Keystone is one of the favourite ski resorts for skiers who want to travel to the USA and experience incredible skiing and snowboarding sensations.
No wonder it ranks as one of the best family ski and snowboard resorts in the world. It’s also the closest all-inclusive resort to Denver, which means less time transferring from the airport to the resort and more time to enjoy it as a family.
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Keystone Ski Resort
Keystone is the largest ski resort in Summit County, Colorado, United States. It was founded in November 1970. The resort is owned and operated by Vail Resorts, which also operates three other resorts in the state (Vail, Beaver Creek and Breckenridge).
It is comprised of three mountains called Dercum Mountain, North Peak and Outback. Together, the mountains form Colorado’s largest night skiing operation, where several trails are illuminated by large floodlights. The town of Keystone is also known for its two-acre ice skating lake, sleigh rides and many four and five-star restaurants. An idyllic place to spend your holiday in the mountains.
The ski slopes of Keystone
Keystone has a maximum altitude of 3,651 metres and a difference in altitude of 816 metres. It has 128 slopes spread over a total of 135 km (25 km of blue slopes, 65 km of red slopes and 45 km of black slopes). In addition, the ski resort has 17 ski lifts, including 2 gondolas, 11 chairlifts and 1 chairlift. Almost half of its slopes are of great difficulty and its annual snow accumulations exceed six metres of snow.
Ski resort activities
At the resort there is plenty of terrain for all members of the family. But there is so much more to love at this family resort. There are programmes such as “Kidtopia’s Snow Fort“, a huge snow castle that will delight the little ones.
Also, activities like snowtubing on a very long slope where you can enjoy sliding or ice skating at Lakeside Village, one of the most beautiful outdoor ice rinks in the United States. Scenic sleigh rides, ski-joering and snowmobiling are also available for you to enjoy the snow in different ways.
Sustainable development of the Keystone ski resort
Sustainable development in eco-friendly resorts
There are ski resorts that take the importance of sustainable development in the mountains very seriously and have taken this movement to heart, even applying it to their own creation. Other resorts have modernised to adapt by running on hydroelectric power, solar panels and biomass.
Ski resorts have made it clear that they are committed: when former US President Donald Trump announced that the country would leave the Paris Agreement, many American resorts signed an open letter condemning this decision.
Among the signatories was one of the giants of the ski industry: Vail Resorts. Owner of dozens of resorts in the United States, such as Keystone, it also owns a large resort in Canada and another in Australia. The company’s new green initiative, “Epic Promise for a Zero Footprint“, is a three-part plan.
It aims to completely eliminate its carbon emissions, waste production and environmental impact by 2030.
Unforgettable experiences at Keystone
You don’t have to be skiing to enjoy a mountain ride. Enjoy a scenic cable car ride to the top of Dercum Mountain while taking in the views of the Rocky Mountains.
In addition, just 10 km from the resort, families can take a balloon ride, with breathtaking views of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. From this vantage point, children will be able to see landmarks such as the Continental Divide, Pikes Peak and Mount Elbert, Colorado’s highest peak.
Keystone Mountain Resort in summer
The resort doesn’t stop its activ ity during summer. It offers a multitude of activities such as hiking trails or if you prefer mountain biking, families can explore the mountain trails of the Keystone Cycle Park.
The snow in the Rocky Mountains melts in spring to provide a natural source of rafting for thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies. The melting snow in the mountains creates another summer favourite: fishing in the Keystone community’s many streams, ponds, lakes, rivers and backwaters. In addition, there is also a golf course to enjoy with family or alone.
Hotels in Keystone
The Keystone Lodge and Spa Hotel ****
The Keystone Lodge and Spa is located in the Lakeside Village district of Keystone, just metres from Keystone Ski Resort. It offers a free shuttle service to the ski slopes. It features a state-of-the-art spa with 14 treatment rooms. On-site amenities include a fitness centre, pool access, hot tubs and a bike, ski and snowboard storage area, among others. A variety of activities are available in the area, including skiing and golf.
Lakeside Village Hotel ***
Located 5 minutes’ walk from Keystone Lodge & Spa, this resort offers free ski storage and fully equipped rooms. A hot tub is available for guests to relax in. The rooms include a fireplace, TV, private bathroom and full kitchen. A free shuttle service is provided within Keystone Village. Keystone Ski Resort is just a short drive from the hotel. The ideal place to spend a few days in the mountains.
Hyatt Place Keystone Hotel ***
Hyatt Place Keystone features a fitness centre and is located just metres from Keystone Ski Resort. All rooms at the hotel are fully equipped. Some rooms also have mountain views. The on-site restaurant serves American cuisine and local dishes. The nearest Eagle County Regional Airport is 82 km away. This hotel is a great place to relax and unwind during your après-ski days.
Skiing in Keystone: the resort’s highlights
The Keystone Resort ski resort, located in the White River National Forest in Colorado, stands out for several features that make it a top destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Here are its main attractions:
Extensive ski area and diverse terrain
Keystone covers more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain spread across three main mountains: Dercum Mountain, North Peak, and The Outback. This diversity offers options for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, from gentle, open slopes to more challenging terrain in wooded areas and alpine basins. As you might expect, such a large area allows Keystone Ski Resort to offer many well-groomed trails. In total, the resort has 135 trails, classified as follows: 19% for beginners, 32% for intermediate skiers, and 49% for advanced skiers. The longest run, Schoolmarm, stretches for 3.5 miles (5.6 km), offering a long and scenic descent.
Efficient lift infrastructure
Keystone has 20 lifts, including 2 gondolas, 2 high-speed six-person chairlifts, and 4 high-speed quad chairlifts. This may not seem like much, but their layout, length, and speed allow you to enjoy the huge ski area without any hassle.
Night skiing in Keystone
A distinctive feature of Keystone is its night skiing, which allows visitors to enjoy the slopes until 8:00 p.m., offering a unique experience under the stars.
Additional activities and services
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Keystone offers a variety of activities such as the Adventure Point tubing park: located at the top of the River Run gondola, it offers fun for all ages with several tubing runs. You can also go ice skating: two rinks, one on Keystone Lake and the other on Dercum Square, offer opportunities for skating enthusiasts.
Natural surroundings and panoramic views
Located in the heart of the Rockies, Keystone offers breathtaking views and natural surroundings that enhance the mountain experience. The combination of altitudes ranging from 2,830 meters at the base to 3,782 meters at the summit guarantees favorable snow conditions throughout the season.
