It may be hard to believe, but not every Coloradoan lives for alpine skiing and snowboarding. This winter, while Colorado’s popular ski towns will host loads of powder-hungry visitors, those with a propensity for alternative winter endeavors will find fulfillment in Summit County’s picturesque town of Frisco. Yet for those who do want to ski/snowboard, Frisco’s location provides quick access to Breckenridge, A-Basin, Copper Mountain and Keystone Mountains, making it a popular winter destination and a “home” base for skiers, snowboarders and winter sport enthusiasts. With only a one-square-mile radius, the town’s dining, shopping and lodging are obviously very centrally located. As the most popular winter attraction in town, Frisco’s historic Main Street is where visitors will find abundant shops and restaurants.
Touch of History
Frisco mirrors that of most every other Colorado mountain town when it comes to historical data. The Native Americans were the first to traverse the landscape now known as Frisco. Mountain men discovered the Ute Tribe inhabited the area when they arrived on the scene in 1810 to trap animals for fur. With the 1870s arrived the mining era and the town was officially founded in 1873 (not chartered until 1879). By 1882 there were 250 residents in Frisco and two railroads. Frisco was a booming mining town until the bust in 1918. Shockingly, in 1930, with a heavy hit from the end of mining and The Depression, there were only 30 residents in town. However, it didn’t become a ghost town like so many of the era, instead, it continued to draw people, both tourists and residents, to its natural beauty and accessible location, and now boasts a healthy year-round population and nearly three million visiting tourists to the country every year.
Where to Stay
There are no large resorts in Frisco. Instead, B&B, Inns and condominiums are the lodging options of choice. The town of Frisco claims to have more than 2,500 pillows, so choose amongst the following for a good night’s rest. Located on Main Street, there are 18 guest rooms at the Frisco Lodge, which offers complimentary gourmet breakfast with exceptional cappuccino and espressos included, as well as afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres hour with a soup bar and homemade bread, hot cider, tea and cocoa in winter; and in summer, appetizers, cookies and fresh lemonade. Their gorgeous courtyards features gardens, fountains, a hot tub, outdoor fireplace, gas campfire and a BBQ grill. Log onto the website for last minute deals. 970.668.0195 friscolodge.com
If you have a large family or group, try renting out the Frisco River House. It was originally built as an upscale B&B but has since been converted to a rental. There are eight master bedrooms that can comfortably sleep 27 people, eight and a half bathrooms, a private hot tub, an ample amount of parking, Ten Mile Creek (Frisco River) rushing through the backyard, televisions throughout, a game area with a foosball and pool table, and plenty of open space for lounging. Located on Main Street and just steps from the free shuttle, The Frisco River House is a luxury rental in the heart of town. 970.368.4808 thefriscoriverhouse.com
Also located in central downtown, The Galena Street Mountain Inn was recently remodeled in 2008. There are 15 guestrooms, each with a flat screen television, private bathroom and exceptional mountain views. Breakfast is included with each stay offering fresh-baked breads, homemade granola with yogurt, fruits and a breakfast entree. There are common areas to mingle with other guests and a great room with a fireplace, small library and board games, pool table and foosball. 970.668.3224 galenastreet.com
Located in historic downtown, Hotel Frisco offers a variety of options. There are 13 rooms for guests, all pet friendly. One has a small kitchenette with two bedrooms and one is even a full apartment. The hotel dates back to the 1880s, but the amenities are certainly something from the 21st century. Free WiFi throughout the hotel, a shared hot tub with views of Mount Royal, free parking available for all guests and the hotel has a liquor license to serve those well-earned adult beverages. 970.668.5009 hotelfrisco.com
Where to Dine
Offering classic Colorado cuisine with a historic bar right on Main Street, The Blue Spruce Inn presents a lengthy menu of chicken, meat, lamb, duck and seafood. Chesapeake Bay crab cakes, blue corn calamari, spinach stuffed mushrooms, five onion soup, Colorado lamb chop, maple leaf duck, polenta, ratatouille tower, Kobe beef filet, grilled red trout and more.Since seafood is a specialty here, you can’t go wrong ordering anything with fins. 970.668.5900 thebluespruce.com
Also located on Main Street, Silverheels Bar & Grill is a quintessential mountain bistro with all the usual suspects. However, there are ethnic beats such as Thai and Greek in much of the cuisine. And, like the Blue Spruce Inn, they’re heavy on fish. Favorites include their seafood chowder, sizzling crab empanadas, baked spinach and artichoke dip, Thai scallops, caramelized coldwater sea scallops, pecan crusted trout, Whiskey New York steak, raspberry glazed pork chop and a half dozen irresistible desserts. 970.668.0345 silverheelsrestaurant.com
