You hear “free bus” and wonder, “Can it really be that helpful?” It can. The Summit Stage will get you easily between Frisco and Breckenridge and, with a little more effort, to the town of Silverthorne and Dillon and resorts like Copper Mountain and Keystone.

Here are 8 other things to help you around on the Stage:

1) Know your stop and your pick-up times. Most are posted at the stop. If you have web access, Google “Summit Stage” to find a digital schedule.

2) Keep the baggage to a minimum. Most often, there will be room for a pair of skis or shopping bags, but if you need more than one trip to load the bus, you probably have too much stuff.

3) Be patient. It’s not your own chauffeur. It may take 20-30 minutes extra to get to your destination, and you should plan to walk a couple blocks between your hotel room and the bus stop.

4) Ask the bus driver. They are used to being asked where the bus goes and what stop might be best, so ask before it’s too late.

5) Bring your bike. In the summer, but only during daylight, the bus allows three bikes to be mounted in front. But once it gets dark, the bus driver will not allow bikes on the bus racks, because they block the headlights. Also, the racks are a little tricky.

6) Breckenridge Free Ride is different than Summit Stage. The Town of Breckenridge has its own bus service with different routes than the Stage around town. To avoid confusion, just look for the “Breckenridge Free Ride” label on the bus.

7) Don’t drink and drive. Most buses run well into the night. Check the schedule before going out to make sure you don’t have to drink and drive to get home.

8) Don’t forget the Summit Daily News. Our daily paper is often around bus stops, so pick up a copy before you head, or return from, your destination.