
But Silverthorne is also increasingly a year-round adventure destination in its own right, with whitewater sports and world-class trout fishing along the Blue River and an extensive trail system including two National Forest Service trailheads and access to the Eagles Nest and Ptarmigan Peak wilderness areas. Silverthorne’s paved Blue River Trail, open to cyclists and pedestrians, connects the town to the nearby Dillon Reservoir, to other Summit County destinations including Keystone, Frisco and Copper Mountain, and to Vail Pass, the Vail Valley and beyond.

This month, the area is a leaf-peeping Mecca, with the aspen trees doing their glorious thing. To make the most of all that fall foliage, try the 4.2-mile hike along the Mesa Cortina and Gore Range trails to Willow Falls, elevation 10,007 feet, and, if you’re feeling inspired, push on to Red Buffalo Pass at 11,748 feet and Eccles Pass at 11,900 feet. Afterward, stop for showers and a swim at the Silverthorne Recreation Center, and check out the skatepark and playground at the adjacent Rainbow Park.

In the winter, Silverthorne boasts an impressive system of groomed Nordic ski trails, and diehard powder chasers use the town as staging area and carpool meet-up as they wait for the 5 a.m. snow reports. As often as not, the most snow will be at nearby Breckenridge or Copper Mountain, but Steamboat, Vail and Beaver Creek are all also within reach in time for first chair. Check out OpenSnow.com for the best powder predictions to help plan your mission.
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