The resort

Huge night skiing operation on an all round great mountain

The ski resort of Keystone has something for everyone, and being within an hour by car of the ski resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Araphoe Basin, it is a great base to choose. The ski resort itself used to lack a real centre, however there have been great improvements in the River Run area over the last few years creating a main street with shops, bars, resturants and condos along with plenty of activities. Keystone also has the largest flood lit night skiing programme in the US with select lifts open until 8pm several nights a week. Families in particular should consider Keystone as there are excellent programmes for children of all ages, and organised kids nights out.

The skiing and boarding

Skiing in Keystone offers something to suit all levels of skier. Keystone's skiing is spread out over 3 mountains, - Dercum, North Peak and The Outback, all spread out in a line, Dercum being closest to the resort. For beginners, there are good nursery slopes at both the top and bottom of the Dercum Mountain, along with some great greens to progress onto. Intermediates, well, the world is their oyster Each mountain has some great greens and blues and when some of the blacks are groomed early in the morning, they can be a great challenge. For experts, The Windows - a 60 acre gladed area will offer some challenges, along with 4 bowls offering open untracked powder. A hike is needed to access each of these bowls, however if you aren't keen on the uphill part, there are Snowcats you can take to the top for a small charge. Boarders are also very well catered for, with a huge park including super-pipe, half-pipe, its own chairlift and flood lit evenings several nights a week.

The apres ski

The ski resort of Keystone offers plenty of activities, tubing, night skiing, outdoor ice skating (next to the Lodge at Keystone's bar for the parents!), a trip to the shopping outlet and leisure centre in neaby Silverthorne. Bar wise Summit House is the most popular with live music catering for the night time skiers. Alongside this, the resort offers a varied programme of activities for both adults and children of all ages.

Resort overview

The friendly ski resort of Keystone is a big, purpose-built resort that is praised for its family-friendly atmosphere. It has the largest night skiing operation in Colorado and North America's largest ice rink. The ski resort of Keystone offers an array of evening activities, from ice-skating to tubing as well as a great selection of bars and restaurants.

The resort has a great choice of winter outdoor activities. These include skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating, cross-country skiing, dog sleigh, and snowmobiling. The summer activities include hiking, biking, fishing, and trail running.

The Keystone Resort ski area occupies 3 separate mountains. The ski resort of Keystone has an unusual ski area, in that the trails and mountains stack out in a line behind the resort itself, rather than following the more common model of running side-by-side above the resort valley. Skiing in Keystone offers something for all levels of skier. Beginners and intermediates will find a great choice of pistes and advanced skiers have 'The Outback' to play on.

The village of Keystone is purpose-built and split up into seven neighbourhoods, which are linked by a shuttle bus. The resort is well run and benefits from one of the Rockies' largest snowmaking systems.

Après ski in Keystone offers something for every age and budget. The Last Lift Bar in the Mountain House at the base of Dercum Mountain, the Snake River Saloon with regular live music and the Tenderfoot Lounge in Keystone Lodge with its comfortable couches and chairs and piano entertainment. 

At River Run, Kickapoo Tavern draws a crowd on its patio on sunny days and inside on snowy ones. Don't miss the Kickapoo Mountain Joy Juice, a surprisingly potent blend of rums and fruit juices. The Great Northern is Keystone's only brewery and chophouse. Its handcrafted brews make it another favourite après-ski scene in River Run. The Inkpot brews specialty teas, gourmet coffees and offers a full-service bar. Part coffeehouse, part bar, part bookshop, it's the kind of place that makes you feel like a local. The 'Goat' is real locals' hangout and offers regular live music and regular sports coverage. If you still have the energy, after skiing in Keystone, try the Green Light, in River Run, open until 2am.

The ski resort of Keystone has gained a reputation for fine dining, thanks to the Colorado Mountain College Culinary Institute, which is based there. Qualified students apprentice for three years in the resort's restaurants under world-renowned chefs before receiving degrees in culinary arts from the American Culinary Federation.

If you have worked up an appetite after skiing in Keystone, there are three dining experiences not to be missed. The Alpenglow Stube is said to be the highest gourmet restaurant in the country at over 3500m above sea level. The Ski Tip Lodge is a cosy inn that is full of local history and the Keystone Ranch has been named one of Colorado's Best Restaurants. 

The Adventure Passport is free and offers access to free activities on and off the mountain including yoga, wine tastings, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and more. Ice-skating is open every day and night. If you need pampering, after skiing in Keystone, there is a fitness centre at Keystone Lodge offering massages, a steam room, outdoor heated pool and a gym and weight room. There is a day spa offering floating massages and a full selection of salon services including facials and body treatments.

Shopping in the ski resort of Keystone offers some very good shops selling souvenirs and local crafts. Factory stores are just a short drive way. 

the latest snow and weather conditions

Last Snow	3rd December		Forecast	Moderate or heavy snow with thunder
Lower Snow Depth	63 cm		Upper Snow Depth	96 cm
Conditions	Powder		Runs Open	5 %
Last Report Update	4th December 08:30