Happy May! This first week of May, Mother Nature blasted the High Country with snow at the beginning of the week and so far, the weekend has been filled with sunshine, cloudless skies and temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Welcome to mud season. This is the time of year when it could snow, rain or be sunny all in the same day, let alone the same week. The flowers are just beginning to get in their groove, the ski areas have mostly shut down, though the Basin will try and make it through June, and locals are readying their gear for summer. It’s a marvelous time here for locals and anyone who wants to experience the High Country at a quieter pace, with less crowds.

This is the time of year when everyone lets out a collective sigh, “We made it!” through another season. This is also the time for renovating and rejuvenating before summer season gets into full swing, so you may find quite a few restaurants and shops are closed for a time. It’s a good idea to call or check online to see if the place you want to go is open. For restaurant closures, there is an extensive list compiled by Grace Brookfield here: Restaurant Closures.

Even if your favorite shop or restaurant is closed for a time, there is still plenty to do in Summit County during mud season. In addition to biking, hiking, fishing, boating and camping (for a few things), Arapahoe Basin has started their spring concert series, “Shakin at the Basin”. Concerts are free and take place on Saturdays from 1:00-4:00pm at the Base Area Plaza, you don’t even have to ski or snowboard to go. There are also some wonderful events, classes and exhibits with BreckCreate this entire month, so it’s a perfect time to check out the arts district, especially since May is FREE parking month!

Get out there and enjoy this beautiful day and let us know how you’re spending mud season.