Summit County Colorado offers extraordinary natural beauty and multiple ski resorts for enthusiasts. Made up almost entirely of small towns or cities settled into the mountains, there are plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Summit County is located in the northern section of Colorado. All of Summit County’s quaint towns are only an hour and a half from Denver, CO.
Photo by Joanna Poe
Summit County Locales
Breckenridge is the major city in Summit County and has just over four thousand residents. It is also home to many part time residents with vacation homes in the city. Breckenridge Ski Resort is one of the major resorts in the area and offers multiple levels of skiing difficulty over four peaks. The summer brings people outside for hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, and white water rafting. Silverthorne is the other major city with almost four thousand residents. There are a few smaller towns that make up the county. Blue River and Dillon both have less than one thousand residents. Dillon was originally a trading post and has been relocated several times throughout its history. Frisco is surrounded by four nearby major ski resorts, including Breckenridge. Most of the town’s economy is supported by the resorts in the winter. Dyersville was originally a mining town and dissolved after the mining rush. It is now a ghost town with a few roofless log cabins left standing.
Attractions
While ski resorts make up a large part of Summit County, it is also home to two major parks and five trails. The White River National Forest covers over two thousand acres and is home to several major ski resorts, including Aspen and Vail. Eagles Nest Wilderness area lies within the boundaries of the national forest. The American Discovery Trail and Colorado Trail both pass through Summit County. The county is also home to three other trails that offer scenic views to hikers. Hiking during the summer is a big activity for most residents in Summit County, and the summer weather encourages outdoor activities. Additionally, recreational boating, white water rafting, and fly fishing are popular activities. Blue River attracts fly fishers from around the county, while boaters use Lake Dillon. Bicyclists also have two different options, the Great Parks Bicycle Route and the TransAmerica Trail Bicycle Route.
Schools
While there are no major universities in Summit County, the smaller Colorado Mountain College has two campuses within the county limits, one in Breckenridge and the other in Dillon. The state’s main university, Colorado State University, is just over two and a half hours away by car. Westwood College in Denver is only an hour and a half away and has two locations in the city.
Moving Companies
There are several moving companies that can help new residents get settled in Summit County. Local moving companies offer several services to help ease the transition. Majestic Mountain Movers provide local and long distance moving, and they supply all moving necessities such as boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap for breakable items. They offer packing, unpacking, relocation services, and residential and commercial moving. Focusing on details such as wrapping any stair rails and utilizing carpet runners on hard floors make them a top choice for many people moving in the area. Alliance Moving Systems also offers quality moving services in Summit County and have many of the same services as Majestic Mountain Movers.
Employment Opportunities
Employment in Summit County is mainly focused around the ski resorts and tourism industry, although some residents commute to Denver for more opportunities. The multiple parks and wilderness associations are also major contributors to Summit County employment.
Summit County has a raw, natural beauty that draws people in for a closer look. Miles of untouched and protected wilderness stretch between towns and mountains, providing residents with a scenic view everyday. Whether capped with snow in the winter or displaying summer’s lush green forests, Summit County always has a breath taking view for residents and tourists.
