As you sit in your office planning your next trip to Summit County, we’d like to pose a question: Why don’t you extend your trip by a day or two and come up to see us a little early? Perhaps on Wednesday night or Thursday instead of your typical Friday night slog through weekend traffic?
In this week’s blog post, we’re sharing some tips on how you can maximize your vacation by simply adding an extra day (or two) onto your trip. From lunch specials to shorter lift lines, there are plenty of reasons for you to come up to see us a little bit earlier than usual. Go ahead: Use a vacation day. You deserve it!
Wide Open Spaces (and tiny lift lines)
(And now that song is stuck in your head. You’re welcome.) Arriving a day earlier than usual means you’ll wake up just that much closer to the slopes on Friday morning. Wake up early and head to the lifts right at opening to take advantage of shorter (if any) lines. By simply adding one day to your trip, you’ll get to explore new terrain or take lap after lap on your favorite runs. You choose! On midweek days, the world is your oyster.
Here are some great “locals' favorite” runs to enjoy on a weekday morning:
- Breckenridge: “Crystal” — This single-black run snakes under the Falcon SuperChair on Peak 10. It’s typically groomed, and a great run for intermediate skiers to test their skills.
- Copper Mountain: “Andy’s Encore” — From the East Village, catch an early ride on the Super Bee lift and head down this long, medium-pitch blue run. For an extra thrill, take a right on “Rossi’s Run” for a steep (but fairly short) single-black shot back to the lift.
- Keystone: “Flying Dutchman” — The front side of Keystone is known as “blue bomber heaven.” From River Run Village, take the gondola to the top of Dercum Mountain. Head straight back down on Flying Dutchman. About halfway down, catch the Montezuma Express back up and run laps on Spring Dipper, Wild Irishman and other Keystone favorites.
Grab a Seat at the Bar
Or booth. Or table. Or on the patio. Because with that bonus day added onto your trip, it’ll be easier to find a seat at your favorite restaurant. On midweek days, you’ll be rubbing elbows with the locals around town — and that’s about it. While you’re here, make sure to ask your server about any midweek specials, too! Many local restaurants offer lunch specials during the week which may not be available on the weekend.
Here are a few hot spots to enjoy without the crowds:
- Butterhorn Bakery (Main St. Frisco) — You’ve driven by this breakfast and lunch spot on the weekends and seen the line out the door. Now, see what all the fuss is about without the crowds.
- Blue River Bistro (Main St. Breck) — This longtime local favorite is a hot ticket for lunch, après-ski and dinner on the weekends. During the week, saunter on in and find a cozy seat!
- Modis — Home of Breck’s hottest happy hour, Modis features upscale bistro food and hand-crafted cocktails — and during the week, a truly relaxing “hang.”
Try Something New
Have you ever tried Nordic skiing? Snowshoeing? Tubing? How about those fat-tired bicycles you’ve seen everyone riding in the snow? I don’t know about you, if I’m going to try something new, I’ll take it up on a Thursday or Friday when there are fewer folks around to giggle at my lack of coordination! Breckenridge and Frisco both have some great places to take up a new winter sport. Check them out:
- Breckenridge Nordic Center — Nordic skiing, snowshoeing.
- Frisco Adventure Park/Nordic Center — Tubing, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, beginning skiing and snowboarding lessons, sleigh rides.
- Gold Run Nordic Center (Breck) — Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking.
And More!
There’s so much to do in Summit County … and midweek is a great time to enjoy it all. How about you? What’s your favorite midweek tip for fun in the Summit? Please leave your suggestions in the “Comments” section below.