Dining

Fork Favorite

Stuffed Rocky Mountain Trout

Silverheels Bar & Grill

Easygoing Frisco favorite Silverheels is casual enough for a straight-off-the-slopes family meal and classy enough for a dressed-up anniversary dinner.

The light, but oh-so-rich, stuffed Rocky Mountain trout is a year-round popular pick. Here’s why: Chefs score daily Seattle Fish Company catches (rainbow trout pulled from Idaho rivers to be exact); hand-trim the flaky filet, pan roast it with white wine, butter, garlic, fresh herbs, salt and pepper; top it with roasted tomatoes and a velvety snow crab concoction comprised of eggs, crushed red pepper and cream cheese; and finish with a helping of housemade hollandaise.

The classic Colorado plate comes with savory cornbread stuffing, chef’s vegetables and a side. We recommend the quinoa wild rice pilaf—you know, to keep it healthy.

Pair this dish with a buttery chardonnay. Reservations recommended.

601 Main St., Frisco, 970-668-0345, silverheelsrestaurant.com

Profile

Eat and Ski Under the Stars

Copper Mountain's Moonlight Dine & Ski

Layer up and ride the chairlift into the dark night sky, a full (or nearly full) moon glowing overhead and live music, hot cider and a gourmet spread waiting at the top.

It’s a magical night that, with just 100 seats and three gatherings offered each winter, not too many Copper Mountain guests get to experience.

Eager diners gobbled up tickets to the resort’s sold out Moonlight Dine & Ski dinners during the inaugural 2015-16 season. Three designated evenings–New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s and a spring closer–on dates closest to the full moon highlighted the new on-hill dinners. The 2016-17 season dates are December 31, February 11 and March 11.

The fine dining event begins with a ride on the American Eagle chairlift up to Solitude Station for hot apple cider and an adult beverage, followed by a buffet-style dinner, dessert, coffee and live music by Summit County’s own guitar hero Beau Thomas.

The day lodge food court becomes a colorful candlelit night party that’s energetic and intimate all at once. Savor the meal, eat as much as you’d like and then ski or snowboard back down to Center Village under the star-studded sky on a groomed moonlit path.

Ski patrollers and instructors guide similar level groups down the mountain one at a time, zooming or slowly carving down the slope based on the group. Headlamps are available, but not necessary with the light of the full moon illuminating the mountain.

Arrive at the base, take your drink ticket to one of the participating bars and toast an unforgettable night.

Tickets go on sale in November. (Buy early. These dinners sell out.) For 2016-17 menus, times and other tidbits, call 970-968-2318 or visit CopperColorado.com.

Logistics Cost: Dinners range from $90 to $100/person (plus tax and gratuity)

Duration: 5:30–10 p.m. Ages: Adults 12+

Bring: Shoes (though disposable slippers are provided) and ski gear

Drinks: Cash bar (wine, beer, cocktails)

Ski level: Must be an intermediate skier

Sample Menu

Executive Banquet Chef Dave Taladay crafts delicious feasts, unique for each dinner. Here’s a taste of the Moonlight Dinner menu from last Valentine’s Day.

New in Town

The latest flavors on the block worth checking out.

The Clubhoue

Frisco’s new indoor golf simulator bar will have you hitting the links all winter at courses like New South Wales and Cabo del Sol. The upscale cocktail lounge spoils guests with a fireplace, breathtaking mountain views and free billiards. Golf is $40/hour for a whole group.

Dine on bacon jalapeno grilled cheese, meatball sliders or fig, bacon and goat cheese flatbread and make a night of it—the Clubhouse is swinging until 12:30 a.m.

409 Main St., Frisco, 970-368-6624, clubhousefrisco.com

Mahi’s Street Tacos

Answering to the grab-and-go set, Mahi’s opened in June in Copper’s Center Village. Tacos, salads and quesadillas are served up fresh with sustainably caught mahi, blackened shrimp and Pollock, and Colorado-sourced Red Bird Farms chicken and Aspen Ridge grilled steak.

Enjoy a tasty margarita or sangria on the outdoor patio. Kids meals available.

Center Village, Copper Mountain, 970-968-2318, CopperColorado.com

Eagle BBQ

Slopeside views, a generous patio, a hop-skip from the American Eagle chairlift with smoky goodness you can sniff out a mile away—it’s easy to love Eagle BBQ.

The two-story ski-up restaurant opens November 2016, specializing in brisket chili, pork ribs, smoked chicken, pulled pork and homemade sides. It’s Colorado- style barbecue, borrowing from greats like Texas, North Carolina and Memphis, with a serious Southern Pride smoker and a full bar.

Center Village, Copper Mountain, CopperColorado.com

On the Rockies Whiskey Bar

Expect creative shared plates and mid-range to high-end whiskeys from Colorado to Ireland at this après and late night spot by the same owner as Eagle BBQ. On the Rockies Whiskey Bar opened in summer 2016, running a light salad and sandwich summer menu and pulling over Eagle BBQ winter offerings.

Two floors, two bars, daily happy hour, DJs on the weekends and deep hues and dark woods make this a superb space to foray the sultry world of whiskey.

Center Village, Copper Mountain, CopperColorado.com

Trend Watch

Brain Food

Want to learn more about the Paleo Diet? Interested in a how-to on healthy meals made in under an hour? Frisco’s new Natural Grocers hosts free cooking and nutrition events in its onsite kitchen-classroom. Check out their seminars, cooking demos and health fairs, ask questions and learn from the experts how to live healthy.

