Active Pursuits

The White River National Forest encompasses the boundaries of Summit County. This recreational playground offers opportunities not only for downhill and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in winter, but also for hiking and backpacking, horseback riding, boating, fishing, hunting, and bicycling in summer. White River National Forest includes the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area and Green Mountain Reservoir, both in the northern part of the county.

The U.S. Forest Service's Dillon Ranger District, located in the town of Silverthorne at 680 River Pkwy. (Colo. 9), Silverthorne, CO 80498, about half a mile north of I-70 exit 205 (tel. 970/468-5400; www.fs.fed.us/r2), has an unusually good selection of information on outdoor recreation possibilities, including maps and guides to hiking and mountain-biking trails, jeep roads, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, and camping. You can also get information on a wide variety of outdoor activities from the Breckenridge Resort Chamber Welcome Center, 203 S. Main St. (tel. 877/864-0868).

Bicycling -- There are more than 40 miles of paved bicycle paths in the county, including a path from Breckenridge (with a spur from Keystone) to Frisco and Copper Mountain, continuing across Vail Pass to Vail. This spectacularly beautiful two-lane path is off-limits to motorized vehicles of any kind.

Boating -- Dillon Reservoir, a beautiful mountain lake along I-70 between Dillon and Frisco, is the place to go. Also called Lake Dillon, the 3,300-acre reservoir, which provides drinking water to Denver, is more than 200 feet deep in spots. At 9,017 feet elevation, it claims to have America's highest altitude yacht club and holds colorful regattas most summer weekends. The popular Dillon Open, a huge sailboat race, occurs the first weekend in August. Swimming is not permitted.

The full-service Dillon Marina, 150 Marina Dr. (tel. 970/468-5100; www.dillonmarina.com), is open from the last weekend of May through the last weekend of October, offering boats for 2-hour, half-day, or full-day rentals; sailing instruction; and charter cruises. Half-day boat-rental fees run $140 for runabouts, $160 for 22-foot pontoon boats, and $300 for 25-foot pontoons. Fuel is extra. The half-day rate for 18- and 20-foot sailboats is $110, and more upscale 22-foot sailboats rent for $145 to $165 for a half-day. An 8-hour sailing class costs $250 per person, and the "sailing experience" 2-hour sailboat tour for novice sailors costs $45 per person. There's also a small store, repair shop, restaurant, and bar.

Fishing -- Major fishing rivers within an hour of Breckenridge include the South Platte, Arkansas, Eagle, Colorado, and Blue rivers, and for lake fishing, try Dillon Reservoir and Spinney Mountain Reservoir. The Blue River, from Lake Dillon Dam to its confluence with the Colorado River at Kremmling, is rated a gold-medal fishing stream. For tips on where they're biting, as well as supplies, fishing licenses, and all the rest, stop at Mountain Angler, 311 S. Main St., Breckenridge, in the Main Street Mall (tel. 800/453-4669 or 970/453-4665; www.mountainangler.com), which also offers year-round guide service. Guided fly-fishing wading trips, for two anglers, start at $230 for a half-day; $315 for a full day, including lunch. A full-day float-fishing guided trip for two anglers costs $395. Guided fly-fishing trips are also offered by The Adventure Company (tel. 800/497-7238; www.theadventurecompany.com) at similar rates.

Golf -- Among area golf courses, which all boast wonderful scenery, are the 18-hole Breckenridge Golf Club, 200 Clubhouse Dr., Breckenridge (tel. 970/453-9104), designed by Jack Nicklaus, with the greens fee of $99 for 18 holes; Copper Creek Golf Club, 104 Wheeler Place, Copper Mountain Resort (tel. 970/968-3333), among the highest 18-hole courses in North America at 9,752 feet, with fees of $39 to $99, including cart, for 18 holes; Keystone Ranch Golf Course, 1239 Keystone Ranch Rd., Keystone (tel. 970/496-4250), charging $100 to $140, including a cart, for 18 holes; and the River Course at Keystone, 155 River Course Dr., Keystone (tel. 970/496-4444), which also charges $100 to $140, including cart, for 18 holes.

Hiking & Backpacking -- The Colorado Trail cuts a swath through Summit County. It enters from the east across Kenosha Pass, follows the Swan River to its confluence with the Blue River, then climbs over Ten Mile Mountain to Copper Mountain. The trail then turns south toward Tennessee Pass, north of Leadville. Contact the Colorado Trail Foundation, American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St. #210, Golden, CO 80401-5843 (tel. 303/384-3729; www.coloradotrail.org).

In addition, there are myriad hiking opportunities in the national forests. Consult the U.S. Forest Service, the Breckenridge Resort Chamber Activity Center, or a visitor information center for maps and details.

Horseback Riding -- For some spectacular views of this area from atop a horse, take a ride with Kingdom of Breckenridge Stables, located just above the Beaver Run ski lift on Village Road (tel. 970/453-4438; www.colorado-horses.com/kingdom). The company offers rides of about 90 minutes, plus breakfast rides, for $45 per person (half-price for children 6 and under). Reservations should be made at least 1 day in advance.

Mountain Biking -- Numerous trails are available for mountain bikers. Energetic fat-tire fans can try the Devil's Triangle, a difficult 80-mile loop that begins and ends in Frisco after climbing four mountain passes (including 11,318-ft. Fremont Pass). Check with the U.S. Forest Service or Breckenridge Resort Chamber Activity Center for directions and tips on other trails; for mountain bikers who prefer to not work so hard, check with the Breckenridge Resort Chamber Activity Center on times and costs for taking your bike up the mountain on the Breckenridge chairlift.

Among the companies providing bike rentals and information is Lone Star Sports, at 200 W. Washington St., Breckenridge (tel. 800/621-9733 or 970/453-2003; www.skilonestar.com), which charges full-day rates of $15 to $25.

River Rafting -- Trips through the white water of the Blue River -- which runs through Breckenridge to Frisco -- as well as longer journeys on the Colorado and Arkansas rivers, are offered by various companies, including Good Times Rafting Company (tel. 800/808-0357; www.goodtimesrafting.com), Performance Tours Rafting (tel. 800/328-7238; www.performancetours.com), and The Adventure Company (tel. 800/497-7238; www.theadventurecompany.com), all based in Breckenridge. Rates for half-day trips on the Blue River cost about $40 to $50 for adults and $30 to $40 for children. Full-day trips on other area rivers are about $75 to $100 for adults and $65 to $80 for kids.