Head to A-BASIN for the CHILI FESTIVAL –Saturday, May 19^th from 12-6p.m.

Although the mountain has closed for the season, there are still some fun events planned at Arapahoe Basin this Spring.  This Saturday, spend the afternoon feasting on red and green chili while soaking in the sun and sounds of Great American Taxi ft. Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon. Chili as well as sliders, sides, sweets and other grill-ables will be available in the base area starting at 12pm. On the day of the event, the 6th Alley Bar will be open from 12pm-6pm.  Sierra Nevada and Sobieski will be also in the base area serving beer and cocktails.  SummitCove is offering 50% off all 1-bedroom properties for the entire month of May!

Great American Taxi

As part of our May Concert Series, Great American Taxi will be playing in the base area from 1:00-4:00pm. This is a FREE concert. To learn more about Great American Taxi and hear tracks from their new CD “Paradise Lost” visit Great American Taxi‘s website.

The Summit Stage will offer free shuttle service to Arapahoe Basin for the Chili Festival on Saturday May 19 and for the Festival of the Brewpubs on Sunday May 27th. Visit their website.

Huckin’ Discs

Spring in the County means that everyone is beginning to enjoy their summer activities. For some of us that means the first 14er hikes of the summer, the first long bike rides, or the first time in the water on the lakes and in the rivers. A lot of folks are hitting the courses, and we’re not talking about the regular $150 a round courses. We’re talking about the free, relaxed,  and casual disc golf courses. Its spring, the weather is beautiful and the disc golf courses are very popular.

Beginning to Play:

If you don’t play, its an easy game to pick up and not an expensive one either! Usually a starter kit of 3 discs (a driver, a mid range, and a putter) can be purchased for about $30-$40, far less than your average set of golf clubs. Disc golf is played very similarly to regular golf. Your discs serve as both your club and your ball. Instead of holes there are posts with baskets attached to them. In order to hole out you throw your disc into the chains at the basket which drops it in. Every hole has a par associated with it like regular golf and the number of throws it takes to get the disc in the basket is the number of strokes you get on the hole.

Disc Golf is no easy game though! While it is seemingly easier to become proficient at Disc Golf than the regular variety, the obstacles and distance of the holes make it no easy task to score well. For the casual player though it can be very relaxing and a nice break from the norm.

In Summit County there are 2 courses to test your talents in a high alpine environment. While most courses in the front range of Denver are played in parks with grass and limited obstacles, both the Frisco and Copper Mountain courses have heavily wooded sections which can be extremely difficult even for experienced players.  The Frisco Adventure Park is right along Lake Dillon and offers beautiful scenery, along with Mountain Biking and hiking trails, and both bike and skate parks.  Bring a jacket just in case, and get out there and enjoy the day!

The River Course is open and looking good.  The grounds crew of Keystone Resort Golf Courses has done a really nice job in getting the courses in shape.  Today we are only playing the first nine holes of the River Course.  The golf season is just getting started with 27 more holes to open up this month, get your golf season passes now and get warmed up.

On June 23rd and 24th,  the Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour will be back for the second year in a row at River Run in Keystone, Colorado. The two-day event will feature a ton (literally) of Iowa bacon (2,000 lbs.) along with plenty of bacon from around the nation, bacon-inspired dishes from local and traveling restaurants, bacon bloody mary’s courtesy of Hawkeye Bacon Vodka and Pearl Vodka, live music, and samples of Beggin’ Strips® for those with bacon-loving dogs at home (but remember, this is a pet-free event!).  A limited number of ticket packages will be available online through www.blueribbonbaconfestival.com, beginning May 10, 2012 while supplies last.

Quick Facts About the Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour
What – Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour, KEYSTONE, CO
When – 1 – 6 pm, on both Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24
Where – River Run Village
Attendance – Plans to accommodate over 4,000 bacon lovers over a two-day period
Tickets – A limited number of Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour ticket packages will be available online through www.blueribbonbaconfestival.com, beginning May 10, 2012 while supplies last. The ticket packages are as follows:
Saturday Bacon Package ($30)
This package includes an event koozie, event hat, $5 in Bacon Bucks for use at Vendor Tents and unlimited bacon tasting at Bacon Purveyor Tents on Saturday, June 23rd.

Sunday Bacon Package ($30)
This package includes an event koozie, event hat, $5 in Bacon Bucks for use at Vendor Tents and unlimited bacon tasting at Bacon Purveyor Tents on Sunday, June 24th.

