1 year ago: Skier injured after sliding about 1,100 feet in avalanche at Sky Chutes

A skier suffered injuries in an avalanche on April 12, 2025, in the K Chute of a popular backcountry spot in Summit County known as the Sky Chutes, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. On that day, a group of four skiers left Breckenridge Resort through a backcountry access point with plans to ski the K Chute. One skier triggered the avalanche, which broke above him, sweeping him down the path and out of sight. One of his companions was able to locate him and the party took him to St. Anthony Summit Hospital. Subsequent backcountry skiers coming to the area found the avalanche and began to search for an avalanche transceiver signal before calling 911. Summit County Rescue Group members were called and got as far as driving to the base of the Sky Chutes before being informed that the skier had already made it to the hospital.

— From the April 15, 2025, edition of Summit Daily News

5 years ago: County seeks public input on Quandary Peak shuttle, reservation ideas

On April 14, 2021, Summit County officials shared a survey on social media asking people for their input on how to potentially solve parking and congestion issues around Quandary Peak, one of the state’s most popular 14,000-foot mountains. A group of stakeholder have developed some potential fixes to help manage increased use, preserve the visitor experience and protect resources in the Quandary Peak area. Possible solutions include requiring permits to hike the peak, a shuttle service and mandatory carpools. (Officials eventually required parking reservations at the peak’s trailhead, as well as providing a shuttle service.)

— From the April 17, 2021, edition of Summit Daily News

10 years ago: Summit Cove residents report mixed success with new cell tower

The Summit Cove subdivision between Keystone and Dillon has been notorious for a complete lack of cellular coverage for some time, with many homeowners resorting to signal boosters in their homes to receive calls. Some callers reported they still need to stand next to those same antennae to make or receive calls, even after a new Verizon tower, located at Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue Station 12, went live in early February 2016. Since plans for an AT&T tower near the landfill between Keystone and Summit Cove were scrapped, Verizon was the sole carrier in the area at the time. 

— From the April 13, 2016, edition of Summit Daily News

15 years ago: Summit County residents annoyed by ‘American ghost town’ ranking

Some residents have expressed their irritation with an article that appeared in Yahoo’s online finance section April 11, 2011. Summit County has somehow landed itself third in a recently published list of the “American ghost towns of the 21st century.” The rankings were based on vacancy percentages released by the U.S. Census for 2010 and local residents and officials say those numbers lack context. Summit County had a 61% vacancy rate in the Census data, but local real estate professionals and county officials say the percentage does not account for the county’s many second homes, owned by part-time residents who are not counted in the county’s census population numbers.

— From the April 13, 2011, edition of Summit Daily News

1 year ago: Skier injured after sliding about 1,100 feet in avalanche at Sky Chutes

A skier suffered injuries in an avalanche on April 12, 2025, in the K Chute of a popular backcountry spot in Summit County known as the Sky Chutes, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. On that day, a group of four skiers left Breckenridge Resort through a backcountry access point with plans to ski the K Chute. One skier triggered the avalanche, which broke above him, sweeping him down the path and out of sight. One of his companions was able to locate him and the party took him to St. Anthony Summit Hospital. Subsequent backcountry skiers coming to the area found the avalanche and began to search for an avalanche transceiver signal before calling 911. Summit County Rescue Group members were called and got as far as driving to the base of the Sky Chutes before being informed that the skier had already made it to the hospital.

— From the April 15, 2025, edition of Summit Daily News

5 years ago: County seeks public input on Quandary Peak shuttle, reservation ideas

On April 14, 2021, Summit County officials shared a survey on social media asking people for their input on how to potentially solve parking and congestion issues around Quandary Peak, one of the state’s most popular 14,000-foot mountains. A group of stakeholder have developed some potential fixes to help manage increased use, preserve the visitor experience and protect resources in the Quandary Peak area. Possible solutions include requiring permits to hike the peak, a shuttle service and mandatory carpools. (Officials eventually required parking reservations at the peak’s trailhead, as well as providing a shuttle service.)

