snowcat tours breckenridge

What you need to know when visiting Breckenridge

Scenic Snowcat Tours in Breckenridge

Experience Breckenridge’s scenic trails from the comfort of a heated snowcat! The Breckenridge Nordic Center scenic cat tour offers guided tours through forested trails to a historic mining cabin to fill up on s’mores, hot cocoa and tales of Breckenridge’s mining families.

The Breckenridge Scenic Snowcat Tour is an adventure everyone in the family take part in.  This is perfect for extended families, those with young children, and anyone who’d like to sit back, relax and enjoy a tour through Breckenridge’s trail system.

What to expect:

The Breckenridge Scenic Snowcat Tour offers jaw-dropping views of the Ten-Mile Range.

Arrive early to the Breckenridge Nordic Center to enjoy an adult beverage or hot cocoa next to one of the best fireplaces in Breckenridge.  Then, you’ll head outside to embark on your scenic snowcat tour. Take note, this isn’t your average snowcat.  This is a luxurious, state of the art Prinoth Snowcat designed by Pinifarina in Italy. It features a heated, all-glass cabin to give you uninterrupted views of the historic legend forest, mountains, and wildlife . Halfway through the tour, you’ll stop at a historic cabin for s’mores and hot chocolate.  The unbeatable views make it a perfect spot for family photos .  There are also sleds and toboggans to take out if your family wants to take a few runs down the trail.  After your hot cocoa break , you’ll head back into the snowcat and back to the Breckenridge Nordic Center.

What to wear

Learn about Breckenridge’s mining history while sipping hot chocolate and sampling s’mores by the fire in a historic mining cabin.

You’ll be nice and toasty in the heated cat, so be sure to dress in layers so you can take your coat and hat off if you get too warm.  You don’t need to wear snowpants unless you plan to jump on a sled at the cocoa stop.  Wear sturdy shoes as you’ll walk short distances to the cat and cabin.

The Scenic Snowcat Tour is one of the most popular winter activities in Breckenridge . Make reservations for this experience as early as possible.

Winter Activities

Embrace The Spirit

BLike Breckenridge™️ is a movement born of the spirit of our historic mountain town for those who call it home—whether for a weekend or a lifetime—to live by. It is a cause that connects us to each other, that we can all be a part of.

Scenic Snowcat Tours – Snowcat Adventure Tours

Scenic snowcat tours, snowcat adventure tours.

There are only a few resorts that offer snowcat tours in Colorado.

Scenic snowcat tours offered in colorado, keystone resorts - snowcat tours for all ages, breckenridge - snowcat tours for all ages, winter park - scenic snowcat tours, purgatory ski area - snowcat scenic tours.

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Snow Cat Tours - Nova Guides

If you're looking to explore the Rockies in style, make sure to check out Nova Guide's snow coach! This 13-passenger, fully enclosed, heated, four-track vehicle is a great activity for the entire family. See breath-taking views from historic Camp Hale and climb to elevations as high as 12,500 feet, while you soak in views of the majestic Continental Divide. Nova's knowledgeable guides will highlight some of Colorado's largest peaks and educate you on the historic military training of the 10th Mountain Division that trained on the very same trails in the 1940s.

Looking for a snow cat tour that includes skiing or riding untracked powder? Call and talk to one of our front desk agents about snow cat tour options at Keystone or Copper Mountain !

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Ski and snowshoe trails are closed for the season.  expert equipment fitting and nordic ski sales available by appointment through September.  Book a summer appointment .  Thank you for another incredible winter season!

Cross Country Skiing

Your colorado adventure begins here at the breckenridge nordic center.

Breckenridge, CO

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We are closed for the season.  Thank you for another incredible ski and snowshoe season!

Expert Ski and snowshoe fitting and sales available by appointment 

Click to see our new trail report tool

Our off season pro shop is now open.  Our biggest sale ever happening now! 20-50% all skis and gear! 30-50% off all clothing!

Appointments can be booked here for expert equipment fitting May – September

2024 Ski swap equipment check in starts on November 1st.

Ski Swap runs November 8th-November 19th.

