travelguy
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Warning! The High Country Club Breckenridge “Lodge” is so grand and the property is so sprawling and private that it may cause long periods of total relaxation, lethargy and a lack of desire to participate in the many Breckenridge winter and summer activities! 
Synopsis:
The High Country Club Lodge is a spacious and majestic, yet comfortable and cozy property, located on five wooded acres on Breckenridge Mountain near Peak 10. Although set in an exclusive area of multi-million dollar homes, it is totally private—you cannot see or hear any of the neighboring homes. This property is nicknamed the “Lodge” because of its three-story mountain stone and wood construction, impressive western décor, wide open floor plan with vaulted ceilings and oversized windows that offer breathtaking views.
The 4,800 square foot home is large enough to accommodate even the largest family and group of friends! It features two master suites, two additional bedrooms, 4 ½ baths, a billiard room, office and two entertainment areas. The office and lower level entertainment rooms can be converted into bedrooms with large pull-out sofas, giving the Lodge six bedrooms. Complementing the Lodge experience is a twelve person hot tub and oversized grill on the large deck and a fire pit in the yard.
Location:
The Lodge is located in South Breckenridge, 10,000 feet above sea level, where the air is crisp and clear, within a five minute drive of the ski slopes and Victorian Breckenridge. The surrounding forest of tall stately trees is quiet and still, and shows signs of native wildlife such as large paw prints, hoof tracks and antler scratching among the conifers!
Décor:
A striking wood and mountain stone interior gives the Lodge a warm and rustic feel. The décor exhibits a grand western ski-lodge theme with hints of cowboy life with rough hewn wood, mountain stone, Native American prints and leather beautifully integrated. Western accessories adorn walls throughout: vintage snow shoes, toboggans, ice skates, skis, sleds, horse shoes, saddles, cowboy boots and hats and pictures of famous American Indian chiefs. The main level has hardwood floors and heated floors throughout provide all rooms with even warmth.
Main Level:
A handsome ten foot tall door graces entry into a foyer surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, mountain slate tile flooring and a wagon wheel chandelier. There is a spacious coat closet and powder room.
The main level of the Lodge boasts 25’ vaulted ceilings with exposed wooden beams, effective lighting accents, and more floor-to-ceiling south-facing windows
Focal point of the Great Room is a floor-to-ceiling mountain stone gas fireplace with a massive wood mantle, all flooded with light from the tall windows. Two leather sofas with large pillows, stretched leather chairs and a large wood and iron coffee table are positioned on cow-hide rugs in front of the fireplace. Candles of various shapes and sizes are arranged on a five foot sofa table between the Great Room and Kitchen Area. There is a 40” LCD Flat screen TV, a DVD player and a Bose sound system on the fireplace mantel. Two glass doors on either side of the room lead out to a wrap-around deck.
Near the Great Room is a double-door entrance to the Master Bedroom Suite featuring its own vaulted ceiling and double wide windows The bedroom is furnished with a king size bed, end tables and lamps, a large dresser, TV and DVD player. Double French doors access an outside wrap-around deck and Jacuzzi.
The adjacent Master Bath, has a glass enclosed shower with tiled seat, a long vanity with double sinks and a large soaking tub with windows that overlook acres of tall timbers and the snow-capped Rockies,. There is also a very large walk-in closet.
The Dining Area, just off the Great Room, shares the vaulted ceilings and expansive windows. A massive ten person, rough hewn oak dining table with hi-back chairs on an American Indian print rug dominates the area.
The Kitchen Area is just beyond the Great Room and adjacent to the Dining Area. There is a wrap around counter with a multitude of rough hewn oak cabinets and drawers, and a large center island/dining counter. A large widow over the sink provides the cook with breath-taking views of the timbers while preparing vittles for the cowpokes.
Saddle seat metal kitchen stools with cowboy and bronco metal cut-outs around the foot rests continue the Western theme. The Kitchen's ample furnishings include all appliances, wine refrigerator plus deluxe small appliances such as coffee maker, bagel toaster and blender. It is amply stocked with pot and pans, glasses, silverware, gourmet cooking utensils and everything you need to grill anything from fish and steaks to veggies. It is well stocked with spices, soaps, detergent, zip locks, fresh batteries and all types of sundries—even a “come and get it” metal triangle on the wall to round-up the posse!
