Three Days in Frisco, Colorado

Escape to the Rockies for three days full of manicured runs, cozy fireplaces and a bevy of good eats

Nestled in the heart of Colorado’s aptly named Summit County, Frisco is the perfect home base for a weekend of exploring the slopes that make Colorado famous. Known as the Main Street of the Rockies, it’s located less than 30 minutes from six different ski resorts and the town itself is home to a slew of bars and restaurants that offer a laid-back après scene.

Friday

Fuel up for the day’s adventures at Bread + Salt, a made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch spot that opened in 2014. The menu features classic breakfast dishes, prepared fresh and with European flair; you’ll leave satisfied but not weighed down.

Warm up your ski legs with cross-country skiing at the Frisco Nordic Center. Located on the Peninsula Recreation Area, the Nordic Center offers lessons and equipment rentals, making it easy to get out for an hour or two of skiing. From there, take the shuttle to neighboring Copper Mountain, known in Summit County as the “local’s mountain” or “skier’s mountain,” due to its terrain and welcoming, uncrowded vibe. Renting gear is simple, and the short seven-minute drive makes a mid-day ski trip a breeze.

Round out your day with dinner and drinks at Prost, a quaint beer hall known for its authentic german sausages, pretzels and worldwide beer selection. The eclectic décor and hearty fare make for a fun experience.

Saturday

Grab and go with a coffee and muffin from Abbey’s on Main Street, then head to the Frisco Adventure Park for a morning of tubing. With lengthy 1,200 foot lanes, and lift service up the hill, tubing in Frisco is an extremely popular — and thrilling — activity. As such, reservations are recommended.

Post thrill-ride, grab a nosh at Food Hedz, opened by award-winning, Zagat No. 1 rated chef David Welch. Tucked away in an unassuming strip mall, fare by the award-winning chef ranges from sauteed shrimp, scallops and cod to a classic reuben sandwich.

For a challenge, go snowshoeing at Masontown and Mount Royal, Frisco’s most difficult trail. You’ll embark on a one-mile trip to Masontown — an abandoned mining camp where you will find historical remnants — followed by a one-mile hike to the top of Mount Royal, Frisco’s most recognizable peak from Main Street.

Once you’re fully spent, a pint or two at Backcountry Brewery & Restaurant will provide respite from a tiring hike. In addition to their brews, the menu features burgers, platters, sandwiches and more.

Sunday

Enjoy breakfast at the Log Cabin Café, an old-school diner on Main Street offering all the classics (and waitstaff that make you feel like a regular). Hop in your car and head to Breckenridge Ski Resort, located just 15 minutes from town. Breck offers nearly 3,000 acres of terrain for skiiers and boarders visiting from around the globe. The upper bowls of Peak Eight feature expansive views, including sightline to Copper Mountain. After you’ve gotten your footing on the ski mountain, try Breckenridge’s 25 acres of terrain parks for some adrenaline-inducing adventures.

Head back to Frisco for dinner. Locals are quick to recommend Pho Bay II. Unexpectedly tucked away inside the Baymont Inn & Suites, the warm bowls of Pho and other Vietnamese dishes won’t disappoint. Round out your night with drinks at Moose Jaw, a dive bar with a mountain feel, pool tables and foosball. A sign on the wall reads, “Be nice or leave,” and the owner, dubbed “Mama Moose,” is often present.

Where to Stay

• Summit Mountain Rentals offer luxury homes and condos that can accommodate groups of practically any size.
• The Frisco Inn on Galena is a quaint 15-room inn that was recently remodeled.
• The Frisco Lodge Bed & Breakfast, which was originally built as a stagecoach stop in the late 1800s, offers cozy accommodations and an historic past.