COME TO LIFE / Summit County Getaway 3 4 7 WINTER FUN 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, as well as other enchant-ments like snow tubing, sleigh and dogsledding rides, snowmobiling, Nordic trails and much more. Take lessons from an Olympian at the Frisco Nordic Center and savor lift-served tubing, sleigh rides and more at the Frisco Adventure Park. 5 6 (including the new Outer Range ) and chef-owned eateries in Frisco . The Frisco Bike Park (2) 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 plenty of road-bike spinning. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to the Dillon Amphitheater for an evening lakeside concert. Throughout the summer, the pavilion hosts performances, a concerts and country dance lessons. Or head over to Copper Mountain (4) , where a scenic chairlift can take you to a mountain-top restaurant or to the top of a downhill mountain-bike course or rugged hike. 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 24-mile paved path connects to the 55-mile Summit County Recreational Path. For more heart-thumping amuse-ment, race down the slopes on the Gold Runner Coaster, an elevated alpine track 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 down-town 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, along At Your Pace Freestyle Cycling Adventures ’ new photography workshop and walking tour, or via an extra-special horse-drawn carriage. Breck is one of the state’s emerging art towns and a Certified Colorado Creative District , hosting makers’ nights, performances and a number of studios, galleries and 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 (3) ), 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 its tasting room to sample award-winning bourbon whiskey or sipping bitters made from local herbs; the distillery recently opened a farm-to-table dining experience (with a killer cocktail menu, of course). Not to be outdone, ski maker Rocky Mountain Underground opened a 16-brew tap house and showroom for their outdoor gear, along with a dog-friendly, backyard beer garden to boot. And Continental Divide Winery offers blending classes at Main Street Station. DAY 2 Breckenridge boasts a vibrant “made-in-Breck” food and beverage scene. Grab breakfast at one of the more than 70 inde-pendently owned restaurants. Then, hop on your mountain bike and hit the trails; many of them STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Breckenridge (page 190), Copper Mountain (page 192), Dillon (page 194), Frisco (page 196), Keystone (page 199), Silverthorne (page 204) 130 / COLORADO.COM CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: BRECKENRIDGE BREWERY, BETH SCHNEIDER; COPPER MOUNTAIN/TRIPP FAY; KEYSTONE RIVER COURSE, VAIL RESORTS; BLUE RIVER TRAIL, LISA SEAMAN; COPPER MOUNTAIN/TRIPP/FAY.
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2018: Page 130
