Early winter · Weather & things to do
Breckenridge in December
Breckenridge cools off: highs slip to 23°F (-5°C), from 34°F in November, with lows of 3°F (-16°C) and about 1.9 in (48 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 48/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 23°F (-5°C)
- Avg low
- 3°F (-16°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.9 in (48 mm)
- Humidity
- 90%
- Cloud cover
- 62%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 14 min
- Comfort score
- 48/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 23°F (-5°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 3°F (-16°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect about 1.9 in (48 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 14 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December sits mid-table; the best months are June – September.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 14 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 51/100 in November to 48/100.
- December sits inside the Dec – Mar window our Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen route recommends.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 3°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Breckenridge in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Breckenridge Ski Resort
Ski area across Peaks 6 to 10 of the Tenmile Range, with the Imperial Express chair topping out at 12,840 feet.
Breckenridge Welcome Center
Visitor center on Main Street with a free exhibit on the town's gold-mining history.
BreckConnect Gondola
Free gondola from the edge of town to the base areas at Peak 7 and Peak 8.
Main Street
Main Street of Breckenridge's historic district, lined with restored 1880s storefronts, shops and restaurants.
Hearthstone
Long-running restaurant in a restored Victorian house on Ridge Street, one block above Main Street.
Nearby in December
- Vail in December~20 mi · highs 28°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Aspen in December~46 mi · highs 30°F, 2.0 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Denver in December~59 mi · highs 44°F, 0.7 in rain or snow · 12°C (21°F) warmer by day, drier
- Rocky Mountain NP in December~62 mi · highs 24°F, 1.5 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~3,234 m to Breckenridge's ~2,964 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Breckenridge in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Breckenridge?
It's middling, scoring 48/100. The best months are June – September, at up to 95. Expect highs of 23°F (-5°C) and 1.9 in (48 mm) of rain or snow. December is inside the Dec – Mar window our Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen route recommends.
How cold is Breckenridge in December?
Average highs are 23°F (-5°C) and average lows 3°F (-16°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Breckenridge in December?
Not much: about 1.9 in (48 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 22.6 in (573 mm).
What should I pack for Breckenridge in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 3°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Breckenridge
Routes in season in December
- Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen Dec – Mar
Planning Breckenridge in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.