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bonfire at ULLR fest
Events

Ullr Fest

December 7 - 9, 2023
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Breckenridge Ullr FestSchedule 2023 ShotSki® RegistrationFloat RegistrationUllr Fest History
Breckenridge Ullr Fest

Grab your Viking helmets and celebrate all things winter at the 60th anniversary Ullr Fest, December 7-9, 2023. Breckenridge invites locals and visitors of all ages to praise Ullr, the Norse god of snow, in hopes of a powder-filled ski season. Show your devotion at the Main Street parade and become part of history at the longest Shotski® “unofficial” World Record breaking attempt. If you’re in for a legendary party, this is one you won’t want to miss!

Event Highlights

  • Take part in the Ullr Parade down Main Street
  • Break the Breckenridge Distillery Shotski® “unofficial” World Record
  • Prove your dedication to snow at the Ullr Bonfire

 

2023 Schedule of Events

Schedule

The crowd at the Breckenridge Distillery “unofficial” record-breaking attempt.

Thursday, December 7

Friday, December 8

Saturday, December 9

More Things To Do

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    ShotSki® Registration Opens Nov. 10th

    2023 ShotSki® Registration

    Join the Breckenridge Distillery and the Breckenridge Mountain Rotary in their quest to continue their reign for the unofficial world record for longest Shotski®.

    We are looking for 1,370 people to help us beat Park City’s record! Grab your friends and sign up to join Breckenridge during Ullr Fest and be part of the world record Ullr Shotski®!

    Time: 4:00pm start, 3:45pm line-up
    Location: Main Street Breckenridge
    Cost: $15 All proceeds benefit the Breckenridge Mountain Rotary.

    Must be 21 years old to participate. This event is expected to sell out.

    Float Registration & Parade Staging Details

    Float Registration

    Ullr parade float Breckenridge

    GRAB YOUR CLOSEST FRIENDS AND START BUILDING. ULLR PARADE FLOATS EARN YOU SERIOUS BRAGGING RIGHTS!

    Parade Registration Deadline:

    Floats must be registered by 7:00pm on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. If parade capacity is met before the December 6 deadline, parade registration will automatically close.  There is no waitlist for the parade.

    Prizes For Best Float

    Register a float for your chance to win cash prizes! 60 years of winter worship is serious business, so the parade float prizes have DOUBLED this year! First place takes home $2,000, second place wins $1,500, and third place wins $1,000. Floats are judged on creativity, theme/fun factor, and workmanship.

    PARADE RULES

    • All vehicles must be decorated to participate in the parade.
    • No fire, flames or fireworks of any kind, unless pre-approved. No floats allowed over 16ft.
    • Vehicle MUST be driven by a designated SOBER driver; any reckless driving will have consequences. There is no alcohol permitted inside the vehicle as all laws concerning open containers and driving under the influence still apply.
    • You must not throw anything from your float, instead, walk alongside your float and pass things out.
    • Please stay close to the people in front of you so that there are no large gaps in the parade.
    • The parade will turn on Adams Ave and floats will need to work their way through the Tiger Dredge parking lot to exit.

    Breckenridge Police Officers and the Parade Officials will be monitoring these guidelines throughout the parade. Failure to comply will result in your removal from the parade.

    Parade Route & Staging

    2022 Ullr Fest Parade Route

    Staging

    Parade staging starts at 3:00pm before the parade begins at 4:30pm.

    • All participants must line up on the (300) block of North Main St. headed south. (Access from North Main St, onto 300 N block).
    • All participants need to check-in and sign waivers before parade start.

    2022 Parade Float Winners

    1st Place: The Clark and Cousin Eddie Show, A Christmas Vacation tribute / Krystal 93
    Shitter’s full Clark! Clark Griswold and Cousin Eddie terrorize the yuppies next door, Todd and Margo. Fried cats, runaway squirrels, and enough lights to put Breck on nuclear backup power.

    2nd Place: Ferris Ullr’s Day Off / Charter Sports
    Ferris Ullr and his friends driving around in a red 1961 Ferrari 250 GT

    3rd Place Summit County River Rats And Pirates / S.C.R.R.A.P.
    Drinking for Ullr for snow this winter and water this summer! Drinking double for the best of both seasons! Slapping bags and flying flags! Let it snow!

    Know someone who deserves to be Ullr Royalty?

    King & Queen Nominations

     

    King and Queen Viking Crowns for Ullr Fest

    Know someone who embodies the spirit of Ullr? Nominate them to be Ullr Royalty!

    The Breckenridge Tourism Office and the Ullr King and Queen Selection Committee are seeking nominations for this year’s royal court. Though historically Ullr royalty has been a traditional couple, it is not a requirement that the King and Queen are connected with each other. Residents may nominate non-couples, individual kings and queens, or elect to shake up traditional king/ queen gender roles.

