Colorado Getaways: Summit County

Altitude Adjustments

Summit County’s five courses all perch around 9,000 feet, with one 9,863-foot tee box at Copper Creek touted as the highest in North America. That’s at least one club difference from what you’d play on Front Range. Also, a higher lofted driver can get you more yards off the tee, and so will a golf ball with a higher spin rate. Go with the club, but play your usual ball because the extra spin can play havoc with your short game.

Local Knowledge

  • The Raven at Three Peaks started as Eagle’s Nest Golf Club in 1986. A 1999 overhaul by Tom Lehman and Hurdzan/Fry turned it into one of the region’s top layouts. Roads still bear the original name, and an eagle still nests by the third hole.
  • The River Course at Keystone opens on a high note—100 feet above the fairway—and roller-coasters around and across the Snake River and through thick stands of lodgepole pines. The fairways are wider than they look from the elevated tee boxes.
  • Mount Massive Golf Club in Leadville is technically in Lake County, but its 1939 layout, proximity to Copper along Highway 91, and its 9,640-foot elevation between Mounts Massive and Elbert makes this 9-holer a fun detour.

As the first course built in Summit County 33 years ago, Keystone Ranch embraces the pioneer spirit of the early settlers by retaining many outbuildings on the property. Designer Robert Trent Jones Jr., says he incorporated three different styles—parkland, mountain and marsh— “because the land requested it.” The Ranch has a more rugged feel than the River which opened in 2000.

TIP FROM A PRO

“On any golf course—and especially the expansive River Course at Keystone—one of the biggest problems I see is golfers tend to aim their body where they want the ball to travel. Doing this will result in hitting the ball well right of the intended target. To correct this, put the clubhead behind the ball. When you aim the golf club first and build the stance around that position,you’ll hit more fairways.
– Philip Tobias, Head PGA Professional
The River Course at Keystone

FEATURED COURSES

Breckenridge Golf Club
200 Clubhouse Drive, Breckenridge
970-453-9104; townofbreckenridge.com

Copper Creek Golf Club
104 Wheeler Place, Copper Mountain
970-968-3333; coppercolorado.com/golf

Keystone Ranch Golf Course
239 Keystone Ranch Road, Keystone
800-464-3494; keystoneresort.com

The River Course at Keystone
155 River Course Drive, Keystone
800-464-3494; keystoneresort.com

Lodging // Where to Stay

Golf In/Golf Out
The ski in/ski out concept so popular at winter sports meccas like Breckenridge, Keystone, Aspen and Vail doesn’t translate to golf in Summit County, known as “Colorado’s Playground.” The closest approximation is Copper Mountain Resort, a half-mile from the clubhouse at Copper Creek. However, most resorts work closely with courses. For example, Keystone Resort offers great discounts for attendees of the Nancy Lopez Golf Clinic August 17-25 at Keystone Ranch (970-496-4118).

Local Knowledge

  • Beaver Run Resort & Spa in Breckenridge brokers all kinds of deals with area attractions: Stay and plays at The Raven and Breckenridge, summertime gas rebates, free transportation to the Breck Beer Fest and more. Don’t miss happy hour at Base 9.
  • Grand Lodge on Peak 7 in Breckenridge, has added 27 new residences, two seven-person theaters (3-D and Blu-Ray) and a putting green.
  • Ski Tip Lodge, a bed-and-breakfast perched on the edge of the White River National Forest, is the coziest gem in Vail Resorts’ Keystone crown.Housed in a 19th Century cabin, it also specializes in four-course gourmet dinners.

Located in Lakside Village, Keystone Lodge & Spa earned Four Diamonds from the AAA. In addition to the Vail Resorts lodging property, there are hundreds of condos, homes and townhomes for rent along Keystone Lake and in the River Run area. Recommended condos include The Pines, Northstar, Starfire and Soda Spring I and II.

Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center
620 Village Rd, Breckenridge
970-453-6000
beaverrun.com

Copper Mountain Resort
209 Ten Mile Circle, Copper Mountain
888-219-2441
coppercolorado.com

Grand Timber Lodge
75 Snowflake Dr, Breckenridge
970-453-4440
grandtimber.com

Grand Lodge on Peak 7
1979 Ski Hill Road, Breckenridge
866-664-9782
grandlodgeonpeak7.com

Hotel Frisco Colorado
308 Main Street, Frisco
800-262-1002
hotelfrisco.com

Keystone Lodge and Spa
22101 US Highway 6, Keystone
800-328-1323
keystoneresort.com

Mountain Thunder Lodge
500 Mountain Thunder Dr, Breckenridge
970-547-5725
breckresorts.com

Ski Tip Lodge
21966 US Hwy 6, Keystone
800-328-1323
keystoneresort.com

Activities//Dining

Party Time
Summer brings a full calendar of happenings to “Colorado’s Playground.” Keystone’s 17th Annual Bluegrass & Beer Festival (Aug. 3-4) features pints and pickers from all over. Throughout the summer, ride the River Run gondola to the Summit House for Keystone Resort’s Friday Afternoon Club—an evening of live music, drink, food, fun and games.

The free Sunset at the Summit Concert Series draws music lovers carrying blankets and picnic baskets to Lake Dillon, just steps from the Tiki Bar, every Saturday evening. 970-468-2403; lakedillon.co

Between the two ski meccas of Breckenridge and Keystone sits Frisco, where history, shopping, live music and outdoor fun happily coexist.
800-424-1554; townoffrisco.com

Pedal Mettle

  • Vail Pass Bike Path, the 8.7-mile ribbon of asphalt connecting Copper Mountain to Vail’s Gore Creek Campground, gains almost 2,000 feet of elevation and rewards bicyclists with postcard worthy views at every switchback.
  • Circle The Summit, the annual fundraiser for Summit County bike path improvements, takes place August 17. Pick from one of four distances, ranging from 21 to 100 miles. circlethesummit.com

Let the Children Play
Bring the family to the Saturday Kidtopia Kidz Fest at River Run: free village train rides, Zorbing Balls, caricatures, face painters, balloon artists, bounce houses and much more.
keystoneresort.com

Ride the Snake
Bike the scenic paved trail that circles Lake Dillon and follows the swift flowing Snake River into Keystone.

Kick It at Kickapoo
Après-anything, nothing beats a brew and burger on the deck of this River Run institution.
129 River RuN Rd., Keystone
970-468-0922; kickapootavern.com

SUP, Dude
Catch the stand-up-paddleboard wave on Lake Dillon. Rent a board, oar and lifevest at the Frisco Marina.
970-668-4334; townoffrisco.com

GET OUT!
Frisco Bay Marina rents sailboats, kayaks and pontoon boats outfitted with a grill.
800-424-1554;
townoffrisco.com

Keystone Lake features paddleboating, canoeing and fly-fishing for lake trout.
888-963-2624; keystoneresort.com

Snake River flyfishing at Keystone can land you rainbow and brook trouts.
888-963-2624; keystoneresort.com

FOOD SPOTS

Ski Tip Lodge
Elegant prix fixe dining in a secluded 19th Century cabin that’s also a Keystone Resort B&B.
764 Montezuma Rd, Keystone
800-354-4386; skitiplodge.com

Le Petit Paris Bistrot
Easily the finest, most authentic French food in the area.
161 East Adams Avenue, Breckenridge
970-547-5335; lepetitparisbistro.com

Tuscato Ristorante
A cozy spot for delectable Italian fare and affordable wines to pair it with.
307 Main Street, Frisco
970-668-3644

Pizza on the Plaza
Colorado-style pies and Cadillac Margaritas on a patio overlooking Keystone Lake.
22080 U.S. 6, Keystone
970-468-9501; pizzaontheplaza.com

Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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