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Local News for Summit County

29 Jan

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01/29/2013

 

News More Local News

 

Vail Resorts has strong holiday performance But bad early season weather accounts for losses that are hard to make up 

After slow start, Summit County snowsports sales are picking up speed Local retailers say they’re coming out of a downward trend 

Breckenridge exhibit showcases 100 years of Summit County skiing For whatever the reason, skiers, snowboarders and other downhillers seem to love dressing up and hitting the hill in retro gear on April Fool’s Day and other holidays 

Dillon Marina receives top honor from national magazine

Being hundreds of miles away from the ocean didn’t stop Dillon Marina from gaining recognition as being one of the best in the country

 

Silverthorne moving forward on downtown development plans

Open house slated for Feb. 6

 

Snow sculptors converge on Breckenridge Event sees wide international field for 2013 competition 

Raising roofs in Summit County’s rocky terrain Habitat for Humanity planning new home in spring 

Breckenridge restaurants, retailers seeing increases

Lowest vacancy rate in four years

 

Copper Mountain launches uphill access pass Skinners looking for early morning powder turns will be able to find them at Copper Mountain 

Occupancy trends looking up for Summit County lodging

Positive projections for end of January, February

 

 

Local Legend spends his winters with us at Riverside Lodge!

19 Jun

Local Legend, Charles enjoys our Riverside Lodge for the last 8 months!! http://t.co/xGzpLYQ

Charles A.

 

Biggest Winter in Years!

19 Feb

Snowfall through the end of January at Loveland Ski Area and Copper Mountain is nearly double that of last year.

Loveland saw 268 inches of snow as of Feb. 3, spokesman John Sellers said, compared to 136 inches at the same time last year. And David Roth at Copper said 197 inches of snow has fallen at the mountain through January, 48 percent above the 35-year historical average and 126 percent above last year’s snow total.

 

2010 Mountains are opening!

26 Oct

We Love October openings!


ARAPAHOE BASIN — Maria Fox and her mother Michele Fratarcangeli had been looking forward to Arapahoe Basin’s opening day for more than a year.

They couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces as they buckled their boots at the top of Black Mountain Express — the new, high-speed detachable quad that replaces the old Exhibition lift this season — and got ready to tear down High Noon.

While most skiers and riders stowed their planks at the end of April, May or June this year, these two hadn’t skied more than two days last season.

That wasn’t for want of hitting the slopes, though.

Maria’s pregnancy kept her off the slopes entirely (the baby girl was at home with grandma on Monday), and Michele saw two days of slope time, with one of those on her annual birthday bash in April. A breast cancer diagnosis slightly more than a year ago had her otherwise occupied.

“I’m starting my new life here today,” she said, adding that she’s currently cancer free. “I’m going to stay that way for the duration.”

The season pass holders and mug club members said their eagerness for A-Basin to open has been nearly uncontrollable.

“I’ve been obsessed with (opening day),” Maria said. “I’ve been reading Al’s blog and checking the website like every ten minutes.”

When Arapahoe Basin Chief Operating Office Alan Henceroth reported in his blog that the ski area was 70 to 80 percent ready to open, “I almost peed my pants,” Maria said with a chuckle. “It’s been too long.”

 

Peak 6

03 Sep

It is hard to believe but Breck is getting bigger!

BRECKENRIDGE — Breckenridge Resort’s plans to expand onto Peak 6 in the Tenmile Range are inching along, according to a recent update from the U.S. Forest Service. The agency plans to have a draft environmental analysis of the proposal available for public comment in the fall.

The ski area hopes to add a lift and new runs at its northern boundary. The terrain would cater to a variety of ability levels, but it would primarily feature intermediate slopes.

“That’s a significant part of the Breckenridge market,” said Roger Poirier, project team leader for the Forest Service. “What’s really driving Peak 6 is the lack of (existing) intermediate terrain.”

The proposed expansion, which would also include a restaurant and warming hut, is located inside the resort’s permit boundary.

