Breckenridge, Silverthorne, Frisco, Dillon, Keystone, Copper Mountain / COME TO LIFE 3 4 WINTER FUN T 5 CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COPPER MOUNTAIN RESORT/TRIPP FAY; FRISCO BIKE PARK, TODD POWELL; FRISCO ADVENTURE PARK/TODD POWELL; EPIC DISCOVERY BRECKENRIDGE, VAIL RESORTS/JACK AFFLECK; BLUE RIVER NEAR SILVERTHORNE, MATT SHAW. Or head over to Copper Moun-tain (3) , where a scenic chairlift can take you to a mountaintop restaurant or to the top of a downhill mountain-bike course or rugged hike. Run the kids blissfully ragged on the zipline, bumper boats, climbing wall, go-karts, hydro bikes, summer-snowpark sessions and more. The Friday Dillon Farmers Market is a must visit for delicious fare and entertainment — and probably one of the best farmers’ market views in the world. For more heart-thumping amuse-ment, race down the slopes on the Gold Runner Coaster, an elevated alpine track that’s part of the new summertime Epic Discovery (6) program at Breckenridge Ski Resort . You can also test yourself on the Alpineer Challenge Course, reach new heights on the Gold Summit Climbing Wall, embark on several hiking trails 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 vin-egars to fancy, imported cigars. Explore the 200-structure historic district on foot; 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. And just south of town, pay a visit to Isak Heartstone , a friendly and gigantic wooden troll that’s captured hearts and social media posts throughout the land. 6 While Colorado rakes in praise for its craft-brewing culture (which you can experience at the Breckenridge Brewery ), the distilled-spirits bandwagon has been taking on passengers. 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 also operates a farm-to-table dining experience (with a killer cocktail menu, of course). Not to be out-done, 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. 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. Check out the Summit Huts Association’s new Sisters Cabin for a backcountry hut experience in Weber Gulch. An 8-mile groomed recreation path also links Breckenridge with the Frisco Adventure Park, perfect for cross-country skiing and winter fat biking. DAY 3 Breckenridge boasts a vibrant “made-in-Breck” food and beverage scene. Grab breakfast at one of the more than 70 independently owned restaurants , or some caffeinated inspiration at The Crown coffee shop. 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 24-mile paved path connects to the 55-mile Summit County Recreational Path . STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Breckenridge (page 193), Copper Mountain , Dillon (page 196), Frisco (page 198), Keystone (page 201), Silverthorne (page 204) COLORADO.COM / 147
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2020: Page 147
