In less than one week, friends and families will gather around the dinner table for a feast of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pie. People from all over flock to their favorite mountain town to hit the slopes before filling up on their Thanksgiving feast. Joining in on the holiday fun in the mountains? Here’s how to have the best Thanksgiving ever during your trip.
Hit the Slopes Early
Make it in time for first chair to get some early morning turns in before filling up on this great, celebratory meal. A series of storms has blessed the highcountry with some incredible snow. Make a few runs, burn a few calories and eat that extra slice of pie you know you deserve. After all, this holiday only comes once a year!
Dine Out
It’s not always easy to prepare such a large feast when you aren’t in your own kitchen. There are many restaurants all over Summit and Eagle County that will be serving up traditional Thanksgiving fare for those guests who are interested in letting someone else to the dirty work. In Breckenridge, we suggest heading to Blue River Bistro, Hearthstone (this one sells out, so make a reservation early), or Briar Rose Steak and Chophouse. There are a bunch of other places around town offering meals and specials, so check out the other options from GoBreck. If you will be dining in Vail, head on over to Terra Bistro, Ludwig’s or Pepi’s. For Thanksgiving in Beaver Creek, head to Grouse Mountain Grill, Splendido’s or Spago. For other dining options in Vail or Beaver Creek, check out the Thanksgiving menus. Once you decide on your dining destination, give the restaurant a call to check if reservations are needed.
Cook Your Own Feast
If you’ve got the space, tools and ability to cook this traditional feast in, do it! Head into town during the days leading up to the holiday to grab some treats from local bakeries and stop by the local grocery store to get all the items you need. Make sure to order your turkey early, as the shelves will get continually more empty as the big day approaches. There are also many stores, namely the Whole Foods in Frisco, that will even brine your turkey for you!
Head to the Ice Rink
In Breckenridge, head over to the south end of town for a little post-feast activity. The Stephen C. West Ice Arena is located at the very beginning Boreas Pass Road, and is easily accessible by car, bus or foot if you desire to take a stroll through the beautiful town of Breckenridge. If you are looking to ice skate in Vail, the Alderhof Ice Rink is the place to go. Located in the heart of Vail Square in LionsHead, this beautiful outdoor ice skating hub is the perfect post-Thanksgiving activity. Just make sure you bundle up! The Beaver Creek Ice Rink is also an outdoor rink and is conveniently located in the center of Beaver Creek Village. If you need a quick break to warm up, snag a spot by any one of the several fire pits around the rink and grab a mug of hot cocoa.