Current Weather:

-°

Base Depth:
-"

24hr Snowfall:
0

Surface:
No data

Keystone

22101 US Highway 6, Dillon, 80435
Phone: 877-625-1556 Snow Report: 970-496-4111 (snow report)
Keystone Website

by Kimberly Nicoletti

Keystone Resort built its reputation on family-friendly skiing, but since the new millennium, management has turned one eye toward the younger generation as well.

Now, families love its long, gentle slopes and the resort’s variety of activities, from ice skating on the largest Zamboni-maintained ice-skating rink in North America to tubing, cross-country skiing, dinner sleigh rides and excellent dining.

Most people take advantage of the free parking at River Run. From there, you can either avoid schlepping your gear by hopping on a shuttle to the older base area, or you can walk through River Run Village, which is filled with coffee shops, bars, restaurants and boutiques. Ski school and rentals are located at the base of the gondola. Keystone's Lakeside Village, which is not adjacent to the base of the ski area, also offers plenty of casual and fine dining establishments, as well as a handful of specialty shops.

Keystone provides the most intermediate terrain of the four ski areas in Summit County, with 32% being blue. Nineteen percent of its runs are geared for beginners.

But advanced riders dig its terrain parks, snowcat skiing and après ski specials. Almost half (49%) of Keystone’s runs are advanced. Keystone’s A51 terrain park is the largest night park in Colorado. During the day, a mini terrain park trains beginners to ride rails and get air, so they can eventually graduate to A51.

With 3,148 skiable acres, Keystone is the most expansive resort in Summit County. Full-day snowcat operations open up 858 acres of coveted bowl skiing, with pitches approaching a 50% grade. The tours cost around $200 and include fat ski rentals, beacons and an amazing lunch in a cozy yurt.

Keystone’s three peaks — Dercum Mountain, North Peak and the Outback — each have distinct personalities.

Dercum, or the front of the mountain, is like a dapper gentleman, ushering people to its perfectly groomed, mostly intermediate fall lines.

North Peak is a little rougher around the edges; it offers long, thigh-burning bump runs, as well as groomers.

Then there’s the Outback, which, as you might guess, is in the “way back” of the resort, accessible by hitting North Peak first. The Outback can get a little wild, with its tree skiing, but it also provides groomed runs for the fainter of heart.

Atop the Outback, a huge log cabin hosts a cafeteria, offering organic milk and burgers, among other selections.

Next door, the Alpenglow Stube turns up the ambiance with a European-style welcome. At the Stube, you can trade in your cold boots for soft, cozy slippers and enjoy the brunch buffet.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of Keystone is its night skiing. It’s the only resort in Summit County that challenges you to ski from early morning until 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 6 p.m. on Sundays (there’s no night skiing on Mondays and Tuesdays, except during the Christmas holiday). And, I gotta tell ya: There’s nothing better than skiing into the sunset …

*all photos courtesy of Keystone Ski Resort

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Current Weather:

-°

Forecast:
No data available
°

SKI CONDITIONS

Latest Report: 20110410T07:08:00
24hr Snowfall:
0		 Last Snowfall:
Apr 04 - 11"		 Surface:
No data
Base Depth:
-"		 Trails Open:
0		 Total Trails:
135
Percent Trails Open:
0%		 Lifts Open:
icon 0		 Total Lifts:
icon 20
Terrain Type:
Beginner:
N/A		 Intermediate:
N/A		 Advanced:
N/A		 Expert:
N/A
Elevation:
weather Peak Elevation:
12408 ft 3782 m Vertical:
3128 ft 953 m Base Elevation:
9280 ft 2829 m		 Total Acres:
3148 Total Miles:
N/A
Longest Run:
Schoolmarm
3 miles		 Easiest Run:
Ripperoo's Road		 Steepest Run:
The Windows
Best Bumps:
Cat Dancer		 Best Trail Name:
Schoolmarm		  
 

Air Travel

Keystone is easily accessible from several Colorado airport...

