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Colorado Rocky Mountain Condo

WINTER - FALL

Winter comes early to Summit County Colorado. The snow starts falling in September to dust the peaks like powdered sugar. As the Aspens turn golden yellow, fall quickly gives way to winter conditions by late October. The snow deepens enough for the lifts to open and skiing opens at all the major areas by the first week in November.

 

 

 

 

SUMMIT COUNTY SKI AREAS

No where in the world can one find a better combination, quantity or diversity of excellent ski terrain than in Summit County Colorado. The upslope of the Great Continental Divide at its peak provides for one of the longest, and most consistently excellent snow and ski conditions in the US, and some of the best Colorado has to offer.

Summit County really is the summit of skiing with the bottom of Dillon Valley higher than most other ski area mountain peaks at over 9,000 feet. Several of the advanced sections of each resort pierce the sky at over 13,000 feet. This is well above the tree line.

Many of the areas such as Keystone have 100% coverage for back-up snowmaking capacity...the largest in the West. This is generally used only in the early fall season to build a firm base load of snow before the generous powder starts to fall in mid-October. Arapaho Basin, Keystone's Outback, and Copper's Extreme are all kept al-natural and run strictly on pure powder. These peaks usually receive over 250-300 inches per year.

There are over ELEVEN ski recreation areas within driving distance from our condo. Four world-class ski areas are within just ten minutes of the front door. Situated in the town of Dillon, our condo is centrally located to them all. Keystone is just a mile down the road. All of the ski areas are linked by the I-70 Highway or good mountain roads. Four of the close slopes are also linked by FREE convenient and continuous Summit Stage which can pick you up right at the front door and deliver you and your skis right to the lifts. Other stages are interlinked with resort coaches such as Keystone and downtown shopping areas.

BRECKENRIDGE

Breckenridge now has FOUR major mountain peaks; Peak-7 Peak-8 Peak-9, and Peak 10. These provide plenty of skiing for all abilities from beginner to double-black-diamond advanced. Most of the terrain at Breck is a mix of tree-lined trails and wide glades. Breck opened "Imperial Bowl" on Peak 8 for advanced bowl skiing a few years ago. You can ski all day and not see the same terrain twice with over 1,600 acres of ski terrain, 112 trails and 16 ski lifts. Four of the lifts are now the new high speed detachable quad superchairs, fast and easy to get on and off. Keystone's parent company actually owns the Breckenridge Ski Area, one of the secret to the excellent improvments in recent years. Your Keystone lift pass is good at Breckenridge too!

All of the ski areas offer excellent ski-schools and Breckenridge is no exception. Class usually includes a lift ticket for the day at a very good price. All of the areas have several base and mountaintop lodges where you can stop in and warm your toes by the fire, sip some hot chocolate or down a cold beer.

COPPER MOUNTAIN

Copper is a very scenic cruise down the rockies. Comprised of two major mountains; Copper Mountain and Union Peak it's generally a little more advanced than Breck, but it has plenty of beginner and intermediate skiing areas to please everyone.

Copper has many wide glade trails on Union Peak for uncrowded quiet skiing or room to learn for beginners.

It also has some areas for tree-skiing and a lot of hair raising black diamonds on the south side of Copper Mountain itself--a good balance. Copper has opened a unique Ski-Extreme area on the backside of Copper mountain for those not so faint-of-heart, and provides a half-pipe to accommodate SnowBoarders.

Copper has over 1,200 acres of ski terrain, 76 trails, and 20 lifts, with two of them being the new high speed quads.

KEYSTONE

The closest area of all is Keystone. Keystone Ski Company manages Keystone, North Peak, Arapaho Basin, the Outback, and Breckenridge. You can ski all five areas on the same day with one discount lift ticket from Sunrise till midnight!. Keystone is the one of the few mountains in the west with organized Night Skiing under the lights. You can see Keystone Mountain all lit up at night from the edge of the Lake.

Keystone area skiing is comprised of Keystone Mountain, North Peak, and The Outback. All three Keystone Ski Areas are accessed via Keystone high speed detachable quad chair lifts and two new high speed Gondolas which serve Keystone and North Peak. Keystone mountain is the best mix for all-abilities with some scenic runs for beginners from the very top of the mountain. North Peak is a challenging run for intermediates, and Keystone's new fantastic OUTBACK is primarily maintained in a natural high altitude deep powder state. For the real deep powderhounds there are the Outback Bowls, Steep and Deep!

Keystone has two wonderful Alpine Mountain lodges, and The Alpenglow-Stube lodge on the top of the Outback where you can reserve a spot at the nightly fondue party at the summit, complete with a German Oompa-pa Band. You can take an exciting ride at night on the gondolas, have fondue and ski down scenic Schoolmaster to see the valley all lit up.

