Category — Summit County, Colorado

The trails at the Frisco Nordic Center offer views of the Tenmile Range, Gore Range and Lake Dillon.

It seems many of the aerobic freaks who win randonee events also Nordic ski. Also, many cyclists use it for cross-training in the winter. It’s not my goal to become an aerobic freak or race bikes, but staying fit while playing outdoors (rather than in a gym) is pretty appealing. And so I discovered skate skiing at the Frisco Nordic Center in Summit County, Colorado.

I admit, it was much harder than I anticipated. When it came time to add poles to the equation, I really flailed. But like those on vacation who feel obligated to get in a full seven hours when purchasing day lift tickets, I was determined to get my money’s worth of skate ski lesson, rental and trail pass. [Read more →]

Arapahoe Basin's Full Moon Snowshoe Dinner Series has expanded to include a New Year's Eve dinner and an uphill event.

With the first of Arapahoe Basin’s five dinner events behind us, I figured it was about time to post the dates of the remaining four. Really, I was just procrastinating on registering for the January event and wanted to secure our spots before I shared with the rest of the world. And with the March 19 Dolomites dinner already sold out, I had good reason to wait.

2011 Arapahoe Basin Full Moon Dinner Snowshoe Series [Read more →]

Ever run a marathon? Those silvery sheets they cover you with to keep you warm post-run is the same technology Columbia incorporates into their Omni-Heat products. Trust us. Those little silver dots keep you darned warm.

So we’ve heard a lot about Omni-Heat lately. At least I have. And it looks like their marketing is working, because the technology even made the Today Show. The nice part is that the jacket I have lives up to the talk.

After a pretty warm (mid-upper 30s) December, Summit County and much of Colorado got hit with some mighty cold weather. Highs didn’t even make it into the double digits and combined with the wind atop the chairlifts, it was pretty brutal. I get antsy if I stay indoors too long, so I’m a fan of combating cold with good gear. My new jacket came just in time. [Read more →]

Convenient for Dillon Valley residents, Summit County's Straight Creek Trail is accessible in all four seasons.

Route: Straight Creek trail from Dillon Valley toward the Eisenhower and Johnson tunnels
Start/End: Out and back via trailhead accessed from Forest Rd. 51 and multiple neighborhood trails around Dillon Valley
Season: Year-round

My personal athletic accomplishments have always been a result of stubbornness rather than physical prowess. Though close family may argue otherwise, I claim this trait as an asset, one that has allowed me to push my body beyond what I thought possible for me. And so I became one of those people who felt that my heart rate needed to be up for a minimum of 60 minutes, saddle time at least two hours. And swims? Anything under 45 minutes was just a waste of my time.

I have changed. I’ve certainly not picked up speed; rather, these days I’m much more interested in exploring my Summit County backyard and staying fit so I can continue doing the things I enjoy. I’m happy to get 15 minutes from the house to let the dog walk in the creek. Jumping on my bike for coffee and window shopping in Frisco is a great way to spend a summer evening. Last week, I played hooky to go for a 20-minute run on a quiet, snowy morning. And finally, here’s where we get to the part you were probably seeking to begin with: the trail overview. [Read more →]

Anyone who travels in the backcountry should think about attending the CAIC Benefit Bash on Saturday, Nov. 13 at the Breckenridge Riverwalk Center.

What: CAIC Benefit Bash
When: Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010
Where: Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge, Colorado
Cost: $25/person includes entry, food, two drink tickets and a door prize ticket

Just last Friday, the Summit Daily News ran a photo of a longtime local catching early season turns on Loveland Pass. It’s a slim start to what becomes an extremely popular backcountry spot, one that’s several times slid enough to cover Highway 6. Once the snow really flies, backcountry junkies begin hiking Summit County’s big peaks in search of powder.

Colorado and Summit County see large numbers of winter backcountry users and according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), avalanche deaths in our state account for one-third of all avalanche deaths in the United States. The CAIC began as an avalanche forecast and warning center and today they focus on “minimizing the economic and human impact of snow avalanches on recreation, tourism, commerce, industry and the citizens of Colorado.”

In addition to working to keep roads open and providing backcountry forecasts and observations, the CAIC offers educational seminars, classes and workshops. Nonprofit organization Friends of the CAIC produces events and initiatives to support the CAIC’s backcountry program and overall avalanche awareness and education. The end result? Friends of the CAIC Benefit Bash. It’s a great party for a great cause. http://friendsofcaic.org

The annual rubber duck races in Breckenridge are one of many events happening over the Labor Day weekend in Summit County, Colorado.

Just as Memorial Day is often considered the unofficial start to summer, Labor Day can be considered the unofficial close. The aspen in my neighborhood are already beginning to turn yellow, despite Denver temperatures climbing into the 90s.

While many of Summit County’s towns offer events into the fall, the non-stop, free event summer circus is nearing its end. So this will be the last of the weekly event posts until next summer. That said, I can’t stay away from Oktoberfest and the other Summit County events that continue through the fall. So you may get some photos from those. Besides, the approach of fall is an excellent time for backpacking and biking. So I’ll likely be posting those exploits as well. Until next summer, here’s your top events for August 30 – September 6 in Summit County, Colorado: Breckenridge, Copper, Dillon, Frisco and Keystone. [Read more →]

The Swan Mountain Road bike path is part of an excellent loop for road biking in Summit County, Colorado.

Route: Swan Mountain Road loop, clockwise around Lake Dillon
Start/End: Dillon, Colorado
Season: Spring-Fall

Since I started mountain biking in Colorado (last season), I’ve definitely been splitting the time I formerly spent solely on my road bike. I like it all, and I love commuting and touring. But with a recent back injury, I found myself rediscovering some of my favorite road bike rides in Colorado, including the Swan Mountain Road loop. Recent completion of the bike path up the east side of Swan Mountain Road has also made it much more pleasant.

Swan Mountain Road

A two-lane road, Swan Mountain Road runs between U.S. Highway 6 (near Keystone and Dillon) and Colorado State Highway 9 (near Breckenridge and Frisco). Swan Mountain Road is a much shorter route than I-70 for those traveling between Breckenridge and Keystone or Summit Cove. It can also be a preferred route to/from Dillon. [Read more →]

BBQ at the Summit hits Dillon, Colorado on August 6th and 7th.

As an employee of the Town of Dillon’s event department, I’ll be speaking barbeque for the entire week. I’ll just be thankful that speaking doesn’t equal the same calories as eating.

There’s plenty happening this week in the county in addition to BBQ at the Summit. Here goes: [Read more →]