4th of July in Summit COunty

Copper Mountain brings back the ’80s this Independence Day weekend with the inaugural Big Wheel Rally from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, featuring races for both kids and adults.

Kids will begin the day with age-group races, and racing will finish with the Adult Big Wheel Relay, where teams of four compete for the winning title. Children must bring their own Big Wheel, and adults can borrow some that are provided, Copper spokesman David Roth said. Big Wheels will also be for sale on-site.

Registration fees go toward paying expenses of carrying the event out of its Boulder home and into another area, but organizer Matt Armbruster said anything that’s left will benefit the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation. In Boulder, it’s a social event that has had folks rolling through the Pearl Street Mall for 20 years.

Registration at the Copper event for children ages 3-8 is $15, which includes a race goodie bag, finisher ribbon, milk for the finish (no champagne) and a T-shirt. Adult relay teams cost $65, which includes all of the above, except a free drink at the Incline Bar and Grill instead of finish-line milk.

The Big Wheel Rally is part of Copper’s 3 Ring Weekend — a free family event featuring live music, a conscious carnival, the “Primp my Ride” kid-powered parade, fireworks and interactive activities designed to educate and entertain.

In conjunction with 3 Ring Weekend, the Copper Mountain Half Marathon returns for a fifth year, July 2-3. Runners can also test their skills with the Saturday 10k trail run and the kids MaraFun Run for ages 3-12 later in the morning.

The Fridays at Copper lineup kicks off today with free music from Jeremy Dion, a free showing of “Tangled” at Burning Stones Plaza and free activities — after guests spend $30 in the Village, they can redeem free tickets to Copper’s village activities, from bungee to bumper boats.

Keystone, Breckenridge
Keystone Resort debuts its summer Kidtopia KidsFest this weekend with free activities for everyone, including a petting zoo, face painting, games and more. The resort also has free music on Saturday with the Six Million Dollar Band and Five 13 in River Run Village. On July 4, there’s a free fishing derby for kids 13 and under, and a parade that day through River Run Village.

The gondola starts turning this weekend at Breckenridge Ski Resort. It opens at 9:30 a.m. for free service from the Gondola Lot to the base of Peak 8 and the Summer Fun Park, though bringing a bike along requires purchasing a bike haul ticket. Free parking is available at the Gondola North Lot.

This weekend, several new activities start up at Breckenridge, including pony rides, mountain biking, BreckTreck hikes and more. The T-Bar kicks off its all-new Free Music Fridays from 4-7 p.m. Every Saturday evening, the Ski Hill Grill patio is home to the Chuck Wagon Barbecue, with live entertainment, face painting, balloons, games and food.

Still skiing at A-Basin
It’s not just traditional summer fun at the resorts — Arapahoe Basin keeps skiing going through July 4 — the first time the resort’s been open until Independence Day since 1997.

The Basin has been running its lifts Friday through Sunday since ending daily ski operations June 5. It’s been open on July 4 four other times.

Black Mountain Express and Lenawee Mountain Lift will be open 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Lift tickets will be $39 for adults, $29 for youths (15-19) and $19 for children (6-14). Season passes valid at A-Basin during the regular season will continue to be valid during the Fourth of July weekend.

Summit Daily News 07.01.11