Dispatches

Chairlift chat: pro freeskier Chris Logan

2013-01-11T23:18:00Z

Originally from New York, Chris Logan’s home ski resort is Mammoth Mountain, Calif., but when he’s in Breckenridge – say, for the Dew Tour – he brings a lot of friends and a big bag of tricks. Suffice it to say he does his fair share of putting his mark on the place (among the world’s best freeskiers, he made it to the slopestyle semi-finals).

The 23-year-old began skiing when he was 3 and it didn’t take him long from there to start catching air and spinning. Now you are likely to catch him in a number of Level 1 Productions ski films, in a cloud of powder, flying off massive jumps, twirling through the air like a top and sliding rails as easily as jumping rope.

While several skiers have rituals on the mountain – especially when launching into a slopestyle or rails contest just for an extra boost of magic before the competition – Logan does not believe in such things.

Here are some other interesting tidbits about Chris Logan:

Age: 23

Home: Mammoth, California

Started skiing: At age 3

Mittens or gloves? Mittens

Fun fact: Has a younger sister (Devin Logan) who also rips

Rituals on the mountain: I just try to keep it the same. I’m not really too superstitious

How to calm nerves before competition: Try to let the music go and don’t think about it too much. It’s just another day skiing.

Favorite tunes on the playlist: Dipset Anthem

Chairlift chat: pro freeskier Noah Morrison

2013-01-04T14:40:00Z

Noah Morrison may be just 18 but he’s already got some stuff figured out – like how luck works. For instance, if he hangs his jacket in the same specific place, he usually has an awesome ski day … like winning last year’s U.S. Revolution Tour’s slopestyle contest at Northstar.

As far as he sees it, when you make a career of launching yourself 60 feet into the air – sometimes upside-down – you need all the luck you can get. Still, he’s not afraid to throw enormous spins on his weak side.

The Canadian is making a name for himself in the freeski world and definitely raised some eyebrows at the Dew Tour in Breckenridge, throwing a couple of tricky big switch spins.

We happened to catch him on the lift at Breck and asked him a few questions ...

Name: Noah Morrison

Age: 18

Home: Vernon, British Columbia

Started skiing: Since I can remember.

Mittens or gloves? Gloves

Rituals: Sometimes I’ll do random stuff like put clothes in the same spot, but that’s it. I guess I get a little superstitious. If I had a good day, I’ll put my coat on the same hanger as that day.

Toughest trick: Switch right double

Other tricks in his bag: Right nine mute, switch misty nine mute

Playlist: (The Breck Dew Tour was his first contest listening to music) Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.”

Best part of Breckenridge: The park

The perfect traffic-free drive to Breckenridge

2012-04-04T03:36:00Z

One of the very few downsides of skiing and boarding in Colorado is that it’s so good, everyone wants to do it. At times, particularly peak times in the morning and afternoon, that means a crowded and slow I-70 from Denver or elsewhere on the front range to the mountains.

One of the best things skiers and boarders can do to avoid traffic is to not drive at peak times. Basically, if you’re arriving right when the lifts open, or leaving when the lifts close, those are peak times. One one way to avoid that, is do the “meal plan”. Plan to arrive in time to eat a long breakfast before the lifts even open, head back to the front range after lunch, or have dinner on or near the mountain and head home after that. The goal is to be eating while everyone else is driving!

Another extremely effective tip is checking on the traffic before you hit the road. One of the best resources for Colorado skiers and boarders is CoTrip.org. This website has updated traffic info on I-70 going both directions. The simple site design lists segments of the road with green, yellow and red status, and automatically shows the simple mobile site if you pull it up on your smart phone. I always check the site before leaving the mountain, and have even found surprisingly low traffic at times I thought were going to be heavy. I have cotrip.org added to the home screen on my iPhone so it acts like an app. It’s great!

But what is the most obvious way to avoid I-70 traffic? Stay off I-70! Breckenridge has an ace in the hole with an alternate route that’s both scenic and traffic-free. If you’re looking to drive from Breckenridge to Denver and the traffic looks bad on I-70, just head through downtown Breckenridge and take CO-9 S out of town. You’ll head over scenic Hoosier pass and into Fairplay, where you’ll connect with US 285 N which will take you back to Denver. For the detailed Google Maps directions, click here.

