Our area recommendations for equipment, activities, and restaurants: Feel free to share this link with anyone that might find it useful, we love this place and love helping others enjoy it also.
Ski and Bike Rental recommendations.
General parking & transportation information both to the area from Denver Airport and moving around once you get here. This is particularly important for our Breckenridge guests.
Hiking recommendations.
Restaurant options in the various mountain communities.
Snow reports for Breckenridge and Copper Mountain.
The Cowboy Mine Tours recently won a Michelin Star. I confess, that I’ve not been there yet, but looking for an opportunity now. There are a myriad of festivals, arts, and events in Breckenridge all year round.
Cut Throat Anglers will set you up with equipment, transport, and guides for those wanting to try fly fishing. They are great with new comers (like me). There is a beautiful art to the experience.
Equipment Rental Options:
Breckenridge
Christy Sports is just downstairs and offers free storage of personal or rented skis for guests of the building
Breckenridge Sports is almost as close and just as good. No storage options though
Plus a myriad of other great rental companies in the area
Frisco
Skiing Equipment: Rebel Sports just a few blocks walk from our Frisco condo offers complete setups and is super convenient. Pioneer Sports is on Hwy 9 near Walmart and is our “go-to” place for ski rentals.
Bike rental. Rebel Sports is far and away our favorite. Rebel offers mountain bikes or electric bikes. Their equipment is well maintained and prices are competitive. Electric bikes are great for the area as they allow novices and experienced to enjoy going the distance on the extensive Rec Paths in the area. Consider doing their Vail Pass Bike rental program. They take you by van to the top of Vail Pass (10,600 feet elevation) and provide you with a bike. From there you mainly ride your brakes all the way back to Frisco’s main street —- absolutely beautiful scenery!!
Transportation
Getting Here:
There are a multitude of shuttle services available from the Denver Airport to Frisco and Breckenridge and we encourage their use. A short list of shuttle service companies would be Epic, Summit Express, and Peak 1 Express
Getting Around in the Mountain Towns:
The Summit Stage provides transport to all the Summit County ski resorts and has a bus stop one block from our Frisco condo
Breck Free Express provides transport in and around Breckenridge and has a bus stop right outside our Breckenridge condo
Frisco Parking:
Parking in Frisco is free and plentiful
Breckenridge Parking:
Parking in Breckenridge is restrictive but thankfully, there is no need for a car in Breckenridge as long as you are planning to stay, ski, and shop in Breck. If you do bring a car you will either need either a parking reservation from us or be willing to park the car in one of two lots that allows overnight parking.
Paid Parking reservations for our Breckenridge condo must be made as far in advance as possible as spaces are limited
Where to park in Breckenridge if you DON’T have a parking reservation:
Airport Lot: The Airport lot is about 2 miles from the condo. Head 1.5 miles down Mainstreet, take the third exit on the traffic circle to Valley Brook St. After 0.2 miles, turn on Airport Road and proceed another 0.5 miles. Parking is on the right. (what3words ///prefer.moments.navigated ). A bus is available at this lot to return you to the transit station in Breckenridge. You would then walk up Main Street to the condo (or change buses or Uber) to get back to the condo.
Ice Rink Lot: The Stephen C West Ice Arena (Ice Rink) is located at 189 Boreas Pass Rd. If you head south (towards Blue River) out of Town, turn LEFT at Boreas Pass Road (the stop light just past Park & Main). The Ice Rink is on your right just past the train. They have a huge parking lot to the left of the building. At the very back, they allow overnight parking. This is also the location where you can find the giant wooden troll – Isak Hearthstone (///next.perceptions.porch ) It’s roughly a 15-minute walk back to the condo.
Hiking Options
Not sure where to start here. If you Google “hiking near me” from Summit County your computer might melt. So many options. Do yourself a favor and get the AllTrails app. You can search by length, difficulty, location, etc. Once you center on a hike or two, you can see pictures and reviews. I’ll mention a few hikes close to our Frisco property which you can also find on the app.
Rainbow Lake: Nice and easy trail off the Rec path. Not a lot of elevation change. You can walk (on the rec path) or drive to the trailhead (about a mile from the condo)
Lilly Pad Lake: You will climb about 700 feet, but it’s a pretty easy 700. Short drive to the trailhead
Tenderfoot Trail: in Dillon, fantastic views of the reservoir
Mount Royal: the trail we love to hate. Mount Royal is our “backyard mountain” and views from the top are fantastic — overlooks the Dillon Reservoir, Frisco, and beyond. This is why I love it. I hate it because every single step on the trail is uphill. Some parts of the trail have a serious incline. If you aren’t acclimatized, this is a lung burner (actually, even if you are acclimatized). Burns so good!
North Ten Mile: The trailhead is about a block from the condo (right off I-70). Beautiful, meandering walk in the woods with a waterfall a few miles in
We have done each of these lots of times, but there are so many more —- seriously…just get the app.
Some of Our “Go-To” Restaurants
Breckenridge
Blue Stag: a cozy place on a cold day. If you are lucky you can score a seat near the fireplace
Whiskey Star: Whiskey and brisket…that’s pretty much all. However, sometimes that is enough! They offer a nice selection of both
Briar Rose: Good for steak with fun appetizers and an interesting bar
Ember and Hearthstone: two restaurants that are some of the most interesting in Breckenridge. Both are a bit pricey but are an experience. Inventive menu that is executed well. Hearthstone is in a beautiful old house — perhaps my favorite place in Breckenridge. Ember’s menu is meat-focused but they can also make you a wonderful vegan and gluten-free meal easy peasy
Gravity Hus: Right next door if you are staying in our Breck place. Cozy, convenient, and good - though a bit pricey
Frisco - all on Main Street
5th Ave Grill: a cozy local favorite. Their menu has small changes twice a year or so — still trying to forgive them for that
Casa Sanchez: A Tex-Mex favorite. Friendly service and great Mole! (I will always recommend a place if it has good mole)
Ein Prosit: I wonder how many different types of sausage you can name? However many you just named, they have more! Great German-themed sausage and beer place —- hugely popular with attached quirky retail space. (Bonus: vegan sausage too!)
Greco’s: We think they are the best pizza in Summit County. If you are gluten-free, you should try their crust. For Jessica, it ranks 3rd behind a pizza place in Florence, Italy, and one in New York. (Sadly, the previous 3rd place winner in Jackson Hole has closed)
Tavern West: A three-minute walk from the condo. Super cozy place with a fine, fine menu, a good bar, and great decor. Not open in the mud months
Frisco Prime: The bar and decor are great. The menu serves up common favorites in a beautiful place.
Rocky Mountain Coffee Roasters: Great, walkable coffee and tea spot. Small foods and chess nights on Thursday. A local fav
Vinny’s: is perhaps one of the nicest quality restaurants in the community. A bit pricey, but this is the fancy date night place
Outer Range Brewery. The view from the upper floor / deck is incredible, the beer is fantastic and the fried chicken was out of this world.
Other Places in the Area
Sauce on the Blue: in Silverthorne. Pizza and Italian right on the Blue River. Stroll the blue after lunch and count the fly fishermen
Pure Kitchen: technically in Frisco, but not on Main Street — over near Whole Foods. Fresh, “clean” inventive food that you can feel good about