A Kitchen Foyer (mud room) between the garage door and Kitchen Area contains a desk, abundant shelving, horseshoe coat racks and a multi-person bench to change those ski or cowboy boots.
A Laundry Room off the Kitchen area has a full-size washer and dryer, large counter and board for ironing.
Upper Level:
An open stairway leads to a landing which overlooks the Great Room and Dining Areas. Large double doors off this landing lead to the Office containing a large, rough hewn wooden desk and chair positioned against a side wall with a large skylight overhead. There is also a sofa, end tables, coffee table and a large, walk-in closet. The sofa opens to a Queen bed for a fifth bedroom.
The large upper level Master Suite bedroom has a king size bed and full bath with high vaulted ceilings. There are oak nightstands with saddles carved into them, cowboy statue lamps, large dresser and closet, and a TV & DVD entertainment center.
Lower Level:
The Lodge lower level might be considered the kid’s domain with billiard room, game/TV room and two fun bedrooms.
The Billiard Room pool table beckons with all accessories and overhead lights. The room is very comfortable for those long billiard tournaments with oversized leather chairs, end tables, a large equipment cabinet and oversized windows. There is a wall-mounted TV and DVD player for watching while your opponent runs the table.
The Game Room has large, south-facing windows and a glass door that opens out to the yard. It is furnished with a large, round stretched-leather game table and matching chairs—everything your need for Crazy-8s to no-limit poker. There are plenty of board games in a large storage table and an entertainment cabinet with a TV and Xbox. A comfy sofa converts to a queen size pullout bed making this the sixth bedroom.
The lower level bunkhouse consists of two Bedrooms, each of which has two twin beds, large dressers, large closets and its own full bath. All bedrooms have American Indian “dreamcatchers” to insure that all Lodge guests have sweet mountain dreams as replays of Warren Miller films go dancing through their heads.
This level has tons of storage closets that allow you to store your luggage out of sight and pretend that the Lodge really is your home for the week.
Amenities:
Both the Lodge Great Room and main level Master Suite open to a large south-facing Wrap-Around Deck. A 12-person hot tub located on a corner of the deck remains heated at all times in case a deck party breaks out! The deck’s oversize grill and six person wrought iron table and chairs assure tasty vittles in the great outdoors! There is plenty of firewood for all your campfire needs.
Parking space is plenteous with a two-car attached garage plus additional parking space for six cars
The Lodge has humidifier controls throughout as well as wireless-G internet and a 4-port wired hub. HBO is available on the TVs and there are several new DVDs and Xbox games. Like all High Country Club properties, the Lodge is very kid friendly provided with a Pack n’ Play, a high chair, and a gate installed at the stairway. Sleds are provided for all the kids (1 to 100!).
A car (SUV recommended) is needed for a stay at the Lodge. You give up ski-in, ski-out access to get the removed, serene beauty of the Lodge property. There is a free shuttle to the Breckenridge ski slopes but it is a LONG walk from the “Lodge”. A better option is to drive 5 minutes to the Breckenridge “Station” and new Gondola. The gondola goes to the base area at peak 8 (lifts there access Peaks 7 & 9) or the shuttle busses go to all base areas. Another option is to park at the nearby Gold Rush lot (free) and get the shuttle bus. The Summit Stage leaves from Breckenridge Station in town center and goes to Copper Mountain, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Frisco, Dillon and Silverthorne (no cost).
As usual, the High Country Club concierge provided exceptional service. Upon request, they FedEx’d the property information and keys to the resort where we were staying the week prior to our week at the Lodge. They also responded to my late evening e-mail regarding a TV issue by having their local property supervisor resolve the problem by the next morning. They are pleasant people who obviously take pride in the service they provide!
