Morning Trail Run at Lake Dillon

Morning Trail run at Lake Dillon in the rain. Looks a bit like Ireland but with snow capped peaks. Low water in Lake Dillon, waiting for the big run-off! 

Arapahoe Basin extends 2013-14 ski and ride season... again!

Adventurous skiers who aren’t quite ready to pack away their winter gear will be able to enjoy top-to-bottom skiing at The Legend well into June. Arapahoe Basin Ski Area (A-Basin) announced that it will extend Colorado’s 2013-14 ski and ride with three bonus weekends in June. The ski area, originally slated to close on June 1, will re-open for its “summer season”: June 6-8, June 13-15, and June 20-22, 2014 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays ONLY).

 

Arapahoe Basin ushered in the 2013-14 Colorado ski and ride season on October 13, 2013. So far this season, A-Basin has received over 440” of snow, with surprise accumulations in late May allowing for the ski area to extend its operations beyond its scheduled closing date. This May, A-Basin had 15 days with measurable snowfall accumulations, totaling 47 inches of snow for the month.

 

During the “summer skiing” season, the Black Mountain Express and Lenawee Mountain lifts will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A-Basin will be closed for regular operations Monday through Thursday starting June 2, 2014. Lift-served skiing will resume on Friday, June 6, and from then, lift-served skiing will be offered on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only through June 22, 2014.

 

All 2013-14 A-Basin season passes, the A-Basin Spring ’14 Pass, and all Vail Resorts season passes good at A-Basin will be valid with no additional charge during the bonus weekends. The majority of open terrain will be top-to-bottom intermediate trails, with the possibility of limited beginner (“green”) skiing from the Black Mountain Express lift. Ski and snowboard rentals will be available for ages 3 and up every day that the lifts are operating. The A-Basin Snowsports School is closed for the season, and will not be offering lessons during the summer season.

 

Special two and three-day tickets are available for use on the bonus weekends only, and can be purchasedonline or at the mountain. These tickets can be used any day of the bonus weekends. Two-day tickets valid during the summer season are $72 for adults (ages 15+) and $50 for children (ages 6-14). Three-day tickets valid during the summer season are $99 for adults (ages 15+) and $60 for children (ages 6-14). Guests can stay up-to-date on summer season terrain, ticket pricing and skier services at A-Basin’s Summer Ski page(arapahoebasin.com/summerski).

 

It remains to be seen if A-Basin can push the ski season to July 4, 2014. Arapahoe Basin has extended its season to the Fourth of July several times over the course of its history: 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2011.

 

Breckenridge Golf Club Opens Friday, May 23

The Breckenridge Golf Club will open for the season Friday, May 23. 18-holes will be open for play on the Bear and Elk.  Due to early season course conditions they will be offering a special rate for the first week of play. Call today for your tee times or book online.  They will open all 27-holes as soon as conditions permit.

The Clubhouse is open daily for pass card sales and sign-up for club programs including Men’s League, Women’s League, Adult and Youth group lesson clinics. Information for all programs can be found at the web site under the Resident Golfer section:

http://www.townofbreckenridge.com/index.aspx?page=593 .

The golf shop is fully stocked with new fashion apparel items. They have a great selection of logo golf bags, golf shoes and if the grooves on your wedges are worn out we have the latest wedges to help you stop the ball near the pin! 

The restaurant will have cold sandwiches and full bar service for the first week.

Breck Welcomes Summer with Fun Park Opening and Events

Breckenridge Ski Resort and the Breckenridge Resort Chamber officially welcome summer with a kickoff event the weekend of June 13-15, 2014. The three-day celebration honors Breck’s diverse mining history, with the eighth annual Kingdom Days festival (featuring the legendary Outhouse Races) and the official opening of the Summer Fun Park at Breckenridge Ski Resort.
 
The Breckenridge Summer Fun Park returns for the 2014 summer with new operating changes due to the replacement of the Colorado SuperChair in the Peak 8 base area. The Summer Fun Park opens Friday, June 13 with featured activities for all ages including the Gold Runner Coaster, Alpine SuperSlide, Breck Treks guided hikes, 4X4 off-road tours, climbing wall, mini golf and more at the base of Peak 8. Beginner mountain biking terrain can be accessed via Rip’s Ride on Peak 8. New this summer: scenic chair rides, access to hiking and various levels of mountain biking will operate on Peak 7 via the Independence SuperChair.
 
The Fun Park will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. through Sept. 1; then Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only through Sept. 14. Free parking will be available for guests in the Gondola North parking lot. The BreckConnect Gondola will start running with FREE service on Friday, June 13 at 9 a.m.
 
Fun Park visitors can also enjoy dining during the day on the spectacular Ski Hill Grill patio conveniently located at One Ski Hill Place at the base of the Fun Park.  In addition, the T-Bar next door will be open weekends in June, and daily July 1 – Sept 5, from 11 a.m. until the gondola closes. Sevens restaurant, on Peak 7, will also be open daily beginning June 13 from 11 a.m. -10 p.m. for both lunch and dinner.
 
Summer Kick-Off Events:
Kingdom Days, June 14-15, brings a robust lineup of free activities including blacksmithing demos, gold panning, historic hikes and more. The annual Outhouse Races, the centerpiece of the weekend, showcases competitors rolling down Ridge Street to vie for the Gold Throne, Silver Moon or Bronze Bucket awards. “Open House on History” tours of Breckenridge historic sites are FREE during Kingdom Days – explore the house of an escaped slave-turned-prominent businessman, pan for gold and much more. Call (970) 453-9767 to reserve space on guided tours; visit www.GoBreck.com for all other town event information.
 