Weekend Bacon Package ($50)
This package includes an event koozie, event hat, $8 in Bacon Bucks for Vendor Tents and unlimited bacon tasting at Purveyor Tents.
Bacon Showcase – The popular Bacon Showcase provides purchasers of the Bacon Packages with the opportunity to sample some of the nation’s best bacon brands and talk directly to brand reps. Last year the following bacon brands were showcased: Tender Belly, Eden Farms and Daily’s Premium Meats.
Bacon Bucks – Available throughout the festival grounds in $5 increments, Bacon Bucks will allow participants to purchase samples of gourmet bacon inspired cuisine throughout the day. Over 15 restaurateurs are expected to attend and will be serving up delicious bacon dishes for all to enjoy.
Bacon-Inspired Dish Competition – All restaurants will be participating in a professionally judged food competition with both a winner for best savory bacon dish and best sweet bacon dish. The winner of the 2011 Best Savory Dish, Gusto Pizza Co (http://www.gustopizzaco.com) will be returning to defend their title.
Our Mascot – A furry pig named, Blue, is the official mascot of the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival and Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour.

This weekend will be sure to sell out Keystone’s River Run Village, so start making your plans today!  SummitCove Vacation Rentals in Keystone is serving up a sizzling 25% off stays of 2 nights or more for the festival weekend.  Every reservation made with this promotion will be automatically entered to win (2) one-day tickets to the festival!

Brunch at Edgewater Café in the Keystone Lodge and Spa from 7am – 2pm.

Adults are $19.95. Children 6 – 12 are $9.95 and Children 5 or under are free

After brunch, call the Spa to book a 2 for 1 customized massage or facial – 970-496-4118.

Mothers receive free chocolate truffles or champagne split.

What: The Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado
When: Sunday at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Lord of the Mountains Lutheran Church, Dillon
Cost: Free

The Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado returns to Lord of the Mountains Church in Dillon on Sunday with a full arrangement of musicians for a free Mother’s Day concert. Light refreshments will be offered at a reception following the performance.

Keystone and Summit County have long been known as a great location for horseback riding with plentiful trails and beautiful mountain views.  This is one of the favorite activities for visitors to the Colorado mountains in the summer; perfect for families or anyone looking for a taste of the Old West.  Below, you will find some information to help you get started in planning a horseback riding trip during your Keystone vacation!

Rusty Spurr Ranch has a wide variety of trips available from 1 hour trail rides to the Saddle and Paddle package for whitewater rafting and horseback riding.  Cattle drives are also available starting at $145 per person.  Trail rides range from $45  to $95 per person depending upon the length of the ride, and you have the option of departing in the morning or early afternoon.  Private rides are also available from $125 to $190.  For details or reservations, call 970.724.1123 or 866.724.9715.

Keystone Stables opening on June 1, 2012 and closing after Labor Day, you can take a one or two hour guided horseback ride through the Arapahoe National Forest.  Guests will be matched with a horse, and an experienced wrangler will lead the group and share the history of the area as you explore!  The minimum age requirement is 8 years old, and cost is $45 for one hour or $67 for two hours.  Various departure times will be available. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 800.354.4386.   Pony rides are available for younger children ages 3-7 at $10 for 15 minutes.

Breckenridge Stables has plenty of options, and is located just minutes away from Keystone in the nearby town of Breckenridge, Colorado.  Options include a 1.5 hour trail ride between Peaks 9 and 10 along the Ten Mile Range, or a breakfast or dinner ride.  Prices vary depending upon whether you are planning a group trip or an individual trip, but you can expect to pay $55 to $60 for an adult and $20 to $25 for children for the trail rides.  Call for prices for the breakfast and dinner rides! Lessons are also available at this location.  Call 970.453.4438 for reservations and information.

Keystone Resort has plenty of activities for the summer, from fun events to amazing day trips and activities the whole family can enjoy.  At SummitCove, we understand that sometimes you want to plan a getaway, but its hard to part with all of your hard earned cash so that you can have a mountain getaway.  That’s why we are introducing the brand new Summit Coupon, good on 2 night stays in a one or two bedroom property for an amazing price!  Imagine yourself soaking up rays poolside, on a whitewater rafting adventure, hitting the links at one of the five local area golf courses, biking miles of a beautiful rec path or single tracks throughout the county, or treating yourself to a day at the spa!  The activities are endless and Keystone has some great summer festivals you won’t want to miss!

$199 for 2 Nights  in a 1-Bedroom Property
(Valued at $404.65 – You save $205.65, that’s 51% OFF!)
Spend 2 Nights in a participating 1-Bedroom property of your choice.  Choose from over 64 properties! A Free Bike Rental and Key to Keystone Discount Book are also included with this package!

$299 for 2 Nights  in a 2-Bedroom Property
(Valued at $546.95 – You save $247.95, that’s 46% OFF!)
Spend 2 Nights in a participating 2-Bedroom property of your choice.  Choose from over 71 properties!  A Free Bike Rental and Key to Keystone Discount Book are also included with this package!

Available Trip Dates for Either Package:
MAY 7 – JUNE 29
JULY 16 – 20
JULY 29 – AUGUST 2
AUGUST 19 – NOVEMBER 21

We’ve teamed up once again with our partners at Mountain View Sports to offer a free bike rental on every reservation.  Guests can also pick up their Key to Keystone coupon book beginning  in June for additional savings throughout Keystone and the surrounding area!  SummitCove is making family vacations affordable again!  For other great packages and promotions available for the summer season, contact a SummitCove Vacation Planner today to get started and take advantage of the Summit Coupon!

