ULLR Fest is here and the snow is falling!

ULLR seems to once again be producing some winter love

• Jared Black
• Dec 12, 2019
• In-Destination Travel

It's December and Winter is finally starting to feel like it's here! Though the mountain may not be 100% open.... at least the party is on

Ullr Fest is here! What're your plans? Traditionally, Ullr Fest is one of the rowdiest events in Breckenridge. Hundreds if not thousands of people line the streets Breckenridge's historic main street sporting Viking helmets, embracing the open carry law, and praying to the Norse god of snow to shower the town in a bit of what makes Breckenridge run. Ullr fest began on Wednesday the 11th and will run until December 15th this year. The week is packed with festivities and is entirely built around fun, but also with the hopes that our prayers will be answered and that we'll receive a bit of snow. This winter has been off to a dry start after a fairly snowy October and the town's people aren't concerned just yet but you can feel the pressure mounting. Breckenridge in the winter runs off its ski industry and it's for fairly obvious reasons. Breckenridge is unique in the way that unlike a lot of other resorts there is a full-blown town at its base and you can even access the mountain from a short walk off the main street. Breckenridge is also one of the most visited ski resorts in the country and when a lot of people come to town it helps the local business owners thrive! Breckenridge has a TON of restaurants, bars, and shops that stretch from the main street up onto ridge street which runs parallel to main. Breckenridge also boasts the highest operating chair lift in North America! The imperial express which tops out at 12,998 ft makes for a pretty impressive few along with a lengthy run down to the base. With Breckenridge nearly 3,000 acres of skiable terrain it makes for a pretty obvious reason why Breckenridge is such a popular ski destination. Though the locals aren't concerned yet..the snow will need to start flying or possibly be subject to lower than average crowds this upcoming winter. 

Now onto Ullr...Ullr fest kicks off Wednesday the 11th but today, the 12th is when the party begins. I don't often describe many of Breckenridge's events as 'non-kid friendly' but if one ever was; it'd be Ullr fest. Over the past nine years that I have lived in Breckenridge, I have seen people past out in the street, riding kegs down the main street, people falling over, and people totally unaware of where they even are. Now don't get me wrong, I am not trying to paint a picture that purely tells the rough side of Ullr fest. Plenty of folks come out and line the streets awaiting a bit of the drunken debauchery. Most of the businesses will build the best floats of the entire year and the parade will feature some candy thrown for the kiddos. After the parade, you can make your way down to the Gondola Parking lot where you can witness, possibly, one of the biggest bonfires you've ever seen. Ever seen a Christmas tree go up? It really doesn't take much at all so imagine a bucket loader dumping piles of Christmas trees on a burning fire while thousands of people surround it, drinking, singing and dancing to the music provided by Redbull. Redbull brings in this massive off-road vehicle that is also decked out to be a moving concert/sound system and it's a pretty impressive sight to behold. One take away I would like to put out there is that you DO NOT want to wear your nicest jacket or hat to this event. If you do, stand a bit away or dodge the falling embers. The embers from the tree will fly high into the sky and some of them won't be completely out once they've fallen back to the ground resulting in burn holes in your clothes. It's not as bad as it sounds but do be aware. After all the shenanigans I recommend hitting up The Gold Pan Saloon or one of Breckenridge's other 100 bars. Maybe bring a flask? Ullr Fest is an absolute blast..just don't let it get the best of you! PRAISE ULLR also..keep an eye out for Breck Bike Tours Poppin' some wheelies

PRAISE ULLR