For full details on all events taking place in Breck this summer, including programs for kids, guided tours and more, and to purchase your Fun Park tickets online, visit www.Breckenridge.com.
  
Summer on Us:
Come up to the mountains and cool off!  Enjoy the perfect summer temperatures and relax in Breckenridge’s most scenic outdoor pool at Mountain Thunder Lodge, the #1 rated place to stay in Breck by TripAdvisor. Stay in a two-bedroom townhouse with full kitchen for as little as $206 per night when you stay five days or more. Go to www.Breckenridge.comfor all the latest summer lodging deals.

Golf Season Underway with The River Course at Keystone Resort Set to Open Friday, May 16

A little late-season snow can’t keep High Country golfers from dusting off the clubs, and Keystone Resort will give them good reason to beginning Friday, May 16 with the opening of The River Course at Keystone’s front nine. Tee times for the Hurdzan-Fry designed course will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, with par-35 play on the front nine available for just $50. Golf enthusiasts may double up for a complete 18 holes for $85, with all rates including green fees, golf car rental, practice facility access and practice balls. The River Course’s back nine is expected to open in the coming weeks.
 
“The front nine is in great shape coming out of the winter season and we look forward to getting the golf season underway,” said Director of Golf and Recreation Steve Corneillier.
 
The River Course is renowned for its impressive elevation changes, variable bunkers, water hazards and five-sets of tees on each hole, helping to earn the course a number of accolades including “Best Mountain Course”, “Best Wildlife Experience”, “Best Service” and “Best On-Course Views” from Colorado Avid Golfer. Beginning Friday, golfers can enjoy a day on the links as well as lunch and beverages at The River Course Grill, access to the practice range and putting green and the full retail/pro shop. Tee times may be booked online at golfkeystone.com or by calling 800-464-3494.
 
Not far behind The River Course’s opening, the Keystone Ranch Golf Course will make its season debut Friday, May 30, with plans for all 18 holes to be available.
 
“Keystone’s two course offering is a phenomenal chance for golfers to enjoy 36 holes of golf in an absolutely breathtaking setting,” said Corneillier. “Mid-summer, when temperatures hover in the mid-to-high seventies, and with the prominent Colorado sunshine, there’s no better place to enjoy a day, or days, on the greens.”
 
The only 36-hole golf facility in Summit County, Keystone offers every level and style golfer an opportunity to enjoy challenging play in the stunning Rocky Mountain scenery. Daily throughout the summer, guests can take advantage of various lessons and clinics including the new Birdies&Bettys ladies program, which will offer weekly clinics rotating between the resort’s two courses in a fun, social and encouraging environment. Other lesson offerings include half-hour private lessons with Keystone’s PGA professional, clinics such as Boomers on the Links and weekly Junior Golf Clinics great for 17 and under golfers and available for only $20. For complete lesson and clinic information, schedules and prices, visit www.golfkeystone.com.
 
And all golfers should take advantage of Keystone’s Stay and Play deal, rated the best in Colorado three years in row by Colorado Avid Golfer. Packaged golf and lodging will save guests up to 28% with a variety of accommodations available. Guests can also take advantage of 36-hole packages with up to 20% off lodging, and Keystone’s signature Play for Free, which is available with any two or more night stay and includes free golf after 4 p.m. on day of arrival, free yoga class, free guided hike and free scenic gondola ticket for children 12 and younger.

Arapahoe Basin to turn lifts for a bonus weekend June 6-8, 2014

After receiving two feet of snow out of the latest spring storm to hit the Rockies, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area (A-Basin) announced that it will extend Colorado’s 2013-14 ski and ride season. The ski area, originally slated to cease daily operations on June 1, will re-open for at least one bonus weekend June 6-8, 2014 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday).

 

“If conditions remain favorable, and people still continue to be excited about skiing and riding this spring, our hope is to take this season even further,” said Alan Henceroth, A-Basin’s Chief Operating Officer.

 

Since opening the season on October 13, 2013, Arapahoe Basin has received approximately 35 feet (419 inches) of snowfall through May 13, well surpassing the entire 2012-13 season total of 307 inches. In 2013, May brought 47 inches of snow to the Basin, and this May the ski area has already seen half of that amount. Currently, A-Basin is operating with an 80 inch base and over 80 percent open terrain. Guests should check the A-Basin terrain status page for up-to-date trail openings, as well as the A-Basin 411 page for information about skier services as the bonus weekend date draws closer.

 

A-Basin will be closed for regular operations from Monday, June 2 through Thursday, June 5, 2014. Lift-served skiing will resume Friday, June 6 and continue through Sunday, June 8, 2014. If the season is extended further, regular operations will be on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. Stay tuned to Al’s Blog, the A-Basin Facebook page and ArapahoeBasin.com for snow conditions, photos and information.

2014 Frisco Summer Event Calendar

May Market Insider

Red Ball Beach Bash at A-Basin

The Red Ball Beach Bash at A-Basin was a benefit for the Keystone Science School.

Ready for Trail Running!

It has been a long winter, but the Frisco Peninsula is ready for trail running.  Lots of snow still on Peak One!  It may be there all summer.

Whole Food Market Opens in Frisco

Rode the vintage cruiser bikes to the new Whole Foods Market in Frisco.  Great addition to the town and only a 5 minute ride from our home.  Nice new recycle bags for shopping designed by a friend.  Check out the new store next time you are in Summit County.