This is a contest entry to the Active Rain Buyer Challenge:  

Dear Miss Hilton,

I understand that you would like more information about the possible purchase of a vacation home here in the mountains of Colorado.  I am a little unclear as to what your use of that home will be, so am attaching several different possiblities.  I know that privacy and security are of prime importance to you, and I have found three excellent choices, all with different reasons why they should be considered. 

Breckenridge is a quaint, victorian mining town, with a wonderful ski area on the slopes overlooking the town.  It has all types of ski terrain.  If you are a novice skier it has the best beginner slopes. If you have been skiing for a while, there are plenty of intermediate runs, together with expert tree and bowl skiing. 

The very best place to stay in any ski area is in a home with direct ski in and out access, and the first home is right on the slopes.  There is nothing like skiing home at the end of the day and soaking in your hot tub with a glass of wine as you relax tired muscles. 

30 Ski Home Drive has a private, gated entry.  With over 10,500 square feet of living space, there is plenty of room for all your friends and family.  Each of the five bedrooms has its own private bathroom, the home theatre seats 14, and the heated decks are great places to check out the views of the town of Breckenridge, the ski slopes, and the surrounding mountains.  This home is in the $7M price range.

Breckenridge is known for its great restaurants, and there is plenty of shopping available for great brands of outdoor clothing and ski equipment.  One of the very best ski boot fitters is also in Breckenridge.

Perhaps you would prefer a more simple life for your mountain retreat.  In that case, there is a rare riverfront property, priced just under $4,000,000, between  Breckenridge and Frisco.  Being right on the Blue River, you can fish,  hike, watch wildlife or just relax in the summer.  For winter activities, the home is just 6 miles from Breckenridge, about 35 minutes from Vail and several other ski resorts are within 20 minutes.  Nordic skiing is nearby and there are also plenty of places for snowmobiling.   The property backs to Forest Service land, and the small subdivision it is in is gated.  There is an on-site caretaker for the home and the ten acres that it sits on.  As there is plenty of land, it might be possible to add the pool you would like to have, but at this altitude, many people prefer hot tubs, and there is one outside with a fabulous view of the river.  

Another option is in a gated community named Ruby Ranch.  John Elway, the Denver Broncos football player, used to have a home here.  It is very wooded and private, yet this home has fabulous views.  The address is 161 Diamond Road, and it is just outside the town of Silverthorne.  Copper Mountain and Keystone ski resorts are no more than 20 minutes away and Breckenridge and Vail are about 30 minutes.  The home is also just under $4,000,000, has 5 bedrooms and plenty of baths in its 12,284 sqare feet.  It sits on over 8 acres and an equestrian center is available should you desire to keep a horse or two there.  Many hiking and riding trails are in the nearby National Forest.  Elk are known to graze in the hay meadows of Ruby Ranch, which is still a working ranch.  Lake Dillon is only seven minutes away for sailing and fishing, and afterwards, the Tiki Bar is a popular summer hangout on the shore of the Lake.  If you like, you can dock your boat at either the Dillon or Frisco Marinas, as both are only minutes away.    

Please note: These listings are from our MLS and the photos, virtual tours and website are the property of the Listing Brokers, the Summit Association of Realtors and/or the Sellers.  The properties are for your consideration only and are not advertising of these listings.  

Summit County, Colorado, is just an hour from Denver and about another half hour gets you to the Denver airport.  Private limos provide service for our area.  We are home to four major ski resorts,  have more than 80 miles of bike trails and untold miles of hiking trails through the National Forest lands that surround our towns.  We have a major hospital in our community with the very best care for unexpected ski or recreational injuries.  I am sure that you would be able to have a laid back, peaceful time in your mountain vacation home.  If you want a little more excitement, we have that too!   If you have any questions, please have your people call me and I will help them find your perfect place.