The White River National Forest began seeking public input on the proposal in January 2008. During the scoping process, many respondents expressed concern over potential social impacts, such as parking, workforce housing and transportation. As a result, a community task force was convened and met for seven months to examine more closely the Peak 6 project’s ramifications for the local community. The Town of Breckenridge, Breckenridge Ski Resort and Summit County government are all in the process of formally adopting the task force’s findings.

“Even if there aren’t agreements on what’s going to be done, everyone acknowledges what the issues really are, and they’re formalizing their understanding of the action items to move forward with,” Poirier said.

In response to the comments from the scoping process, White River National Forest officials have modified the proposed plan and developed an additional alternative plan, which addresses concerns over natural resource issues — most notably the project’s potential impacts to the endangered Canada lynx.

The modified plan brings the lift’s bottom terminal further south, closer to existing runs than was originally proposed.

“It’s a much easier and more accessible spot for all types of skiers,” Poirier said.

A second scenario, which takes into account impacts to habitat for lynx and other species, limits the extent of development to a smaller area, closer to the existing trail network.

Forest Service officials are now analyzing each scenario, including a no-development option. They expect to release a draft environmental impact statement for public comment in August or September.

“No scenario is perfect, and there’s more than one way to move forward. One may be better for wildlife and the watershed but not as good for the recreational resource. We’re weighing the differences and the good and bad associated with each,” Poirier said.

 

Copper Festivals

05 Jul

The wine and Jazz festival moved from Breckenridge where it was held in 2009 to Copper where we enjoyed it in 2010! Just perfect weather to enjoy great music. The waiters were also at their bests and served as if we were Kings and Queens! After the music we rode the chairlift up the mountain and hiked the flower covered hill sides! Wonderful!

 

Summit County Summer activities! 2010

05 Jun

One thing is for sure there is always something do here in the mountains! Some of my “Do not Miss List Items” are the Dillon Amphitheater concerts…usually FREE and great family fun. Yes and then of course a the weekend festivals at the big resorts-Keystone Copper and Breckenridge.

Summit County Calendar of Events

What’s Happening in Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Frisco, Dillon, and Silverthorne

June-Aug :: Summer Music in Breckenridge :: More than 40 classical and non-classical concerts and ensemble performances. Riverwalk Center. Box Office: 970-547-3100

June 3, 10, 17, 24 :: 6pm :: Country Dancing, first half hour of instruction
will feature the basics followed by open dancing until 8pm, Dillon Amphitheatre


June 5 :: Marina Season Opener, Frisco Bay Marina

June 5 :: Kids Fishing Derby, free fishing derby for children 14 and under, Trent Park, Silverthorne

June 10-13 :: Breckenridge Festival of Film, 970-453-6200, www.breckfilmfest.com

June 11, 18, 25 :: 9am-2pm : Farmers’ Market, live entertainment 10:30am-1pm, Buffalo Street, Downtown Dillon

June 12 :: 8am :: 34th Annual Run the Rockies, Registration at Frisco Recreation Building

June 14, 15, 21, 22 :: 9:45-11am :: “Explore” Lake Dillon Boat Tours. Reservations required. Dillon Marina. 970-468-5100, dillonmarina.com

June 15, 22, 29 :: 11am :: Kid’s Discovery Days, Keystone Resort

June 17-19 :: Colorado Barbecue Challenge. Kick-off Concert, June 17, 8pm, Main Street Frisco

June 18-20 :: Lift-Off Summer, Copper’s opening weekend with activities, specials and live music,
Copper Mountain

June 19-20 :: Kingdom Days, Breckenridge’s annual heritage celebration, Corner of S. Ridge St.
and Washington Ave.

June 23, 30 :: 5pm :: Family Fun Nights, Keystone Resort

June 25-27 :: Genuine Jazz & Wine : Fri, 9pm; Sat, 1pm & 9pm; Sun, 9:30am; www.genuinejazz.com, The Village at Copper

June 25-27 :: 10am :: Merchant Tent Sale, Keystone Resort

June 25 :: 7pm :: Friday Night Concerts, Dillon Amphitheatre

June 26 :: 6th Annual World Music Fest, Keystone Resort

June 26 :: Annual Flea Market,Silverthorne Recreation Center Parking Lot

June 26 :: 10am :: Saturday Morning Adventures, Marina Park Pavilion by the Dillon Amphitheater

July 2 :: Noon-5pm :: Arts District Grand Celebration, Arts District of Breckenridge (corner of S. Ridge St. and Washington Ave.)


