Take a clue from the animals – 5 reasons to love summer in Colorado
Hibernation time is over, my friends. Summer is here and it’s time to get out of bed, shake off the long winter and get outside! Take a hint from the animals in our great state – summer is the time to check out all the fun activities that the Colorado mountains have to offer.
1. Shake off the snow and see your friends
You may have spent all winter skiing (which is awesome), but one of the best parts of summer is that there are so many things to do with your friends who may or may not ski. Grab your pals and head up to Arapahoe Basin in Summit County for a wide range of activities from hiking, yoga and disc golf to hanging out listening to live music and playing yard games. You can even bring non-skier friends for a spin on the Black Mountain Express chairlift! There’s something for everyone to do in the mountains of Colorado – yes, even at a ski area!
2. Find food!
At the end of hibernation, the quest for finding food begins. A-Basin’s got plenty of good eats, including house-smoked BBQ on the weekends at Black Mountain Lodge. Bundle your BBQ lunch with a lift ticket and ride up to the lodge on the Black Mountain Express lift or hike the scenic Argentine-North Fork Trail to mid-mountain to work up your appetite. You can also hang out in the base area and try our summer lunch menu Friday through Monday in the 6th Alley Bar & Grill.
3. Make beautiful music
Birds chirping, pika squeaking, the creek roaring, insects buzzing – these are all sounds of summer! Here at A-Basin, you can add the sounds of live music on the Mountain Goat Plaza stage and laughing with your friends to that list. Go to the Basin for free concerts every Saturday afternoon through September 1. While you’re there, play some cornhole and grab a famous A-Basin Bacon Bloody Mary from the 6th Alley Bar.
4. Get in a good stretch
When you’ve been cooped up all winter, it’s important to get your body moving again. Stop by A-Basin on Fridays and Sundays for one-hour yoga sessions in the Mountain Goat Plaza base area; save money by purchasing your yoga class online in advance. The ski area also offers free disc golf with nine par-3 holes and nine more on the way for late summer. You can also hike and bike for free on the Argentine-North Fork Trail and explore the runs you ski in the winter.
5. It’s colorful Colorado – what place could be better than this?
Summer in the Colorado mountains means abundant sunshine, low-to-no humidity (amazing), and warm temperatures. You can drive just 70 miles west to Arapahoe Basin to escape the crazy city heat and take in the incredible natural surroundings of our state. A-Basin’s location on the Continental Divide provides scenery for miles and access to some of the best wildflower and wildlife viewing around! Look for mountain goats on the East Wall and check out the Colorado blue columbine, white bittercress and rosy Indian paintbrush along the hiking trail. You may even spot a moose on your way up to the Basin!
All of the animals – human and otherwise – know that summer is one of the best parts about living in Colorado. Take advantage of this short but sweet season, and come out and play with us in the mountains!