ARAPAHO BASIN

One of the original ski areas in the US, Arapaho Basin IS a legend. It is four miles up Loveland Pass from Keystone near the actual ridge of the Continental Divide. It runs strictly on a natural snowfall of over 350 inches. "A-Basin" is a large mountain bowl above tree-line which is covered so deep in snow it looks like the surface of the moon. All that snow and nothing to stop you.

 

The basin slopes off from a lower mountain slope area to lodge base. It has over 450 skiable acres and five lifts. It boasts its legendary black diamond walls, ridges and mogul runs, but there are plenty of runs for the intermediate and confident beginner to get down from even the very top. Both Arapaho Basin and Copper Mountain accommodate a relatively new sport called snowboarding. It is similar to surfing only it is done with a smaller board and you surf the waves of powder snow and curves of the slopes. This sport is usually reserved for the gnarly hot-dogs! It sure is fun to watch.

Arapaho has an exciting view of all of the Dillon Valley...if you challenge the very top. (A-Basin) has such deep snow it usually does not close the season until mid-June. One year, Lisa and I skied there on June 18th and it still had more to go! The area closed on the fourth of July in 1996.

OTHER CLOSE-BY SKI AREAS

There are seven other excellent ski areas within easy driving distance for a day's try if you have not had enough at the nearby four; LOVELAND, SKI COOPER, BERTHOUND-PASS, VAIL, BEAVER CREEK, ARROWHEAD and WINTER PARK. If you want to try something new there is plenty of variety...and they are all completely different.

ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES

HELICOPTER SKIING

Helicopter skiing and touring is offered for all the untracked deep powder peaks which rise above Summit County. You only have to be a good intermediate to try it.

SNOWMOBILING

One of the no-miss attractions is a ride on a snowmobile safari in the Arapaho National Forest. Several places offer the trek. Every member can have their own snowmobile if they want. The group is led by a "Sheriff" who guides you through narrow trails to see some of the area's history. He will take you on a tour into some old gold mines way up in the hills and old ghost towns long forgotten. The half day trip includes a stop for a breath-taking look at the Continental Divide and the Rockies, and a high speed run across a snow covered frozen lake. It is a lot of fun and safe for all ages.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

Cross-country skiing is very popular (and cheap). No lift ticket needed, just get a map and some skis and you are off into the woods for an incredible scenic tour on mapped and marked trails. It is the most scenic and private way to experience the forest. During the winter many cross-country skiers traverse the frozen snow-covered Lake Dillon right behind the condo.

EQUESTRIAN ACTIVITIES

Several Riding Ranches offer peaceful winter horseback riding on trail rides or custom tours for a very intimate quiet winter forest experience on an adventure through deep snow. The views at this time of year are spectacular.

All the resorts, and several independent outfitters offer horse drawn sleigh rides through the woods. Several of them offer a sunset ride which stops at a heated camp in the forest for a ho-down steak dinner. Some also offer snowmobile or Snow-Cat tour/Dinner packages. I can even set you up with a farmer who will take you on a + "One-horse-open-sleigh!." +

AIR TOURING

Inexpensive light plane charter tours are available from nearby Leadville Airport. These custom tours depart daily from the highest airport in the world. Spectacular views can be observed in the Winter with close-up views of the snow covered peaks.

SNOW PLAY / SLEDDING

Right behind the condo is the large Dillon Reservoir which freezes several feet thick in the Winter. At the marina office right below the complex they rent cross-country skis for a relaxing trek across the snow. Nearby Keystone Pond is well frozen for one of the worlds largest and best maintained

The bank of the lake below the condo makes for a giant snow covered super-slide. We provide Sleds and saucers for your use which are kept in the condo ski closet.

 

In addition to snowballs and sledding there are excellent hills where you can Sled, Saucer, or Snow-Tube. There are also adventure tours where you can lead or ride a dog sled team on a exciting run through the woods.

OTHER FUN

There is a lot of other activity in Summit County in the Winter. All the resorts play host to several major world-class Ski Championships and dog-sled races every year. There are many parades, fireworks, and festivals.

Nearby Silverthorne is now home to Colorado's premium Outlet Mall, and Breckenridge is a craft and T-Shirt shopper's haven. Breck at night is bustling with shoppers and fun-seekers. There are plenty of nightclubs, Pubs and lounges with all kinds of music and action, for those who still have some energy!

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

At the end of each day it is really nice to come home and relax in a comfortable living room having everything the way you like it. The pool, sauna and the Jacuzzi is where you can relax, sip a little drink, and watch the snowflakes fall outside on the trees becomes an essential ritual.

After the swim you can relax by the crackling fire and watch your days activities on video, or watch some of the movies in the collection. A trip out onto the balcony to get some firewood will be crisp and exhilarating as you look out over the twinkling lights on the surrounding mountains.

When all the fun is done for the day, the best part is being alone with your friends or family for a quiet moment. I think Marina Place - 137 is the greatest place to be.

 

For More Information CALL:

Chuck & Lisa Couture

5401 Citrus Avenue

Fort Pierce, FL 34982

(772) 595-9995 home

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