Decatur 1808

Scenic Route - only take this on clear, sunny days (no gas, food, or services past Georgetown).

^ Click here to view map and turn-by-turn directions

Safe Route - it's exactly the same time... but a lot safer. If there is any weather, it's dark, or you need gas or food, take this route.

^ Click here to view map and turn-by-turn directions

Some of our favorite things to do in Summit County:

Restaurants

• Pizza 101 - Keystone. The best pizza we've found in the mountains, delivered right to the condo. They don't really have dine-in, but you can get a slice there and eat it on the bench.

• Butterhorn (Frisco) - unbelievable breakfast, and fantastic lunch. It's extremely busy - so go there off season, during the week, or at off-times.

• Briar Rose (Breckenridge) - Best steakhouse in the mountains (and prices are fair). Make reservations for the dining room - or grab a table at the bar in the back and the most memorable part of your vacation will be their mac and cheese.

• Kickapoo (base of the Gondola, Keystone) - soup for lunch, and a mountain of nachos that require a high speed lift to get through. Fried Mac and Cheese wedges. Enough said.

• Last Lift Lounge (base of Peru lift, Keystone) - listen to some Swing Crew after skiing. They've been playing the same songs, in the same order for over 30 years -and they're damn good at it.

• Alpenglow Stube - a truly memorable meal at the top of North Peak, Keystone. It's the highest 4-star restaurant in the world. Lunch is especially wonderful - ski in, they take your ski boots and give you slippers. Then you get a 3-course meal for around $27/person... about the same price as a burger, fries and gatorade in the lodge next door. You have to make reservations, though - it books up fast. Just dial 4000 from the studio. Brunch is extra special - but a little more expensive. There is gondola service to the restaurant, but you have to have a lift ticket to get there for brunch or lunch. Dinner includes passage on the gondola.

• Food Hedz (Frisco) - Chef owned bistro in a strip mall. The atmosphere feels like a pizza-slice shop but the food is amazing.

• The Cala Inn - a Celtic bar... the closest place to grab a proper pint and have a great conversation.

• Red Mountain Grill - originally a dia de los muertos themed restaurant, the original owners put an amazing amount of money in architecture and art, then promptly went bankrupt. Now it's classic americana in a pretty fabulous setting... and a great value.

• Sunshine Cafe in Dillon has great breakfasts - it's no butterhorn - but it is closer and doesn't have the wait.

• Keystone Ranch... it's a wallet buster, but one of those meals you will tell your kids about. Make reservations long in advance, and make sure you know the price of admission.

Quick Eats

• You can't go wrong with Noodles, Qdoba, Smash Burger, Chimayo burritos, or the Smiling Moose Deli

Coffee

• The condo has a coffee maker and you'll get one little bag of starbucks to get you by a day... but if you're a coffee drinker, bring a bag of coffee - or head to one of the local shops.

• Inkspot - base of the Gondola, Keystone. Wonderful breakfast burritos and a real coffee shop. It's a 25 minute walk... or 5 minute drive.

• Starbucks - across from Inkspot. The line will be 2x as long, but they are twice as fast.

Activities

• The studio sits on the largest, highest ice rink in North America or something. It's big, and it's right there.

• Dog Sledding - one of those coolest things, ever. There are travel agencies in Frisco that can arrange it... along with other activities like snowmobiling as well as jeeping, whitewater rafting, and horesback tours in the summer

• Rent a mountain bike, take it up the Gondola, ride down, get a Starbucks or Craft Brew at the base. Awesome. There are green, blue, and black trails... and gravel roads. You can just coast down the gravel road - no experience required.

Hiking Trails / Bike Paths

If you have a relatively high clearance vehicle (an outback or SUV) you can get up to Montezuma and hike up to Chihuahua Gulch, or Pennsylvania mine. A google search can get you directions.

There is a massive paved bike-trail system right outside the condo. If you bring a bike you can practically ride forever.

Shopping

• The Silverthorne outlet malls are always a hit.

Groceries / Liquor / Beer

The main grocery store is City Market in Dillon (7 miles / 12 minute drive). It's a little over-priced, but not bad. At least the quality is good. Be cognizant that EVERYONE wants to buy groceries at the exact same time... so try to go at an odd time.

A little further is a Target - it's not a full Super Target but they do have groceries

Across the street from the condo is a little convenience store and a small wine/beer shop. It's expensive, selection is limited, but it's right there if you need a six pack, a gallon of milk or a bag of coffee.

Grocery Stores in Colorado cannot sell wine, beer, or liquor. You must go to a separate store. The grocery stores will sell you something that looks like beer... but it's watered down. Don't be fooled.

Renting Skis

I like Christy Sports in Dillon - they have great equipment and it's cheaper than renting on the slopes.

Renting skis at the base of the mountain is a little more expensive, but it's super convenient - and you can store your skis there over night, which is a dream.

There is a Christy Sports at the base of Keystone mountain, but they only rent the super-premium skis.

Renting Bikes

You can rent bikes and helmets at the base of the mountain at reasonable rates. In fact, that's really your only choice if you're going to take the bike up the lift. The off-resort bike shops won't rent to you if you're riding at Keystone for some insurance reason.

Transportation

It's a little surreal, but all public transportation in the mountains is Free! Just hop on any bus and grab a seat. There are free buses to take you to the slopes, free busses to take you to town, free busses between the other resorts (Keystone, Breck, Copper Mountain, A Basin) and if you're drinking at a resort bar at night, there is a # you can call and they'll pick you up and take you right back to your condo for free (the numbers and schedules are posted - just look for one of the many signs). The nicer restaurants also offer free door-to-door pickup and drop-off. If you're making a reservation, it's worth asking about transportation (the restaurant drivers are the only ones you tip)

Transportation from Denver Airport > Keystone

Your choices are renting a car at the airport or calling Colorado Mountain Express (CME). Hunt around Google for coupon codes. CME charges by the person - if you're more than a couple people, hiring a car quickly becomes a better deal.

Those places people always find, and say "but what about..."

• That Mexican restaurant across the highway from Keystone. Every year it has a new name... but the service never changes. The chips, salsa, and beer are good. That's about it.

• Pizza on the Plaza. It's OK. Yes you can walk there. Triple-check your bill.

• The coffee shop on the lake. Skip. Go to Inkspot or Starbucks in River Run. I know it's right there... but it's gas-station quality.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations are difficult for us. We only have 1 studio so it's tough for us to find a replacement reservation if you cancel. Please give us as much notice as possible. Our policy is:

• If you cancel more than 90 days in advance, we give a 100% refund

• 21-89 days in advance, we refund 90%

• 8- 20 days, we refund 75%

• 3-7 days, we refund 50%

• Within 72 hours of check-in, there is no refund.

The cleaning fee is always paid to Keystone at the time of check-in... so the above only applies to the reservation itself.