    Please fill out the following form to support your nomination explaining why your nominee is deserving of this honor. Nominees should be involved in the Breckenridge community, love snow and should be passionate about Breckenridge’s wacky traditions.

    Nominations Due: Wed., Nov. 15 2023

    Ullr Fest History

    Ullr Fest historic Breckenridge

    Ullr Fest honors the Norse god of snow.

    Legend has it that Ullr, the Norwegian snow god was so well skilled in the use of the bow and could go so fast on his skis that in these arts no one could best him. Each winter he covered the earth with snow to protect it from harm. It has been said that Ullr enjoyed the cold weather and loved traveling throughout the land, gliding along on his great skis, for pleasure and hunting.

    It is also said that Ullr was such a great skier, he would streak across the sky leaving the brilliant stars as his trails (they obviously had some fine powder days). Though very skilled, Ullr guarded his knowledge closely and refused to show the other gods how to ski. Luckily for us, he let the secret out of the bag, and we will all be soon celebrating his glory. Next time you are trying to bash through some wind crust or plunge head first into fresh waist deep powder, be sure to invoke his name and remember – ULLR RULES!

    Ullr Finds A Home in Breckenridge

    Shortly after Breckenridge Ski Resort was founded, local legends, Sigurd Rockne and Trygve Berge, created the first Ullr Dag festival. The festival came about because the majority of the ski school instructors were Norwegian and had a long tradition of celebrating Ullr, the Norwegian god of snow.  The festival included a ski parade, competitions and aerial tricks demonstrated by ski school instructors.  There were two booths, one at each end of Main Street, which cars had to stop and could buy Ullr Coins which gave them discounts in certain shops in town. The first crowned King and Queen for Ullr was Governor John Love and his wife Ann Love. To kick the parade off, there were four jets that flew 500 feet above Main Street. After the parade there was a bonfire.  Ullr fit right in and took to the mountains. And every year, Ullr blesses Breckenridge with some of the finest snow in the world.

    To repay Ullr for his gift of snow, we here in Breckenridge continue to hold a festival to honor the god of winter. We now call this little celebration Ullr Fest.  Over the year, many traditions were formed such as the Ullr Ball, the Ullr Bonfire, the Ullr Parade, Snow Sculpting, Ullr King and Queen, the Ullympics and the Ullr Dating Game. Some traditions have stayed, such as snow sculpting, which has become its own event called the International Snow Sculpture Championships. Other traditions have gone by the wayside.

    From fake currency to burning old skis in the bonfire, Ullr Fest has always been about fun and partying…and Breckenridge knows how to hold a “killer party, dude.” Just ask any of the locals.

    Ullr Fest continues throughout the week with games, parties and more.

    2023 FAQs

    We highly recommend taking the free bus, walking or shuttling into downtown Breckenridge. Once you’re here, it’s easy to get around Breckenridge without a car. Breckenridge parking is almost all pay to park, and fills up quickly, especially during signature events. Main Street will be closed for much of Thursday due to the Main Street parade, so Main Street parking will not be available.

    The Breckenridge FreeRide offers free bus transportation throughout the day with multiple shuttle systems running throughout Breckenridge. Most likely, the place you are staying is right next to a bus stop or offers its own FREE shuttle transportation to town. If you’re planning to come into Breckenridge from neighboring towns, the Summit Stage is a free county-wide bus system available throughout Summit County. Uber, Lyft and multiple taxi services are also available to help you travel around town or between towns, however, these services may be limited during peak periods.

    While going carless is the easiest and cheapest way to go, if you do need a car, we recommend parking outside of town and taking the bus in. The Breckenridge FreeRide bus system will service the Satellite Lot on Airport Road and Ice Rink lot on regular scheduling. Paid lots within town will be available for guest parking (F-Lot, Tiger Dredge, East Sawmill, and Wellington lots), but will fill up quickly. For free overflow parking, guests can park at Colorado Community College on the north end of town with the FreeRide bus servicing this lot every 20 minutes throughout the day.

    Breckenridge Parking Guide

    Free Ride Transit System Map and Schedule

    Summit Stage Map and Schedule

    Breckenridge Virtual Map

    Pray for snow mascot

    What is Ullr Fest?

    Where should I park for Ullr Fest?

    Is Ullr Fest Suitable for Families?

    Are Dogs Allowed at Ullr Fest?

    Where can I get an Ullr Poster?

    How do I request filming/photo/ media access?

    Volunteer for Ullr Fest

    What & when are the street closures?

    Winter in Breckenridge

        downtown Breckenridge at dusk
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