Denver International Airport (DEN): Located just outside of Denver, the airport is 90 miles east of Keystone via Interstate 70.   DIA is a nonstop destination for over 21 national and international carriers.  Shuttles and car rentals via Hertz are available at the airport.

Vail/Eagle County Airport (EGE): 65 miles west of Keystone.  Direct flights are available from: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver,
Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York/LGA, Newark, Philadelphia.  Shuttles and car rentals via Hertz are available at the airport.

Colorado Springs Municipal Airport: 109 miles from Keystone.  Shuttles and car rentals via Hertz are available at the airport.

Driving Directions

From Denver:
Keystone is located 90 miles west from Denver International Airport (DEN).
Travel West on Interstate 70 Exit at the Silverthorne/Dillon exit #205
At the end of the exit ramp turn left (East) at the stop light onto Highway 6
Travel 6.2 miles into Keystone Resort
FYI - There are several places to stop along the Interstate 70 corridor for food and gas.

Ground Transportation

Colorado Mountain Express offers numerous daily door-to-door shuttles to and from Denver International Airport to Keystone.  You can also arrange for private, chauffeured travel services via CME Premiere.  Click here to go to their website and begin planning.

Parking Info

Free Parking: Free skier parking is available in the Montezuma and Tenderfoot lots. From the Montezuma lot, it is a short walk through the Village to the River Run base area. If you opt to park in the Tenderfoot lot, located on the north side of US Hwy 6, a shuttle service is available to transport you to both the River Run and Mountain House base areas. A limited number of complementary sleds are available to help families with young children haul their gear (and their kids!) to the lifts. To obtain a sled, please visit Guest Services in the Mountain Guest Services building near the Gondola base.

Carpooling: Keystone announced a new carpool incentive program that encourages skiers and riders to drive together to Keystone. Skiers and riders who arrive at Keystone Resort with four or more people in a car will be able to park in a premier parking section in Keystone’s Montezuma Parking Lot which is a short walk to the new River Run Gondola. Keystone has one of the closest free parking locations in Colorado that allows skiers and riders to walk to access the lifts. Now, carpoolers can gain even closer parking throughout the ski season without paying a premier price.

Pay Parking: Keystone also has six pay lots that offer direct access to our base areas: two are located in River Run Village; the Porcupine, Pike, Marmot and Slopeside Condominium lots are located in the Mountain House neighborhood.

Keystone Lake / Ice Rink Parking: Located directly across the highway from the Keystone Lodge, the Keystone Lodge Parking Lot may be used while you visit Lakeside Village and the Keystone Ice Rink. For your safety, please use the underground walkway instead of crossing the highway.

Shuttle Service

Within Keystone: Enjoy Keystone's very own transportation system, The Ride. All Keystone owned and operated properties are serviced by the Keystone Ride. Guests must provide a bus pass given to them upon lodging check-in. The Keystone Ride offers a convenient schedule that will pick you up and drop you off almost anywhere in Keystone Resort. Shuttles pick up approximately every half hour, and ride times average about 10 - 15 minutes.  Click here to view The Ride's winter schedule.

Within Summit County:  Summit County's free transportation system. The Summit Stage picks up at Keystone Resort frequently to take you into Dillon, Silverthorne, Frisco, Breckenridge and up to Arapahoe Basin.  Click here for more information and bus schedules.

From Keystone to Vail: The Vail Express bus service is an easy, economical and relaxing way to visit Vail Mountain while staying at Keystone or Breckenridge. The Express runs from December 23rd through April 2nd, every Tuesday and Thursday. Reservations are recommended. Please call The Mountain Concierge at 970-496-4FUN (4386). Round trip cost is $25.00. (If you are a walk-on, please have exact fare.)  Schedule is as follows...

Leaves Keystone River Run (Expedition Station bus stop) at 7:30 a.m.
Leaves Breckenridge Station (Park Ave & Watson) at 8:00 a.m.
Arrive at Vail Transportation Center by 9:00 a.m. (weather-dependant)
Leaves Vail Transportation Center 3:30 p.m.

For additional information, please contact Keystone Transportation at 970-496-4200.