Breckenridge, CO – Revel in the snow with fellow carnival goers this week as Breckenridge celebrates Mardi Gras. Complete with beads, a Mardi Gras Ball, boas and a parade, Breck’s Mardi Gras mixes New Orleans style with lodging specials and mountain town celebrations.

Some 15 years ago, a tight-knit group of New Orleanians decided to trade Mardi Gras crowds for skiing and sunshine in Breck. It wasn’t long before they realized they couldn’t do without hometown traditions; but since the group loved Breckenridge too much to leave, they brought a little bit of NOLA to 9,600 feet in Colorado. Today, the Town of Breckenridge has expanded upon the revelry to include the Mardi Gras Ball with live music and more.

Hazel Miller’s soulful vocals will provide the backdrop to the Mardis Gras Ball, a mountain-formal masquerade ball at Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center  this Saturday. New this year, catch the moves of Brazilian samba dancers. Guests can spot local royalty at the crowning of the 2013 Rex and Queen while sampling New Orleans-style cuisine. Get into the carnival spirit with costumes, beads and masks, which will be sold at the event. Tickets cost $55 each, $100 per couple, or a table of 10 for $450 and are available online (paired with lodging) at www.GoBreck.com, at the Breckenridge Welcome Center (203 S. Main St.) or by calling (970) 453-5055

Summit County’s only Mardi Gras parade begins on Main Street in Breckenridge at 4:30 p.m. on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 12. Free float registration is now open online. Colorful characters will be handing out trinkets to the crowd. Stop by Holly’s Pizazz Boutique, 101 N. Main St. #D, for bead, mask and boa needs. Post-parade parties will be held at restaurants and bars around town; celebrate the night with drink specials, music and more.