Ullr Fest
ULLR FEST THEME: 49th Annual Breckenridge Ullr Fest “49 and doing fine”
Ullr Fest: 1/8/2012 – 1/14/2012
Ullr Fest is an annual wacky winter festival like no other, and it is taking place January 8-14, 2012. During Ullr Fest in Breckenridge, don’t be surprised to see horned Viking hats adorning the heads of skiers and snowboarders, Ullympic competitors flinging frying pans for prizes, more than 12,000 Ullr enthusiasts filling the streets for the Ullr Parade and crazy float participants skiing off jumps on Main Street or gliding along town in a hot tub. Join us to rejoice with Ullr himself. Ullr is old - real old, but he still loves a good party. In Norse mythology Ullr (pronounced Oool-er) was the winter god. He was the son of Sif and the stepson of Thor, the "God of Thunder." Ullr loved the cold, and delighted in traveling over the country on his skis or skates. He also delighted in the chase, and pursued his game through the Northern Forests.
Produced by the Breckenridge Resort Chamber and presented by Bud Light. Sponsored by KSMT 'The Mountain", The Breckenridge Ski Resort, Town of Breckenridge and Summit Daily News.
Contact the Breckenridge Resort Chamber for Ullr Fest registration and participation information.
January 8-14, 2012
ULLR Fest Schedule of Events
Sunday, January 8th - Ullr Skating Party (1:00pm - 3:00pm)
Skate with Ullr himself at the Stephen C. West Ice Arena, 0189 Boreas Pass Rd. Enjoy hot concessions for sale and $5 skate rentals. Proceeds from this event benefit Al Chaffee Memorial Scholarship fund for High School Seniors.
Monday, January 9th - Ullr Nordic Party & Bonfire (5:30pm - 9:00pm)
Location: Main Street Station. Features the crowning of the Ullr King and Queen. Participation in the event is free. Join us at Ullr's bar for Budweiser specials.
Tuesday, January 10th – Ullympics (6:00pm - 8:00pm)
The Ullympics features co-ed teams of four competing like crazy for fun and prizes in whacky events at Riverwalk Lawn. This is the perfect event for the light-hearted quasi-athlete who can easily laugh at themselves. Get ready for some action. Teams interested in signing up should email the Breckenridge Resort Chamber at events@gobreck.com. Participation is free.
Wednesday, January 11th - The KSMT Ullr Dating Game (8:00pm)
Breckenridge’s version of the Dating Game is hosted by local radio station KSMT “The Mountain”. Adults over the age of 21 are welcome to attend at Cecilias. For information on how to apply to be a bachelor/bachelorette, call 970.453.2234 ext. 20 or www.ksmtradio.com
Thursday, January 12th – Ullr Parade/Bonfire (4:30pm)
The infamous and zany Ullr parade kicks-off on North Main Street and moseys south through the heart of Breckenridge. In its 49th year, this is the ultimate in Ullr Fest fun. This is one you cannot miss! Participation is free, register your float or parade entry by emailing events@gobreck.com. The Ullr bonfire will follow the parade in the South Gondola lot between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 13th - Comedy Night (7:00pm)
Laugh the night away with a Comedian! Enjoy light appetizers, good friends, and more good times. Join comedian Phil Palisoul and Eugene Kenny. Event is held at 7:00 pm at Beaver Run Resort. For More information please call 970.453.6423.
Saturday, January 14th - Chilly Chili Cook Off Event – January 16 (3:00pm – 7:00pm)
Join us for the Breckenridge Mountain Rotary Club Chilly Chili Cook Off at the Riverwalk Center. Enjoy samplings from local and world famous chili chefs, plus fun activities for the whole family. For more information please visit BreckChillyChili.com
Join us for this years 2012 Ullr Fest “Bud Light” Bar Series! Starts Monday, January 8th and runs until January 14th.
Ullr Fest is an annual wacky winter festival like no other, and it is taking place January 8-14, 2012. During Ullr Fest in Breckenridge, don’t be surprised to see horned Viking hats adorning the heads of skiers and snowboarders, Ullympic competitors flinging frying pans for prizes, more than 12,000 Ullr enthusiasts filling the streets for the Ullr Parade and crazy float participants skiing off jumps on Main Street or gliding along town in a hot tub.
The History Behind Ullr
Ullr 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!
One of Ullr’s travels found him in Breckenridge, Colorado. Breckenridge seemed a likely place for Ullr to settle down, since he wasn’t looking to return to Norway any time soon. 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 hold a festival to honor the god of winter. We call this little celebration Ullr Fest. This fantastic party all started back in 1963 when a few of the locals heard that Ullr was in town. Well, they wanted to let him know how much Breck appreciated Ullr’s gift of snow, so they went to the Town Council and lobbied to start…‘Ullr Dag’ (Ullr Day in English). The first few years of the event were hailed with locals honoring Ullr with gold coins, parties, skiing, and oh – don’t forget the parties.
As the years went on, 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.
This year, the party kicks off on Sunday, January 9th with the Ullr Skating Party for the families followed the next night by the Ullr Nordic Party where we crown this year’s Ullr Royalty. “Ullr, Live the Lore” will be the theme of the festival and many of the parade floats will represent the ages of Ullr in Breckenridge. The town pretty much shuts down for the parade and everyone comes out to honor Ullr on Thursday, January 13th. After the parade the party continues in most of the bars around town. Ullr Fest 2011 continues throughout the week with games, parties and more.
