It used to be that after the lifts closed, resorts hung up the Gone Fishin’ sign for the summer. Not anymore. In the summer months, Colorado Ski Country turns into Colorado Bike Country, or Colorado Hike Country, or Colorado Festival Country – although that one doesn’t roll off the tongue quite as easily. These days more and more resorts turn on the lifts and welcome guests for mountains of summer fun. Read on to see what’s happening in Colorado Ski Country USA this summer and kick start your Fourth of July celebration!
Aspen Snowmass:aspen4th.com – all you need to know for an old fashioned 4th of July celebration.
Copper Mountain’s:3 Ring Weekend – You don’t want to miss this free family event featuring music, fireworks, conscious carnival, kid-powered parade and more.
Crested Butte:Parade in town with live music and fireworks at the base of the mountain.
Telluride:From Farmer’s Markets and the Sheridan Art Foundation’s Telluride Plein Air, a celebration of outdoor painting, to 4th of July Celebrationdetails right this way.
Steamboat Ski Resort: Celebrate 4th of July in true western fashion.Details here.
Winter Park: Step up your wine game at The Village UnCorked – and finish the day watching fireworks in downtown Winter Park.
Ski Granby Ranch: Ring in the Fourth with the Flying Heels Rodeo and Kid’s Carnival. Details here.
With the Colorado Freeride Festival coming up July 23 – 24, score a Winter Park Trestle Bike Park season pass. Details here.
Steamboat, Aspen Snowmass & Crested Butte are open for the summer and offer an array of trails and scenery for all levels of biking, hiking and trail running.
During stage three of the USA Pro Challenge on August 21, 2013 – Sprint to the finish in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Steamboat Springs kicks off the week of cycling with a classic circuit race on August 17.The quiet roads offer straights, twists, and a few rather steep surprises. Match that with fan favorite host city Steamboat Springs, and you have the makings of a great opening stage.
Arapahoe Basinhosts USA Pro Cycling Challenge Stage 2 Finish on August 18, which starts in Steamboat and winds its way to the foot of the Continental Divide in Summit County. To celebrate hosting a thrilling mountain finish to the 100+ mile second stage of the 2015 USA Pro Challenge, Arapahoe Basin is planning two full days of fun at the mountain complete with camping, live music, and some of the world’s best cyclists. Seearapahoebasin.com/prochallenge.
Copper Mountain plays host to its first ever Pro Challenge stage and sends off Stage 3 on Wednesday, August 19. Festivities begin with live music on Tuesday evening at Copper’s Center Village, and race day on Wednesday features athlete autographs, the race start at 11:00 am, live music, a jumbotron watch party for the stage finish, and an alfresco movie night.
Aspen welcomes finishers of Stage 3 on August 19. The main course awaits on the upper slopes of Independence Pass and then down its breathtaking descent into Aspen where some of the most memorable moments in Pro Challenge history have played out.
Powderhorn:July 25, enjoy The Mud, The Band, The Beers featuring a endurance adventure race, craft beer tastings and live music.
Purgatory:Muck & Mire 10k, 5k and Kids Mud Run on August 8, featuring live music, beer garden, and kid activities. Visitpurgatoryresort.com