July 2-4 :: Frisco’s Fantastic Fourth of July, parade, kids fishing derby, live music, Green Art Festival, Founder’s Day celebrations, fireworks. Main Street Frisco and Frisco Bay Marina


July 2-4 :: 3 Ring Weekend, free family event featuring live music, conscious carnival, “Primp my Ride” kid-powered parade, fireworks, Copper Mountain, 3ringweekend.com

July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 :: 9am-2pm :: Farmers’ Market, Buffalo Street, Downtown Dillon

July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 :: 10 & 11:30am :: Rapunzel: A Rock-n-Roll Fairytale, Quaking Aspen
Amphitheater, Keystone Resort

July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 :: 7pm :: Friday Night Concerts, Dillon Amphitheater

July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 :: 7pm :: Sunset at the Summit Concerts, Dillon Amphitheater

July 3 :: 10am :: Frisco’s Founder’s Day, Frisco Historic Park

July 3, 17 :: 11am :: River Run Kidzfest, Keystone Resort

July 4 :: 11am :: Breckenridge Independence Day Celebration, 10K trail race, “Firecracker 50″ bike race, Main Street parade, various activities and music throughout town. Main Street Breckenridge, www.gobreck.com

July 4 :: Noon :: 4th of July Celebration, National Repertory Orchestra in the morning followed by
music by DooWop Denny, children’s bike parade, BOCCE tournament, pie-eating contests and more. Downtown Dillon

July 4, 11, 18 :: 1pm :: Afternoon Concerts, Dillon Amphitheater

July 5-11 :: Breck Bike Week, 970-453-2913, www.gobreck.com

July 6, 13, 20, 27 :: 11am :: Kid’s Discovery Days, Keystone Resort

July 6, 13, 20, 27 :: 6-7pm :: Stories Alive Story Hour, Quaking Aspen Amphitheater, Keystone Resort

July 7, 14, 21, 28 :: Noon :: Historical Lecture Series, Gazebo, Frisco Historical Park

July 8, 15, 22, 29 :: 6pm :: East Coast Swing/Jitterbug, Dillon Amphitheater

July 9, 16, 23, 30 :: 6pm :: FAC – Fridays at Copper, free concerts and outdoor movies, Copper Mountain

July 10, 17, 24, 31 :: 10am :: Saturday Morning Adventures, Dillon Marina Park Pavilion

July 16-18 :: Parker Artists Guild Village Art Walk, www.parkerartistsguild.com for times, Village at Copper

July 16-18 :: Dillon Arts Festival, Downtown Dillon off of Lake Dillon Drive

July 17 :: 10am :: Historic Frisco Town Tour. Enjoy a free, guided tour of Frisco’s Heritage attractions. Frisco Historic Park & Museum.

July 18, 25 :: 11am :: Music in the Mountains Concert Series, Keystone’s River Run|

July 21 :: 6pm :: John Adams & Friends Summer in Colorado Concert, Dillon Amphitheater

July 24 :: 8-10pm :: Saturday Concert Series, Copper Mountain

July 24 :: 4pm :: River Run Rocks, Keystone’s River Run

July 24-25 :: 10am-2pm :: Frisco’s Classic Weekend, classic wooden boat show and marina parade, Frisco Marina

July 25 :: 9am:: ‘Vettes on the Rockies, more than 500 Corvettes on Main Street Frisco

July 29 :: 7pm :: Smokey Joe’s Café: The Music of Leiber and Stoller, River
Run at Keystone

July 30-Aug 1 :: Colorado Gold Panning Championships, Breckenridge, www.gobreck.com

July 30-Aug. 2 :: 21st annual Children’s Hospital Courage Classic, Copper Mountain, www.couragetours.com

