Keystone Resort is kicking off the summer season of 2012 with exciting events, and returning favorites.  The popular Friday Afternoon Club will be back from Friday, June 15th through August 31st.  Running from 4:30 to 6:30, you can head to Summit House to enjoy and  evening of live music, along with drink and food specials.  Activities will also be available including horseshoes, corn hole, ladder ball, bocce ball and much more!  Best of all, all of the activities are free, and can be checked out through the Overlook Grill.

Join the Friday Afternoon Club by taking a scenic gondola ride from River Run Village.  A foot passenger ticket or lift ticket is required to access the gondola.  These tickets are available for free on Fridays from 2pm to close at the River Run Ticket Office.

The following is a list of  live music scheduled through the summer season:

June 15: Luv Brothers
June 22: Chancer’s Hooley
June 29: Luv Brothers
July 20: Luv Brothers
July 27: Luv Brothers
August 10: Luv Brothers
August 17: Chancer’s Hooley
August 31: Luv Brothers

Keystone’s Friday Afternoon Club is the perfect start to any weekend!  With a great selection of lodging specials in River Run Village, SummitCove can help you to arrange a fantastic weekend getaway to the mountains this summer!

Mountain biking season at Keystone Resort is just around the corner!  Keystone’s Park is nationally acclaimed as one of the best in the nation, including features like the Drop Zone, rock gardens, high-speed areas, daily terrain updates, not to mention some easier blue and green runs for those looking for a more laid-back downhill ride.

If you’ve never tried mountain biking, Keystone is a great place to learn.  One major advantage of riding at the resort versus other trails around the county is the bike haul system.  The lift will take you and your bike up to the top of Dercum Mountain, where you will be 11,640 feet in altitude and immediately hit by the amazing, panoramic views of surrounding mountains and Lake Dillon.  The green hillsides make for a beautiful summer afternoon.  Choose from miles and miles of varying trails that range from kid-friendly, beginner runs all the way up to extreme 22 foot drops and double black diamond trails that require full padding.  Downhill mountain bike rentals are available throughout the River Run Village area.

Head to the park on the weekends and enjoy a beer, some food and live music at the Summit House, staying open until 7pm most Fridays and Saturdays. Here you can participate in FREE activities like horseshoes, bocce ball and ladder ball.  The Friday Afternoon Club happens every Friday starting June 15 through August 31 and after 4pm, gondola rides to the top are free.  (Does not include bike haul).

The Keystone Bike Park is set to open for the summer on June 15, 2012.  Season Passes for the park are available, along with multi and single day options, with pricing as follows:

1 Run: $23 Adults, $11 for Children (Ages 5-12)
1-Day Pass: $37 Adults, $21 for Children
2-Day Pass: $70 Adults, $38 for Children
3-Day Pass: $96 Adults, $48 for Children

Season Passes:
Keystone Only Unlimited: $299
Keystone Only Unlimited with Winter Season Pass: $249
Keystone Only 5-Pack (Must purchase by 6/30): $139

Typical hours for the the bike park will be from 10am to 7 pm on weekends, and 10am-5pm Monday through Friday.

SummitCove is promoting opening weekend with some great deals on lodging. This is the perfect time to plan your summer vacation at Keystone Resort!

Although Keystone Resort closed over 2 weeks ago on Sunday, April 8, a few of the other surrounding area ski resorts are still open!  Spring weather has shifted some attention to summer activities, such as hiking and mountain biking, but the skiing conditions are still great for those looking to add a few more days on the mountain to their season.

Breckenridge Ski Resort recently announced it’s plan to extend its season for two extra weekends past it’s original closing date which was set for April 15.  This upcoming weekend will be the last chance for skiers and riders to enjoy the Breckenridge slopes for the 2011/2012 ski season.  The resort will be open Friday – Sunday, April 27-29. Visitors can take advantage of discounted lift tickets, being offered for just $50 at the ticket window.  Parking for the entire weekend is free and open terrain includes most of Peak 8, including the Imperial Express Super Chair.  Lifts will be running from 9am until 4 pm each day.  Those with season passes will not incur any extra fees during the extended season.  SummitCove is currently offering 30% off already reduced rates for the remainder of April.

Arapahoe Basin’s season is still going strong and typically stays open as long as the snow sticks around.  Last year the resort finally closed down over the 4th of July weekend, making for a 10-month long ski season!  The resort has a great Spring Lineup of events planned, including a new Chili Cook-off, live music every weekend, and its final and most popular spring event, the Festival of Brewpubs on May 27, in its 11th year.   Warm weather conditions make for pleasant skiing conditions at the mountain.  The resort’s infamous ‘Beach’ area has spots available for rental, allowing visitors to park along the base of the mountain and enjoy barbeques and tailgating in between runs. Its always a fun time at The Beach!

