Approximately 80 Vail Resorts employees gathered at the Peaks Trail in Breckenridge early Saturday morning to begin a day of work and education.

The project, the company's second annual Echo Day volunteer effort, provided Friends of the Dillon Ranger District man power for needed work on the popular hiking and biking trail.

“We feel like it's a worthwhile project that will benefit our employees, our community and our environment on the use of that trail,” said VR employee Chris Coberg, who led the Summit County project.

Volunteers were met with blue skies and mild fall weather for the project Saturday morning. The day was a success, organizers said.

“Everything went off without a hitch and we're all good and worn out,” Coberg said after the event.

Employees from both Breckenridge Ski Resort and Keystone Resort and their families spent the day helping to control erosion, improve drainage, remove trees and restore bridges on the trail. Crew leaders provided technical guidance on the project.

Kids under 7 were provided with nature-themed activities to keep them busy while their families volunteered.

Echo Day, a national Vail Resorts official volunteer event, was started last year as a way to provide employees with spotlighted community service activities.

“The real focus is that we're doing this to give back to the community that we live and work in,” Coberg said. “There're plenty of great volunteer projects going on. This is one that is brought to our attention. For the company, it's a way to say thank you.”

Last year, Summit Vail Resorts employees did trail work at Keystone for Echo Day.

“We had a great time with VR employees and their families at last year's Echo project on the Keystone Incline Trail,” FDRD executive director Jesssica Evett said. “We're thrilled to partner with them again in 2011.”

Volunteer projects were also done in Eagle and Pitkin counties, Tahoe's north and south shores and the Front Range. Smaller volunteer events were planned as far away as Miami and the Caribbean.