Summit County

Visitors from around the globe gravitate to Breckenridge for its charming Victorian Main Street shops and restaurants and expansive ski resort. Dillon is known for its cultural offerings, summer farmers market and lake activities. Keystone prides itself on family-friendly skiing and snowboarding, an attractive resort village and lively festivals.

Frisco charms folks with thoughtful boutiques and eateries and a full calendar of athlete- and family-focused events. Silverthorne is loaded with familiar lodging and dining options and Copper Mountain delivers nearly 2,500 skiable acres of terrain and more beer, food and music festivals than anyone around.

Elevation: 9,075 feet  |  Population: 2,927

Frisco’s centralized location and effortless proximity to I-70 make the historic high-country community a vastly desired home base for winter skiing and summer fun on Dillon Reservoir.

Ski resorts in Breckenridge and Copper Mountain are a short drive or free bus ride away, allowing Frisco to preserve its Colorado mountain town charm without the weekend and holiday skier bustle.

Main Street is the pulse of this comfortable, neighborly community and downtown is dense with fashion boutiques, fly-fishing and rafting outfitters, bakeries and upscale dining patio perches. The Frisco Historic Park & Museum keeps mining heyday memories alive and the Adventure Park, Nordic Center and marina offer four-season recreation.

Bordered by national forest, the Ten Mile Range and the lake, Frisco’s minimal number of lots put town-limit real estate in high demand. Dream homes, second homes, investment properties and longtime residents share a zip code here.

Elevation: 9,111 feet  |  Population: 955

On the sleepy shores of Dillon Reservoir, between I-70 and Keystone, Dillon emanates a slower, more relaxed vibe while still hosting a robust lineup of attractions and events.

Lakeside leisure is met with panoramic views of surrounding peaks reflecting off the area’s largest body of water. Pontoons and sail boats glide by. Hikers, bikers and campers savor 25 miles of shoreline, while free summer concerts reverberate from the outdoor amphitheater. Breweries, restaurants, a movie theater and bowling alley are on-hand and paved bike paths link neighborhoods to the lake and adjoining parks.

Winter in Dillon means easy access to Arapahoe Basin and Keystone ski areas and a network of nearby cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails.

Summit County families flock here for the highly rated schools and more affordable housing options. Real estate comes in all shapes, including convenient condos and townhomes, single-family dwellings and luxurious mountain residences around the lake and in the Whispering Pines subdivision.

Elevation: 9,600 feet  |  Population: 5,027

Summit County’s highest elevation town is home to one of the consistently top-ranked ski resorts in North America. Breckenridge Ski Resort is accessible from a free gondola in charming downtown Breck and stretches across five peaks, including Peak 8—home to the Imperial Express Chair, the highest lift in North America.

Not only is the powder skiing incredible, the town’s gold mining history shines through along well-restored Victorian Main Street where clothing, art and gift boutiques nudge up against saloons, fine dining and family restaurants.

Mountain real estate in Breckenridge rests in a large variety of condos, townhomes, high-end estates, second homes and local family neighborhoods. Catering to the ski season population influx, which edges 33,000 during peak weeks, an array of vacation rentals dot the town and surrounding forested mountainsides. Highly sought ski-in, ski-out properties span short-term studio rentals to stately, private multi-story luxury homes overlooking the resort.

Elevation: 8,751 feet   |   Population: 4,394

Summit County’s commerce hub is lined with name-brand outlet mall shopping, big box retailers and familiar national hotel chains, all hugged by the breathtaking Gore Range.

Recent developments have welcomed gourmet restaurants and an ultramodern multi-million-dollar performing arts center. Plans for a complete downtown core revamping are underway.

Dubbed the gateway to Summit County, Silverthorne is the first thing that comes into view after descending from the Eisenhower Tunnel along I-70. The Blue River flows through town, providing quick access to incredible trout fishing, whitewater rafting and kayaking; and the Raven Golf Club, bike paths and quintessential Colorado hiking trails round out summer.

Second homeowners are attracted to the plethora of real estate options and the 20-minute-radius drive to five world-class ski resorts. Ranches sprawl north of town and luxury homes with wide-eyed mountain views rim the golf course. The Three Peaks subdivision is well-regarded as one of Summit’s most prestigious addresses.

Elevation: 9,173 feet  |  Population: 1,079

This idyllic resort setting has been a treasured Rocky Mountain vacation destination for countless generations. Keystone Ski Resort is known for its family focus, night skiing, five-star mountaintop dining and elite-rated A51 Terrain Park.

Long, wide groomed trails and designated kids fun zones across 3,148 skiable acres make this an excellent learning resort, while bump runs and glade skiing on North Peak and snowcat-serviced powder skiing in the Outback draw more advanced skiers and riders. Ice skating, tubing, a Nordic center, sleigh rides, day spas, boutiques and bars keep non-skiers entertained. Summer is filled with hiking, downhill biking, fishing, golf on two championship courses and festivals celebrating everything from wine and jazz to bluegrass and bacon.

River Run Village hums with shopping, dining and condominium complexes all within walking distance to the gondola. The plaza’s oversized fire pit is a popular gathering spot for roasting s’mores.

Ski-in, ski-out condos and townhomes fill the village and Mountain House neighborhoods. Those seeking privacy retreat to the east side’s Ski Tip, Trapper Crossing and Alders neighborhoods. High-end Keystone real estate beckons from Keystone Ranch and Elk Run, where the golf course is steps away.

Elevation: 9,712 feet   |   Population: 2,768

Just west of Frisco, Copper Mountain is home to 140 ski trails unfolding across 2,490 acres. The resort is favored for its laid-back vibe and naturally divided terrain. Beginner runs gradually roll along the west side, intermediate trails lie in the center and advanced trails and back bowl options open up on the east end.

Terrain parks, half pipes and kids zones fill out the mountain and a full agenda of wacky events (think mac ‘n cheese festival meets brews and tunes), summer go-carting, mountain biking and obstacle courses keep Copper buzzing year-round.

The three village areas—Center Village, Union Creek and East Village—are stacked with ski-in, ski-out condominiums, townhomes, single-family homes and ranches, many offering property management services and fitness amenities.

In the East Village, properties flank Copper Creek Golf Course and the Super Bee chair lift and guests relax among the plaza’s shops and restaurants. The Center Village combines condos with live music and athletic competitions among eclectic retail and dining. On the resort’s west side, Union Creek real estate centers on exclusive townhomes and larger estates steps away from beginner ski runs.

Wherever you land, Copper Mountain maintains an ideal balance of mountain recreation access and high-country solitude.