Copper Creek Golf Course at Copper Mountain

After 22 straight days of 90+ degree heat in Denver I was ready to escape to the mountains. I headed to Copper Mountain with my wife to try out the Copper Creek Golf Course. It was 102 degrees when we left Denver. 45 minutes later we pulled into the Dillon Dam Brewery where we stepped out of the car into crisp 60 degree mountain air. Talk about refreshing!

We arrived at Copper Mountain and checked into our condo in Passage Point. It was late in the evening so we opted to stay in and veg out with the TV. We opened the doors and windows of our condo and enjoyed the cool mountain air. Did I say "refreshing" yet?

Our 10:30 tee time gave us time to sleep in a bit, cook breakfast, and grab a Starbucks in the Village before heading to the golf course. We've never played Copper Creek so we were excited. I've seen the course before, but it's usually buried under a few feet of snow. There are several holes at the base of the mountain that I did not even know existed. Sure, I've SKIED the 18th hole, but this was my first time teeing off from that slope!

The Starter at the course was friendly and helpful. He explained that Copper Creek is the highest 18 hole championship course in the U.S. The thinner air allows balls to fly 18% further than at sea level. I have to take his word on that. What I do know is that I cranked one drive 270 yards. As a 25 handicap player that might be my longest drive ever.

Did I mention how nice the weather is in Colorado's mountains in the summer? The high that day was 65 degrees with some scattered clouds. It was 100 degrees in Denver.

I recognized the tee box for the first hole as a ridge that makes a nice little jump in the winter. Not until just now did I recognize the first fairway as a green run that leads to the Super-Bee chairlift! The front nine slides away from the mountain and runs among the condos at Copper Mountain. I admit that I lost a few balls to the many water features that dominate these holes.

The back nine snakes around the Fairway Neighborhood with long and tight fairways. Starting with the 12th the course opens up with views of the Sky Chutes and the 10 Mile Range. We both agreed that we prefer the back nine where the course winds up the lower flanks of Copper Mountain. The trees provide that "mountain" feel and the terrain is more interesting. The 18th starts high above the green and begs you to let loose with your driver. Unfortunately, I let loose with a giant divot. Not what I wanted, but hey, it was a great day of golf in the mountains!

Keystone, Copper and Breckenridge (and don’t forget A-Basin)

Those few words are the reason that most skiers never drive deeper into the Rocky Mountains than Summit County. And who could blame them. These three major resorts (plus the hidden gem Arapahoe Basin) are the Mecca, literally all a million skiers every winter seek. Let’s take a look why.




Location, location …



Keystone & Arapahoe Basin: Driving in from Denver and points east, there are two routes into Keystone. One is easy (I 70 west to Hwy 9, south for 10 miles), the other not so easy, but worth the effort and a little extra time. That would be I 70 to Hwy 6, up over Loveland Pass and down past Arapahoe Basin to Keystone). If it’s daytime, and the weather is clear, take Hwy 6 … at least once. It’s worth an extra 30 minutes, especially if your destination is Keystone.



Highway 6 over Loveland Pass is the route everyone took into the high country prior to the completion of the Eisenhower Tunnel back in 1960 – which changed everything. The old route is two lane, and you climb via switchbacks to about 12,000 feet before cresting the pass. The views are spectacular. And as an added treat, you will almost certainly see backcountry skiers and boarders making what look like first descents all around you into the valley floor - their only lift, a waiting SUV or maybe an aging van.



Shortly, up on your left is Arapahoe Basin, a historic ski landmark if ever there was one. A-Basin as it’s known locally, is essentially day ski area. There is no lodging here. But don’t let that fact dissuade you from skiing here. Your cozy lodging at Keystone is only 2 miles further down the road.





With a vertical of 2,257 feet, and a summit of 13,050 feet, A-Basin offers some of the steepest trails and smaller bowls in Colorado. And even thought this is an independent mountain (not owned by Vail Resorts) your Keystone lift ticket is valid here every day. So pull on in, grab a trail map, and plan on coming up here one day during your Keystone trip. Think of the bragging rights when you get back home.




Next stop – Keystone. Stay tuned, big mountain skiing ( and refined mountain living, just ahead