The breathtaking peaks of Summit County can only be enjoyed during the cold, winter months, right?
Wrong.
Those visiting Summit County in the months leading up to the ski season can fly as high as they want to. With a range of activities on offer, you can enjoy the high altitudes and jaw-dropping landscapes this picturesque location has to offer you.
Below, we’ve put together our top pick of high-flying adventures the whole family can enjoy:
1. Zip Line Tour – Summit County
On a three to four-hour tour, you can experience the Game Creek Zip Line Tour, flying high above the forests on seven different aerial bridges and zip lines that span over two miles. And as you work your way through each of the available courses, you’ll learn about the mountain’s ecosystem, getting an insight into this wonderful natural landscape.
The tour also comes with an Ultimate Adventure Pass, which gives you instant access to a number of other adrenaline-fueled activities. These include the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster that takes you on a white-knuckle ride through the forest, traveling 3,400 feet down the mountain. There’s tubing adventures, climbing walls, trampolines, a mini zip line for the little ones, and an adventure course that gives you a bird’s eye view of the other mountain ranges.
2. Scenic Gondola – Vail Valley
The adventure pass mentioned above also grants you a free ride on the Scenic Gondola. However, if you do just want to ride on the gondola without any other activities, tickets are available for $36. And with every paying adult, a child under 12 goes free.
The gondola gives you unprecedented views of the mountains as you travel to the top of Vail Mountain to get to Eagle’s Nest. Once there, you can take part in some of the activities, or sit back, relax, and enjoy the unbeatable views on offer.
3. Summer Chairlift – Colorado Rockies
If you don’t fancy hiking or biking to the top of a summit to get the best views in the house, you’ll love the Summer Scenic Chairlift available at the Winter Park Resort. This allows you to enjoy all the beauty the Colorado Rockies have to offer this summer – and without breaking into a sweat!
The Zephyr Express takes you from The Village before climbing 10,700 feet to the top of the mountain. Along the way, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Fraser Valley and Continental Divide. Once there, you can choose to dine in The Lodge before hiking back down the mountain along the Ute Trail. Or, simply hop back on the Zephyr Express to return to the base of the mountain. Tickets are $20 per person or $6 for those aged 5 and under.
4. Free Lift Rides – Copper Mountain
The American Eagle chairlift is free to all passengers who’ve spent $12 in Copper Village (which is easy, trust us). The all-round trip takes you right to the top of Copper Mountain (11,375 feet high) before bringing you back down to solid ground, where you’ll be armed with a plethora of jaw-dropping photos of the surrounding landscape. You might also want to disembark when you get to the summit, as the Solitude Station offers great lunches throughout the day, giving you the perfect chance to enjoy the amazing views. The chair lift is available from 10:00 to 16:00 every day on select dates in September, with standard prices being $12 or $17 with lunch included.
5. Alpine Overlook – Gore Ranges
Want to keep your feet firmly on solid ground? Then don’t worry because you can still enjoy sensational views that will make you feel as though you’re flying high – but you’ll just need to do a little bit of hiking to get there.
The Alpine Overlook trail starts at 12,000 feet (so you get a good head start with your views), near the top of Resolution and Super Bee lifts. Here, you’ll depart from the A road, following signs for the trail. The trail then splits, allowing you to go west to overlook Union Bowl or east to overlook Spaulding Bowl. Throughout the hike, you’ll enjoy uninterrupted views of the Sawatch, Gore, and Tenmile Ranges, as well as the Jacques, Union, and Copper peaks. Ideal for beginners.
However, if you do fancy something a little more challenging, Hallelujah Loop is perfect for intermediate hikers. You’ll need to catch the American Eagle lift because the trail starts at 11,250 feet before taking you up to an altitude of 11,350 feet. Even though it’s only three-quarters of a mile long, the hike takes you through the sub-alpine forests before you emerge on the precipice of Hallelujah Bowl. You’ll then loop back toward the forest and Vail Pass overlook.
As you can see, whether you’re an adrenaline junkie looking for your next thrill, or you want to explore Summit County’s unbeatable scenery, there’s a high-flying adventure waiting for everyone.
And to make the most of your trip, why not book an overnight stay at the Frisco Inn on Galena. Offering you the perfect mountain getaway, it’s the ideal place to relax and unwind while exploring the local area.
