Keystone Resort, Colorado is home to world class skiing terrain, incredible food, affordable cat skiing, three mountain peaks and is one of the few resorts offering night skiing in Colorado, one of the longest ski days around is. Big bang for his buck. It is also home to Kidopotia - a festival where children can have a blast, taking part in fun activities, including visiting and playing in a huge ice fort at the top of a mountain! Not to mention countless other winter activities to enjoy such as snow tubing, ice skating, fine dining, sleeve rides, live music, festivals and more!
So you have decided to travel to Keystone this winter, now comes the hard part, where to stay? Keystone is a small town, about 3 miles long in a valley at the bottom of the mountain. The mountain itself is made up of three distinct peaks that go from north to south; Dercum, North Peak, and Outback, each offering its own unique terrain and features. Dercum Mountain is the fastest peak north and provides only two access points to the entire mountain, river run and mountain house at the front.
Of the two base areas, River Run is the newer of the two and is known as the main village, where both the Gondola and Summit Express chair elevators pick up and take you to the top of the Draculum Mountains. The village has the only walking area with lots of lovely boutiques, ski rental shops, coffee shops and restaurants. Gondola and bathrooms and lockers have season passes and an overnight ski check outside the ticketing office. The only base this area is really missing is a central 'ski lodge', but there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance of the slopes made for it. The Kickapoo Tavern is a fun place to have lunch or an après ski beer with a large outdoor patio overlooking the slopes. Some of the fun features of River Run Village are the Durkum Square outdoor ice rink, various statues throughout the village, several unique shops and an outdoor gas fire pit, perfect for warming up on a cold day. River Run is a group of housing options within all yards of the gondola, including Springs, Jackpine, Arapohoe, Black Bear, Silver Mill, Dakota, Buffalo, Expedition Station and Red Hawk Lodge. Keystone has two true ski-in, ski-out properties, the Lone Eagle and the Timbers, which are actually across the Snake River Bridge, past only the gondola and then up the slope a few yards from the village.
Both grounds are home to ski schools, skier services and rental shops. The Mountain House has a great starting area with a magic carpet and easy chair lift. You can find similar starting areas at the top at the Mid-Mountain Gondola stop and near Schoolerme. While you won't find a pedestrian mall here with extensive shopping and dining options similar to a riverbank, you will find that the Mountain House is a true ski resort, complete with indoor lockers, cafeteria, a lodge with a. Bar, ski supply store and bathroom; To meet the needs of any skier. You will also find two chair lifts here, a lift ticket office at bases near Peru and Argentina. The Peru lift takes you to the top of Area-51 with some green and blue runs, and you can return to the River Run Base area in just one run or quickly get to the mid-mountain Montezuma lift, Which will go from head to top.
Lodging prices at Mountain House are slightly lower than at River Run, while most offer similar amenities. Chateaux DuMont properties are very popular and unique, most have a private hot tub with a sloping view! Slopside condos at the Mountain House are another great option, and are just steps from the elevators. Here are some properties that are within walking distance from the mountain at a fraction of the cost. If you feel the need to stop by the main village, just get down or take a shuttle!
There are also plenty of accommodation options outside the two main villages. Settler's Creek Resort in East Keystone is the newest and most popular housing development of beautiful multi-story town homes with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. The 'Minnies Cabin', with a heated recreational pool, hot tub, pool table, grill and hangout area in the center of the neighborhood, is a central recreational gathering place.
Keystone Resort hosts a free resort shuttle that will take you just about anywhere you need to get within Keystone and most lodging complexes are serviced by shuttles. The steepest ride from anywhere in Keystone is 10 minutes or less! There is also a free county-wide transit system known as Summit Stage which makes it very easy to walk in the high country without a car. Denver International Airport is only 90 minutes away and there are many shuttle companies that will take you to the airport.
If you are ready to live outside the main villages in Keystone, you can often find better deals and prices on your accommodation. Make sure you select a property management company that lets you choose the exact property you are staying in so that you know what to expect and can plan your trip ahead of time. If you have a large group, ask your property manager about renting a private home! Wherever you live in Keystone, you will find that it is very easy to find what you are looking for and more!