This route is a little longer than taking I-70, but the fact that you’re moving the whole time, taking in the view and not hitting any traffic at all makes it totally worth it. It’s literally taking the scenic route. The “Fairplay Route” as it’s sometimes called, is listed as 108 miles from Breckenridge to Denver, while I-70 route is 81 miles. Is it worth a 27 mile detour? Absolutely!

Be smart and plan ahead, and you’ll spend more time on the slopes and less time on the roads.

- Dave Hall

Dance your way to Breck's closing day

2012-03-28T13:35:00Z

Boarders in bikinis, skiers hitting jumps in caped Duff Man costumes, cold beer and dancing in soft March snow highlighted the first weekend of live music at Breckenridge Ski Resort.

Reggae legend Julian Marley packed the base of Peak 8 on Saturday, March 24; while New Orleans funk stars the Soul Rebels Brass Band took the stage on Sunday. And that was just the first weekend of three planned for the resort’s Spring Fever Bud Light Concert Series.

Dig out your party pants and join what’s sure to be a big crowd this Saturday for beloved Boulder jam band Leftover Salmon. The quintet brings eclectic bluegrass, rock, country and Zydeco to masses of dedicated followers. Expect lots of high fives and hula hoops.

On Sunday, April 1 head to the hill for an island-style afternoon. Order a fruity drink at slopeside T-Bar and dance to Donavon Frankenreiter’s laid-back surfer tunes. One earful of the tattooed California musician’s soulful songs and you’ll know he spent some time in Hawaii with Jack Johnson.

Breckenridge Spring Fever concerts are free and take place this weekend and April 14–15, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the base of Peak 8. The specially constructed stage faces One Ski Hill Place and some of the best seats are on the sunny patio at the Ski Hill Grill just outside the T-Bar.

Additional awesome Spring Fever festivities include Mascot Olympics, Kids Beginner Snowboard Camp, Putt & Pub Crawl, Comedy Nights and much more. For full details, visit www.BreckSpringFever.com.

Spring Skiing Tips
Saturday’s forecast calls for sunny skies and highs near 60 degrees, while Sunday sits around 45 degrees.

Dress in layers – We’re in the Rockies.

Wear your helmet – We know beanies and goggles look cool, but there’s always a chance of falling or someone skiing into you.

Drink lots of water – The sun can wear you down quickly at 10,000 feet.

Watch for beginners – There are lots of visitors on spring break and kiddos learning to ski.

Wear sunscreen – Pack SPF 30 or higher. Sunburns suck.

Ski in control – Spring snow can be like mashed potatoes.

Click here for a rundown of Breckenridge spring lodging, shopping, dining and entertainment deals.

-- Lisa Pogue

Handcrafted Cocktails in Breckenridge

2012-03-19T10:00:00Z

Let’s set the scene. Imagine that you are a bourbon loving gentleman that loves to snowboard. It is your birthday and your wife has planned the best surprise ever: a cocktail class taught by the famed mixologist James Lee in ---wait for it-- Breckenridge.

This is what my friend and successful food blogger Whitney planned for her husband Brian and she was kind enough to bring me and a few other friends along for the ride. We surprised Brian by meeting up with Lee at a liquor store in Silverthorne to buy supplies. Confused at first as he walked up to our group, Brian soon recognized who he was meeting, having sipped a few masterfully crafted recipes created by this man in various establishments around the Boulder and Denver area. When we explained to Brian that we were going to have Lee over as a guest for the night at our Breckenridge condo to teach us how to craft perfect cocktails, Brian’s face went pink and he lit up with childlike wonder, whispering, “This is awesome.” The next twenty minutes were spent trailing Lee around the liquor store as he gave us basic advice on how to choose liquor and spirits, what to steer away from, and the best bang for your buck.

