What Part of Christmas Vacation Was Filmed in Breckenridge?

By Anna Duncan

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to spend it than by watching classic holiday movies with your loved ones? One such movie that has become a staple in every Christmas movie marathon is “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”

This movie is a hilarious depiction of the Griswold family’s attempts to have a perfect Christmas. From decorating their home with thousands of lights to hosting dysfunctional family members, their holiday plans go awry in the funniest ways possible.

If you’re a fan of the movie and want to know more about it, then you’ll be interested to know that parts of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” were filmed in Breckenridge, Colorado. This picturesque town in Summit County provided the perfect backdrop for some iconic scenes in the movie.

One of the most memorable scenes from the movie was when Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) sleds down a hill and crashes into a Walmart-like store. That scene was filmed at Breckenridge’s Main Street Station Plaza, which was transformed into a winter wonderland for filming. The plaza is located at 505 South Main Street and is still a popular destination for tourists who want to recreate their favorite scene from the movie.

Another scene that was filmed in Breckenridge was when Clark and his son Rusty (played by Johnny Galecki) go sledding together. This scene was filmed on Carter Park Hill, which offers stunning views of Breckenridge’s ski slopes and mountain ranges. If you’re ever in Breckenridge during winter, you can visit Carter Park Hill and relive this iconic moment from the movie.

Apart from these two locations, several other scenes were also filmed in and around Breckenridge. For example, some shots were taken at Peak 8 Ski Resort, which is located just outside of town. Additionally, some interior shots were filmed at an old mining museum located on Boreas Pass Road.

In conclusion, Breckenridge played a significant role in the making of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” The town’s stunning natural beauty and winter wonderland charm were the perfect setting for some of the movie’s most memorable scenes. If you’re a fan of the movie, then visiting Breckenridge and reliving those iconic moments is definitely worth adding to your bucket list.