By Daniel Kovacs | Summit County Real Estate
Why Retirees Choose Summit County
The retirees moving to Summit County are not looking for a quiet beach or a golf course community. They are looking for an active lifestyle that keeps them moving, engaged, and surrounded by natural beauty. I work with buyers in their 60s and 70s who ski 60+ days per season, hike every week from June through October, and volunteer with local organizations year-round. They chose Summit County because sitting still was never part of their retirement plan.
Summit County's year-round population skews younger than most mountain communities, but the 55+ demographic has grown steadily over the past decade. About 18% of full-time residents are over 60, and that number increases during winter months when seasonal retirees arrive for ski season. The community is welcoming, the recreation is world-class, and the setting is hard to beat.
Healthcare Access
St. Anthony Summit Medical Center
St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco is the primary healthcare facility for the county. The hospital provides 24/7 emergency services, inpatient care, surgical services, orthopedics, and imaging. The emergency department handles everything from ski injuries to cardiac events. For a rural mountain hospital, the quality of care is strong, with trauma capabilities and a helipad for Flight For Life transport to Denver-area hospitals when needed.
The hospital also operates primary care clinics in Frisco and Breckenridge, along with specialty clinics for cardiology, orthopedics, and women's health. Wait times for primary care appointments typically run 1 to 2 weeks for non-urgent visits.
Driving to Denver Specialists
For specialized care (oncology, neurology, advanced cardiology, and complex surgical procedures), most patients travel to Denver-area hospitals. The drive from Frisco to the St. Anthony campus in Lakewood takes approximately 90 minutes on a clear day. Swedish Medical Center in Englewood and University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora are about 2 hours east. Many retirees schedule specialist appointments mid-week to avoid ski traffic on I-70.
Some retirees maintain a primary care relationship in Summit County while keeping specialist doctors in Denver. Telehealth has closed part of this gap, with many follow-up appointments now handled via video call. Still, proximity to advanced medical care is a legitimate consideration for anyone with ongoing health needs. Be honest with yourself about your medical situation before committing to a mountain home as your primary residence.
Medicare at Altitude
Medicare coverage works the same in Summit County as anywhere in Colorado, but practical considerations matter:
- Provider availability: Most Summit County providers accept Medicare, but the pool of specialists is limited. You may need to travel to Denver for certain Medicare-covered services.
- Medicare Advantage plans: Network restrictions on Advantage plans can be limiting in rural mountain areas. Some plans that work well in Denver have few or no in-network providers in Summit County. Traditional Medicare with a Medigap supplement often provides more flexibility. Use the Medicare Care Compare tool to check provider ratings in Summit County.
- Prescription access: Pharmacies in Frisco, Silverthorne, and Breckenridge fill most prescriptions. Specialty medications may require mail-order or a Denver pickup.
- Air ambulance coverage: A Flight For Life membership ($65 per year for a household) covers the cost of emergency helicopter transport. Without it, a flight to Denver can cost $30,000 to $50,000 out of pocket. Medicare covers medically necessary air transport but often at rates below actual cost.
Senior Ski Programs and Deals
Colorado ski resorts offer some of the best senior deals in the industry:
- Epic Pass Senior discount: Skiers aged 65+ qualify for the Epic Senior Pass at a reduced rate (approximately $641 for unlimited access to all Vail Resorts properties). Ages 75+ ski free with a complimentary Epic Pass.
- Ikon Pass: Senior pricing for 65+ at Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin through the Ikon Pass system.
- 70+ Ski Club: The Over the Hill Gang (OTHG) is an active senior ski club with a Summit County chapter. Members organize group ski days, social events, and trips to other resorts. Annual membership is around $80.
- Adaptive skiing: Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) offers adaptive ski programs for seniors with mobility limitations, including sit-ski and guided experiences.
Year-Round Recreation for Active Seniors
Summer Activities
- Golf: The Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks (Silverthorne) and Keystone Ranch Golf Course offer mountain golf at altitude. The ball flies 10% to 15% farther at 9,000 feet. Green fees run $80 to $150 during peak season.
- Hiking: Summit County has hundreds of miles of maintained trails for all fitness levels. The Blue River Trail (paved, flat, 8 miles) is ideal for easy walks. Lily Pad Lake (moderate, 3 miles round trip) offers wildflowers and mountain views. Seniors who want a challenge can tackle peaks like Quandary (14,265 feet), a popular fourteener with a well-marked trail.
