Rugged peaks, soft powder, wild rivers, shimmering lakes, and miles of backcountry hiking, biking and skiing trails -- that's Summit County. Yet, in the midst of this Rocky Mountain experience, visitors discover there's even more to this scenic playground. Tucked in the mountain valleys, linked by an easily accessible free transportation system, are unique and historic communities that fuel the spirit of the Old West and enliven the experience of the Summit.

Breckenridge boomed during the height of the Gold Rush in 1859, and soon after, skiing was introduced as a mode of transportation. Men and women strapped on long wooden boards to get around the deep snow. Eventually, this led to a pastime for locals who longed for recreation and entertainment during the long winter months.

Today, the Breckenridge experience includes a blend of commerce and recreation while maintaining a sense of its mining past. The Summit Historical Society offers a walking tour of the Breckenridge Historic District, one of Colorado's largest, with more than 200 designated sites. And while the Victorian flavor of the 1800s lives on in the town's historic and modern architecture, Breckenridge is best known for its real-town feeling, its unreal skiing and its famous après ski scene. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Breckenridge provides free parking areas and bus transportation.

Two ice skating rinks, two Nordic ski centers and a variety of other activities, such as sledding, horse-drawn carriage rides, snowshoeing, dogsledding, snowmobile tours and ballooning, are available in the winter. Summer offerings include the 27-hole Breckenridge Golf Club, kayak and skateboard parks, horseback riding, the alpine slide, art and film festivals, miles of hiking and biking trails in the national forest, and a seasonal orchestra that performs at the Riverwalk Center, which houses many diverse performances throughout the summer months.

At any time of the year, families can enjoy the state-of-the-art Breckenridge Recreation Center or the Stephen C. West Ice Arena, a year-round skating facility. For some passive recreation, enjoy the Backstage Theater's live performances.

More than 200 shops offer everything from jewelery to fine art galleries to T-shirts. Coffee shops abound and a variety of restaurants offer something for everyone whether you're looking for upscale or affordable, Cajun, Tapas Bars, filet mignon, sushi, BBQ, burgers or pizza.

Special events in Breckenridge include the renowned International Snow Sculpting Championships, the 4^th of July Parade, Oktoberfest, Ullr Fest, and many festivals and world-class competitions throughout the year.

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The town of Dillon was first settled in the 1880s at the scenic confluence of the Blue, Snake and Ten Mile Rivers, but its residents were forced to move in the early 1960s when the rivers were dammed to create the Dillon Reservoir. Today, the lake provides the water for the residents of Denver and scenic recreational boating and fishing opportunities for Summit County's visitors and residents.

In the summertime, Dillon is alive with events, outdoor recreation opportunities and scenic views that will take your breath away. The Dillon Marina offers every amenity to complement the lake, including a variety of boat, canoe and kayak rentals, a public boat ramp and sailing lessons. The Dillon Marina is also home to Pug Ryan's Lakeside Tiki Bar and the world's highest yacht club, which hosts weekend regattas.

Overlooking the lake is the Lake Dillon Amphitheatre, the venue for summer local theater, family programs and the ever popular free Saturday evening "Sunset at the Summit" concert series. Between the Marina and the Amphitheatre is the Marina Park, which is home to the Friday Farmers Market. The Market is an open-air market featuring fresh grown produce, homemade baked goods, flowers, and specialty foods. The Market runs mid-June through the end of September. Throughout the town of Dillon and along the miles of shore-side bike paths are the public parks and the smaller pocket parks, which provide the perfect resting spot to take in the views.

In the wintertime, Dillon's quaint and cozy atmosphere is a great alternative from the larger resorts for lodging, shopping and dining. Dillon is centrally located along the free bus routes and less than 20 minutes from any of the county's ski areas. If you are looking for alternate outdoor activities, there are intermediate snowshoe and cross country skiing opportunities at the Dillon Nature Preserve, which also offers some of the most spectacular views within Summit County. Another great option is Dillon's self-guided historic walking tour around downtown Dillon that focuses on the buildings and homes moved from the town's original site prior to the completion of the dam.