Make Memories

Welcome to the Breckenridge Nordic Center For Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

We have everything you need for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowcat adventure rides. Our family-friendly winter activities will put a smile on your face and create a memory you are sure to cherish.

Award Winning Trails

Just 5 minutes from downtown Breckenridge, our family-owned and operated business has served mountain adventure seekers for 55 years.

The Breckenridge Nordic Center is rated as one of North America’s top cross country ski destinations and a multi time recipient of The Best of Summit Award for best place to cross country ski in Summit County. Our award-winning staff is ready to make you feel at home and help you develop a love for the sports of snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

Snowshoeing

Snowcat Adventures

At the Nordic Center

Off-Season Ski Fitting 

During the summer months, we’re still here!  Call us at (970) 453-6855 or email Josh at [email protected] to book an expert ski equipment fitting. You will be completely ready for when the snow flys!

Our seasonal rental program for kids 12 and under will continue for the 2023-24 season. Rent for the entire season for just $130 and trade out equipment for your growing child anytime, free of charge.

Explore the Lodge

Completed in 2013, our “Oh, Be Joyful” lodge was a labor of love built by the Dayton family from 90% recycled material.

Stunning detail and craftsmanship give our lodge a warm and inviting atmosphere filled with natural light from our massive west facing windows. Warm up between outings as you sip Hot Cocoa by our large stone fireplace or grab a signature cocktail or home-made soup from our tavern bar.

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Ready to Start Your Colorado Mountain Adventure?

Contact us today to schedule your cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or snowcat adventure session today!

Breckenridge Winter Activities

Colorado is more than a top ski destination!

Skiing and Snowboarding in Breckenridge

Breckenridge is known around the world as a ski and snowboard destination. In fact, the Breckenridge Ski Resort has been dubbed one of the top ski resorts in North America. Bring the entire family and explore the five peaks together!

For discounted ski rentals, click here .

For more information about Breckenridge Ski Resort, click here .

To download a printable map of the ski area, click here .

Call 970-547-8780 or visit the Concierge Desk for more information on available discounts.

Snowmobiling in Breckenridge

Try a new and exhilarating adventure with your family this winter. Explore the unparalleled beauty of the backcountry by snowmobile and reach speeds up to 40 miles per hour.

Call the Concierge at 970-547-8780 to book today.

Dog Sledding in Breckenridge

Come and experience the backcountry of the Rocky Mountains and create a lifetime of memories! Capture picturesque moments as you get whisked through the snowy, mountainous landscape and sprawling forests by a well-cared-for team of racing dogs. Dog sledding is a unique and adventurous activity.

Although this activity is available near or around Breckenridge, this activity must be booked directly through the service provider.

Sleigh Rides in Breckenridge

Travel back in time and experience the Rocky Mountains on a horse-drawn sleigh! Truly capturing the mystique and beauty of the evening mountain scenery, a sleigh ride through the pine-scented air is an experience you surely won’t want to miss during your visit to Breckenridge.

Snowcat Tours in Breckenridge

Climb to elevations as high as 12,500 feet in a heated snowcat with panoramic 360-degree vistas and enjoy the pristine beauty of the Colorado Rockies and the Continental Divide.

Ice Skating in Breckenridge

Located steps from the famous slopes of Peak 8, the outdoor public ice skating rink is family-friendly fun for the young and young at heart.

Take in magnificent countywide mountain vistas and warm up between laps by the fire with hot drinks and refreshments from Ullr Café right inside. Skates and helmets are available for rent at the walk-up window or inside the resort.

One-hour skate limit per admission. Includes skate rental & admission fee.

• Child (12 and under): $18
• Admission with own skates: $12

The ice skating rink is open every day 1—6 p.m., weather dependent.

Click here for more information.

Cross-Country Skiing in Breckenridge

If you’re looking for an activity that provides a full-body workout, cross-country skiing is the sport for you! Experience beautiful mountain views through fairytale forests while you glide along the trails in Breckenridge’s backcountry.

