Yes, it’s true. Many people come to Breckenridge, Colorado, to ski or snowboard four peak’s worth of acreage and take advantage of all that annual powder. But even in an atmospheric small town of this one’s size there is life off the slopes. So whether you’re just looking for a break from all that downhill action or simply in need of some alternative therapy, Breckenridge has the bases covered.

A fine way to make the transition from lift lines to real life is with a deep tissue massage or some other form of pampering at one of the town’s spas. Presumably, you’ll finish prepared to take on the world, or a good day of shopping at least.

And though Breckenridge only has a permanent population of about 2,500, its resort reputation means things keep hoping year round, both outdoors and when it comes to cultural offerings.

Thanks to a rich Gold Rush history, Breckenridge boasts a number of historic buildings. Not only do they lend ambiance to the town’s main street but they also make for a fine historic walking tour. Get a more comprehensive glimpse of the past at the Breckenridge Welcome Center, located in a 19th-century log cabin, but also plan for a tour of the Barney Ford House Museum or the Edwin Carter Museum. Summer visitors can visit the Washington Gold and Silver Mine and the Lomax Placer Mine for more on the two main mining techniques used in years of yore.

While Breckenridge, Colorado, isn’t big enough to have its own art museum, art lovers ought not despair. The arts are very much alive and well here, as you’ll see if you take a meander through the Arts District for an introduction to artists in residence and a good handful of galleries. Keep an eye on the events calendar for more on concerts part of the Winter Music series and stage productions put on by the Backstage Theatre. So go on, put that piste in perspective with some time off the slopes, you’ll be more cultured and relaxed for it.