Disability Access - The garage entrance to the kitchen foyer (mud room) has a two-inch step. Once inside, all main-floor areas are level
Insider Tips:
First things first … Breckenridge is Starbucks challenged. There is only one freestanding Starbucks on main street in Breckenridge. Additional Starbucks are found in Frisco and in the City Market in Frisco (man cannot live on Red Bull alone!). And if you head over to Keystone, the last Starbucks before the mountain is located in the City Market plaza in Dillon.
Breckenridge discount lift tickets are almost non-existent these days. Try multi-day discounted lift tickets at www.snow.com (especially the perfect 10 ticket for stays of more than a week). The Shell station in Frisco is reported to have Copper Mountain 2-for-1 lift ticket coupons with gas purchase (check with them first).
The best restaurant in Breckenridge is … THE GRILL ON THE HIGH COUNTRY CLUB LODGE DECK!! Maybe the lush surroundings just makes the food taste better! Actually my two favorite Asian restaurants are Taipei Tokyo and Mountain Flying Fish. These two made the cut because we can’t make sushi on the grill on the lodge deck
Exercising at 9,600 feet above sea level can be interesting. If you’re up for the challenge, the Breckenridge Rec Center is one of the best all-purpose fitness centers that I’ve seen. This is an all-season facility that features cardio, weights, classes, basketball courts, a climbing wall, tennis courts, an indoor running track, and much more. Cost is a very low $10/day.
Downtown Breckenridge is a five minute drive from the Lodge. Over the years it has become a pleasant Victorian mix of ski, chachki and tourist shops amid a variety of restaurants. Frisco, the little town just off the Breckenridge exit of I-70, has a cute Main Street that is worth a walk and lunch at one of several bistros. The Silverthorne/Dillon area (next exit East on I-70) has a great selection of the more traditional chain stores and restaurants as well as an Outlet Mall. The Safeway in Frisco is worth the drive from Breckenridge but the City Market in Breck will do for those post-après-ski food stops.
Rating:
This is one of High Country Clubs flagship locations and is outstanding in every way. The only amenity missing is the ability to ski-in/ski-out but this is more than offset by the stunning property and majestic grounds. I believe it would be impossible to have both proximity to the slopes and the great mountain experience that this property provides. Rating = 10 (more if possible)!
Synopsis:
The High Country Club Lodge is a spacious and majestic, yet comfortable and cozy property, located on five wooded acres on Breckenridge Mountain near Peak 10. Although set in an exclusive area of multi-million dollar homes, it is totally private—you cannot see or hear any of the neighboring homes. This property is nicknamed the “Lodge” because of its three-story mountain stone and wood construction, impressive western décor, wide open floor plan with vaulted ceilings and oversized windows that offer breathtaking views.
The 4,800 square foot home is large enough to accommodate even the largest family and group of friends! It features two master suites, two additional bedrooms, 4 ½ baths, a billiard room, office and two entertainment areas. The office and lower level entertainment rooms can be converted into bedrooms with large pull-out sofas, giving the Lodge six bedrooms. Complementing the Lodge experience is a twelve person hot tub and oversized grill on the large deck and a fire pit in the yard.
Location:
The Lodge is located in South Breckenridge, 10,000 feet above sea level, where the air is crisp and clear, within a five minute drive of the ski slopes and Victorian Breckenridge. The surrounding forest of tall stately trees is quiet and still, and shows signs of native wildlife such as large paw prints, hoof tracks and antler scratching among the conifers!
Décor:
A striking wood and mountain stone interior gives the Lodge a warm and rustic feel. The décor exhibits a grand western ski-lodge theme with hints of cowboy life with rough hewn wood, mountain stone, Native American prints and leather beautifully integrated. Western accessories adorn walls throughout: vintage snow shoes, toboggans, ice skates, skis, sleds, horse shoes, saddles, cowboy boots and hats and pictures of famous American Indian chiefs. The main level has hardwood floors and heated floors throughout provide all rooms with even warmth.
Main Level:
A handsome ten foot tall door graces entry into a foyer surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, mountain slate tile flooring and a wagon wheel chandelier. There is a spacious coat closet and powder room.