Although this activity is available near or around Breckenridge, this activity must be booked directly through the service provider. Click here to be directed. 

Tubing and Sledding in Breckenridge

Whether you are five years old or 50, nothing will bring an ear-to-ear smile to your face like sledding down a hill.  Here in Breckenridge, locals and visitors alike find themselves racing up hills on foot for the joy of flying back down on their sleds.

Although this activity is available near or around Breckenridge, this activity must be booked directly through the service provider. Click here for more information. 

Breckenridge Recreation Center

Visiting the Breckenridge Recreation Center is a must for all families! Boasting a state-of-the-art-facility, the Breckenridge Recreation Center serves up a great daily workout and awesome activities for the entire family. Located on the north end of Breckenridge, it offers easy access to a fully equipped workout facility, aquatics center, basketball courts, racquetball court, an indoor/outdoor tennis facility, a climbing wall, and even a water slide.

Kid-Friendly Activities in Breckenridge

Breckenridge winters offer fun for all ages, including the kiddos. From fun and excitement to history and culture, there are many activities designed with kids in mind. From youngsters to young adults, Breckenridge offers activities to keep everyone occupied and entertained.

Breckenridge Ski School: If you want to invest in your child’s winter sport skills and get a little free time for yourself, consider Breckenridge Ski School . Breckenridge offers a variety of alternatives for children from private lessons to kids’ group classes for children ages 4 and up.

Free and fun for kids, Carter Park is tucked into the southeast corner of town and offers an exciting sledding hill that is open to the public. Carter Park is an easy “walk up and slide down” sledding hill that is both safe and thrilling. Grab a sled or a tube and head out for some old-fashioned winter fun. Click here for more info.

Operated year-round, the Gold Runner Coaster is a private-car roller coaster that offers an exhilarating ride for all ages. The ride follows the contours of the mountain down 2,500 feet of elevated track that twists and turns down the ski resort. Click here for more info.

Visit the Stephen C. West Ice Rink and skate with the whole family. The ice rink has two rinks in the winter, one outdoor and one indoor. The ice rink offers open skate, drop-in hockey, rentals, lessons, equipment shop and more. Ice skating is a great activity to enjoy with the kiddos. Call our Concierge  to book this activity for your child today.

The Breckenridge Recreation Center offers kids’ winter and summer programs, including swimming, indoor rock climbing, hockey, tennis, arts and music, hiking and outdoor activities, and special events throughout the year! To see what the Rec Center is currently offering, click here.

Breckenridge’s Mountain Top Children’s Museum: This unique museum offers a camp for children 5 to 14 years of age! The museum’s exhibits include Rocky Mountain Wildlife, Creation Station, Kidstruction Zone, Wonder Lab, Studio Imagination and even a Tot Spot for ages 2 and under! Click here  for more info.

Downstairs at Eric’s is a delightful family restaurant with an arcade for the kids! Click here for more info.

Call the Concierge at 970-547-8780 for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there Breckenridge Winter Activities for non-skiers?

• Yes! Some of our favorites include: snowmobiling, tubing, dog sledding, sleigh rides, and ice skating. Find more ideas here !

When are the best months for winter sports in Breckenridge?

• In recent years, we have found that the best snow usually happens around January—end of February. Our official winter months are November—April.
• Breckenridge has a lot of fun events during the winter. Other than skiing and snowboarding, we recommend other activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, or enjoying the free scenic gondola ride!

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Mountain-Top Snowcat Tours at Keystone Resort, Colorado

February 16, 2015 by Rebecca Darling

One of the coolest activities we did on our recent trip to Keystone Resort was the Mountain-Top Snowcat Tour . You know those “big cats” – it’s the headlights you see on the ski mountains at night, grooming the runs for the skiers & snowboarders.  I’ve always been fascinated by their strength, climbing up & down those steep runs, and in the dark no less!  So when I found out we could take a tour of some of the highest peaks in Keystone, I jumped at the chance.