Butterhorn Bakery & Café offers piping hot teas and cocoas, strong as heck coffee, gooey cinnamon rolls, giant stacks of pancakes, egg dishes galore and a mean huevos rancheros. With soups, sandwiches and a decent-sized children’s menu, this is a wonderful stop on Main Street for breakfast or lunch. Come hungry. 970.668.3997 butterhornbakery.com
You’ve got to have a pizza joint on every mountain list. Something about that high altitude makes people crave “za” with a nice draft beer. Peppino’s Pizza & Subs will most certainly do the trick for all those cravings. Choose pizza by the slice or whole pies. Try their original combinations such as Cheeseburger in Paradise, Med Head, Mount Vesuvius, Mystic Pizza, Tree Hugger, Sweet Basil BBQ and many more. Calzones, salads, soups, sandwiches, desserts, wine, beer and a children’s menu are all available. 970.668.5128 peppinosfrisco.com
What to do
If visiting Frisco in winter, it’s of course winter sports that are on the agenda. The four nearby ski resorts provide guests with endless downhill skiing and snowboarding opportunities. The Frisco Nordic Center is very well known throughout the state for its 46 kilometers of trails for Nordic skiers of all abilities with skating, classic skiing and snowshoeing available as well as equipment rental and lessons. There are even several races throughout the season for various levels ofcompetitors. The Nordic Center is typically open from mid-November through early April. However, this is all dependent upon snow levels. (970.668.0866) If you are lucky to visit Frisco when Lake Dillon is frozen, grab a fishing pole and try to catch some of the lake’s hefty-sized trout.
Snowmobiling is another outdoor endeavor on endless backcountry trails with breathtaking views of Summit County’s most majestic winter scenery. 970.453.7604 goodtimesadventures.com in Breckenridge or 970.668.9945 coloradosnowmobile.com throughout Summit County.
Come summer, wait for the ice to thaw and jump in Lake Dillon. On second thought, don’t! It’s still freezing cold water, but the lake (an actual reservoir for Denver’s water supply) has a multitude of sailing and fishing options. Visit the Dillon Yacht Club at the Marina. The Colorado Division of Wildlife also stocks the reservoir with 50,000 Rainbow Trout each year. Additionally, hiking, biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting are all minutes from Frisco. It’s a great base for both winter andsummer recreation. And, throughout the year, visitors can hop on the Summit Stage, a free shuttle service throughout the county that makes getting from one destination to the next remarkably easy and hassle-free. (summitstage.com)
Don’t Miss
Place two items on the docket for winter in Frisco. First, the Wassail Festival is held from December 3-11 this year. The namesake for the festival comes from the word for Ol’ English apple cider. Frisco’s Main Street and Summit Boulevard are decorated with holiday charm and boutiques all brew their own version (some spiced!) of apple cider. The streets are alive with holiday carolers and true joy brims from each corner of the historic downtown. Pick up a walking map with a list of all the participating shops and restaurants that will be serving wassail. The merchants compete for the coveted ‘Frisco Wassail Day Cup’ for the best wassail served. Sample them all, it’s nearly impossible but a fun challenge.
Second, book a sleigh ride! Two Below Zero Sleigh Rides have operated in Summit County since 1983. The Travel Channel and CNN Headline News both filmed segments on this legendarydinner adventure. The trips leave from the Frisco Nordic Center, and guests ride through the Peninsula Recreation Area where they will take in incredible evening mountain views. There are six sleighs available that range from 14- to 20-passenger capacity. Hearty soup, Artisan rolls, NY Strip, chicken, baked potatoes, mixed vegetables, warm apple pie, cocoa, tea, coffee, Dillon Brewery beer, wine and peppermint schnapps are all served. Vegetarian and glutenfree options are available as wel as hot chocolate-only tours. Prices range from $45 – $89 depending on age of participant and time of season. Sleigh rides are available mid-November through mid-April, again, weather dependent. Once the snow melts, Two Below Sleigh Rides turns into a Chuck Wagon Adventure with a Wild West Show for summer. 970.453.1520 dinnersleighrides.com
There’s nothing but I-70 from Denver to Frisco. However, a quick jaunt into yesteryear at Georgetown is always a nice detour. How many times have you driven past Georgetown, but never exited? Stop looking for big horn sheep on the side of I-70 at this point, and pull off. Aside from cheap gas, Georgetown has a quaint downtown to stroll through and plenty of good eats to choose from—including pub fare, bistro, coffee shops, a killer candy store, saloon, tavern, Chinese and more. (georgetowncolorado.com). The kids, both young and old, will enjoy a ride on the Georgetown Loop Historic Railroad. The season runs April through the end of the year and takes visitors on a scenic ride to other mining towns. There are also themed rides throughout the year such as a Wine & Hors d’oeuvres Train, the Diesel Train, Moonlight in the Mountains Dinner Train, Pumpkin Festival Trains and more. georgetownlooprr.com