The main level of the Lodge boasts 25’ vaulted ceilings with exposed wooden beams, effective lighting accents, and more floor-to-ceiling south-facing windows
Focal point of the Great Room is a floor-to-ceiling mountain stone gas fireplace with a massive wood mantle, all flooded with light from the tall windows. Two leather sofas with large pillows, stretched leather chairs and a large wood and iron coffee table are positioned on cow-hide rugs in front of the fireplace. Candles of various shapes and sizes are arranged on a five foot sofa table between the Great Room and Kitchen Area. There is a 40” LCD Flat screen TV, a DVD player and a Bose sound system on the fireplace mantel. Two glass doors on either side of the room lead out to a wrap-around deck.
Near the Great Room is a double-door entrance to the Master Bedroom Suite featuring its own vaulted ceiling and double wide windows The bedroom is furnished with a king size bed, end tables and lamps, a large dresser, TV and DVD player. Double French doors access an outside wrap-around deck and Jacuzzi.
The adjacent Master Bath, has a glass enclosed shower with tiled seat, a long vanity with double sinks and a large soaking tub with windows that overlook acres of tall timbers and the snow-capped Rockies,. There is also a very large walk-in closet.
The Dining Area, just off the Great Room, shares the vaulted ceilings and expansive windows. A massive ten person, rough hewn oak dining table with hi-back chairs on an American Indian print rug dominates the area.
The Kitchen Area is just beyond the Great Room and adjacent to the Dining Area. There is a wrap around counter with a multitude of rough hewn oak cabinets and drawers, and a large center island/dining counter. A large widow over the sink provides the cook with breath-taking views of the timbers while preparing vittles for the cowpokes.
Saddle seat metal kitchen stools with cowboy and bronco metal cut-outs around the foot rests continue the Western theme. The Kitchen's ample furnishings include all appliances, wine refrigerator plus deluxe small appliances such as coffee maker, bagel toaster and blender. It is amply stocked with pot and pans, glasses, silverware, gourmet cooking utensils and everything you need to grill anything from fish and steaks to veggies. It is well stocked with spices, soaps, detergent, zip locks, fresh batteries and all types of sundries—even a “come and get it” metal triangle on the wall to round-up the posse!
A Kitchen Foyer (mud room) between the garage door and Kitchen Area contains a desk, abundant shelving, horseshoe coat racks and a multi-person bench to change those ski or cowboy boots.
A Laundry Room off the Kitchen area has a full-size washer and dryer, large counter and board for ironing.
Upper Level:
An open stairway leads to a landing which overlooks the Great Room and Dining Areas. Large double doors off this landing lead to the Office containing a large, rough hewn wooden desk and chair positioned against a side wall with a large skylight overhead. There is also a sofa, end tables, coffee table and a large, walk-in closet. The sofa opens to a Queen bed for a fifth bedroom.
The large upper level Master Suite bedroom has a king size bed and full bath with high vaulted ceilings. There are oak nightstands with saddles carved into them, cowboy statue lamps, large dresser and closet, and a TV & DVD entertainment center.
Lower Level:
The Lodge lower level might be considered the kid’s domain with billiard room, game/TV room and two fun bedrooms.
The Billiard Room pool table beckons with all accessories and overhead lights. The room is very comfortable for those long billiard tournaments with oversized leather chairs, end tables, a large equipment cabinet and oversized windows. There is a wall-mounted TV and DVD player for watching while your opponent runs the table.
The Game Room has large, south-facing windows and a glass door that opens out to the yard. It is furnished with a large, round stretched-leather game table and matching chairs—everything your need for Crazy-8s to no-limit poker. There are plenty of board games in a large storage table and an entertainment cabinet with a TV and Xbox. A comfy sofa converts to a queen size pullout bed making this the sixth bedroom.
The lower level bunkhouse consists of two Bedrooms, each of which has two twin beds, large dressers, large closets and its own full bath. All bedrooms have American Indian “dreamcatchers” to insure that all Lodge guests have sweet mountain dreams as replays of Warren Miller films go dancing through their heads.
This level has tons of storage closets that allow you to store your luggage out of sight and pretend that the Lodge really is your home for the week.
