Breckenridge Nordic Center enjoys a long history of sharing passion for snow
By Kimberly Lord Stewart
The Oh, Be Joyful Lodge at Breckenridge Nordic Center combines Old World alpine charm with the relaxed and inviting atmosphere typical of Colorado. If you prefer a more tranquil alternative to the noisy ski-boot traffic and the whiff of bravado that comes with downhill skiing, don’t miss spending a day and evening here.
The lodge, with its 1400 miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails, as well as the hosted ski programs, is the brainchild of Gene Dayton, who is often referred to as the father of modern Nordic skiing in Summit County. If you can catch Gene standing still, it’s a rarity; he will tell you about how this place started as a 15-foot igloo. Instead of high-tech snowcat grooming, he pulled an old tire or mattress springs behind a snowmobile. “We are stewards, we don’t own anything- it is all a gift from God,” he says. “The miracles we have experienced are too numerous to count.”
Gene, along with his wife Therese and their youngest son, Josh, built the lodge using felled spruce trees that were cleared to open the Breckenridge Ski gondola, as well as pine bark beetle pine. Each log was milled, peeled, lathed, and stained by hand, serving as a testament to the family’s dedication to creating a beautiful, enduring, and memorable lodge for the community. They opened the lodge’s doors on Christmas Day in 2013. Since then, Therese greets guests with a mug of hot mulled wine, and Gene often joins in with his accordion when live bands perform on Friday nights. “We work together with our family daily and Share the joys of serving our guests,” Gene Dayton says.
The family has introduced skiing to people of all abilities in Breckenridge, including Ski for Light for visually impaired skiers and adaptive skiing at the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center’s Hartford Ski Spectacular. The annual event gives people with special needs and disabilities opportunities to learn and enjoy outdoor experiences. Regardless of experience level, there is something for everyone: groomed trails and cross-country ski lessons, guided snowshoeing and snowcat rides with schnapps and hot chocolate. The lodge is also available for events and weddings.
Colorado Nordic Ski and Snowshoeing Spots
Summit County is home to multiple Nordic skiing centers; Gold Run Nordic Center (breckenridgerecreation.com) at the Breckenridge Golf Course and Frisco Nordic Center (town of Frisco.com) are connected by groomed paths
Nestled in the Elk Mountains, near Aspen, is Ashcroft Ski Touring and Pine Creek Cookhouse.
Visitors can choose 735 acres of stunning trails for guided or unguided Nordic skiing and snowshoeing or take a Percheron horse-drawn sleigh ride. Trails lead to the Pine Creek Cookhouse restaurant for lunch or dinner. Reservations are required. pinecreekcookhouse.com
If you’ve never ventured to McCoy Park, you are in for a spectacular experience at the top of Beaver Creek. This lift-accessible nature area, with breathtaking views of the Sawatch Range, has about 42 miles of groomed and rustic trails for Nordic skiing, telemark, and snowshoeing The rental center near the Strawberry Park building has all the gear you’ll need.
Beauty, luxury, and adventure come together at Frazier Valley’s Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Nordic Center. With 260 miles of winter trails, cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and even dogs (on approved trails) have no shortage of options. Fat tire winter biking, ice skating, backcountry skiing, and sleigh or trail rides are also available. Don’t forget to book a massage at the spa for your tired body at the end of the day.
Lastly, if you have your gear, don’t leave out Colorado Rocky Mountain National Park and state park options for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Popular state parks include 50+ miles of trails at Mueller State Park; State Forest Park, with 6 miles of groomed trails and thousands more rugged routes; Vega State Park and Grand Mesa National Forest offer breathtaking views and a high mountain lake; Steamboat’s Pearl Lake, with year-round yurts, and Steamboat Lake, with cabins at the marina and winter RV sites, are ideal for longer snow adventures.