- Sailing and fishing: Lake Dillon (also called Dillon Reservoir) offers sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing for brown and rainbow trout. The Dillon Marina rents boats from June through September.
- Scenic drives: Loveland Pass, Boreas Pass, and the drive to Vail over Vail Pass offer stunning views without strenuous activity.
Winter Activities Beyond Downhill
- Cross-country skiing: Frisco Nordic Center and Gold Run Nordic Center maintain groomed trails for classic and skate skiing. Trail passes cost $25 to $30 per day or $300 to $400 for a season pass.
- Snowshoeing: Low-impact, easy on joints, and accessible to all fitness levels. Popular trails include Mohawk Lakes (moderate) and the Dillon Peninsula (easy).
- Winter hiking: Many summer trails are accessible with microspikes in winter. The Sapphire Point overlook is a 1-mile round trip with panoramic views of Lake Dillon.
Property Tax Senior Exemption
Colorado offers a property tax exemption for qualifying seniors aged 65 and older who have owned and occupied their home as a primary residence for at least 10 consecutive years. The exemption reduces the taxable value of the first $200,000 of your home's actual value by 50%. On a property assessed at $800,000, this can save roughly $500 to $700 per year in Summit County. The property tax guide breaks down the full calculation and application process.
Winter Challenges for Seniors
Mountain retirement is not for everyone, and being realistic about winter challenges matters:
- Snow and ice: Walkways, driveways, and parking areas need constant maintenance from November through April. A snow removal service costs $150 to $400 per month for residential properties. Falls on ice are a leading cause of senior injuries at altitude.
- Driving conditions: I-70 and county roads can be treacherous during storms. Traction laws require snow tires or chains from September through May. Some seniors limit driving during storms and plan errands around weather windows.
- Isolation risk: Major storms can keep you homebound for 1 to 2 days. Stock provisions, maintain a support network, and have a plan for medical emergencies during storms.
- Altitude effects: At 9,600 feet, oxygen levels are about 30% lower than sea level. Most people acclimate within weeks, but some seniors with respiratory or cardiac conditions find altitude challenging long-term. Consult your doctor before committing.
Social Clubs and Volunteer Opportunities
Retirement in Summit County does not mean isolation. The community offers extensive social connections:
- Summit County Senior Center: Located in Frisco, with programs including fitness classes, art workshops, weekly lunches, and day trips. Membership is free for residents 60+.
- Rotary and Lions Clubs: Active chapters in Breckenridge, Frisco, and Silverthorne.
- Summit Foundation: The county's largest nonprofit, always seeking volunteers for fundraising events, mentoring programs, and community projects.
- Friends of the Dillon Ranger District: Trail maintenance volunteer crews that work summer months keeping hiking trails in condition. Physical work at altitude with a community of outdoor enthusiasts.
- Library book clubs: The Summit County Library system runs multiple book clubs for different interests and reading levels.
Single-Level Living and Accessibility
Many mountain condos and townhomes feature multiple levels with steep internal stairs, which is not ideal for aging in place. When searching for a retirement property, prioritize:
- Ground-floor condos: Single-level units with no internal stairs. Complexes in Silverthorne and Dillon tend to have more ground-floor options than steep hillside properties in Breckenridge.
- Buildings with elevators: Larger condo complexes at resort bases (River Run at Keystone, Village at Breckenridge) have elevator access.
- Ranch-style homes: Single-story homes exist in Summit County but are less common than multi-level construction. Silverthorne and the Wildernest area offer the best selection.
- Garage access: A heated or attached garage eliminates the need to walk through snow and ice to reach your car. This feature becomes more important with age.
Average Retirement Costs
A rough monthly budget for a retired couple in Summit County (primary residence, mortgage-free):
- Property taxes: $350 to $550 per month (varies by property value and exemptions)
- HOA fees (if condo/townhome): $400 to $900 per month
- Utilities (electric, gas, water, internet): $250 to $450 per month
- Groceries: $600 to $900 per month
- Health insurance/Medicare supplement: $300 to $600 per month per person
- Snow removal: $150 to $400 per month (November through April)
- Ski passes: $100 to $150 per month (annualized)
- Vehicle maintenance (AWD, snow tires): $100 to $200 per month
Total: approximately $2,250 to $4,150 per month for a couple, excluding mortgage payments. These figures assume a modest lifestyle focused on outdoor recreation rather than fine dining or frequent travel.