Playboy Magazine recently named Lee one of the top mixologists in the nation, proof that there is far more to making a drink than pouring ingredients and shaking a tumbler. Lee spends his days working in his own business, Blackbelly Catering, which he runs with Top Chef winner and close friend Hosea Rosenberg, and tending bar at the Bitter Bar in Boulder, Colorado. He has written and perfected the house drink menus for over a dozen restaurants in Colorado, whether as a bar manager or as consultant. Lee left his job as an engineer when he was a young adult and fell in love with the hospitality industry and making people happy. He says he became enamored with mixology when he discovered the concept in 2004 and has never looked back since.

Lee treated us to a variety of cocktails, showing us the ratios of citrus fruit to alcohol and whether or not to use agave nectar or another sweetener. We continued to be surprised as we sipped each drink and realized the harsh taste of boozel was usually disguised by the gentle and insistent flavor of whatever he had muddled or coaxed into each drink; strawberry, cucumber, anaheim pepper, or watermelon.

It’s next to impossible not to get excited about mixology when Lee is your teacher. His passion is obvious and it comes through in the explanation of each step of a recipe and in the glistening, dewy result of a rocks glass filled with a refreshing elixir. Combine Lee’s enthusiasm for mixology with Brian’s birthday smile receiving these gems of wisdom as a birthday gift and you have yourself the perfect evening in Breckenridge.

Insider Profile: Bringing the buzz to Breckenridge

2012-03-07T20:33:06Z

Whether Skyping in for the morning newscast, throwing a birthday party for one of the Breckenridge 50 Wish winners , or skiing with a visiting journalist at Breckenridge, each day in the communications department at Breckenridge Ski Resort brings a unique adventure or opportunity for Kristen Pettit Stewart.

As Breckenridge’s senior communications manager, Pettit Stewart handles media relations, crisis communications, and strategic public relations planning, as well as serves as an official spokesperson for the mountain resort.

Hired for her love of travel and previous experience handling public relations for the Chamber of Breckenridge, Pettit Stewart started with Vail Resorts five years ago working in international public relations. When the opportunity to work for Breckenridge doing public relations and communications for the resort became available, she found her fit.

“As glamorous as it is to travel around the world, it does get tiring. I was happy to transition into my current position three years ago,” said Pettit Stewart.

In addition to the her PR responsibilities, Pettit Stewart and her team also manage the Breckenridge Free Ride team, made up of male and female skiers and snowboarders who represent the resort. She works with the athletes on media training and helps them to find opportunities for photo shoots and interviews to gain exposure for them and Breckenridge as their sponsor.

The unpredictable nature and demands of her position have provided Pettit Stewart with many feel good moments. One of her favorite events all year is the Winter Dew Tour half pipe live event that never disappoints because of its amazing environment and great vibe.

At the 2011 Winter Dew Tour Pettit Stewart was present when Snowboarder Kevin Pearce, who was critically injured in a half pipe accident two years ago, took to the snow at Breckenridge and snowboarded publically for the first time since his accident.

“It was one of those feel-good moments you appreciate being a part of, there were a lot of tears, it was a big day,” she said.

But among her most treasured memories is learning to snowboard alongside her now husband and friend of 15 years when he “came to bum a free ski trip” she says. The two fell in love while taking runs and nursing their pains with ice and Ibuprofen after a long day of falling.

“I remember sitting on my snowboard with a hurt body thinking if he can do this for me, he is worth it. It’s a memory I will never forget.”

When not working or skiing, Pettit Stewart enjoys her time at home, a few short blocks from Breckenridge Main Street, with her dogs and her husband hosting people for dinner or playing scrabble.

“I travel around the world and tell people about Breck, then come home to a really special place. I work for a great company with values I appreciate and I believe in. I am truly living the dream.”

--Jaclyn Lincoln

Breck's Top 10 hardest EpicMix pins

2012-02-24T16:52:00Z

Can you ride every lift at Breck in a day? Or ski the Imperial Bowl 10 times? Have you snowboarded at Breck 25 times? 50 times? Attempt to get the hardest pins at Breck and you'll have legs of steel and lungs ready for Everest.

Just see if you can get one of these pins on EpicMix this season.

