Photo courtesy of Vail Resorts
Photo by Jack Affleck
Summit County, Colorado
is located just 70 miles west of Denver and sits in the
valleys of the spectacular Ten Mile, Williams Fork and
Gore mountain ranges. It is home to 8 towns notably,
Breckenridge, Dillon, Frisco, and Silverthorne, and 4
world class ski resorts, Copper Mountain, Keystone,
Arapahoe Basin and Breckenridge. It possesses
spectacular beauty, year-round recreational opportunities
and is rich with over a century of history. Originally
the area was home to the Ute Indians and other indigenous
peoples. However, gold was discovered in the Blue
River Valley in 1859 and a gold rush ensued. In a
short time mining camps were erected and the valley was
populated with thousands of fortune seeking miners.
The mining industry thrived until about 1918.
Around this time, the area's population dropped to dismal
numbers. Not until 1946 when post-war ski
enthusiasts established Arapahoe Basin Ski Area did the
current new boom era begin. The next ski areas to
open were Breckenridge in 1960, Keystone in 1971 and
Copper Mountain in 1972. Today there are over 3 million
skier visits per season. And, it has become an
extraordinary summer vacation destination as well.
The Colorado Summit County summers are truly an experience
not to miss. In the spring the mountains cast off
their white blankets of snow and awake to make way for a
multitude of wildflowers, lush mountain trees, clear sunny
days, and some of the finest hiking and biking you can
find throughout the Rocky Mountains. There are over
four hundred miles of off-road trails that wind through the
backcountry to enjoy. And then there is the scenic
3,300-acre Lake Dillon, surrounded by mountains, with
25 miles of shoreline and located in the heart of Summit
County. The lake is home to boating and sailing and
is fed by the gold medal fishing waters of the Snake River,
Blue River, and Ten Mile Creek. Worthy of mention
are the numerous concerts, outdoor festivals, celebrations,
and abundant shops, galleries and boutiques. So
print out some great coupons throughout these pages and
come visit spectacular Summit County Colorado!
*Information and facts for the above provided in literature from the Summit County Chamber of Commerce 1998/99.
