Stories in this list received the most page views on SummitDaily.com from Aug. 17-23. 

1. Vail Resorts announces opening dates for ski resorts across Colorado and Utah

On Wednesday morning, Aug. 20, Vail Resorts announced the 2025-26 opening dates for its ski resorts across Colorado and Utah. 

As in previous years, Keystone Resort aims to be the first Vail Resorts’ owned mountain to open for the season. Weather permitting, Keystone is aiming for an opening day as early as mid-October.

The remainder of the Vail Resorts’ owned properties across Colorado then follow Keystone in hosting opening days in November. Breckenridge Ski Resort will open on Nov. 7, Vail Mountain will open on Nov. 14 and Beaver Creek as well as Crested Butte will open on Nov. 26.

In Utah, Park City Mountain will have its opening day on Nov. 21.

— Cody Jones

2. DarkSky International says Breckenridge is the ‘first mountain ski resort community in the world’ to receive its certification

On Friday, Aug. 22, it was formally announced that the town of Breckenridge has officially been designated as a certified dark sky community by DarkSky International.

In 2007, Breckenridge began its journey to reduce light pollution by adopting an exterior light ordinance. Since then, any new construction that has been built in the town has been Dark Sky compliant. 

Breckenridge began pursuing Dark Sky certification in 2023 by working to meet the program requirements, eventually replacing noncompliant streetlights in 2024. Breckenridge is currently working with residents to have any non-compliant lighting meet Dark Sky regulations.

According to DarkSky International, Breckenridge marks the “first mountain ski resort community in the world” to receive dark sky community designation.

— Cody Jones

3. Conflict between hikers, bikers on popular Aspen Alley Trail in Breckenridge has officials split on solutions 

The U.S. Forest Service, Summit County government and Breckenridge are reporting yearly increases in complaints regarding conflicts on the Aspen Alley Trail. 

Town staff members put three solutions in front of the Breckenridge officials. The Breckenridge Open Space and Advisory Commission favored one solution involving an alternating trail-user schedule in a 6-1 vote. Breckenridge Town Council favored another with six members showing support for a different proposal and one agreeing with the open space commission.

Ultimately, the town council will make the final call.

Open Space and Trails manager Duke Barlow told Breckenridge Town Council at an Aug. 12 meeting that something needs to be done due to the increase in user-reported conflicts on the popular trail known for its views, fall color and flowy mountain biking.

“I spent time there last fall, and it was eye-opening,” he said. “I don’t think it’s the user experience we want to be providing to our visitors and our residents.” 

He said between the bikes, dogs and hikers, there’s been safety concerns with overcrowding on the trail leading to potentially dangerous situations. Officials also discussed how it was a matter of user experience and people being able to enjoy using the trail. 

He brought the open space commission’s recommendation to council to create an alternating day schedule where bikes could be on the trail on even days and hikers on odd days. This would be a short-term solution targeting one of the trail’s busiest time periods: mid-September to early October. 

— Kit Geary

4. Pedestrian killed while crossing Colorado Highway 9 between Frisco, Breckenridge identified

Law enforcement responded to a pedestrian-vehicle collision around 10 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, on Colorado Highway 9 near the area of Gold Hill trailhead. The pedestrian, a 59-year-old man, died after the collision.

Summit County Coroner Amber Flenniken identified the man as Timothy Sheffield, who was from Colorado Springs, according to Colorado State Patrol. 

The accident happened near Revett Drive, according to Summit County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Mike Schilling, which intersects with Highway 9 between Frisco and Breckenridge. The area near Revett Drive has bus stops on both sides of the highway.

— Kyle McCabe

5. Missing 23-year-old found dead above Emerald Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park

On Wednesday, August 13, a body believed to be that of Blake Kieckhafer, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, was recovered above Emerald Lake. 

Rocky Mountain National Park rangers completed an on-scene investigation and recovery operations took place by helicopter. His body was flown to a landing zone in Rocky Mountain National Park and transferred to the Larimer County Coroner’s Office, according the a press release by the park. 

Kieckhafer was reported missing to park rangers by family on Monday, August 11.  He was last seen in the Upper Beaver Meadows area of Rocky Mountain National Park on Thursday, August 7, around 5:20 p.m. when he was dropped off by a ride share service. 

— Sky-Hi News staff