Keystone Resort
By Jennifer Wessner
One of Vail Resorts’ five premier ski resorts, Keystone stretches seven miles along the Snake River, over three mountains, 3,128 vertical feet, 3,148 acres of terrain, and three villages with shops, bars, restaurants and accommodations.
Located near Dillon in Summit County, Colo., Keystone boasts 125 trails and 20 lifts, including two gondolas. Offering the longest ski day in Colorado from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., it also offers the largest night skiing operation with nine trails and a designated Night Park.
Whether you prefer green beginner runs, intermediate blues perfect for gentle carving, or adrenaline-inducing double black diamonds, the resort has runs for all levels of skiers. The three mountains that form Keystone are Dercum, North Peak and The Outback. Dercum Mountain is home to the Schoolmarm Trail, a gentle groomed 3.5-mile run perfect for beginners. North Peak offers long bump runs with varying levels of difficulty. The Outback, with an elevation of 11,980, is home to the North and South bowls. Opened in 2007, the Independence Bowl offers a “backcountry-light” experience with 300 acres of expert-only hiking and snowcat skiing.
Although traditionally a family resort, Keystone has been gathering a following of snowboarders and freestyle skiers with its two award-winning terrain parks. Ranked #1 by Transworld Snowboarding Magazine and #2 by Freeskier Magazine, Keystone’s A51 Terrain Park has two half-pipes, including a superpipe, rails, barrels, boxes and big air jumps. A51 Incubator, a second beginner-friendly park, is positioned directly across from the main park, giving everyone the opportunity to indulge their inner daredevil.
There is no shortage of kids programs at this family-friendly resort. Ripperoo & Friends Adventure Zones is a dedicated children’s park on Dercum Mountain, conveniently located near the beginner area off of the Schoolmarm Trail. Named for the children’s ski school mascot, the kids’ area has runs for both the complete beginner and intermediate skier and rider. Adventure Point, a tubing run located at the top of the River Run Gondola, has five lanes for guests of all ages. The resort even has a five-acre lake that is transformed every winter into the largest Zamboni-maintained outdoor skating rink in North America.
When the slopes close, the resort has numerous other attractions to keep visitors busy. The three villages around the base of the mountain have many shops and restaurants perfect for après-ski relaxation. In the summer, Keystone offers water sports in its small lake, mountain biking and hiking on over 60 miles of trails. There are two highly ranked golf courses on the grounds of the resort. Fly-fishing, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting are available as well.
Lodging options at the resort range from traditional hotel rooms to mountain base condos. The Keystone Lodge and Spa is a Four Diamond AAA-rated hotel with a 10,000-square-foot spa. For less traditional accommodations, visitors can stay at the Ski Tip Lodge, an old 1880s stagecoach stop that now is a bed & breakfast.
Keystone Ski Resort entered the 2008-2009 season with the state-of-the-art, eight-passenger River Run Gondola. In addition to replacing the old six-passenger gondola, the new gondola was moved into River Run Village, bringing skiers and snowboards closer to the mountain.
Contact: 800-344-8878, keystone.snow.com
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