July 31-Aug. 1 :: 11am :: Dillon Open Regatta, Dillon Marina

July 31-Aug. 1 :: 14th Annual Bluegrass and Beer Festival, Keystone Resort

Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22 :: 1pm :: Sunday Afternoon Concerts, Dillon Amphitheater

Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 :: 11am :: Music in the Mountains Concert Series, Keystone’s River Run

Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 :: 7-8:30pm :: Dancin’ in the Rockies Dance Series, free lessons in swing, line, salsa and tango. Final Tuesday in August will culminate into Summit County’s Biggest Dance Party, Pavilion at Keystone

Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27 :: 9am-2pm :: Farmers’ Market, Buffalo Street, Downtown Dillon

Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27 :: 7:30pm :: Friday Night Comedy Series, Pavilion at Keystone,
www.keystoneneighbourhood.com

Aug. 7, 14, 21, 28 :: 7pm :: Sunset at the Summit Concerts, Dillon Amphitheater

Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25 :: Noon :: Historical Lecture Series, The Gazebo, Frisco Historical Park

Aug. 5, 12, 15, 19, 26 :: Smokey Joe’s Café: The Music of Leiber and Stoller, Thurs.,
7pm; Sun., 2pm, River Run at Keystone

Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27 :: 6pm :: Fridays at Copper, Free concerts and outdoor movies, Copper Mountain

Aug. 6-7 :: 10am-10pm :: Dillon BBQ at the Summit, Town of Dillon, www.bbqatthesummit.com

Aug. 7 :: 5:45-8am start :: Copper Triangle Bicycle Tour, www.coppertriangle.com

Aug. 7 :: 9am :: Canine 4K, Dogs and their humans run or walk the 4K course, Frisco Main Street

Aug. 7-8 :: Art on Main Street to the Rockies, Fine art show, Frisco Main Street

Aug. 6-8 :: Mountain States Cup, largest full-discipline race series in the U.S., Keystone Resort

Aug. 12-13 :: Guitar Town Guitar & Songwriting Clinic, Copper Mountain, www.copperguitartown.com

Aug. 13-15 :: Guitar Town, the world’s best guitarists come together at Copper for the 5th annual festival, www.copperguitartown.com

Aug. 13 :: 5pm :: Dillon Bluegrass Festival, Dillon Amphitheatre

Aug. 14 :: 11am :: River Run Kidzfest, Keystone Resort

Aug. 14 :: 11am :: The Collision, skate park competitions, Frisco Skate Park

Aug. 14 :: 25th Annual Music on Main, free concert, Main Street Frisco

Aug. 21 :: 10am-3pm :: Frisco Free Family Fun Fest, Frisco PeninsulanRecreation Area

Aug. 21-22 :: Warrior Dash Rockies, Copper Mountain

Aug. 21-22 :: 6th Annual Blues Festival and Art Show, Keystone Resort

Aug. 22 :: 7am :: Blue River Century Ride, bike race to benefit the Lance Armstrong
Foundation, Keystone Resort

SEPTEMBER
Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24 :: 9am-2pm :: Farmers’ Market, Buffalo Street, Downtown Dillon

Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24 :: 7:30pm :: Adrenaline Movie Series, Pavilion at Keystone, www.pavilionatkeystone.com

Sept. 3 :: 6pm :: FAC – Fridays at Copper, Free concerts and outdoor movies

Sept. 3-5 :: Copper Country, Free Labor Day festival tradition, coppercountryfest.com

Sept. 3-5 :: Fri., Noon-6pm; Sat., 10am-6pm; Sun., 10am-2pm : Dillon Craft Fair, Downtown Dillon

Sept. 3-6 :: Breckenridge Labor Day Weekend Festivities, 970-453-2913, www.gobreck.com

Sept. 4 :: 7pm :: Sunset at the Summit Concerts, Saturdays, Dillon Amphitheater

Sept. 4 :: 22nd Annual Taste of Keystone, Keystone Resort

Sept. 5 :: 1pm :: John Adams & Friends Fan Appreciation Concert, Dillon Amphitheater