Photo Credit: Shea, pulled from the TownofFrisco.com website

Frisco, Colorado’s  year-round adventure park is now open for it’s second summer season, with the warm weather allowing it to open earlier than usual.  Summer features at the park include a fun bike park for all ages, a skate park, an 18 hole disc golf course, the 8,000 square foot Day Lodge , and miles of beautiful walking and biking trails along Lake Dillon.  The Frisco Adventure Park offers amazing views and  fun filled activities for the entire family to enjoy and admission is free for all summer activities!

The bike park officially opened for the summer season on Friday, April 13, 2012.  Frisco’s Spring 2012 Campaign says “Why go to Moab?” offering locals and visitors alike a reason to stay in Summit County for mud season, versus traveling to other regions to take part in spring activities such as mountain biking and hiking.  The warm spring conditions have allowed the dirt to completely surface and things to dry out enough to be suitable for riding and walking around the park.  There’s no better way to enjoy all of the warm weather and sunshine Summit County has been getting!

The bike park will open the dirt jump facility, the jump trails, and the pump track from dawn to dusk seven days a week.   Helmets and personal protective equipment are highly recommended when riding the bike park. In addition to the park, the mountain bike trails on the peninsula are also already clear of snow and ready for riding.  The Disc Golf course is also clear of hazards and is open to the public every day from 6 am to 10 pm.  The skate park has been open for a couple of weeks and will remain open through the summer, helmets are required for skating.

The Day Lodge located at the park will be open to the public providing some food & beverage service, including alcohol and snacks, along with information and restrooms.  The park is open to the public and admission is free for all activities.  SummitCove guests will enjoy that the park is just a short 10 minute drive from Keystone.  Don’t miss out on the fun this summer at the Frisco Adventure Park!

Keystone Science School 2012 – The Summer of Legend!

The Keystone Science School is a science school that caters to young minds. Using nature and science to explore the environment around them, The Keystone Science School teaches kids to develop critical thinking skills. Don’t forget- someday the world will be run by our children, so it is extremely important to teach them these skills today  in order to solve tomorrows problems.  These skills lead to new environmental policies, engaged and educated citizens, and the leaders of the future… even future Presidents!

The Keystone Science School offers programs from day camps for young kids to residential camps for older kids. Campers learn about nature, science and their environment in a exciting and adventurous atmosphere. There are multitudes of different programs available based on interests, ages, and even overnight and expedition trips.

The Keystone Science School is part of the greater Keystone Center located in Keystone near the conference center. The Keystone Center is the foremost leader in executing the thoughts of Albert Einstein in bringing people together and using the collective knowledge and problem solving skills to help shape public policies. Robert W. Craig, The Keystone Center’s founder, put it this way, “In general, I believe it can be said that successes in one sector of policy conflict and deliberation led to our being invited into other problem areas. What has and still does distinguish The Keystone Center has been its ability to select and have at the table the best representatives of all parties at interest in a particular issue and to assure that the dialogues that emerge are kept honest by the discipline of the best science and technological knowledge underlying that issue.”

Current Programs at the Keystone Science School

Keystone Science School offers a variety of programs throughout the summer and year round. All programs are led by Keystone Science School Field Instructors. Reservations are required for all programs.  All programs begin at the Keystone Science School parking lot (Soda Ridge Road past the Keystone Stables) unless otherwise noted. Transportation to the school is also provided by the Keystone Resort E.A.S.E. bus, we even have some properties that are within walking distance of the school. Here is a sample of a few of the Summer 2012 Programs being offered:

Day Camp, a summer weekday program for children ages 5-12.
Introduction to Discovery Camp, a shorter preparatory version of our residential overnight camp program, for ages 5-10.
Discovery Camp, our popular overnight camp program, offered in week-long sessions. For campers ages 7-13.
Keystone Mountain Adventures (KMA), 6-, 10- or 13-day adventure-based expeditions for teenagers.
Counselor Assistant Program (CAP), for older campers (ages 14-17) who want to experience camp in a slightly different way – as leaders.

Lodging for the Keystone Science School

SummitCove Vacation Lodging Rentals in Keystone has a wide variety of summer deals going on right now, including a weeklong stay in a 2-bedroom property for just $700 with the Summer 700 program.  Mention ‘KeystoneScience’ to receive 15% off any reservation over the summer.  Be sure to reserve your child’s spot soon, as camps are filling up quickly!

