Most think of skiing and snow sports activities when it comes to our mountain resorts, but a little know fact is how beautiful the mountain resorts are in the summer. Escape the summer heat and plan a trip, whether for the day or a few. Check out these great summer kickoff activities and events to start your summer off.
Colorado Activities
Blues, Brews and BBQ - Beaver CreekMay 25th - 28th, 2012
One of my personal favorite early summer events in the high country.
Blues, Brews and BBQ is the perfect event to fit into your Memorial Weekend plans. With visiting chefs from all over the state of Colorado as well
as Vail Valley favorites, delicious barbeque is served up while live entertainment rocks Beaver Creek Village, and of course, Colorado microbrews your sampling pleasure.
The Micorbrew festival is an optional activity, but mandatory in my book. Only available on Saturday this event is $35 in advance, or $40 at the door. Check out the list of breweries to plan your day, there is so much fun to be had!
The Teva Mountain Games - VailMay 31st - June 3rd, 2012
For athletes and spectators alike, this is another great weekend to spend in the Vail Valley. With over 24 different disciplines, you are sure to be entertained. If your are not a sidelines type of person, anyone can enter a whole host of events from the 10K Spring Run Off trail run to the 2 Fly X-stream fly casting competition. To top it off, each athlete gets a pretty nice swag bag!
Two of my personal favorite events are the World Cup Bouldering where professional athletes perform crazy stunts to reach the top of the climbing wall; and the always entertaining DockDogs competition where professional dock dogs partake in a series events such as Big Air where the pups compete for the longest jump into a pool of water. Feel free to bring your pooch and cheer the others along or enter into the amateur competition and test your dog's skills.
Summer Celebration - KeystoneJune 15th - 17th, 2012
Keystone is kicking off its start to summer with an entire celebration dedicated to its summer activities. Keystone's Bike Park opens for the season and along comes free donuts and hot chocolate at the Gondola Friday - Sunday. And that's not it, there are FREE bike inspections by SSV and 10% off tunes.
And get the kids involved too! They can participate the free Keystone Strider Cup Kids race. Be sure to check out the list of activities for the entire family!
Kingdom Days - BreckenridgeJune 16th - June 17th, 2012
Going back to celebrate it roots as booming mining town in the 1800s, Breckenridge's Kingdom Days honors its diverse history with mining, exploration and adventure. Founded in 1859, Breckenridge was inadvertently excluded from some copies of the U.S. maps, becoming known as "Colorado's Kingdom" until 1936 when it finally became incorporated. For an entire weekend, this real town turns upside down to pay tribute to gold fields and mining, exploration and adventure, brothels and saloons, booms and busts.
Lake Tahoe Region
Scenic Gondola Rides and Adventure Peak - Heavenly Mountain ResortOpen May 26th, 2012
With arguably the best scenic views of Lake Tahoe, Heavenly's Gondola will take you to new heights, mentally and physically as the gondola transports you 2.4 miles up the mountain leaving you with
panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. Wanna go higher? Purchase a Summit Ticket at Adventure Peak to ride up Tamarack Express chair lift for the best view of Lake Tahoe in the summer.
Once at the top of the Gondola, Adventure Peaks awaits you. Head over to the Heavenly Tubing Hill to experience summer tubing without any snow or water! Hiking trails are also a great way to get your fitness on as you can hike across the state line into Nevada!
Mountain Biking - Norhtstar CaliforniaOpens June 15th, 2012
Northstar's mountain biking activity open on June 15th for beginner to advanced cross country and downhill mountain bikers. New to the sport, not to worry. Through Norhtstar's Bike Academy, you take bike lessons, privates or clinics. Wanna be in the know? Chat with riders like you through the Tahoe Mountain Biking Network.
If two wheels aren't your style and you prefer to hike, Northstar's mountain has plenty of trails to choose from as well.
High Alpine Adventure Center - Kirkwood Mountain ResortOpen July 7, 2012
An adventure this truly is! With a ropes course, climbing wall, zip line, and mountain biking Kirkwood is a perfect getaway. But one truly unique activity is disc golf at DiscWood! This is a disc golf course situated at 7,800 feet. Praised by visitors and locals alike as one of the West Coast's most challenging courses, our 18 hole course weaves through the trees and over mountainous terrain. With a wide variety of terrain and distance challenges, this course has something for everyone. Play at DiscWood is FREE!