Keystone

About Keystone

If convenience, affordability and terrain options for every type of skier top your ski vacation docket, then Keystone, Colorado it is! A Keystone ski vacation truly offers slices of heaven for every single penchant, both on and off the mountain. From tubing, to fine dining or quick (and cheap) eats, to après drinks, to world-class cat skiing and perfect family friendly trails, Keystone has it all.

Keystone is opportunely located just under 100 miles from Denver International Airport, the drive along I-70 takes a little over an hour and a half, so you can easily arrive in the morning and sneak a half-day of skiing in. All the Keystone restaurants are handily located in the base village or just across Highway 6. On sunny afternoons Keystone has a lively après scene, making it a great place to have a beer and mingle.

Keystone Resort has three amazing mountain peaks: Dercum Mountain, North Peak, and The Outback, with over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. The village at Keystone is lively and surrounded by beautiful nature, offering modern amenities. Whether you're looking for exciting adventures on the slopes, relaxing evenings by the fire, or fun off-mountain activities, Keystone has something for everyone.

Getting to Keystone

Keystone is located just 75 miles west of Denver International Airport (DIA), making it easily accessible. The resort can also be reached by car or shuttle via Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) and Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE).

Getting around

Keystone offers a free shuttle service that runs between the village and the resort, making it easy for visitors to get around without a car. The village is also pedestrian-friendly, with most attractions within walking distance.

Skiing in Keystone

Every level of skier will find their own section of the mountain to call their own. Beginners will love the “learning area” off of the Ranger chairlift, as well as all the green runs off of River Run Gondola. Children of all levels, will squeal with delight in Keystone’s many Kidventure Zones, which are fun, zippy tree trails and mini-themed camps. Intermediate skiers will find they can ski all three of the lift-accessed mountains, but the best blue trails are to be found off of the River Run Gondola, with epic, sustained cruisers like Frenchman and Irishman. Expert skiers and boarders have nearly 50 percent of Keystone’s 3,000 acres to themselves, and can enjoy moguls, glades, steeps and small chutes. Powderhounds will delight in all the snowcat-accessed terrain off of Independence Mountain and Wapiti Peak.

Beginner Skiing in Keystone

Making up 19 percent of 3,148 acres, the Keystone beginner skiing accounts for a nice chunk of the pie. Beginners will find they can get high up on the mountain and enjoy epic views of Keystone’s Independence Mountain, Keystone Peak and Wapiti Peak. Not every resort can offer beginner skiers this kind of high-alpine experience.

Dercum Mountain

Beginners at Keystone will appreciate the “learning area” at the top of 11,640-foot Dercum Mountain. There’s also another area at the base area, featuring the Discovery chairlift and several magic carpets. But, from Decrum Mountain beginners can soak in the views and see more of what Keystone terrain has to offer. This learning zone is a designated “slow skiing” area, ensuring beginners feel safe and comfortable when learning new skills. This area features a magic carpet for “never evers” and a small chair lift, Ranger, for beginners with a little more experience under their belt. Ranger is a great chairlift to learn on.

Once beginners feel ready to ski longer novice trails, they can simply hop right on the Schoolmarm trail, which abuts the magic carpet and take that to the either the River Run or Mountain Home base area. From there they can get on either River Run’s gondola back to the top or Argentine to Montezuma Express, both routes take beginners back to the summit of Decrum Mountain. The Schoolmarm trail and the other green circle trails, like Schoolmaster and Silver Spoon, that surround it are all in a “slow skiing” area, so this section is great for learning, and it’s a great zone for kids, since there are fun and easy tree trails and mini-camps along the way.

Keystone Ski School

Both kids and adults will love learning to ski with the help of Keystone Ski School. Never-evers will appreciate Keystone Ski School’s approach since they ease you into skiing. Keystone Ski School recommends that the first day on skis should be a half-day since it takes a bit of time to simply get used to the equipment. But, in a matter of days, beginner skiers will be able to ski most of the Keystone beginner terrain thanks to knowledgeable ski instructors and their proven methods.