10. Breck Summit
Make it to the summit of Peak 8 five times in one day and you'll not only earn one of the best views in Colorado, but you'll earn this pin -- not to mention you'll get a chance to ski some of the most popular terrain at Breck.

9. 7-10 Split
Breckenridge boasts four incredible peaks to ski across -- all of which have their own attitude, style, and personality. Ride one chairlift on each mountain --consecutively through 7,8,9,and 10 -- and you'll unlock this pin and one heck of a story.

8. Peak 10
The Falcon SuperChair on Peak 10 does not access any blue, green, or easy runs. Which means, if you're brave enough to ski the Falcon five times in one day, you're brave enough to earn this pin.

7. 6 Pack
Just like with the Peak 10 pin, the 6 Chair at Breck doesn't access any simple terrain, but it gives skiers and snowboarders a chance to get to some of the best terrain on the mountain. Ride the 6 Chair six times in one day and you'll earn this pin.

6. E-Street
The E-Chair at Breckenridge is home to some of the most advanced terrain on the mountain including The Windows, The Back 9, and Broadway. It's also home to some of the best powder on the mountain. Lap this lift five times and you'll earn the E-Street pin and a massive smile on your face.

5. Breckinator
If you're serious about earning this pin -- received for skiing 25 days in one season at Breck alone -- you'll be saying "I'll be back," again and again and again.

4. BY02
We're not joking that you should bring your own oxygen when headed to the Imperial Express -- at 12,840 feet in elevation, riding the Imperial Express lift means you're riding the highest chairlift in North America. Ride it ten times, and that's when you have some bragging rights.

3. Multi-Millionaire
For most people, getting 20,000 vertical feet in a day is pretty legendary. So if you are legendary for a 100 days in one season, you could get this pin -- but it's no simple task. Ski 2 million vertical feet at Breck in one season, and you'll get this pin, you just may not have a full-time job anymore.

2. Tom's Baby
What's your goal for ski days this season? 10? 15? If you are even serious about your season, you should shoot for 50. Get all 50 at Breckenridge and you'll earn this pin, named after an infamous gold nugget found in Breck in the early days of mining.

1. Breckenridge Conqueror
There are 31 lifts at Breckenridge across four peaks going all the way up to 12,840 feet. Think you can ski them all in a season? That's nice but try doing it in one day. Ride them all in a day and you'll earn the Breckenridge Conqueror pin. Hint: go with a plan to go big.

-Morgan Bast

5 things to do in Breckenridge when it’s not snowing

2012-01-18T02:24:00Z

As we’ve learned during the early part of this ski season, not every day can be a powder day. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have just as much fun in the mountains. Here are a few great activities in Breckenridge for when it’s not snowing.

Ice Skating
Show off your skills at the Stephen C. West Ice Arena in Breckenridge, just up the road from the Breckenridge Brewery. My family and I tried it out over the holidays and it was a blast. They’ve got public skate sessions, drop in hockey and even a curling league! The ice arena also has mini “walkers” to help the little ones learn to skate.

Nordic Skiing & Snowshoeing
Believe it or not, there are tons of trails in Breckenridge that don’t start at the top of a chairlift. There are actually two different Nordic centers in town: the Gold Run Nordic Center and the Breckenridge Nordic Center. Between the two, there are miles of trails for skiing and snowshoeing, including all-important dog-friendly trails. When there isn’t twelve inches of fresh powder, get in a nice work out and take in some awesome views.

Festivals
Fortunately, regardless of snow, there’s always something fun to do in Breckenridge. Coming up in late January is the International Snow Sculpture Championships. If you haven’t been, you need to go. This totally free event will truly amaze you as teams from 10 countries build unbelievably artistic giant snow sculptures. And in late February Breck celebrates Mardi Gras in style with a Bacchus Ball at Beaver Run Resort and a Parade down Main Street on Fat Tuesday.

Gold Runner Alpine Coaster
This on-mountain roller coaster does not require any snow at all. Unlike an alpine slide, this baby is on rails, so it can get well above the ground as you control your own speed cruising through the trees. It’s fun for adults, but if I was a kid I think it would blow my mind. I felt like I was on a speeder bike in Return of the Jedi!