SummitCove is releasing summer lodging deals for travelers to Keystone Resort and Summit County, and there is something for just about everyone, no matter how long you plan to stay.

After a successful debut last year, the Summer 700 is back, and for shorter stays, guests can also book the Summer 555 deal.  Summer 700 offers a flat rate of $700 for lodging in select 2 bedroom properties.  Summer 555 offers a flat rate of $555 for stays of 5 nights in select properties.

SummitCove is also introducing the Stay and Save program for the Summer of 2012.  This tiered discount will be available this year on select properties of all sizes and in a variety of locations.  From May 1st to November 15th, the longer you stay, the more you can save.  Stays of 2 nights will receive 10% off, 3 nights will receive 15% off, 4 nights will receive 20% off, and stays of 5 nights will receive 25% off regular lodging prices.

Keep in mind that all reservations include a complimentary bike rental with the “It’s How We Roll Program”, and the Key to Keystone coupon book will provide you with plenty of savings for local restaurants and activities!  There’s never been a better time to plan a family vacation to Keystone, Colorado!

The Lake Dillon Theatre Company, located just a few miles from Keystone Resort, has an impressive lineup of stage productions for the Summer 2012 season.  Now in its 17th year, Summit County’s professional theatre company has a variety of shows scheduled to add a dash of art and culture to your visit to the mountains!

Playing from March 10-June 3, is ‘A Behanding in Spokane’ by Martin McDonough.  This play follows the story of Carmichael, who has been searching for his missing left hand for years.  Add two bickering lovebirds, with a hand to sell,and a hotel clerk with an aversion to gunfire, and the stage is set for a hilarious roller coaster of love, hate, desperation, and hope.

From June 21st through August 17th, you can catch ‘Xanadu’ by Douglas Carter Beane.  Follow the journey of a Greek muse, Kira, who decends from Mount Olympus to California in 1980.  On a quest to inspire a struggling artist, she helps him to achieve the creation of the first roller disco.  The play has been nominated for four Tony awards.

July 5 through August 19th, LDTC will show ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ by Terrance McNally.  The harrowing tale of persecution juxtaposes gritty reality with liberating fantasy.  Valentin and Molina share an Argentinian prison cell, haunted by Aurora.  This Tony-winning Best Musical is a story of hope and the human spirit.

August 31st to September 23rd, ‘Marry Me a Little’ by Craig Lucas tells the story of two single strangers in their studio apartments on a Saturday night, never knowing that they are just a floor away from the end of their loneliness.

You can contact the Lake Dillon Theatre Company at 970-513-9386 for information about show times or tickets.  Need more reasons to plan your Summit County vacation?  Take a look at our Events Calendar!

The 36th annual Run the Rockies 10K will take place in Summit County on June 9th, with a 5K trail run/walk following on June 10th.  The courses could be a welcome departure from city courses as they wind from Copper Mountain to downtown Frisco.  The 10K is 100% down hill and the Half Marathon will be 75% downhill.  This year, Run the Rockies will be “chip timed”.  Runners and walkers can also enjoy the Frisco Peninsula on Sunday with the 5K trail race!

On June 9th, From 7-8am, bus transportation will be provided to the Start at the Ten Mile Creek Bike Path.  There will be no transportation at the conclusion of the race.  Buses will leave from the Frisco Recreation Building at 3rd and Main in Frisco, Colorado.   The 10K and Half Marathon begin at 8:30 am, and the course will close at 11:45 am at which time, timing will stop.  Aid stations will be located at the halfway point and 3 additional locations.  Refreshments, awards and giveaways will follow each event.

On June 10th, head to the Frisco Day Lodge (located at the Peninsula Recreation Area) for a 7:45 registration and bib and chip pick up. There will be a 9 am Start time for the 5K with an aid station located at the halfway point.  Again, refreshments, awards and giveaways will follow the conclusion of the 5K.  Click here for further details and registration information!

SummitCove is proud to be your lodging provider as you head to Summit County to Run the Rockies!  Be sure to inquire about our early summer specials!

Keystone Resort and Summit Fly Fishing will host a May 26th Fishing Derby for kids 13 and under.  The whole family is welcome to cheer on their favorite angler and enjoy a beautiful morning on the lake with raffle prizes, BBQ and live music following the event.  No barb, no bait.  Registration will start at 8am and the derby begins at 9am.  Fishing gear is not supplied so come prepared with your own tackle and fishing gear.

Free parking will be available at the Keystone Lodge Parking Lot just off Hwy 6 across from the Keystone Lodge.  Take the underground tunnel to the Village.

If you are heading up to Summit County this spring, contact SummitCove today for the best available Keystone lodging deals!