco on our way up the mountain and then placed an Instacart delivery order from City Market once we were at the house. The combo allowed us to be fully stocked with everything we needed without having to spend any vacation time at a grocery store!
Mass: If you are looking for Mass times, the closest church is St. Mary in Breckenridge. If it doesn’t have the times you are looking for, you can venture over to Our Lady of Peace in Silverthorne (another fun mountain town). The website for both parishes is here.
Booking
If you are looking for an adventurous and gorgeous mountain vacation your family will never forget, you can book Pines Place here, or check out more of their goodness on their Instagram @pine_place_breck. Not only will your home be immaculate, your experience be wonderful, but your interactions with the host will be SO warm, responsive, and helpful! Adriana is a good as they come 🙂
A Peek Into Our Experience
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