Breckenridge, Silverthorne, Frisco, Dillon, Keystone & Copper Mountain / COME TO LIFE 3 5 WINTER FUN T 4 Bike Park has pump track, slope-style and dual slalom courses, and the town has access points to more than 80 miles of paved recreation path for miles of road-bike spinning. For something different stop into Frisco’s VIVE Float Studio , a gravity-and sensory-free environ-ment where you’ll passively rest in the restorative and curative powers of float therapy, which is especially popular with high-performance athletes seeking healing and restoration. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to the Dillon Amphitheater (1) for an evening lakeside concert — truly one of Colorado’s best-kept secrets. Throughout the summer, the pavilion hosts performances, a bluegrass festival and country dance lessons. Or head over to Copper Mountain (4) , where a scenic chairlift can take you to a mountain-top barbecue restaurant or to the top of a downhill mountain-bike course or rugged hike. pendently owned restaurants. Then, hop on your mountain bike and hit the trails; many of them are converted wagon routes and mining paths. If you prefer pavement, jump on the Ten Mile Recreational Pathway . Named for the adjacent mountain range, the 50-mile paved path connects the entire county. For more heart-thumping amuse-ment, race down the slopes on the Gold Runner Coaster, an elevated alpine slide located at the Summer Fun Park , where you can also pick up a 4X4, off-road Segway or guided hiking tour, pan for gold, play mini golf and much more. In the afternoon, head to downtown Breckenridge, where locally owned boutiques will taunt you with everything from designer cupcakes to designer jeans and fancy, imported olive oils and vinegars to fancy, imported cigars. Explore the 200-structure historic district on foot or via an extra-special horse-drawn carriage. Breck is one of the state’s emerging art towns, having been recently named a Certified Colorado Creative Distric t, hosting makers’ nights, performances and a growing number of studios, galleries and Keystone Resort, Brecken-ridge Ski Resort, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin are four reasons Summit County is known worldwide as a top winter destination. Just a short trek up scenic I-70 from Denver, find all types of ski and snowboard terrain (including Breck’s new 543-acre expansion on Peak 6), as well as other enchantments like snow tubing, sleigh and dogsledding rides, snow-mobiling, Nordic trails and much more. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: KEYSTONE RIVER COURSE, JACK AFFLECK; BRECKENRIDGE BREWERY, BETH SCHNEIDER; KEYSTONE SKI RESORT, VAIL RESORTS/JACK AFFLECK; BLUE RIVER IN SUMMIT COUNTY, LISA SEAMAN; COPPER MOUNTAIN RESORT. 6 shops holding workshops on subjects like metal-smithing and green beauty. While Colorado rakes in praise for its craft-brewing culture (which you can experience at the Breckenridge Brewery ) (5) , the distilled-spirits bandwagon is starting to take on passengers. The Breckenridge Distillery was one of the state’s pioneers, and you can drop by for tours or step into its tasting room to sample their award-winning bourbon whiskey or its sipping bitters made from locally harvested herbs; the distillery recently opened a farm-to-table dining experience (with a killer cocktail menu, of course) that means you’ll never have to leave! DAY 2 Breckenridge boasts a vibrant “made-in-Breck” food and beverage scene. Grab breakfast at one of the more than 70 inde-STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Breckenridge (page 197), Copper Mountain (page 200), Dillon (page 201), Frisco (page 204), Keystone (page 207), Silverthorne (page 212) COLORADO.COM / 153
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2017: Page 153
