Keystone Ski Resort (Ultimate Travel Guide)

I reside in Colorado and frequently ski at Keystone Ski Resort. After all, it’s one of the top ski resorts in Colorado!

In this guide, details will be shared about a little bit of history and a lot of helpful pointers on what can be anticipated this season at Keystone Resort. Suggestions are provided on where to stay, activities to partake in, and destinations depending on skill level. Tips for gear and how to save some money are also given.

Here is an overview of what I will discuss in this post:

i️ Regarding Keystone Resort

• 🏨 Where to Stay
• ✨ Activities to partake in
• 🍽️ Eateries
• 🎒 Items to bring
• 🗺️ Keystone Resort Area
• ❓ FAQs

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About Keystone Resort

Keystone Resort Stats

• 📍 100 Dercum Square, Keystone, CO 80435
• 📞 (970) 496-4386
• 💻 Website
• 📅 Ski area open December 16, 2023, to TBD
• 🎿 Standard lift hours: 8:30 am to 4 pm  
• 🌙 Evening ski hours: 4 pm to 7 pm (weekends and holidays through March 26)
• 🗻 Summit elevation: 3,782 meters (12,408 feet)
• ❄️ Average snowfall: 236 inches (599 centimeters)
• 🗺️ Acres: 3,148
• 🏂 Number of trails: 128
• ⛷️ Vertical drop: 3,128 feet (953 meters)
• 🚡 Number of ski lifts: 20

Keystone Resort History

It’s difficult to envision that just a few decades ago, this now-resort town was wilderness. During the 1950s and ‘60s, skier and professional forester Max Dercum filed mining claims in the region. However, this wasn’t in search of gold. Rather, he skied and hiked these 500 acres, documenting the land with hopes of transforming it into a ski resort.

On New Year’s Day of 1969, Dercum partnered with corporate attorney Bill Bergman. Together, they developed the area and opened Keystone Resort on November 21, 1970. At the time, lift tickets were $5, drawing 75,000 first-year visitors. [ Source]

In 1974, the resort was acquired by Ralston Purina — largely recognized for animal feed manufacturing. Given the company`s deep funds, expansion continued through the decades. The Keystone Ranch Golf Course opened in 1980, and skiing on North Peak started in 1984. Night skiing followed in 1985.

In 1990, the Outback opened for skiing, and in 1994, Keystone’s River Run Village was established. Then in 1997, ownership of Keystone was attained by Vail Resorts (as was Breckenridge Ski Resort during that same calendar year). Keystone continued to develop, with a terrain park debuting in 2003. Under this new administration, the Keystone Nordic Center was also unveiled.

In 2022, Keystone completed a 6000-square-foot expansion to the mountainside Timber Ridge Lodge. It also re-established the world’s largest snow fort! Kids love this and the new fun zone at the Mountain House base area.

• Guest rooms and common areas all incorporate contemporary styling with industrial details, and earthy components like wood and stone. The beautiful lobby has a modern greenhouse feel, featuring abundant live plants.

Keystone Resort Terrain

Keystone is often considered the best family-friendly ski resort in Colorado. It’s somewhat perplexing, given that only 16% of the terrain is rated as easy. But Keystone Resort offers some major benefits to parents.

Specifically, by booking a 2+ night stay through Keystone, kids 12 and under ski free! Complimentary wagons help transport gear, and more family fun is available at Keystone’s Kidtopia and tubing hill. There’s also a ski and ride school with classes available to all ages.

Those with intermediate skiing abilities will specially delight in the terrain at Keystone. Nearly half of runs are ranked as blue in difficulty. Most of these are accessible via the River Run Gondola and Summit Express chairlifts, which travel parallel to the highest point of Dercum Mountain. Additional blue trails can be reached from the North Peak summit and through the Outback Express lift.

Finally, 41% of the trails at Keystone are rated as the most difficult levels. Surprisingly, there are zero most difficult runs at this resort. But experts will find plenty to enjoy, with several treed runs from the top of North Peak and The Outback.

To get above the tree line, take the North Peak Cat Shuttle. It’s $20 per ride, or consider full-day guided cat skiing through Keystone Adventure Tours. Alternatively, those willing to work for their turns can hike up the north and south bowls for free.

🗺️ Desire A Visual? Check out this useful winter path map of Keystone.

Where to Stay Near Keystone Resort

Looking for places to stay near Keystone? Here are some highly rated accommodation options worthy of consideration:

• Arapahoe Lodge – Perfect for a family of four, this condominium features ski-in, ski-out access, an equipped kitchen, and modern amenities. It’s also located in River Run Village, which is full of shopping and dining selections.
• Expedition Station – Also just a short walk from the ski lifts and River Run Village, this property offers one and two-bedroom apartment rentals to accommodate guests.
• Gateway Mountain Lodge – These studio flats are situated between the River Run base area and the Mountain House base area. They include a kitchenette and access to resort facilities, and a shop and cafe are conveniently on-site.
• Hyatt Place Keystone – Found close to the Mountain House base area, this hotel also offers ski-in, and ski-out access. It’s a quarter-mile from the Peru Express lift and is a more reasonably priced stay.
• Keystone Lodge and Spa – This luxurious retreat is located 2 miles west of Keystone Resort. Guests staying 2+ nights will find kids 12 and younger receive complimentary skiing! Transportation to the ski lifts is available, as is a spa, fitness center, and other amenities.
• Apartment rentals through VRBO
• Luxurious leasings on Plum Guide

Similar to various Colorado ski towns, lodging in Keystone primarily consists of condominiums. VRBO and Plum Guide offer a wide range of selections. Many are particularly ideal for families and bigger gatherings, as shared spaces help cut down on expenses, as do equipped kitchens. Transport is made simple too, as numerous places provide ski-in, ski-out access.