Dog Sledding
Guess how many places you can go in Breckenridge for dog sledding? Wrong, it’s three! How cool is that? Not only do you get to meet the amazing Siberian Huskies and ride on the sled, but you can even drive your own team!

While nothing beats carving fresh tracks in some deep powder, when that’s not an option, at least Breckenridge has your back with plenty of fun to be had!

- Dave Hall

How Breckenridge resort got its name

2012-01-11T20:05:47Z

Breckenridge Resort's namesake went from being Vice President of the United States to fleeing on a boat to Cuba. Find out why the town changed the spelling of his name. And find out how to get to the oldest bar west of the Mississippi.

The man named Breckinridge

John Cabell Breckinridge is the youngest man to serve as Vice President of the United States. The lawyer from Kentucky was elected at age 35, the minimum age required by the Constitution, to serve beside President James Buchanan in 1856.

Breckinridge ran for President four years later and lost to Abraham Lincoln. He returned to Kentucky and became a State Senator until being expelledin 1861 (less than a year after being elected) for remaining loyal to the Confederacy while Kentucky voted to stay in the Union.

Fleeing possible arrest, he escaped to the South and became a general for the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He was later made the Confederate States Secretary of War.

After the war, Breckinridge used a tiny boat to escape to Cuba in fear of being put on trial for treason. He persisted to the United Kingdom and Canada before being granted amnesty and returning to the United States years later. He died of cirrhosis in 1875 at the age of 54.

How the town of Breckenridge got its name

In 1859, a town for gold miners was set up along the Blue River in Colorado. The town was called "Breckinridge" in hopes of flattering Vice President John Breckinridge in order to get a post office. The plan worked and Breckinridge became the first town between the Continental Divide and Salt Lake City to get a post office for its 8,000 residents.

When John Breckinridge joined the Confederate Army two years later, the outraged citizens voted to change the spelling of their town name. They swapped the first "i" with an "e" to make their home forever known as Breckenridge.

The oldest bar west of the Mississippi

The Gold Pan Saloon was originally opened (under a different name) to accommodate the many gold miners chasing their dreams on the Blue River. Built first in 1861 as a tent that served many thirsty prospectors, then established as a permanent structure in 1879, the Gold Pan Saloon is still open today at 103 N. Main Street in Breckenridge and is documented as the oldest continuously operated bar west of the Mississippi.

Breckenridge Resort opens a century later

In 1961, about a century after the town was established, Breckenridge Ski Area opened with one double chairlift and a small T-bar. About 17,000 visits were recorded that season even though I-70, the main thoroughfare to Breckenridge, wasn't complete yet.

Twenty years later, Breckenridge installed the world's first high-speed quad chairlift, capable of transporting 2,800 skiers per hour! Today, Breckenridge Ski Resort is one of the top-ranked ski resorts in the world. It gets over 1.5 million skier visits per year and hosts many major ski and snowboard competitions.

-- Kristina Lisowski

SOURCES

www.wikipedia.org

www.breckenridge.com

"Attack of La Nina" premieres in Breckenridge

2011-11-17T01:48:00Z

The latest Matchstick Production (MSP) ski film, “Attack of La Nina," had it’s Breckenridge debut this past Thursday at the Riverwalk Center and did not disappoint.

There is nothing like seeing a ski film at the beginning of the season with a few hundred other hungry ski fanatics just drooling for a powder day. To some, it’s early season inspiration. To others, it’s a right of passage every year. And to all, it’s just a really good time.

With every beautiful pillow drop, every slow motion park session, and every gigantic cliff drop the crowd’s cheers and yells grow louder and give you a sense for how much passion people have for the sport and how much joy it brings them. It’s all you can do to not run out of the screening and slap on some boards.

The title of this year’s film, “Attack of La Nina: the Bitch is Back” refers to the weather phenomenon responsible for last year’s amazing ski season, one of deepest snow seasons in North America on record. In my humble opinion, the film doesn’t showcase enough of all of the amazing powder days we had here in Colorado, but it does at least show a little local snow love with a feature on Silverton, Colo.

