Growing up in Southern/Central California, I didn’t make it to the mountains much. It just wasn’t my thing. Some of my friends would love to take a two hour trek to the mountains, but I would usually opt to drive the same distance to the beach. Since moving to Colorado 8 years ago, I’ve learned to love the mountains. (Maybe forcibly, since the closest beach is 800+ miles away, but still.) I don’t really ski or snowboard, and not sure I really intend on ever picking it up, but I have found other things to do in Breckenridge in the rocky mountains that aren’t skiing or snowboarding, that are just as fun.
For example, I really love hiking. It’s not something I had access to growing up, but these days, I can drive 20 minutes to a number of epic trailheads. During the snowy months, I very much enjoy heading to mountain towns like Vail, Aspen and Breckenridge. Breckenridge is the closest to Colorado Springs, so it’s the one I visit the most. If the hubby plans on snowboarding, I tag along, with the promise of holding the cabin down while drinking hot toddys. (It’s a hard job, but somebody has to do it!) This trip, I took my fun outdoors to enjoy the winter activities (aka things to do in Breckenridge that aren’t skiing or snowboarding), and took Supergoop! along with me.
If you aren’t familiar with Supergoop! they are basically the bomb. (Do people still say that, or is it just me?) SPF is SO important to combat harmful UVA rays – even in the winter months, because they can penetrate clouds on gloomy or snowy days. In fact, I would say SPF products are especially important in the winter months when you’re playing in the snow, because the sun’s reflection off of snow can increase your UV exposure by 50%!
The problem with typical sunscreen, is that it just feels gross, and is usually full of harsh and harmful products. Supergoop! products are great, because they feel wonderful on your skin, and they don’t use toxic ingredients likeparabens, oxybenzone, or synthetic fragrances.
It’s funny how uneducated I was about SPF protection, growing up. And no fault of my parents either. If you grew up in the 90’s, you know that it just wasn’t really discussed then. Combine that with the fact that I am a born and raised Cali girl, well…years of poor suncare have finally caught up with me, by way of many sunspots on my face. Now, I won’t go outside without layering the SPF on my face. I really love serums, for their antioxidant properties, so I was thrilled to try out Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30. It added just the right amount of hydration that my skin craves at high altitude! I almost always start my morning routine with serum, so it was nice to have the added SPF protection as I enjoyed my morning cup of coffee outside.
When it was time to get ready, I applied the Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream SPF 35. I really love a good CC Cream for days when I plan on being active outside, and I especially love when they come combined with an SPF product. This one goes on smooth, but unlike most sunscreens, it’s not at all greasy, and the CC Cream gives just enough color to hide blemishes and gave my skin an even look. I finished the look off with the Supergoop! Perk Up Lip and Cheek Treat – which added the perfect amount of color to my lips and cheeks, all while still providing SPF protection! I set everything with the Defense Refresh Setting Mist, which can be used to set your makeup, or for quick application, throughout the day. I love how all of these products worked together, so it wasn’t like I was putting one on, only to have the next product mess it up. They layered themselves perfectly, to achieve a flawless look.
After I was all SPF’d up, we took out on our adventures. If you are ever heading to Breckenridge but, like me, don’t ski, here are a few other things to do in Breckenridge.
Snowshoeing – This was my first time ever going, and I absolutely loved it. If you aren’t familiar with snowshoeing, it’s basically a way to hike in the thick snow. We took a hike up McCullough Gulch toward lower lake (just 20 minutes outside of Breckridge). The snow wasn’t quite deep enough to need snowshoes, on the way up, but we eventually needed to put them on. We wore them the entire way down, which made our hike much easier, as we had some traction and weren’t sliding through the snow. It was awesome!
Once we got to the top, there was an incredible waterfall that had frozen over. Of course, we had to stop and snap a picture, which was also the perfect time to reapply sunscreen. Did you know that UV levels increase by 12% with every 3000 foot increase in elevation? I live at 6000 ft, so that was an alarming statistic to learn, and one I was very aware of as we climbed even higher to 9000 ft. One of my friends has sensitive skin, so I brought the Supergoop! Skin Soothing Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40 with me. This one sits on top of your skin, instead of absorbing into it, so it’s perfect for kids or people with sensitive skin. There’s no white residue, so it’s perfect for mid-day application, when you’re no where close to a mirror. The size of it is perfect to throw in your coat, so you don’t have to worry about lugging around additional bags.
Living in Colorado, I typically can’t go 30 minutes without having to put some sort of lip balm on. Our lips are the most sensitive part of our face, so I always make sure to cover them with an SPF product, too. I really loved this Supergoop! Lip Balm. The formula worked so well that I found myself not having to reapply it as often.
Sledding – After our hike, we continued the fun outside with a little sledding. I don’t care how old you are, there is something about sledding that makes you feel like a kid again. It’s always fun! I may have wiped out a few times, but it only added to the fun of the experience.
This was a perfect time for re-application. Remember – the sun’s reflection off of snow can increase your UV exposure by 50%. The Supergoop! Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 45 was the perfect pocket size to take with me on my outdoor activities. (Also, it smells amazing!)
Aprés Ski – After a day on the mountain, a little Aprés ski is always in order. We headed over to One Ski Hill for some drinks and sunshine. Continuing my experiment with the Supergoop! products, I reached for the Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen SPF 50. I know it seems like I was on sunscreen overload this day, but when you spend 6+ hours outside, you have to be protected! Plus, I was really trying to test all the products so I could give you my honest review. If you want to try one Supergoop! product, and just want a basic sunscreen, I would probably recommend this. In keeping with the other Supergoop! products, it wasn’t at all greasy, and blended into my skin quite well.
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I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about Supergoop! and my list of things to do in Breckenridge. Have you ever tried Supergoop!? What are some of your favorite products? What are your favorite things to do in Breckenridge? I’d also love to hear what you do in the mountains if you don’t ski or snowboard.
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I don't even normal like snow, but you have got me dying to go there! So beautiful!XOXO, Cassie Reawww.cassierea.com
This brand is my FAVE! I always apply in winter tooXo Mindy
Oh I need that! Sun protection is so important! LizWww.lizzieinlace.com
I need to try supergoop! I've heard so many great things about it!xo megan
I’ll have to try Suoergoop, I have yet to find a sunscreen that I love! And holding down the fort in the ski lodge is where it’s at:)Heidi || Wishes & Reality
I didn't know they had so many products! I want the serum! This looked like so much fun, makes me want the snow to finally fall here in MI. xx
Supergoop is one of my favorite sunscreens to use! It's not drying on my already dry skin and isn't too thick on my skin. I will also be going skiing for the first time in January. These pics make me excited 🙂
I'm all about sun protection too and my lips get killed during the winter. I have tried a lot of Supergoop products and love them, you make them look so lovely in these amazing photos!www.forthewonderer.com
Thank you for spreading the word about sunscreen! Not many people use it and it is so dangerous!
I've never tried Supergoop before. I love all your sledding pictures, so cute!!xo, Laurawww.have-need-want.com
Such a great brand!! PS – your pics turned out AMAZEEE
gotta love a good sunscreen and love that you can use it specifically on your lips!