Keystone is highly regarded as a near perfect family resort and is surrounded by the high peaks of the Continental Divide and the Ten Mile Range. The resort nestles below three big mountains: Dercum Mountain at 11,640 feet (3,548 m), behind which is the 20 feet (6 m) higher North Peak and behind that is the highest and largest summit, The Outback, at 12,200 feet (3,719 m) with the highest mountain restaurant. This gives a vertical rise of 3,128 feet (953 m) and you are not just skiing across the front of a mountain at Keystone but skiing and riding deep into the mountains, with around 150km of skiable terrain, not including the “back country” ski areas or areas serviced by “snowcats”.
The three back to back to back mountains offer just about anything the skier or rider cares to tackle, but with only 19 per cent of the trails designated as easy, the emphasis is on intermediate and advanced skiing, though still enough for beginners to learn on. So it is the more demanding trails on North Peak and The Outback that beckon, with plenty of terrain to explore and the hikeable bowls (accessible also by snowcat) catering to expert skiers and riders. The front side of Dercum Mountain attracts skiers for its superbly groomed cruising trails that overlook a vast expanse of pristine National Forest, two of the villages and the beautiful Snake River Valley below. Night skiing and boarding is also available with lighted terrain, on 3 nights of the week,including a park and halfpipe, well into evening hours,something not on offer at many other Colorado resorts. It adds up to 235 acres of skiable terrain, 17 trails with the longest trail of three miles (4.8 km) and a vertical drop of 2,340 feet (713 m). The “Epic” Summit Ski Pass also covers Breckenridge,Vail and Beaver Creek, so you really have so much available to ski.Access is via the excellent and free bus service to Breckenridge, but $60 return to Vail.
Keystone is owned by Vail Resorts and is quite an attractive, purpose-built development comprising three pedestrian-only villages: Keystone Village, River Run, and Mountain House Base Area. Each of the village areas is located along the base of Keystone Mountain and closed to traffic. They are modern Colorado-timber in style and feature stores, restaurants, ski schools, and cafés. Keystone Village also has a large lake that becomes the nation’s largest outdoor ice-skating venue in the winter. Very family-friendly, the River Run village has developed significantly during the past several years with many condos, restaurants and stores making up the new, biggest hub of the resort and the gondola extended so it now goes into River Run area itself. Nightlife is a tad muted with early apres ski livening you up at the Kickapoo, close by the slopes but not a lot happening late in the evening, so party animals are better suited to Breckenridge or Vail. There are still enough bars and restaurants though to satisfy most people.
The resort has more than 1,600 lodging options in seven side-by-side areas. There are a few deluxe hotels and ski-in, ski-out condominiums, from studios through to four bedrooms, and in all price ranges, in bustling villages or quaint units tucked away in the forest.There are also a few 4,5 and 6 bedroom chalet options and a 9 bedroom catered chalet, if you have a larger party,close by the slopes.Popular accommodations are in the River Run area at the base of the gondola, and in the more economical Forest Area. Wherever you choose, you are never more than several minutes from the slopes and Keystone really does offer great value.
Keystone Lodge is THE top rated hotel with loft suites as well as hotel rooms all with mountain views. It is located on Keystone Lake, where winter ice skating is a must. Balconies are available. The Inn at Keystone is a less expensive six-story hotel with views of the mountain and valley, and is about five minutes’ walk from the base of the mountain. There are 3 outdoor hot tubs, and Razzberrys Restaurant is also located here. Both hotels are owned by Vail Resorts.The Ski Tip Bed and Breakfast was a stagecoach stop in the 1800s and the rooms come with massive stone fireplaces, antique furniture and many rustic charms, including one of Summit County’s finest restaurants.
Special offers include free ski hire and free ski passes for children 12 and under and free night stays on all bookings made through US Skitours/American Ski Holidays.And if you fancy a challenging day in virgin powder check out powderhounds.com who will take you Cat Skiing…an awesome and highly recommended experience… Just float and gloat in all that fresh powder. Wow!