A Snowcat is  an enclosed-cab, truck-sized, fully tracked vehicle designed to move on snow.  Snowcat drivers meticulously keep the snow nice and packed, leaving ideal skiing conditions ( ok, ideal in my book versus powder ) in their wake.  I can’t help but think my slight OCD-tendencies would love a job like this, smoothing out the snow, much like vacuuming or mowing the grass, right?  Uh no.

We took an afternoon tour, just as many of the runs were closing for the day.  We met in the Summit House onto of Dercum Mountain and walked over to our waiting cat on the top of Mozart’s Run.  The cats they give tours in are different from the grooming ones, as they are outfitted with a nicely heated interior cab with comfy seats and windows all around.  Our tour was planned for 45 minutes, heading up to the top of Independence Bowl, a full 12,500 feet.

It was a nice, gentle ride up the mountain, as there was a clear path to take us through the trees and then up the peak.  Once we made it to the top, we got out and took in the sheer beauty of the Rocky Mountains.  We were so lucky to have our tour on a clear day, as we were able to see so much. Our driver pointed out all the runs in Breckenridge, and all the surrounding mountains.  The view was absolutely stunning.

As we were a small group, he made another stop on the way down the mountain for more pictures.

And on the way down the mountain, I was able to ride in the cab with the driver to get a different perspective.  It was really cool to hear more about his job – he drives the tours, both sight-seeing like ours and the skiing tours – and to see what driving a snowcat is like.

A mountain-top snowcat tour is a great way to see more of the mountain as a family.  It’s fun for the kids to be in this big, powerful machine and for them to have a chance to climb so high.  It was just the right amount of time before the kids on our tour got ancy.   I found the snowcat tour to be a fun activity that was also very peaceful and relaxed.  It’s a great activity for when you need a skiing break.

Tips for the Keystone Resort Mountain-top Snowcat Tour

Location: Dercum Mountain – check in 45 minutes prior to tour at the Adventure Point Check-In Hut in River Run Village & then ride the gondola up to the Summit House. Dates Available: December -April (depending on snow conditions) Time: 3pm daily & last 45 minutes Ages: Any age, there was a baby on our tour! What Should You Wear: Winter-weather clothing and snow boots.  You will have the opportunity to get out in the snow, so dress appropriately, including hats & gloves. What to Bring: Bring your cameras, the views are stunning! Price: $37 (adults) $27 (children) Reservations: As there are only 13 seats in a tour, make reservations early! More information:   http://www.keystoneresort.com/activitiesdetail/Key+-+Mtn-top+Scenic+Snowcat+Tours.axd#fragment-1#Top

Other Keystone Resort Fun: Snow Tubing at Adventure Point at Keystone Resort Snowcat Tours at Keystone Resort 5 Things I Can’t Wait to Try at Keystone Resort

Disclosure: My family & I were invited to participate in the Mountain-top Snowcat Tour.  I was not compensated for this article.  All opinions are my own. 

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many thanks for any help

Maureen - Edinburgh Scotland

Hi Maureen http://breckenridgesnowmobiletours.com/Snowcat%20Tours.html is on Google. You should contact them to get a feel of the operation and when they start running. Early Dec may not see enough snow.

thanks very much for your reply, it's much appreciated and hopefully there will be enough snow, can you tell me is there usually plenty snow in early december and do you think we can do snowmobiles at that point in december

Thanks very much for your reply it's much appreciated. Can you tell me if there is usually enough snow in early december and do you think we can do the snowmobiles at that time of year

I wish I could. Each year is different. there are some stats on "averages"

http://www.currentresults.com/Weather/Colorado/Places/breckenridge-snowfall-totals-snowstorm-averages.php

In December, for instance, one in four years totals over 32.3 inches of snow. Another 25 percent of years receive less than 12.9 inches for the month."

thanks again i will just need to keep my fingers crossed for good snow, the place looks lovely and I am so looking forward to seeing myself.

Good attitude! It does change quickly. Just today some places, Steamboat Springs, saw 8 inches of new snow while others, Brecekridge, saw just one inch. Hopefully as the storm moves south we might get some more.

http://www.breckenridge.com/mountain/snow-stake-cam.aspx Keep an eye on the snow stake to see progress!

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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