What really gets the local fans to go crazy though is when a film features not only a local mountain, but a local hero riding that mountain, and that’s where “La Nina” delivered in Breckenridge. During a park sequence featuring four different riders on three different mountains, it’s Russ Henshaw and Breck local Bobby Brown who wow the crowd as they show off on a few of Breckenridge’s park features.

Seeing the best skiers in the world do things you can only dream of is thrilling and inspirational, but seeing them do it on the very same mountains you frequent, make it so much more real. It gives you a sense of pride that the pros have respect and love for the same lines and features you do.

Nothing against heli skiing in BC but I may never do it. However, I can hit that same kicker Bobby Brown did, though unlike Bobby I’ll probably land it on my face.

“Attack of La Nina” is another great MSP film that makes you pray La Nina is coming back this season. I’m sure every single person who came out for the screening Thursday night had an amazing time, and better yet, now they’re all primed for an amazing season. And if you didn’t make it, go get it for yourself.

- Dave Hall

Breckenridge opens for its 50th season

2011-11-11T18:11:00Z

See all the photos from opening day at Breckenridge here.

For a 50 year old, Breckenridge looks darn good. The ski resort kicked off its 50^th season today with free cupcakes, 127 skiable acres, three open chairlifts, a beer specially created by Budweiser, and a whole lot of excitement.

Delicious cupcakes awaited the first 1,111 people to arrive on the mountain to celebrate opening day, 11/11/11. In honor of Veteran's Day, first and second chair were given away to army veterans after they won a contest on Breck's Facebook Wall. First chair went to Jeremy Bergren of Longmont, Colo. who served as a combat engineer in Saudi Arabia and Iraq in the first gulf war.

"Oh man, this is just too cool," Bergren said before loading the Colorado Super Chair. "Breck asked a question of 'why you should get first chair' and I said because it's Veteran's Day and I'm a veteran. That's it. I am way excited."

Second chair went to Chris Jefferson of the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center. Jefferson is a former paratrooper for the Army with the 82^nd Airborne. He is vying for a spot at the Paralympics and is working with the Paralympic Developmental team now to compete in downhill, GS, and slalom.

"I finally learned how to ski with a clinic at the BOEC and I love it," Jefferson said. "The chairlift brings you up and gravity brings you down -- it's awesome."

Jefferson was in the service between 1979-1985 as part of the grenade invasion in Egypt. Despite an enjoyable time with the service, Jefferson still says he prefers Breck.

"Breckenridge is great because of the snow and the people are so cool here. I'm going to get a lot of days in this year."

A lot of familiar faces could be seen around the slopes on opening day, including Breckenridge's own Bobby Brown who was filming in Park Lane.

"First day at Breck is unreal," Brown said. "The jumps are money and the rails are really sick and it's bluebird so it couldn't be much better."

Brown will be seen at the first stop of the Dew Tour when it comes through Breck Dec. 15-18. With tons of competitions on the horizon, the town and the resort are pulling for this local ski super star.

"I'm feeling good this year," Brown said. "I'm looking forward the first Dew stop. It's going to be pretty fun. But I'm most looking forward to riding Freeway when it's empty and kicking it with my friends."

Breckenridge is the second resort to go live with the newest version of EpicMix and tons of photographers were on hand to grab the action. Up next is Vail, and Heavenly and Northstar California on Nov. 19 and Beaver Creek opens Nov. 23.

See all the photos from opening day at Breckenridge here.

--Morgan Bast

What's the best brunch in Breckenridge?

2011-10-25T10:08:00Z

Warm cookies dipped in cold milk. Glimmering powder days followed by après ski. Brunch and...Breckenridge? Obviously.

As some ski bum friends of mine call Breckenridge home year round, so he is clearly an expert in this arena. I consulted them to find out the best spot to hunker down over a satisfying brunch. The resounding answer for locals? Columbine Cafe, known for its corned beef hash and generous portions of home style entrees. If you love pancakes the size of your head, inviting eggs benedict, applewood smoked bacon, trout with your eggs, and pickles garnishing your bloody mary, you have come to the right place. Generous coffee refills and friendly service abound at this establishment. During ski season, wait times for a table at Columbine Cafe can exceed an hour, the real mark of an irresistible breakfast and lunch menu.