Sept. 6 :: 2pm :: Marina Mutt Contest, Registration starts at Noon, Dillon Marina

Sept. 10-12 :: Copper Criteriums, Cyclecross & Fall Colors Ride, www.coppercrits.com

Sept. 11 :: Beetlefest, Frisco Main Street

Sept. 17-19 :: 16th Annual Breckenridge Oktoberfest, 970-453-2913, www.gobreck.com

Sept. 17-19 :: The America Cup International Fly Fishing Tournament, Frisco, Blue River and other local rivers

Sept. 24-26 :: Camp Experience, Oneof- a-kind retreat exclusively for women, Copper Mountain. CampExperience.com

Sept. 25 :: Annual Flea Market, Recreation Center Parking Lot, Silverthorne

OCTOBER
Oct. 31 :: 6-8pm :: Trick or Treat Street on Main Street Frisco

 

Loveland…the Family and Group Mountian

15 May

Click Here

Click Here

This is a great family Mountain!  You can pack a lunch and not feel guilty about eating it in the Ski Lodge!;)  Watch out for ice on either side of the tunnel… I still slide there and I am suppose to know better!

Lifts are open from

  • 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday
  • 8:30 am to 4:00 pm on weekends and designated holidays
    • Upcoming Hoiday Dates
    • December 25th, 2009 – January 3rd , 2010
    • January 18, 2010
    • February 15, 2010
  • Skiable Acres: 1,570
  • Hikeable Acres: 100
  • Trails: 93
  • Base Elevation: 10,800 feet (3292 meter)
  • Summit Elevation: 13,010 feet (3965.448 meter) Lift-served: 12,700 feet
  • Vertical Drop: 2,210 feet (674 meter)
  • Snowmaking Capability: 160 Acres
  • Lifts: 3 double, 2 triple, 3 quad, 1 surface lift and 1magic carpet (ski school only)
  • Average Snowfall: 400 inches (10.160 meter) based on 31 year average
  • Longest Run: 2 miles ( 3.218 Km )
  • Slopes: 13% Beginner 41% Intermediate  and 46% Advanced

Transportation:

  • Parking is FREE at both areas
  • FREE shuttle service is provided between each area from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

 

A-Basin…the Legend!The Locals favorite!

15 May

Frontside of the Mountain

Backside of the Mountain—Montezuma Bowl

I advise you get there early…8 am to secure a spot at the beach. This is the section of the parking lot bordering the lifts. From here you can use this as a “home base” for kids and friends. The rest of the day will unfold nicely! Oh yes I have fallen on this mountain more than any other in the county. This is a must see for any and all mountain enthusiast!

THE LEGEND

In the twenty-first century, ski resorts are not built with tinker toy towers, Army surplus generators, and a wing and a prayer. In the mid-1940s, when skiing had all the appeal of a deep freeze, convincing investors that there was great fun in the snow on the snowy slopes of the Continental Divide, was a hard sell at best. Nonetheless, a hardy group of pioneers sold stock, cut down trees, put up “lifts” and voila – a legend was born.

SIMPLY LEGENDARY

Arapahoe Basin opened in December of 1946 with help from Larry Jump and his directors including Max and Edna Dercum. The inaugural season opened with a single rope tow and $1.25 daily lift tickets. Now at sixty-three years strong, A-Basin is just hitting its stride.

HOW A LEGEND WAS BORN

In 1945-1946, the Winter Sports Committee from Denver’s Chamber of Commerce hired two men to make a statewide survey of potential ski area sites – Laurance “Larry” Jump, a Dartmouth grad and 10th Mountain Division veteran, and Frederick “Sandy” Schauffler, Amherst grad and member of the 1940 Olympic ski team. At the time, only Berthound Pass qualified as a winter sports area.

