My family is taking our mother on a hot air balloon ride in Colorado as a surprise for her 70th birthday. Would like a great place to stay in Breckenridge or Keystone. Also need restaurant advice for a special occasion place. Thanks

My favorite resturant in Summit County is the Ski Tip Lodge in Keystone. 5 course dinner. Great service. The lodge is the original stage coach stop. Its tiny so reservations are a must. Really, trust me its the best!

As far as lodging, do not know much about Breck but they have tons of places. BreckBoy maybe able to help. In Keystone I would stay in or near the River Run Village.

Check out www.summitnet.com they have a lodging form http://cf.summitnet.com/lodging/vacationmail.cfm

fill out what details you want, they send it out to the data base so you will get reponses from, Management companies, owners and lodges.

Hi Sharon, where are you coming from? My parents also in thier 70's have a hard time with the altitude. If you are coming from the low lands you might think about staying in Denver a night or 2 before heading up to 9,000 feet.

Sounds like your a fun family.

There is a nice restauraunt ontop of Keystone, you have to take the Gondola up and then one more that takes you down to it. The altitude is something to consider though. I would also suggest looking at www.denver.citysearch.com for restuarants and places to stay. I have stayed at Beaver Run in Breck and it is nice, right next to the mountain/lifts.

Sharon:

I second the Ski Tip Lodge. They also have lodging there that is very quaint, like a bed and breakfast. I would recommend both staying and dining there.

The Swan Mountain Inn also has a similar lodging/dining experience. They are at Farmer's Korner between Frisco and Breck.

The Ski Tip Ranch at Keystone is also very good for dining. In Breckenridge, I recommend Pierre's for a special meal.

Since I live here my lodging experiences are nil, sorry. If you ride the balloon out of Breck, you'll go right over my house. Don't drop anything!!!