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: 9,712 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.
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.