If Columbine Cafe isn’t your cup of tea, the Blue Moose is located less than a half a mile away. Such distance! A greasy spoon that accepts cash only, Blue Moose caters to pork chile fanatics, breakfast burrito enthusiasts, and those in need of a bold, high octane cup of coffee to a fuel a long and rewarding day nearby on the slopes.

Channeling your inner European? Oui. Also on Main Street, La Francaise French Bakery serves up beignets doused in fine powdered sugar, perfectly folded crepes, and a variety of croissants.

Fuel up on a big brunch before you get in line for the lifts. Sorry, what was I talking about again? I'm still thinking about pancakes the size of my head.

-- Clare Tischer

How to benefit from Breck's 50th

2011-10-17T17:08:00Z

Breckenridge Ski Resort is turning 50 this year and who doesn't love a good birthday party, right? On Breck's big day (technically on Dec.16, so schedule your someecards greeting now), those who really love this great mountain are the ones who benefit. Here are some of the best ways you can benefit from this season-long birthday celebration.

50 Days of Giveaways
Want free ski or board tuning for the entire year? Or how about a free camelback? Or have a drink named after you at the T-Bar? These are just a few of the things Breckenridge has already given away as part of it's 50 Days of Giveaways.

This promotion started on September 22 and is running all the way up to opening day on Nov. 11 (11/11/11 if you have a hard time remembering...). All you have to do is like the Breckenridge Facebook page to be eligible. Oh, and the prizes increase in value with time, so now's the perfect time to get in!

50 Wishes
Also for its birthday, Breckenridge will be granting 50 wishes this season. Throughout the season guests can submit wishes they'd like to see fulfilled on the mountain. Then, at the end of the season, the Breckenridge staff will make 50 of the wishes come true! More details soon at breckenridge.com. Remember, the Breckenridge staff can't control the weather, so send that wish to Ullr.

50 percent off lodging deal
And finally, Breck wants you to come and stay for the birthday party, so the resort is offering 50 percent off rooms at the Village at Breckenridge for stays of two nights or more from opening day to December 15. And just to make sure it's a party, two drinks and an appetizer are included at The Village's Park Avenue Pub.

So get on Facebook to get your free giveaways, get ready to submit some wishes, and take advantage of half off lodging. But as any good friend would say, your presence is present enough, so I'm sure Breckenridge would be happiest if you just make it out to celebrate and enjoy the mountain this season.

-- Dave Hall

What exactly IS Oktoberfest?

2011-09-15T13:12:00Z

Breckenridge is hosting the 17th Annual Oktoberfest this weekend and while most of us know the event will be a fun celebration filled with German tradition and beer, I wonder what the heck is Oktoberfest anyway?

I for one, was always quite confused that a celebration seemingly named after the month of October always occurred in September, but I never really questioned it because as long as they were serving up great beer, I really didn't care.

So what is Oktoberfest, and who cares?
So is it celebrating the German crop harvest? Or is it when the beer in Munich was perfectly aged and the kegs were tapped? Or was it just a celebration of the transition from summer to fall? Nope, none of those are true at all. It's a wedding party.

That's right. Prince Ludwig of Bavaria, who was later crowned King Ludwig I, married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. Let's just say old Ludwig knew how to throw a sweet wedding reception. He put together some horse races, invited the people of Munich, and around 40,000 people showed up to 19th Century Germany's version of a NASCAR race. It was such a good party they did it again the following year and added an agricultural show to show off Bavaria's crop prowess, and just like that one of the greatest traditions ever was born.*

Today over 5 million people show up to Oktoberfest in Munich, and thousands more throw down at Oktboberfest celebrations around Colorado -- but most parties are far less crowded and cheaper than a plane ticket to go hang out with a sweaty Bavarian.

One of the best is this weekend, October 16 - 18, in Breckenridge. While there won't be any horse races, or a wedding** there will be plenty of good food, beer and lederhosen.

