Frisco to Vail Pass

A popular Colorado bike ride

Frisco - Copper Mountain - Vail Pass - Copper Mountain - Frisco

Be ready for high altitude riding in the midst of tundra and rocky mountain peaks. You will enjoy a low-stress accessible scenic bike ride from the quaint mountain town of Frisco, Colorado, to the top of Vail Pass.

Vail Pass is a highly recommended road ride in Summit County, Colorado, perfect for solo, group or family rides (with older children). You will join a steady stream of cyclists three seasons of the year on this popular route; not accessible in winter. Round trip distance is 25.8 miles (half of it is downhill!).

Some local bike shops (see the list here) offer a tourist shuttle service (with bike rental) to the rest stop at the top (located off of I-70, exit #190). The shuttle vans conveniently unload you and your bike on Vail Pass and set you free to quickly descend all the way back through Copper Mountain Village to Frisco.

For much of the way, you will follow a nice paved two-way bike path - free from traffic - with open mountain vistas. Although the route parallels I-70, the large highway is audibly noticeable only at times during the ride. Beautiful in summer and fall, occasional flooding may occur over the bike path (usually passable) in early spring. Watch for late afternoon rain showers (be sure to bring a jacket). Look for mountain goats peering down from rock outcroppings along the path.

I like the relaxed vibe at the Frisco Marina, be sure to bike out to the point. The Island Grill (next to the Marina store) has outdoor seating, there is also a lawn for post-ride picnics.

Your ride:

• Start: Frisco, CO, US
• Distance: 25.6 mi
• Elevation: + 1664 / - 1664 ft
• Max Grade of climb: 6.9 %
• Avg. Grade of climb: 2.8%
• Finish: Frisco Marina
• Difficulty: Moderate steady climb at altitude. Easy for children if you shuttle to the top and ride down.

Please read the additional riding in Summit County cycling tips offered on this page.

LOCATION - SUMMIT COUNTY

Summit County is one of my favorite areas to visit in summer and fall. Nearby towns include: Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail, Avon, Edwards, Minturn. You can reach Vail Pass by bicycle from any of these local Colorado towns.

START/FINISH AND PARKING

This route begins and ends at the free public parking lot at Frisco Marina (267 Marina Rd, Frisco, CO 80443).

WATER ON ROUTE

Water is available next to the small restroom at the parking lot, also at the Marina, at convenience stores in Frisco and before (east side) of Copper Mountain Village, and at the top of Vail Pass.

RESTROOMS ON ROUTE

Public restrooms are located at the Marina, in the public park in downtown Frisco, near the bridge before joining the bike path to Copper Mountain, along the bike path to Copper Mountain, at the convenience store outside of Copper Mountain Village and at the very top of Vail Pass.

CAUTIONS ON ROUTE

Come prepared for changing weather. Plan your ride between 8:00am-1:00pm. Afternoon rain showers are common. Route flooding is possible on the path between Frisco and Copper Village in spring (some cyclists carry flip-flops); possible debris and/or snowmelt inside the short dark tunnel, which passes under I-70, just before the parking lot at the very top of the pass.

POINTS OF INTEREST (POI) ON ROUTE

• Frisco Marina has rental boats and scenic activity.
• Frisco has a small museum, historic park and frequent festive outdoor town events.
• Copper Mountain Village is also a lovely setting for outdoor events.
• Copper Village has a kids play area featuring Go-Karts, climbing wall and mini-golf.

AREA HISTORY

Read more about the history of the towns you will be riding through and roads you will be riding upon here.

LOCAL FOOD AND DRINKS

Frisco

• Boatyard American Grill: Lunch, dinner and wine; good healthy food. Location Open daily 11:00am-10:00pm. 304 Main St, Frisco, CO 80443
• Greco's Pastaria: Pizza, salad, and pasta. Location 311 E. Main Street, Frisco, CO 80443
• Whole Foods: Grocery store; has bicycle parking and makes a good place to stop. Location 261 Lusher Ct, Frisco, CO 80443.
• Butterhorn Bakery: Good breakfast and lunch, plus pastries and breakfast burritos to go. Open 7:30am-2:30pm (no dinner). Location 408 Main Street, Frisco, CO 80443.
• Prost Fine Beers and Sausages : Beer, sausages, soups and sandwiches. Open daily 11:30am-10:00pm. Happy Hour daily 4-6pm. Location 313 Main St, Frisco, CO 80443.
• Island Grill and Bar: Food and drink on patio restaurant in Marina. Nice patio. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Open daily 11:30am-7:00pm. Happy Hour daily 4-7pm. Free Live music on Friday nights during Happy Hour. Location 900 E Main St, Frisco CO 80443.
• Food Hedz: Very nice lunches and dinners, changing menu of fresh food. Best for sit down meals with wine. Location 842 Summit Blvd, Frisco, CO 80443. C0losed Sundays and Mondays, open Tue-Sat: 11:am-3pm and 5-8pm.

Copper Mountain

• Incline Bar and Grill: Serves a varied American menu and bar; outside seating. Location 178 Copper Cir, Frisco, CO 80443, Open daily 11:am-10:00pm, Happy Hour daily 3-6pm.
• Camp Hale Coffee Shop: Coffee, fresh pastries made onsite, breakfast and lunch snacks. Open daily 7:00am-12:00pm only. Location 184 Copper Cir, Frisco, CO 80443.
• Casa Sanchez: Family owned Mexican food and margaritas. Location - Located at Village Square Condo at the Boardwalk.
• Copper Mountain Village some restaurants or coffee shops might be open in Summer (this village is somewhat seasonal).
• Quiznos and Conoco: At the end of the bike path from Frisco, just before (east) of Copper Mountain Village is a cluster of buildings where you may find water and food and public restrooms. This is an excellent place to wait out afternoon rainstorms (which typically last 30-50 minutes). Location near I-70, Exit 195.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CYCLING IN COLORADO

More cautions, cycling tips, tourist information and a list of bike shops (including bike rental locations) may be found on the Pedal Dancer Ambassador Profile page.

OTHER NEARBY ROUTES

You may continue cycling down to Vail Village; the climb from Vail back to the top of the pass is much steeper. It is an 8.7mile climb from East Vail with a 1,831ft (558m) vertical gain.

View other Pedal Dancer Ride with GPS routes over Vail Pass:

FRISCO MARINA TO EAST VAIL AND BACK

FRISCO MARINA TO VAIL VILLAGE AND BACK

For more recommended rides near Vail by Pedal Dancer, please read: Recommended road rides near Vail, Colorado

ROUTE CONTRIBUTORS

Karen Rakestraw, Laurie Decoteau, Antoinette (A.G.) Bradley, and Sue Stokes.