The Broadmoor’s Handmade Gingerbread Lobby Car Is A True Work Of Art. But No Nibbling, Please.

There’s only one of it in existence, it’s only had one owner, you can’t buy it and there’s only one place in the world to see it. It gets zero miles to the gallon, it’s a disaster in snow and it’d fall apart if you tried to drive it three feet.

But it’s a true star, admired and photographed by hundreds if not thousands. It’s The Broadmoor’s gingerbread car, parked inside on the main building’s mezzanine. Inside velvet ropes, you know. This 54,000-calorie car demands security from the curious and the hungry.

Presidents, royalty and superstars have golfed, bowled, eaten and taken a load off at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs since before your great-grandparents were born. But the car is one of the properties’ biggest crowd-pleasers over the holidays, and it’s got a lot of competition what with all the varied things you or your family or your dog can get up to at this ultra high-end, old-school, stately yet mod facility.

The life-sized gingerbread display drew inspiration from The Broadmoor’s founder Spencer Penrose and his 1937 Flat Head V-8 Cadillac Touring Car, initially bought as a part of the hotel’s separate fleet of limousines. It served two purposes: transporting Broadmoor guests to and from the hotel and sightseeing excursions. That original car is on display at the Penrose Heritage Museum, adjacent to the Broadmoor, along with 31 horse-drawn carriages, 13 motorized vehicles and a variety of compelling and rare memoribilia.

It’s worth a visit if you feel like venturing away, which you probably will not until after a few days of being treated like royalty and just slowing way, way down, boss.

INGREDIENTS:

• 958 lbs of Powdered Sugar

• 475 lbs of Flour

• 1,801 Eggs

• 19 lbs of Holiday Spices

• 200 lbs of Granulated Sugar

• 128 lbs of Molasses

• 2 “Shakes of a Nutcracker!”

• 6 lbs of Salt

• 164 lbs of Dark Chocolate

• 89 lbs of Butter

• 3 lbs of Baking Soda

• 10 lbs of Heavy Cream

• 2 lbs of Fresh Yeast

• 160 Chocolate Bars

• 40 lbs of Silver Chocolate

• 1 Dark Chocolate Steering Wheel

• 1 Jolly St. Nick

• 6 Sugar Hubcaps

• 2 Carpenters

• 10 Pastry Chefs

Throughout the season, The Broadmoor will also host several holiday events and programming for overnight resort guests including gingerbread decorating classes for kids, special holiday dining menus in all outlets, Wassail Tea service, culinary and beverage demonstrations, Breakfasts with Santa, the Classic Broadmoor Holiday Show, and other moments of cheer, including the resort’s 12 Days of Christmas, December 21-January 1.

The gingerbread car isn’t the only ride on the premises, either. Cadillac is the official fleet of The Broadmoor, offering guests the option for a “Ride and Drive” experience, available exclusively for resort overnight guests and members. That means you can buzz off to explore if folks get on your nerves or you just feel like seeing the town.

But the 2022 Gingerbread car is a must-see if not a must-taste. Bring the kids, and Grandma and Granddad.

It’ll be there until January 1st, after which it’ll go to cookie heaven.

About The Broadmoor

Situated at the gateway to the Colorado Rocky Mountains in Colorado Springs, the resort campus has 784 rooms, suites and cottages. It includes two championship golf courses, an award-winning spa and fitness center, a nationally recognized tennis staff and program, 19 retail boutiques, diverse restaurants, cafes and lounges. Other activities include falconry, mountain biking, hiking, rock-climbing tours, fly-fishing, Wild West Experiences and more.