Shotski World Record Reclaimed, Parade Floats Wow Crowds At 2023 Breckenridge Ullr Fest

Breckenridge, Colo. reclaimed the unofficial world record for longest Shotski at Ullr Fest. The Breckenridge Distillery organizes the record-breaking attempt each year. This year, 495 skis were lashed together up and down Main Street, running 2,469 feet long and bringing 1,377 people together to take a synchronized shot of Breckenridge Distillery bourbon. The previous record was held by Park City, Utah, with 1,360 shot-takers. Yesterday’s Ullr Fest heralded in Breckenridge’s rightful claim to the world’s longest Shotski® once again.
Following the Shotski, the annual Ullr Parade took to Main Street and the next fierce competition began: Breckenridge locals sought the ultimate bragging rights for the best float. After intensive deliberation and critical scoring, the official Ullr judging panel determined the winning Ullr Fest parade floats based on creativity, theme/fun factor, and workmanship.

The judges commended the dedication to Ullr of many in the parade, with honorable mentions including the Good Times Adventures gang for bearing their bare skin in the cold temps, Christmas Karaoke Night for serenading Ullr and his followers with holiday cheer, and the Big Krab Car for impressive workmanship. With 36 float entries this year, this Ullr Parade saw the return of many fan-favorite floats, such as Good Times’ animatronic dogs getting a little spicy, the Summit County River Rats and Pirates rocking bikinis and PFDs, and Krystal 93’s “Dumb and Ullr,” where “the beer flowed like wine!”

However, only three floats get to take home the cash prizes. In third place, winning $1,000, is the Breckenridge Grand Vacations “Spirit of Ullr” float, which featured a choreographed dance routine that wowed the judges. In second place, winning $1,500, is The Crown and Cool River Coffee’s “Home Alone: Lost At Ullr Fest,” complete with “Kevin” lookalikes and an impressive re-creation of the movie’s set. Taking home first prize, $2,000, and the ultimate Breckenridge bragging rights was the Summit High School Lacrosse float, “Sacrificial LAX”, where the local high schoolers walked a 15-foot high plank into a faux-flaming pit as a sacrifice to Ullr. Watching the youth backflip into the abyss convinced the judges that this was the definite Ullr-Approved float.

Breckenridge’s story begins in 1859 with gold-seeking prospectors. We’ll fast-forward to 1963, when the pioneers came in the form of skiers whose Norwegian roots run deep. Trygve Berge and Sigurd Rockne – the same pair who founded what was to become Breckenridge Ski Resort – also started Ullr Fest, then known as Ullr Dag (Ullr Day in Norwegian).