Being in the heart of the action is a crucial need for travelers visiting Summit County. I-70 traffic is a challenge, so getting to the slopes in the shortest drive possible is a necessity. That’s why I chose to stay in Silverthorne. I decided to compile a list of food, drink, skiing, and hotel recommendations for those who travel to Silverthorne.
This list is based on my personal experiences, along with recommendations from The Pad, which is where I stayed.
Where To Ski Or Ride:ย Being in Silverthorne gives you close access to numerous ski resorts that are on the Epic and Ikon passes. The closest ski resort is Keystone, which is around a fifteen-minute drive.
During my stay in Silverthorne, I traveled to A-Basin and Copper Mountain. Copper is around a fifteen drive from Silverthorne, while Araphaoe is around an 18-minute drive.
Another relatively close Ikon Pass partner is Winter Park Resort, which is a 108-minute drive. Even Steamboat isn’t that far of a journey. It takes around ninety minutes to get there from Silverthorne.
For Epic Pass ski resorts, the drive to Breck takes 23 minutes, getting to Vail is a little over 30 minutes, and Beaver Creek is around a fifty-minute drive.
Where To Stay:ย The Pad is a new hotel and hostel property in Silverthorne, which is located a short drive away from I-70. Opened in 2021, the property is intended for the modern-day adventure traveler. Some of the amenities include a large outdoor hot tub, bar, events at the A-Bar throughout the week, and a locker room for outdoor gear.
There are a variety of room options. If you’re on a budget, they’re comfortable hostel rooms that allow you to meet new people. For their private options, they have deluxe suites, rooms for families, and shipping container rooms.
I stayed in the container room, which I really liked. The bed was comfortable, and the bathroom and kitchen are spacious. There’s a kitchen in these units, and there’s also a kitchen available downstairs, where guests can prepare meals for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Where To Dine: There are many great eating options around Silverthorne. For those on a budget, the Cheeba Hut “Toasted” Subs has an expansive range of sandwiches with delicious sauces. They also have drinks FOR $4.20 during happy hour, which may be symbolic of something that’s legal in Colorado.
For a dine-in experience, Arapahoe Cafe & Pub in Dillon is a great option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. First opened in 1945, the cafe features comfort food, with their lunch and dinner being BBQ focused.
For fancier restaurants, the one that I really liked was Sauce On The Blue, which is an Italian restaurant with a deep liquor lineup. The Italian food that I tried was excellent, and there is a giant liquor wall full of wines and heavy liquor. For another fancy choice, Bistro North is a globally infused restaurant with an expansive cocktail and wine lineup.
Where To Aprรจs-Ski: Angry James Brewery is a great option for beer lovers. They have a variety of beers on tap there, and it was ranked as having the best beer in Summit County. In addition, they serve Mountain Melt Grilled cheeses there.
For wine aficionados, check out Saved By The Wine. The recommended items from them include charcuterie boards, fondue, and wine flights. 2.5% of their net profits go toward animal shelters, which is pretty cool.
At the Pad, there’s the A-BAR. They have a variety of beers on tap, host events throughout the week, and there are numerous large TV screens to watch major sporting matches.
Ultimately, if you’re planning a trip to Colorado, the closer you are to the ski resorts, the better. That’s why I picked to stay in Silverthorne. After staying there for a couple of nights, I can recommend it to you, and suggest checking out or staying at The Pad during your visit.
Image Credits: The Pad, Sauce On The Blue, Ian Wood of Unofficial Networks
