Keystone Ski Resort

By Amanda May
Staff Writer
Rockies.com

Keystone Ski Resort has all the slopes and amenities that you could ask for. From their villages to their killer Independence Bowl, Keystone is the perfect place for your next ski vacation.

A colorful skier blasts through the powder at Keystone.

The resort began in 1970 and is now owned by Vail Resorts. The ski area spreads across three different mountains- Dercum, The Outback and North Peak. The total area is a stunning 3,148 acres. The mountains are serviced by 20 chair lifts and 2 gondolas.

Take your pick from Keystone’s 130 trails that descend 3,128 feet of vertical. Of course, not everybody has to go to the top. Keystone is also home to some nice green and blue beginner runs on Dercum.

The Windows is a legendary glades area at Keystone, and A51 is their terrain park. A51 is Colorado’s only night park and is serviced by a dedicated lift. You can truly spend all day flexing your skills at this nationally ranked, ever-changing park. Hang with your friends or try your best on the rails, jumps, jibs or Super Pipe!

Along with Independence Bowl, high above the greens and blues sits Bergman and Erikson Bowls- perfect for cat-sking.

Keystone has the largest night skiing operations in all of Colorado, so why not sleep in?

Off the slopes, Keystone has a Nordic Center where you can rent cross-country skis and snowshoes. Dog sledding, tubing and snowmobiling are also popular at this luxury ski resort.

The resort offers adventure tours from the warm interior of a Snowcat as well. The tours go above the tree line, up to 12,000 feet. They show you Keystone like you’ve never seen it before. Full-day guides tours are available to Independence Bowl, complete with a gourmet lunch in a warming hut!

Keystone has two unique villages and six neighborhoods, one of which centers around a man-made lake that is home to the U.S.’s largest Zamboni-groomed ice-skating rink (5 full acres!).

After a long day of outdoor adventures, take advantage of the award winning dining at Keystone, both on and off the mountain. The Alpenglow Stube is a fantastic five-star gourmet restaurant that is accessible by chairlift, even at night.

To reach Keystone driving, take Interstate 70 west from Denver about 90 miles. Exit at the Silverthorne/Dillon exit (#205). At the end of the exit ramp turn left (east) at the stop light onto Highway 6. Follow the highway for about six miles until you reach Keystone Resort. Or, from the Denver International Airport, take one of the ski area’s shuttles for a seamless 90-minute transfer.