Keystone Resort is a popular destination for families, and this summer, there will be plenty of events to keep the kids busy during your vacation in addition to all of the activities that are available every day!

Kid’s Discovery Days will take place every Tuesday at Keystone.  The entertainer changes each week, and this program runs through August 14th.  The first day of this ongoing event is scheduled for June 19th featuring animals from the Denver Zoo.  This event is fun and free! Discovery Days also includes a bounce house and alternating each week, either 2 face painters or 2 balloon artists.  Lines  will close at 12:30pm, and performer’s shows will be from 11am - 11:45am.

Storytelling with Redtail the Mountain Man and Bambi the Donkey is scheduled in River Run Village beginning on Wednesday, June 27th  from 5-7pm.  Kids will love the free storytelling with a Colorado legend, the Mountain Man, who will be accompanied by his furry friend, Bambi.  Free face painting during the event, which is recurring through the summer.

Kidtopia KidsFest Bring your family and enjoy some free fun!  Experience a wide variety of activities including a petting zoo, train rides, caricatures, face painters, balloon artists, crafts, mascots Olivia and Oliver, spin art, a kid’s show, bounce houses, DJ and a street entertainer for a day you won’t want to miss!

Kidtopia Kid’s Theater Taking place on June 29th, July 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, August 3rd, 10th, there will be two performances at 10:30 and noon at the Quaking Aspen Amphitheater in River Run Village.  The cost is just $5 per ticket.  This summer will feature performances of “The Prince”.  The story follows Prince Herbert, often dubbed the most ineligible bachelor in the land. But when the awkward Herbert is given the humorously impossible task of serving as royal king-to-be to all the Kingdom’s princesses, he discovers his true self.

SummitCove is pleased to be your family’s lodging provider as you experience a mountain getaway in Keystone, Colorado!

Mountain View Sports, located in Keystone Colorado will open for summer season bike rentals and Vail Pass bike trips on May 24, 2012.  Biking is one of Summit County’s favorite summer pastimes, and the weather is shaping up for an amazing season for bikers.  Be sure to schedule a Ride the Pass trip when you plan your summer mountain getaway.  You will be able to choose from three different trips, which vary in degree of difficulty to perfectly suit your ability and expertise.

Trip 1 is an easy 12 mile coasting bike trip.  Take a paved trail from the top of Vail Pass through Copper Mountain Resort, and then to the town of Frisco.  This is the perfect option for families and anyone looking for great view without a lot of peddling.  The ride time is about an hour and 10 minutes, and most bikers do plan 4 to 6 hours total in order to enjoy all of the activities along the way.  The total cost for Trip 1 is $29 for adults, and $16 for kids 12 or under.

Trip 2 is moderate, and includes all portions from Trip 1, plus and additional 7 miles of easy to moderate peddling through Frisco and Dillon, including gorgeous views of Lake Dillon.  This is a great trip for anyone who bikes occasionally.  Expect a total ride time of 2 hours and 15 minutes.  Be sure to include at least another 4 hours to explore the sights!  Shuttle cost is $25 for adults and $12 for kids age 12 and under.

Trip 3 is advanced, and includes all portions of Trips 1 and 2 plus an extra 6 miles of low grade paved trail climbing from the Dillon along the east shores of  the lake, ending along the Snake River into Keystone. This trip is geared for riders that want a bit of a work out and longer time on the bike.  The total distance is 12 miles of coasting plus 13 miles of peddling.  Expect a ride time of about 3 and a half hours, and another 4 hours for activities.  Shuttle cost for Trip 3 is $19 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under.

Mountain View Sports will be open from 8am-5pm this summer.  Contact them at 970.468.0396 or 800.530.3836 to reserve your spot and get details on the Ride the Pass Shuttle!

SummitCove and Mountain View Sports have also teamed up to offer our guests a free bike rental on every reservation this summer with our “It’s How We Roll” program.  Voucher coupons will be given to our guests upon check-in and can be redeemed during your stay!  Contact us today for details about our Keystone summer discount lodging programs!

Keystone's River Run Rocks Concert Series is back for summer beginning on July 7th at 5pm.  This favorite Keystone event will kick off in River Run Village Plaza with a performance by The Six Million Dollar Band.  Food and drink specials will be available to concert goers, along with seating on the decks of Keystone restaurants such as Wolf Rock, 9280’ TapHouse and Luigi’s.

Here's a look at the River Run Rocks concert lineup for Summer 2012, so mark your calendars!

Saturday, July 7th featuring The Six Million Dollar Band

Saturday, July 21st, featured performer yet to be announced

Saturday, August 18, featured performer yet to be announced

Saturday, September 16th, featured performer yet to be announced, so check in with us soon!

Be sure to contact us for great lodging specials all summer long as you plan your visit for River Run Rocks!