The festivities kick off with a gourmet Brewmaster Dinner by Salt Creek Steakhouse on Friday, October 16 at 6:00 pm. The menu looks fantastic and includes German dishes like Bratwurst, Wild Boar Sausage and Chicken in Riesling all paired with beer or wine.

Saturday and Sunday there are Main Street parties that kick off at 11:00 am each day and go until 6:00 pm Saturday and 5:00 pm on Sunday. Both days will feature German food, beer, costumes, music and dancing. The Sunday festival will be a little more laid back and family friendly. And of course, because it's Colorado, there has to be a little fitness involved, so Breck's twist on Oktoberfest is adding a 5k race (you probably want to burn some calories before schnitzel and beer, right?).

So head to Breckenridge this weekend and celebrate Ludwig and Therese's wedding, or celebrate fall, or beer, or whatever Oktoberfest means to you! Prost!

* I read it on the Internet, so you know it's true.

** Unless someone is feeling frisky

-- Dave Hall

Q & A with Stefan Bast, Breckenridge Oktoberfest’s stein artist

2011-09-14T22:38:00Z

I love my husband. He's smart, funny, good natured, and more than anything patient with me. He's also Luxembourg-born, German-raised, and an incredible artist. Not that the Town of Breckenridge knew any of that -- they just knew his art was the perfect fit for the 17^th Annual Oktoberfest steins, posters, and promotional materials. I'm biased, but I think Breckenridge got lucky with him. Read through my interview with Stefan Bast to learn why.

Morgan Bast: How did you hear about the contest to become the Breckenridge Oktoberfest artist?
Stefan Bast: I found out about it through an article on buzz.snow.com. The chance to show off my artwork to the Breckenridge community through designing steins and a logo and get a weekend in the mountains was definitely something I couldn't pass up. I submitted the piece pretty close to the deadline so I wasn't too confident about my chances, but I gave it my best shot.

MB: How did you come up with a design for it?
SB: I drew anything that made me think of Oktoberfest, or that I expect out of Oktoberfest. Fall colors, Bavarian influences, beer, pretzels all worked their way into the design. Yeah, I think my German heritage played a role -- maybe not so much in creating the artwork but getting really passionate about a contest like this one. I'm a big beer enthusiast and any festival or event in the mountains is always a good excuse to get away from home and explore a little bit.

MB: What are you looking forward to this weekend?
SB: I'm looking forward to seeing Breck out and about and seeing my steins floating around the crowd. I think it'll be very cool to see my art everywhere. It's the perfect time of year to be up in Breckenridge, so I'm very excited.

MB: What other projects have you had? Are beer steins a normal thing to draw for?
SB: I've done t-shirts, posters, logos, web banner ads, beer pong tables, and a yeti suit. I just finished a huge wall mural for a corporate retreat and now I'm working on some skis. I feel like I've gotten more exposure from the t-shirts I've designed, but the yeti mascot suit was definitely one of the coolest projects I've done.

MB: The yeti suit is my favorite piece. Tell the audience what that was all about.
SB: I got contacted by La Parva ski resort in Chile to come up with a yeti design as a mascot since the one they had was just a raggedy old suit. They wanted to breathe new life into the character, the suit, and online and also wanted to tie into their sister resorts in Utah. I came up with several designs based off their requests and I was very happy to see they took one and turned it into a real life costume.

MB: Where do you get your inspiration for your drawings?
SB: I usually draw from freehand not off any specific model or certain image, I just try researching specific details so if I'm drawing a skier, I might look at 50 photos of a skier and pick out the details I like. It's always easier to draw things I'm familiar with. I'm a skier and a mountain biker, so those things are easy because I'm so familiar with the equipment and how they move.

MB: Do you draw for fun anymore?
SB: Not really.

MB: Do you miss it?
SB: No because it's still fun. I very much enjoy the creative process still. It never gets old. Every drawing is different.

MB: Are you going to speak German this weekend?
SB: If I get the chance.

MB: Are you going to wear authentic lederhosen?
SB: No. I grew out of the only pair I had when I was eight and they're pretty expensive.

Get your own Stefan Bast-designed beer stein and beer tickets here. Check out StefanBast.com for more drawings from the artist.

--Morgan Bast