Keystone Ski Vacation Guide

As one of the closest ski resorts to Denver International Airport, this ski destination is only an hour and a half (or less) away. Skiing Magazine refers to it as the "ultimate all-things-to-all-skiers" resort, and that's a pretty fair summation. Keystone offers loads of fun activities, including night skiing giving you eleven and a half hours of skiing every day.

Ski Levels

The resort is well known for wide, well-groomed trails, and sets aside designated “go slow” zones so that beginners aren't overwhelmed. Actually comprised of three mountains (Dercum, North Peak, and The Outback) every level of skier is certain to find what he's after somewhere in the 3,000 vertical feet and more than 3,000 acres of trails and terrains. If there were some who complained that this resort wasn't challenging enough, that concern has been silenced by the advent of tree skiing and snowcat tours to Independence, Erickson, and Bergman Bowls. There you can launch yourself into expert terrain and truly virgin powder. The A51 terrain park, which is also lit up for night skiing, adds even more to the bumps and jumps found elsewhere on the mountain. Of course, the ski patrol are all professionals and the instructors are some of the best in the world. Whether you're a total novice or an experienced expert, you're welcome here. In addition, the United States Ski Team goes to North Peak for some early training. A score of fast, fresh lifts and over 120 trails round off the picture of a perfect ski resort vacation—an image this ski area is more than able to fulfill!

Après Ski

After your round of night skiing or a few spins at the five-acre outdoor skating rink, you'll enjoy the bars, restaurants, and nightclubs in the village. Have all the fun you can handle, with live music and dancing or enjoy a quiet or romantic conversation. The mountain village is designed to accommodate everyone, from singles and families to couples. One important thing to remember is that, even though you're very close to Denver, by the time you reach the village at Keystone, you are already high in the Rockies. The cold and wind chills are more pronounced, as are the effects of the sun's UV rays, at higher altitudes. You'll want to wear light layers and make sure you have a waterproof, breathable outer shell layer, as well as a hat that covers your ears or a ski mask, warm dry comfortable gloves, a neck gator, goggles and some sunscreen.

Keystone Snowboard Vacation Guide


Rider’s Guide

The mountains here receive a well over 200 inches of snow every year, they have 19 lifts to 121 trails, with a longest run of over 18,000 feet, and has trails that are rated 19 percent beginner, 32 percent intermediate, 40 percent advanced and a pulse-pounding 9 percent expert.

Parks and Pipes

Home to one of the highest-rated terrain parks complete with an amazing superpipe, A51 is divided into three separate areas for beginners, intermediates, and experts. The park features an 18-foot superpipe that will present a challenge for the most experienced snowboarder and freestyle skier. Keystone has a total of 51 rails and fun boxes to keep you constantly entertained including the monster 150-foot-long rail plus a roller coaster rail the flaming barbecue rail, that is restricted to experts only. For the snowboarders who are not quite ready to take on the massive features of A51, the A51 Incubator has smaller rails and features set up for the more entry-level and kid snowboarders and freestyle skiers.

Out of Bounds

This area has an edge on other similar areas in Colorado for the amount of wild and crazy things you can do in the wintertime. Why not try ice skating in the middle of the village on an outdoor lake, which is the largest Zamboni-maintained outdoor rink in North America? Then you can head over to the Keystone Lodge and get massages, hang out in their steam room, outdoor heated pool, cardio and weight rooms, and meet some friends in the hot tub for all the relaxation you can possibly handle. The area offers winter outdoor sports such as cross-country skiing, rock and ice climbing, cat skiing, horseback riding, sledding, hot air ballooning, ice skating, four-wheeling and off-road driving, fishing and snowmobiling.

Hangout & Hookup

There are plenty of après ski spots for boarders and freestylers to enjoy. The Goat Soup and Whiskey Tavern is an underground bar where a lot of snowboarders hang out. The Snake River Saloon features really great bands and music on the weekends. Wolf Rock Brew Company is the place to go in order to taste some locally handcrafted microbrews. Dos Locos is packed with revelers during happy hour since the margaritas might be some of the best north of the border and they pile on so many free munchies that you might just skip dinner. The Inxpot, Kickapoo Tavern, The Great Northern, and Last Lift are great bars and lounges with a wild and fun atmosphere. The Green Light may be the only nightclub, but it really rocks.

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