Expert Skiing in Keystone

Although Keystone is touted as a “family-friendly” resort, which it certainly is, especially off of the River Run Gondola, nearly 50-percent of the terrain is titled as expert. In the lift-accessed areas of the resort, experts have endless glades and moguls, plus hike-to and snowcat-accessed terrain on Independence Mountain, Keystone Peak and Wapiti Peak. The cat skiing alone is enough reason to book your Keystone ski vacation [link] today. Whether you opt for a full day of cat skiing in Keystone’s iconic bowls, or just one ride up, the experience is sure to please anyone who likes steep, spacious terrain.

North Peak and the Outback

From the summit of Decrum Mountain, expert skiers can either opt to hike or arrange a ride with Keystone Cat Skiing Tours to access The Windows, a renowned tree skiing zone. Experts have 11 renowned gladed runs to choose from in this area. You can also hop on the Outpost Gondola to North Peak, if you’d like to get to the goods faster. North Peak offers experts some steep, sustained mogul runs, and also accesses the hike-to terrain between Independence Mountain and Keystone Peak. The 1.5-mile hike and the terrain it accesses will test the best. Experts also have some incredible options off of Outback Express, from the Black Forest and its steep glades to Wolverine, Wildfire and Pika. Skiers can also get their hike on in this area. To get to Wapiti Peak, and adjacent North and South Bowl, skiers trek up the 1-mile book-pack. On the way down be prepared for everything from small chutes to moguls and variable conditions, to open bowl skiing. This area−especially its glades−offer some of the best Keystone powder skiing. So when the snow starts flying you know where to go.

Terrain Parks

Expert jibbers should book a Keystone ski vacation purely based on the A51 Terrain Park. The large line will challenge even the most seasoned park skier or rider. The Main Street section is where experts will spend their day, but a warm-up lap or two on one of the medium lines, I-70 or Park Lane, is suggested. Keystone utilizes Burton’s and the National Ski Area Association’s Smart Style safety initiatives to reduce injuries and accidents in the park. The initiatives include a marked designation of difficulty level per line, and a safety code.

Family vacations in Keystone

Keystone is year-in and year-out one of the most popular family ski vacation destinations. The stars align at Keystone. Several different factors combine to make a Keystone family ski vacation one the best in class. Firstly, Keystone is conveniently located just an hour and one-half drive from Denver, making schlepping the kids gear much easier on parents. Secondly, the terrain; Keystone family skiing offers a variety of terrain options so all levels of skiers will find what they’re looking for. Kids will have a blast skiing at the largest night skiing operation in the world. And eating out as a family is easy in Keystone, with numerous family dining options. And last but not least: activities. Adventure Point offers tubing that the whole family can enjoy together.

The resort typically opens in early November and runs through mid-April, with the best snow conditions occurring between January and March.

River Run base area provides the perfect place to find and experience the many things to do in Keystone. Dining and shopping are easily accessed in the River Run base area, but if you’re looking for more you can enjoy a full docket of winter outdoor experiences on your next Keystone ski vacation. 

Families can explore the Kidtopia programs, enjoy sledding and tubing, or visit the local ice rink. The Adventure Center offers activities like paddle boating and miniature golf, providing fun for all ages. The village also hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the winter season.

Keystone is year-in and year-out one of the most popular family ski vacation destinations. The stars align at Keystone. Several different factors combine to make a Keystone family ski vacation one the best in class. Firstly, Keystone is conveniently located just an hour and one-half drive from Denver, making schlepping the kids gear much easier on parents. Secondly, the terrain; Keystone family skiing offers a variety of terrain options so all levels of skiers will find what they’re looking for. Kids will have a blast skiing at the largest night skiing operation in the world. And eating out as a family is easy in Keystone, with numerous family dining options. And last but not least: activities. Adventure Point offers tubing that the whole family can enjoy together.

The resort typically opens in early November and runs through mid-April, with the best snow conditions occurring between January and March.