Skiing in Keystone

We visited Keystone, Colorado one December to snow ski. We flew into Denver and rented a four wheel drive sports utility vehicle. Then it took about one and a half hours to drive to Keystone. The drive went really smoothly; it was interstate most of the way.

We stayed at the Inn at Keystone. This was a nice hotel within walking distance to the ski area. We had a great view of the mountain from our room and they also had upper lever outdoor hot tubs with great views.

The weather in December was very cold. We did have covered parking with our hotel though so that helped a little. At night when going out you had to dress very warm. They also offer night skiing at Keystone but we did not do that much do to the coldness. The mountain was only partially open because it was still early season and there was not enough snow to fully open. For a future trip, I would wait until later in the season to go so the entire mountain could be enjoyed. What we did get to ski was really good skiing, and all the people were very friendly and helpful there.

The town of Keystone was in a way divided into two parts where the two areas of the ski mountain could be accessed. This was the area that had the most to offer. There were condos, hotels, restaurants, shops and an ice skating rink in these areas. The ski area had a food and drinks at the base and we could enjoy happy hour between skiing and walking back to our hotel.

Keystone is also close to other ski areas. We took a day trip and skiing Breckenridge and it was just a short drive. I like the location the town of Keystone. We did not find many good places to eat while there but that is often a problem I have in ski towns. They had some okay places, but nothing just great.

Quick Tips:

Go after the first of the year, when there is plenty of snow!

Best Way To Get Around:

We rented a car because it is a pretty good drive from any of the airports.

This hotel is located 400 yards from the base of the ski area, so it is walking distance, or it is also located on the free shuttle route. The hotel was easy to find and get to. It was a good location since you can walk to the lift but still not pay the expensive ski-in, ski-out prices.

The lobby was nice and inviting with a cozy fireplace. We quickly checked in and headed to our room. Our room had two double beds, a desk, a television, a night stand, a dresser, a coffeemaker, a hair dryer, a mini refrigerator, a clock radio, a phone, and an iron. The bathroom was nice. We had a view of the mountain, and they also offer valley views.

The hotel also had a bar and restaurant, safety deposit boxes, free ski storage, free parking, a hot tub, and laundry facilities. The hot tub was located on like the fourth floor, and it was outside and overlooked the mountain. It had a great view, and I love outdoor hot tubs in the snow. The door was very close to the hot tub, so you did not get cold getting out and returning to your room.

The hotel also offered free underground parking so you didn’t have to scrap snow and ice off your windows. It was a short drive to anything in the town. The hotel has the only jazz bar and restaurant in Keystone, and it is called Razzberry’s.

I will definitely try to stay at this hotel again the next time I visit Keystone, as it was a great price and in a great location.

I skied at Keystone during December so it was still early season and many parts of the mountain were not open. I did still have some really good skiing though. The ski area was really nice; there were two base areas so it was a little more spread out with condos and such at both areas. This helped to cut down on the crowd some. They are also open in the day from 9am until 4pm and certain slopes until 9pm for night skiing.

The night skiing is one thing that drew me to Keystone but I was not very please with it. They have lights on the slopes but you really need more of a clear goggle to see at night and I didn’t want to make that extra purchase for just one night. It is also extremely cold night skiing especially on the lifts. It was fun to try and say I did it but I have no desire to hurry back and night ski.

They have a deal where you can buy one lift ticket to ski five resorts. This includes Keystone, Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin, Vail and Beaver Creak.

The summit elevation is 12,408 feet and they have nineteen lifts. Their lifts include gondolas, high-speed lifts, chair lifts, surface lifts, and carpets. They also have the ability to make snow. There are 117 trails and the longest run is 3.5 miles. The terrain is 2,870 acres. About half the mountain is most difficult terrain and half easy or intermediate. I was an intermediate skier and really like the runs. It was about on the lines of many of the other ski areas I had skied in Colorado.

They had eating places at the base of the mountain and also bars with happy hour specials when the slopes closed. The ski area was walking distance to many of the condos and hotels.

When going back I would not go in the early season because much of the mountain was not open and it was really cold there in December. The cost of the lift tickets also varies with the dates though. If you are looking for a cheaper priced ski vacation the early season may be the best for you.

I visited Breckenridge one winter for a day while we were staying in Keystone. I enjoyed a day of skiing and then looked around the town before heading back. This is a really neat little town. I skied Breckenridge during December, and that year there had not been a lot of snow yet, so many of the runs were not open. I hope to go back one day later in the season so I can ski the entire mountain.

The ski area was really nice and neat. The lift lines were not bad at all, but like I said earlier, it was early season. All the people were very friendly and helpful. Our Keystone lift ticket was good for Breckenridge too, so we got to buy a multi-day ticket and use it at more than one mountain. This was cheaper than buying single-day tickets. I really enjoyed my day of skiing at Breckenridge.

The ski area is open from the middle of November to the middle of April, weather permitting, and from 8:30am until 4pm. The base elevation is 9,600 feet and the summit is 12,998 feet. They have a total of 28 lifts and 2,208 acres of terrain. They groom about 600 acres daily. The snowmaking ability is for about 516 acres. There are 146 trails, with the longest trail being 3.5 miles. The mountain consists of 15 % easiest, 33% more difficult, 20% most difficult, and 32% expert.

I hope to visit Breckenridge again soon, when I will have more time to explore the mountain and the town. The town looked really neat and clean and all the people were very friendly and helpful.