MOUNTAIN LIFESTYLE - LIVING IN BRECKENRIDGE

What to know about the climate and the outdoors.

Despite what you may have heard, there are four seasons in the High Rockies. However, two of them are really short, and one is commonly called mud season. If you are interested in Breckenridge real estate, what you need to know is that no matter the season, there is always something to love about being here.

Winter

Without a doubt, winter and its outdoor sports are the most significant draw for people hoping to design a life in the mountains. Boasting an average annual snowfall of 300 inches, Breckenridge is home to one of the country's premier ski resorts, and within a short drive of many others. Although there can be some frigid days throughout the season, winter temperatures average 28 degrees during the day and 15 degrees at night, and the low-level humidity keeps the colder days from being bone-chilling.

Breckenridge Ski Resort and those in the surrounding area are open November through April. Arapahoe Basin will even have you in ski boots well into June. Very few places on this continent can offer eight months of skiing and riding, and possibly longer if you don't mind a bit of hiking and searching. Of course, there is more to love about winter than downhill. Breckenridge also has miles of cross-country and snowshoe trails, Fat Biking opportunities, dog-sledding and snowmobiling adventures. If it involves snow, you will find it in Summit County!

Spring 

There is something extraordinary about Breckenridge when the temperatures begin to rise, the snowpack is melting, and the crowds disperse. It isn't a time of year that attracts a lot of visitors, which is precisely what makes it ideal for the locals. With average daily temperatures in the upper 50s, this is a beautiful time to enjoy Summit County's wide open spaces. Maybe you aren't getting many, if any, runs in, and the trails aren't yet mountain bike friendly, but in the Spring the creeks and rivers of Summit County offer premier fly fishing, and rafting outfitters start launching boats. Also, locals are rewarded with fantastic specials at Breckenridge restaurants and bars during the quieter mud season.

Summer and Fall

For some locals, despite loving the winter rush, summer is the preferred time of year in Breckenridge and Summit County. Clear bright blue skies, dry air, and mild temperatures combine to create ideal outdoor adventures. Within Summit County, residents have access to more than 100 trailheads, 200 miles of maintained hiking trails, 150 maintained mountain bike trails and 100 miles of maintained ATV routes. Endless opportunities for camping include free and dispersed camping only a few miles from home, off of Boreas Pass Road and within Lake Dillon Scenic Area and White River National Forest, while hunting season begins late August and runs through November. The fall weather is also a favorite of local rock climbers; experts and beginners alike will find locations throughout Summit County, and location training is available through Breckenridge Recreation Center.

Whether it is your love of powder that motivates you or lacing up your hiking boots drives you to new heights, as long as the outdoors calls to you in some way, Breckenridge will immediately feel like home.

As your search for property for sale in Breckenridge begins, the obvious benefits will be easy to see. The gorgeous scenery, clean air, and laid back vibe all draw folks toward making a move to this striking mountain setting. But, there is more to consider than whether ski in/ski out or downtown Breckenridge is the way to go.

Relocating to the High Rockies can present challenges for some people, particularly those that have spent most of their lives between sea level and 4500 ft. above. Exactly who may be negatively affected by high altitude is unknown. Age, gender, fitness level, factors that might seem obvious, have not been shown to relate to individual experiences.

We do know that it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for your body to adjust, and as long as two years for you to achieve the workout endurance that you enjoyed while living below 5000 ft. A combination of low humidity, air pressure, and oxygen concentration can contribute to initially enduring lethargy, headache, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Hydration and diet will play a crucial role in adjusting to and living at higher altitudes

Hydration and Diet

Staying hydrated will be the number one factor in helping your body adjust to high altitude living. You can figure your optimal water intake with a simple formula. The amount of water that will keep you feeling your best at high altitude is equal to half of your body weight in fluid ounces. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, your ideal daily water intake should be 80 fluid ounces.

In addition to hydration, your diet will considerably affect how you react to and feel while living at high altitude. While at lower elevations low carb diets are all the rage, it is not so here. At this altitude, healthy carbohydrates are your body's choice energy source. Things like sweet potatoes, brown rice, oatmeal and whole grains require less oxygen to metabolize than fats and proteins. Your activity level and workout regimen are going to demand an uptick in carbohydrate consumption at this elevation. This article, written by a Boulder physician, describes in detail how diet and hydration will affect your endurance at high altitude.

Health Benefits

As challenging as the adjustment to high altitude can be for some people, there are some real health benefits to mountain living. The reduced oxygen volume that can cause discomfort initially is believed to have a long-term positive effect. Reduced oxygen stimulates your system to generate more blood vessels leading to overall better health. Vitamin D synthesis in your skin increases at high altitude, which is necessary for certain aspects of heart and bone health. Also, studies have shown that people at high altitude experience higher levels of leptin, the hormone that makes us feel full. This hormone increase, coupled with an increased metabolic rate may contribute to ease of weight loss and maintenance.

Coloradans enjoy average life expectancy rates three years longer than the national average and are the only U.S. citizens that boast obesity rates below 20%. We can attribute that in part to the active lifestyles of many choosing to live here. However, after an initial adjustment, the positive net effect of high altitude living on your health is another excellent reason to make your real estate investment in Breckenridge.

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