After surveying, Jump and Schauffler’s site recommendation was the west side of Loveland Pass. When they learned that the U.S. Forest Service considered issuing a prospectus for bids on the Arapahoe Basin site, the two pioneers recruited Olympic medalist Richard “Dick” Durrance for credibility. The three men formed Arapahoe Basin, Inc on May 14, 1946. On June 10, 1946, they submitted an application for a special use permit to the USFS. Eleven days later, the plan was approved. Wilfred “Slim” David, a ranger with the USFS, designed the trail layout.

Larry met Max Dercum, a local resident who owned several mining patents on the Arapahoe Basin Ski Area site and who was a forestry professor from Pennsylvania. Larry immediately hired him to work on the mountain to utilize his forestry background.

Arapahoe’s directors had an initial plan for the ski area, stocks were sold for $1.00 but not enough shares were sold to develop the groups’ initial plan. Arapahoe Basin opened for its inaugural 1946-1947 season with just a rope tow, which was located from midway to the top of the mountain. Skiers were transported to the base of the tow in an Army weapons carrier pulled by a four-wheel drive vehicle.

During the first season the skier-day count was 1200. Skier-day visits jumped to more than 13,000 during A-Basin’s second season. The area’s gross income in 1947-1948 was reported at $30,000. Today’s skier visits reach over 425,000.

According to Larry Jump, Arapahoe’s first single chairlifts incorporated some military surplus ‘tinker toy’ tows, but they also employed structural steel. These were the first post-war lifts ordered in Colorado. A 100 kilowatt army surplus generator and electric motors powered all the lifts.

The “village” at the foot of the slopes consisted of a 32 by 40 foot shelter, housing a lunch counter, ski shop and ski school. A first aid patrol room was near the base of the lower lift, as were a row of outhouses.

IN MORE RECENT HISTORY

Arapahoe Basin was diversified from Vail Resorts, Inc in August 1997. Dundee Realty Resort Development, a subsidiary of Dundee Realty Management Corporation of Toronto, Canada acquired A-Basin.

Dundee Realty has brought an amazing amount of improvements to the ski area since 1997 keeping the ski area up to date with technology without compromising its local feel. A snow making system, which was installed in 2002 helped A-Basin become the first ski area to open in the nation for the 06/07 season and the 07/08 season.  An environmentally friendly warming hut and ski patrol headquarters was constructed in 2004. The chairlift at Lenawee was replaced in 2005 as to efficiently move more skiers and riders to the summit. In 05/06 a new snowsports building was built in the base area housing lessons, rentals and a tune shop. A new mid-mountain restaurant, Black Mountain Lodge, was opened in the spring of 2007 and new deck was added in the summer of 2008.

In January of 2008 Arapahoe Basin expanded by 80% with the addition of Montezuma Bowl on the backside of the mountain. This expansion was the biggest terrain expansion in North America in 2008. A $1.2 million dollar parking expansion and reconfiguration took place in the summer of 2008 which included a pedestrian tunnel under Highway 6, 300 additional parking space and new shuttle bus system taking guests from upper parking lot to the base area.

MONTEZUMA BOWL

Arapahoe Basin opened Montezuma Bowl in the 07/08 season. This 400 acre expansion was done with minimal impact and increased the ski areas terrain by 80%. A quad fixed grip lift was built in the summer of 2007, which transported the many skiers who experienced Montezuma Bowl last season to the summit.

Arapahoe Basin has a vast history; for more historical facts about A-Basin visit

 

Copper Summer

14 May

Our family has had more weekend fun here at their summer festival. The events are very playful and full of kid activities! Check the activity calendar on our web site  under “local Activities” to see what event are happening during your stay in the Mountains!

Select activities are available during Copper’s summer vacation season.

Free Lift Rides

Starting Monday, July 20 Copper Mountain is offering free round-trip rides on the American Eagle chairlift.  Copper is the only resort in County to offer free chairlift rides, available from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. everyday, weather permitting. Guests are asked to visit Guest Services in the Village at Copper to pick up their free round-trip ticket on the American Eagle. Limited time offer.

Operating Hours

General Operating Hours for 2009 Summer Activities

Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday - Thursday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lifts and Digglers, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

2009 Summer Activities will operate, June 19 – September 7, unless otherwise noted