With two movie theater complexes, the county's only bowling alley, diverse shopping and dining, Dillon is one of the top attractions for family activities in the county. Shopping is abundant in Dillon at the Dillon Factory Stores to the Dillon Ridge Shopping Center. Dining options range from Japanese to American to Italian, or pick up a picnic lunch. A variety of lodging opportunities are available in and around the town. Many of the accommodations provide spectacular views of Lake Dillon and the mountains as well as easy access to free transportation and miles of paved bike paths.

Nestled in a peaceful, sunny valley surrounded by Mount Royal, Wichita and Chief Mountains, Frisco is at the heart of the Summit County experience. The town's quaint Main Street still retains the flavor of the Old West. But with a location in the heart of Summit County, just off of Interstate 70 and minutes away from the county's four world-class ski areas, Frisco is a lively town that has flourished as a year-round destination.

Frisco is a family-oriented town that offers affordable and diverse lodging, shopping and dining options. Tucked against the soaring peaks of the Ten Mile Range, with Lake Dillon at its border, there is plenty to do outdoors. In the winter, Frisco is known for great Nordic skiing, backcountry ski trails and snowshoeing trails, and dinner sleigh rides. In the summer, the Frisco Peninsula draws bicycle riders, Frisbee golfers, softball teams and hikers. The Frisco Bay Marina offers motorboat, sailboat, canoe and kayak rentals for a scenic ride around Lake Dillon. In addition, Frisco offers a skateboard park and several summer concerts providing entertainment for the entire family.

Before you set out for a day of hiking or boating, stop in and fuel up at one of Frisco's cafes or coffeehouses. For lunch or dinner, sample Frisco's extensive dining selection with offerings that include pasta, steak, burgers, southwest fare, pizza, and more.

Frisco hosts some of the county's most popular community events. Main Street comes alive with the summer's Music on Main Street, the world's highest state-sanctioned BBQ Challenge, and Frisco's Founders Days. The Fourth of July Fireworks show over Lake Dillon is one of the state's most spectacular fireworks displays. Wintertime events include the annual Frisco Gold Rush, a weekend-long celebration with a Nordic ski race, a ski and snowshoe treasure hunt for children, and ice sculpting.

Year round, explore Frisco's history at the Frisco Schoolhouse Museum on Main Street. The adjacent Frisco Historic Park includes the town's original 1881 jail, a log chapel, a recreated trapper's cabin, and nine other unique historic buildings. Or relax in one of Frisco's town parks and enjoy the amazing mountain scenery.

Frisco town maps, weather, the town bulletin board, business opportunities & employment in Frisco.

Historically speaking, Silverthorne is still a very young town -- just over 30 years old. Silverthorne began as home to the thousands of construction workers building the Dillon Dam and the Eisenhower Tunnel and has bloomed into a friendly community with convenient lodging, great restaurants and easy access to Summit County ski resorts from its location just off I-70.

The town draws scores of shoppers to the Silverthorne Factory Stores, whitewater rafters and fishermen to its slice of the Blue River, and rodeo lovers from far and wide to its annual Mountain Community Fair. The Silverthorne Recreation Center is a popular family attraction, offering swimming and lap pools, a water slide, running track, cardiovascular and free weight areas, indoor and outdoor hot tubs and much more. Silverthorne also offers sledding hills and a skateboard park for those who dare to ride.

Silverthorne abounds with natural beauty. With the Eagle's Nest Wildernest to the west and the Arapaho National Forest to the east, Silverthorne offers direct access right out your door to miles of backcountry trails for hiking, climbing and horseback riding in the summer and cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.

The Blue River, a Gold Medal trout stream, snakes through the heart of the community, making Silverthorne a popular fishing location and a draw for kayakers, canoe enthusiasts, and whitewater rafters. The Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks in Silverthorne is a championship 18-hole golf course, which also offers Nordic skiing in the winter.

For shoppers, a stop in Silverthorne is a must! The town offers over 130 retail shops, including 70 stores spanning the three phases of the Silverthorne Factory Stores. The Summit Place Shopping Center provides a wide variety of shopping and dining. Silverthorne's 26 restaurants provide everything from fast food to an upscale dining experience. The town also has recently added the Pavilion, a new town center with shopping and event gathering spaces. When in Silverthorne, stop at the convenient Visitor Information Center located in the Silverthorne Factory stores.

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