No matter what time of year you visit, Summit County offers exhilarating outdoor activities. In winter, the rugged setting offers skiing, skating and many other winter sports. In summer, explore the region on a bike, on horseback or on foot and go fishing or play golf. Summit County also offers museums, historic sites and other cultural activities.
If you visit in winter, head to one of the four major ski resorts in the county: Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin. Copper Mountain has many runs for novice to intermediate skiers and is typically one of the first to open, with its season starting in early October.
The resorts also offer plenty of ways to enjoy the snow including tubing, kite boarding and kite skiing. If you are an experienced skier who likes a challenge, take to the slopes of Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort. It has a summit elevation of 13,050 feet (3,978 meters) and some of the toughest terrain in the county. Try night skiing at Keystone, the largest resort in the county.
When the snow has melted, use the many hiking and mountain bike trails to reach mountain summits that are as high as 14,000 feet (4,267 meters). Go rock climbing at the designated cliffs or ride a horse along one of the riding trails. Mountain biking enthusiasts will find plenty of bike trails running through the area. Rent boats and book sailing courses at the Dillon Marina and go sailing across Lake Dillon, the freshwater reservoir that serves nearby towns and the city of Denver.
Many visitors rent a car to get around and there are snowmobiles for rent in winter and guided Jeep tours in summer. To get from one town to the next, use Summit Stage, a free bus service. Meander through Breckenridge’s Historical District and admire the Victorian-era architecture. Find bargains for big brands at Silverthorne Factory Stores.
The slopes, shops and peaks of Summit County are in central Colorado, just 1 hour from Denver by car.