For travelers seeking a conventional hotel accommodation, Keystone Lodge and Spa is likely the area’s top option. Hyatt Place Keystone is another sound choice, specifically for budget-conscious visitors.

📚 Related Topic: Accommodation Options in Keystone

5 Things to Do Near Keystone Ski Resort

River Run Village

Browse, sip a drink or glide around the rink in this busy square.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book a River Run Condo on VRBO

In addition to lodging, River Run Village is home to several shops, eateries, and après ski activities. Wind down with a beer at Kickapoo Tavern, or order a craft cocktail from Montezuma Roadhouse. Maybe browse the racks for new gear and souvenirs. Or visit the Dercum Ice Skating Rink, one of the top things to do in Keystone!

Snow Tubing

Take heart-stopping laps down the lanes at Adventure Point.

The majority of Central and South New Jersey are also considered safe regions to explore and travel within. A couple instances include locations such as Edison and Ocean City. However, one might opt to circumvent areas similar to Camden. While Camden does house a very pleasing aquarium, other than that, it`s most advisable to pay a visit then choose someplace else to lodge in New Jersey.

You don’t need to travel far to experience some of Colorado’s best snow tubing! Head to the top of Dercum Mountain at Keystone Resort. Here at Adventure Point, 6 groomed snow tubing lanes offer guests a thrilling ride! Best of all? Unlike sledding, you don’t have to hike uphill. A convenient lift will transport you back to the top for another run.

👦 Do you have young children? To ride on sleds at Keystone, you must be at least 4 years old and 42 inches in height. Families with little ones should head to the less steep (and complimentary!) sledding hill at Frisco Adventure Park.

Snowmobile Tour

Hit powder stashes in the backcountry with a snowmobile rental or guided excursion.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 455-4041 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: driving rates start at $180

Snowmobiling Keystone is a rental service and tour guide company. If you’re an experienced rider, you can book a rental by the hour and explore 100+ miles of trails atop Vail Pass. Those less familiar with snowmobiling will want to book a guided experience.

There are several tours available, with the “prospector tour” being the most entry-level friendly. Children as young as 4 years can participate, though drivers must be 15+. Those carrying a passenger must be 18+. Other options include the intermediate “performance” and “high adventure” tours.

Outlets at Silverthorne

Remain untroubled if you neglect to bring any equipment — retailers are a short trip away.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 468-5780 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 7 pm daily, 10 am – 6 pm Sun

The Outlets at Silverthorne are situated roughly 15 minutes from Keystone Resort. It’s one of the premier outlet centers in Colorado, convenient when you forget equipment or simply want retail therapy.

Popular outdoor brands include Columbia, Eddie Bauer, and Under Armour. There are also fashion retailers like Calvin Klein, Coach, Levi’s, and more.

Frisco

Explore a charming mountain town and its scenic surroundings.

📍 Map locator link | 👉 Browse Frisco tour options

One of the best mountain communities in Colorado, Frisco is just a 20-minute drive from Keystone Resort. You’ll find plenty of things to do in Frisco, from shopping and dining to more outdoor activities.

For cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, visit the Frisco Nordic Center. Go fat tire biking in the backcountry, or cycle around the Dillon Reservoir Loop. There are also many packed trails to hike in the surrounding White River National Forest.

👉 Helpful Hint: To enjoy scenic routes, follow Swan Mountain Road along the south side of Dillon Reservoir for breathtaking perspectives.

Restaurants Near Keystone Resort

Hungry and scouting for a spot to dine near Keystone? Here are some of the top eateries close to Keystone Resort:

• Timber Ridge Lodge – Found at the top of North Peak, this mountainside dining hall underwent an expansion in 2022, growing by 6000 square feet. It serves casual meals like cheeseburgers and chicken fingers, plus full measures of bloody mary cocktails.
• LaBonte’s Smokehouse BBQ – This barbecue hut is situated at the foundation of the Ruby Express lift. Generous portions of brisket and side dishes are often sufficient for two people to share.
• Summit House – Enjoy a steaming bowl of chili and crack open a cool drink at this on-mountain eatery. It sits at the pinnacle of Dercum Mountain, accessible from the River Run gondola.
• Kickapoo Tavern – Located in River Run Village, this casual eatery serves American fare and a wide selection of local Colorado beers.
• Montezuma Roadhouse – A contemporary American restaurant in River Run Village, complete with arcade games and a pool table.
• Pizza On the Run – A lively Italian restaurant in River Run Village, serving salads, pizzas, pasta, and more.
• Goat Soup & Whiskey Tavern – Enjoy a relaxed environment and comfort food menu at this Mountain House establishment. Live music often appears on weekends.
• Dos Locos Mexican Restaurant & Cantina – A lively cantina serving Mexican dishes and happy hour margaritas, also situated near the Mountain House base.

There are many restaurants near Keystone that cater to all tastes and budgets. All of the recommended places above are situated at the bases of Keystone Resort, or on the mountain. Personally, when skiing at this resort, I prefer eateries on the mountain because, while potentially costlier, the perspectives simply can`t be outdone.

⛷️ Do As The Area Residents Do: When my partner and I ski, it`s not unusual for us to bring a cooler and head back to our truck during lunchtime. You may even see others with camp cook stoves! After eating, we splurge on beers and bloodys on top of Dercum Mountain.

Essentials to Pack for Keystone Ski Resort

There are various elements to incorporate into your Colorado packing list. But when planning a ski trip to Keystone, here are some pointed suggestions:

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