Events are always free and last about an hour. First come, first seated. No reservations required. 970 N. Ten Mile Dr., Frisco, 970-262-1100, naturalgrocers.com

Smoothie Stop

Copper Mountain’s Camp Hale serves a full line of fruit and veggie smoothies made from scratch. Try the Morally Green (spinach, kale, cucumber, strawberries and a banana blended with apple juice and ice) for a mama-nature-fueled energy kick.

Camp Hale’s build-your-own breakfast and lunch sammies are legit as well.

3 locations, Copper Mountain, CopperColorado.com

Make It Yourself

Summer Muletini

Vinny's bartender, Tao Etpison, shares one of his favorite cocktails.

Beer Lover's Paradise

There is no shortage of suds in Frisco and Copper. Here’s where to go and what to order:

Mulligan’s Irish Pub

Belly up with locals at Copper Mountain’s late-night pub for fun and games. Order a Guinness or one of many Colorado beers on tap and hit up the Irish-American bar’s famous dual-game beer pong table, pool tables, foosball and Jenga.

231 Ten Mile Circle, Copper Mountain, 970-968-2084, mulligans.name

Incline Bar & Grill

Looking for deals and variety? Incline is your place with 22 beers on tap (17 are Colorado drafts) and one of the best happy hours around. Order $3 PBR and Miller Lite and $4 Colorado drafts every day from 3 to 6 p.m. Try anything from the Colorado Cider Company.

178 Copper Circle, Copper Mountain, 970-968-0200, inclinegrill.com

Backcountry Brewery

Frisco’s brewery packs more than 30 combined years of experience and consistently brings home Great American Beer Festival medals. Look for the seasonal Dopplebock, a strong German lager known for its malt-forward, bready and nutty flavors. Or sip the classic award-winning European-style pilsner.

720 Main St., Frisco, 970-668-2337, backcountrybrewery.com

Cone Round-UP

4 ice cream spots for sweet tooth heaven.

1. Foote's Rest Sweet Shoppe

Foote’s Rest Sweet Shoppe in Frisco not only carries to-die-for fudge, their homemade ice cream is all about cow to cone freshness and top tier fruit, nut and candy add-ins.

2. Sugar Lips

Order the doughnut ice cream at Copper Mountain’s locally owned Sugar Lips or try a soft-hot-cold trifecta with a mini-donut sundae.

3. Abbey's Coffee

Frisco java favorite Abbey’s Coffee carries eight creamy Dreyer’s varieties, including raspberry sorbet, black cherry vanilla, mint chocolate chip and espresso chip.

4. The Crepe Stand and Mountain Top Cookie Shop

Go beyond ice cream with hot, fresh-baked cookies and delectable crepes at this new Copper Mountain sweet shop.

Breakfast Deal

Rocky Mountain Coffee Roasters

Ask for the roaster’s breakfast special and devour an egg sandwich with your choice of ham, bacon, sausage or chorizo and cheese on an oversized English muffin with a small drip coffee for just under $6.

285 Main St., Frisco, 970-668-3470, rmcoffeeroasters.com

Sips with a View

5 Sunny Scenic Patios to Perch and People-Watch

The Island Grill at Frisco Bay Marina

Go For: A gorgeous summer lakeside setting (snowcapped peaks reflecting off Lake Dillon as sailboats glide by – it’s daydreamy).

Bonus: Yard games and a nearby playground make this sipping scene super kiddo-friendly.

Order This: Summer happy hour runs daily 4–7 p.m. and includes $5 island cocktails. Kick back on the deck with a Mai Tai.

900 E. Main St., Frisco, 970-668-9999, islandgrillfrisco.com

Incline Bar & Grill

Go For: The money-shot view of the Main Vein half pipe, live music on weekends, an awesome fire pit and patio overlooking the slopes.

Order This: Après ski or post-hike, the daily 3–6 p.m. happy hour is your spot for $4 Colorado microbrews – with an impressive 17 taps to choose from. Pair with an order of spicy sweet chili wings.

Center Village, Copper Mountain, 970-968-0200, inclinegrill.com

Greco’s Pastaria

Go for: Scratch New York-style hand-tossed pizzas and a street-level patio that faces all the action along Main.

Order this: Locals love to linger over wallet-friendly wine and tasty apps like the signature Italian wontons and blue mussels in a pesto marinara broth. 311 E. Main St., Frisco, 970-668-5442, grecospastaria.com

JJ’s Tavern

Go For: Patio views of the pristine golf course you just finished slaying (or slopes you shredded, if it’s winter), a daily 4–6 p.m. winter happy hour and the longest bar in Summit County.

Order This: Ask about the day’s draft specials and take your Colorado IPA outside with a side of golden beer-battered onion rings sided with cheddar queso.

East Village, Copper Mountain, 970-968-3062, CopperColorado.com

Gustino’s Lakeside Pizzeria

Go For: Slices topped with imported Italian tomatoes and cheeses enjoyed on a chill deck overlooking West Lake, where you can watch the kids ice skate (or bumper boat and zip line in the summer).

Order This: A glass of cabernet is best served alongside the Godfather pizza, a monster pie loaded with housemade meatballs, Italian sausage, pepperoni, caramelized onion, mushroom, kalamata olives and mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.

Center Village, Copper Mountain, 970-968-3222, CopperColorado.com

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