Amenities:
Both the Lodge Great Room and main level Master Suite open to a large south-facing Wrap-Around Deck. A 12-person hot tub located on a corner of the deck remains heated at all times in case a deck party breaks out! The deck’s oversize grill and six person wrought iron table and chairs assure tasty vittles in the great outdoors! There is plenty of firewood for all your campfire needs.
Parking space is plenteous with a two-car attached garage plus additional parking space for six cars
The Lodge has humidifier controls throughout as well as wireless-G internet and a 4-port wired hub. HBO is available on the TVs and there are several new DVDs and Xbox games. Like all High Country Club properties, the Lodge is very kid friendly provided with a Pack n’ Play, a high chair, and a gate installed at the stairway. Sleds are provided for all the kids (1 to 100!).
A car (SUV recommended) is needed for a stay at the Lodge. You give up ski-in, ski-out access to get the removed, serene beauty of the Lodge property. There is a free shuttle to the Breckenridge ski slopes but it is a LONG walk from the “Lodge”. A better option is to drive 5 minutes to the Breckenridge “Station” and new Gondola. The gondola goes to the base area at peak 8 (lifts there access Peaks 7 & 9) or the shuttle busses go to all base areas. Another option is to park at the nearby Gold Rush lot (free) and get the shuttle bus. The Summit Stage leaves from Breckenridge Station in town center and goes to Copper Mountain, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Frisco, Dillon and Silverthorne (no cost).
As usual, the High Country Club concierge provided exceptional service. Upon request, they FedEx’d the property information and keys to the resort where we were staying the week prior to our week at the Lodge. They also responded to my late evening e-mail regarding a TV issue by having their local property supervisor resolve the problem by the next morning. They are pleasant people who obviously take pride in the service they provide!
Disability Access - The garage entrance to the kitchen foyer (mud room) has a two-inch step. Once inside, all main-floor areas are level
Insider Tips:
First things first … Breckenridge is Starbucks challenged. There is only one freestanding Starbucks on main street in Breckenridge. Additional Starbucks are found in Frisco and in the City Market in Frisco (man cannot live on Red Bull alone!). And if you head over to Keystone, the last Starbucks before the mountain is located in the City Market plaza in Dillon.
Breckenridge discount lift tickets are almost non-existent these days. Try multi-day discounted lift tickets at www.snow.com (especially the perfect 10 ticket for stays of more than a week). The Shell station in Frisco is reported to have Copper Mountain 2-for-1 lift ticket coupons with gas purchase (check with them first).
The best restaurant in Breckenridge is … THE GRILL ON THE HIGH COUNTRY CLUB LODGE DECK!! Maybe the lush surroundings just makes the food taste better! Actually my two favorite Asian restaurants are Taipei Tokyo and Mountain Flying Fish. These two made the cut because we can’t make sushi on the grill on the lodge deck
Exercising at 9,600 feet above sea level can be interesting. If you’re up for the challenge, the Breckenridge Rec Center is one of the best all-purpose fitness centers that I’ve seen. This is an all-season facility that features cardio, weights, classes, basketball courts, a climbing wall, tennis courts, an indoor running track, and much more. Cost is a very low $10/day.
Downtown Breckenridge is a five minute drive from the Lodge. Over the years it has become a pleasant Victorian mix of ski, chachki and tourist shops amid a variety of restaurants. Frisco, the little town just off the Breckenridge exit of I-70, has a cute Main Street that is worth a walk and lunch at one of several bistros. The Silverthorne/Dillon area (next exit East on I-70) has a great selection of the more traditional chain stores and restaurants as well as an Outlet Mall. The Safeway in Frisco is worth the drive from Breckenridge but the City Market in Breck will do for those post-après-ski food stops.
Rating:
This is one of High Country Clubs flagship locations and is outstanding in every way. The only amenity missing is the ability to ski-in/ski-out but this is more than offset by the stunning property and majestic grounds. I believe it would be impossible to have both proximity to the slopes and the great mountain experience that this property provides. Rating = 10 (more if possible)!