— From the April 17, 2021, edition of Summit Daily News

10 years ago: Summit Cove residents report mixed success with new cell tower

The Summit Cove subdivision between Keystone and Dillon has been notorious for a complete lack of cellular coverage for some time, with many homeowners resorting to signal boosters in their homes to receive calls. Some callers reported they still need to stand next to those same antennae to make or receive calls, even after a new Verizon tower, located at Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue Station 12, went live in early February 2016. Since plans for an AT&T tower near the landfill between Keystone and Summit Cove were scrapped, Verizon was the sole carrier in the area at the time. 

— From the April 13, 2016, edition of Summit Daily News

15 years ago: Summit County residents annoyed by ‘American ghost town’ ranking

Some residents have expressed their irritation with an article that appeared in Yahoo’s online finance section April 11, 2011. Summit County has somehow landed itself third in a recently published list of the “American ghost towns of the 21st century.” The rankings were based on vacancy percentages released by the U.S. Census for 2010 and local residents and officials say those numbers lack context. Summit County had a 61% vacancy rate in the Census data, but local real estate professionals and county officials say the percentage does not account for the county’s many second homes, owned by part-time residents who are not counted in the county’s census population numbers.

— From the April 13, 2011, edition of Summit Daily News

30 years ago: County commissioners amend code to allow for larger accessory apartments

On April 15, 1996, the Summit County Board of County Commissioners amended the county’s development code regulations concerning accessory apartments in an effort to encourage more affordable housing throughout the county. The original provision on such units, in place since 1991. allowed accessory apartments of 600 square feet or less — or no more than 45% of the primary residence — to be included as part of a single family residence. Under the new provision, accessory apartments can be up to 900 square feet, allowing space for three people to reside together. The number of accessory units allowed in a subdivision remains limited to 10 percent of the total units, and the accessory units must be established and occupied in a manner that preserves the residential character of the neighborhood in which it is located.

— From the April 17, 1996, edition of Summit Daily News

125 years ago: Snow slide shuts down rail traffic over Boreas Pass after mild winter

The Colorado & Southern Railway has experienced more trouble on the High Line over Boreas Pass over one week in April 1901 than it has for the rest of the winter combined as the operators dealt with issues from snow and ice on the tracks. A huge avalanche on the night of April 14 covered about 300 feet of track near Uneva Lake, averaging 20 feet in depth. Rail travel required the use of the Rio Grande Railroad track between Dillon and Leadville on April 15 and 16 while crews cleared the rails. On April 17 the west-bound passenger train from Como got ice-bound on Boreas Pass and did not arrive into Breckenridge until midnight April 18. The Summit County Journal reported the track is clear and with spring weather’s arrival, it’s expected that ice and snow troubles are over for the season.

— From the April 20, 1901, edition of Summit County Journal

30 years ago: County commissioners amend code to allow for larger accessory apartments

On April 15, 1996, the Summit County Board of County Commissioners amended the county’s development code regulations concerning accessory apartments in an effort to encourage more affordable housing throughout the county. The original provision on such units, in place since 1991. allowed accessory apartments of 600 square feet or less — or no more than 45% of the primary residence — to be included as part of a single family residence. Under the new provision, accessory apartments can be up to 900 square feet, allowing space for three people to reside together. The number of accessory units allowed in a subdivision remains limited to 10 percent of the total units, and the accessory units must be established and occupied in a manner that preserves the residential character of the neighborhood in which it is located.

— From the April 17, 1996, edition of Summit Daily News

125 years ago: Snow slide shuts down rail traffic over Boreas Pass after mild winter

The Colorado & Southern Railway has experienced more trouble on the High Line over Boreas Pass over one week in April 1901 than it has for the rest of the winter combined as the operators dealt with issues from snow and ice on the tracks. A huge avalanche on the night of April 14 covered about 300 feet of track near Uneva Lake, averaging 20 feet in depth. Rail travel required the use of the Rio Grande Railroad track between Dillon and Leadville on April 15 and 16 while crews cleared the rails. On April 17 the west-bound passenger train from Como got ice-bound on Boreas Pass and did not arrive into Breckenridge until midnight April 18. The Summit County Journal reported the track is clear and with spring weather’s arrival, it’s expected that ice and snow troubles are over for the season.

— From the April 20, 1901, edition of Summit County Journal