It’s safe to say I think the family Thanksgiving trip to Breckenridge was the best 5 days of my life…BAR FREAKING NONE. What a beautiful reminder to be present!

It’s such a beautiful place, our Airbnb was basically my ski-girl fantasy come to life, and I just love Colorado with my whole heart. I’ve got so many insider tips, updates, and little gems to share from this trip.

Packing & Travel Chaos...

Packing before my trip almost became a mini crisis over which shoes to bring for a four-day trip…should I bring boots? Velvet heels? Sorels? My Uggs? Hint: Breckenridge (and honestly any ski town) is very casual. I wore my shearling Sorels, had my mini fur black boots packed, and then threw sneakers in at the last minute. Did I wear my sneakers once? Of course not! Here’s a reminder for all of us: be realistic and don't overpack—especially right before the holidays.

I flew into Denver on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, dehydrated but ready for the adventure. We loaded up all the food and booze and took the trip from my brother’s apartment in Littleton to Breck. The drive takes about an hour and a half and is so scenic. Thankfully it wasn’t snowing too much and I-70 was clear—you do not want to be that interstate when it’s a blizzard!

Chalet Dreams & Thanksgiving Chaos

We stayed in a log cabin chalet house in Blue River, about 5 minutes outside of Breck, in the most picture-perfect neighborhood. Snowy, beautiful homes line the quaint streets, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see a moose! Ours was no exception—it was what dreams are made of. Game rooms, a large kitchen, a hot tub, with various rooms decorated with ski and Colorado décor. You all already know I was planning on how to use my $100 to buy it...hmm! The place we stayed in really made the trip—it was the perfect, cozy escape to come back to each day.

Wednesday night was our dinner out thanks to Thanksgiving leftovers (I cannot eat stuffing for another year) and thai takeout! We went to Blue River Bistro, which was a delicious, casual, unique restaurant. You can dress up or dress down in the town—some people are very dressed up while others show up in ski gear. The cocktails were to die for (balsamic and basil with vodka, yes.) and the salmon I got has ruined all other salmons for me. A+ dinner, no questions asked.

Tip: We went into the trip planning on a couple dinners out, but when we got there it felt easier to just keep one. Sometimes you just want to hunker down!

Upon leaving dinner, I was hit with the realization of just how high up Breck is. A whole 9,500 feet—and I live at sea level in Boston. Well…soon I was gasping for air and needed to lay down! We all fought for breath the entire trip, and acclimation was difficult—apparently it takes weeks. I packed a ton of LMNT packets and tried to stay hydrated—which is basically an Olympic sport on an Après vacation.

On Thanksgiving Day, we spent it hanging out and enjoying the house. My sister-in-law, Caroline, and my mom are saints and worked tirelessly all day to prepare a beautiful meal. Delicious, homemade, and made the trip feel just like home! Especially since I sat around reading smut and drinking mimosas. We went for a hike at Blue River Trail in the National Forest up the road, while I complained 80% of it, it was breathtaking to be out in the mountains.

Tip: Bringing our own Thanksgiving food and drinks was so much cozier, special, and memorable than going out.

Slopes, spills, and Après like a pro

Friday was SKI DAY! We rented skis and boots from Base Mountain Sports on Main Street, which was so easy. We had picked up our gear the day before after 3 pm and were ready to go. I demoed Santa Ana 93’s which I quickly fell in love with…Santa if you’re listening…

Colorado has had a slow start to the season, so there were only about 10 trails open at Breck—but being on skis again was just fantastic. I was in my element! It was sunny, not chilly, and the snow wasn’t too icy. It was just wonderful to see my parents on skis again and watch my dad fall in love with skiing again. That moment meant so much to me. Slopes were crowded with beginners, so we ended a bit earlier for safety and sanity.

In classic Charlotte fashion, I took my family to Après on the mountain after we finished our morning on the slopes! We went to T-Bar, which was perfect for a casual drink or two—and great chicken wings! Robbie’s Tavern on the mountain is also supposed to be great for drinks--with better cocktails and prices as we heard from a local!

The rest of the day was spent lounging around in our homey chalet, getting in the hot tub (essential for any ski trip!), and eating our hearts out with leftovers. (I spent the night dreaming of skiing.)

Downtown Shenanigans & Boozy Adventures

Saturday, we woke up to a beautiful 6 inches of snow! It made the scenery even more majestic if you can imagine it. Saturday was our day in town, and we went on a hike to Boreas Pass beforehand. We saw so many young families going to cut their Christmas trees down in the forest too--so magical. Highly recommend this one! It’s easy, has great views, and you could probably XC ski too if that's your thing.

Strolling the busy streets of downtown felt like stepping into a Hallmark movie. I quickly realized my bank account and the $450 ski vest I found were not compatible. The streets are full of boutiques, cozy bookstores, and all the outdoor brands you can imagine—Helly Hansen, North Face, you name it. Everywhere you look, there’s a perfect mix of fashion, Colorado charm, and quirky Breck-themed gifts. And yes, I may or may not have been eyeing a fringe Harley Davidson jacket—sue me.

We then rushed home because I realized my ID was in my ski coat…or so I thought I needed it for the distillery. Narrator—I didn’t. But honestly, the Breckenridge Distillery Private Tasting Tour was to die for. I wasn’t sure my family would love it, but everyone did—it turned out to be a total hit.

You pick your flight—vodka, whiskey, or cask barrel booze. Our adorable 24-year-old whiskey connoisseur was the perfect mix of entertainer and fountain of knowledge. (You guys know I love to flirt!) We grabbed a bite at the distillery restaurant afterward, which was delicious, and of course, we did not say no to the peppermint shot Lucas handed us on the way out.

Final Thoughts & Why Breck Was Magic

We packed up Sunday to get back to Littleton and then the airport. I kept grasping for time to slow down—it was slipping through my fingers. This trip made me feel so alive. One of the qualities I genuinely appreciate about myself is my child-like excitement—I love life, and I love getting to be in the mountains. It makes me gleeful in a way nothing else does.

As we drove away, I kept thinking how rare it is to have five days that feel almost perfect. Despite missing my younger sister, it was so fulfilling to be together as a family. No overplanning, no chaos, just family, fresh air, snow, food, skiing, laughing, and a place that feels magical. Breckenridge has this charm that sneaks up on you—cozy, scenic, slightly chaotic, and full of adventure at every turn.

This trip reminded me how important it is to chase the things that make you feel alive. And for me? That’s Colorado. That’s being in the mountains. That’s these moments with my family that I’ll think about for years.

Even with my flight delayed an hour and not getting home until midnight on a Sunday…it was 100% worth it.

Love,

Charty