Keystone Colorado (US)

Ski Resort Review, Information and Guide

View of Keystone base

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Keystone
Mountain Summary:

Base: 9,280 ft
Summit: 12,408 ft
Vertical: 3,128 ft
Ski area: 3,148 acres
Lifts: 19
Terrain parks: 3
Snowfall: 230 in/yr
Sunny: 3

Runs/trails:

Beginner: 19%
Intermediate: 32%
Advanced: 49%
Night Skiing: yes

Daily Report:

2024-03-18 06:03:00
Status:open
Percent Open:100%
Lifts Open:21/20
Base Depth:56 in
Snow 24hr:0 in
Snow 7day:12 in
Snow Surface:
Packed Powder
Night Skiing:yes
Weekday hrs:
Mon-Fri: 8:30a-4p
Weekend hrs:
Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p

 

Currency:USD

Resort Services:

  • ski rental
  • ski instruction
  • food
  • lockers
  • ski shop
  • child care 2 mo+

Trail Map:

Video Tour of Keystone:
Video Tour of Keystone CO Ski Resort

Virtual Tours:

thumb image link to Keystone ski resort village virtual tour
Keystone Village

Keystone Weather:

Dillon CO
Weather Forecast

Keystone/Vail
Resorts Mascot:

Riperoo, Keystone/Vail Resorts mascot

Keystone Ski Resort Description:

Keystone is comprised of three peaks (Durcum Mtn., North Peak and "The Outback") which naturally divides the terrain between the beginner / intermediate runs and the advanced runs. The back bowls of Keystone are accessible from these peaks.

The first peak closest to the main village is Durcum Mountain and has the bulk of the beginner and intermediate runs as well as the massive terrain park, Area-51 and kids ski areas. Also, it is here on this first peak that night skiing is available till 9:00pm.

The next peak as one travels deeper into the Keystone resort was my favorite, North Peak. This mountain has "Mine Shaft", the signature bump run and awesome tree skiing if you know where to go.

The "Outback" is the furthest peak from Keystone village and it has a $5.00 snowcat ride (check for schedule of operation) to the top of North and South Bowl. It also has "Elk Run", a half groomed, half mogul run to keep your significant other from abandoning you while you seek some good times on the moguls.

Resort Overview:
Keystone video:
A video tour of the Keystone Colorado ski resort

Keystone Mountain base

Keystone La Bonte Cabin - Lunch lodge

La Bonte's Lunch cabin (base of North Peak)

This review would not be complete if we didn't mention Keystone Lake and the largest Zamboni maintained outdoor skating rink. On Monday nights Keystone resort hosts "Kids Glow Bug Skate Night" where kids skate with glow sticks and glow necklaces. Located in Lakeside Village next to the Keystone Lodge

Keystone also has night skiing on the blue and green runs fed by the River Run Gondola to the peak of Dercum Mountain.

Keystone Terrain:

This ski resort is massive and has something for everyone. If you enjoy skiing the trees, bowls, bumps, groomers or terrain park, you will be happy here. The only terrain missing is the steep chute.

Bowls:

  • Independence Bowl:
    Hiking or $200/day snowcat
  • Bergman Bowl: Hike
  • Erickson Bowl: Hike
  • North and South Bowl:
    Hike or $5.00/ride snowcat

Note that all bowls close at 1:30 pm.

South Bowl and hike entrance -->

Keystone hike Outback to South bowl

Hike to the back bowls

Keystone South bowl

Keystone South Bowl

Moguls:

The run "Mineshaft" runs off of North Peak and to many, is the favorite mogul run on the mountain. Shown in the photo below is "Mineshaft" after a fresh foot of powder: heaven on earth.

Mine Shaft mogul run at Keystone

Mogul run: Mine Shaft

Mogul runs on North Peak at Keystone

Mogul run on North Peak

Trees:

If you are an advanced skier and enjoy the trees and powder stashes they hold, you are in for a treat at Keystone. There are vast acres of tree skiing here, most of which is overlooked. One favorite is off of the "Outback Express" lift between the trails "Elk Run", "Bighorn" and "Porcupine".

Skiing trees

North Peak Trees

Here is a tip in finding the areas where the trees are more openly spaced. From the chair lift it is obvious to see that some areas are densely packed with trees and other areas are more openly spaced. This is not so obvious when on a regular marked run and trying to find a good tree trail. Once located, go for it especially on powder days.

Keystone CO: Skiing trees

Note the tree spacing to find the ski-able areas

Keystone CO: Skiing trees

Tree skiing

Beginners and Intermediates:

This mountain has plenty of terrain for the beginners and intermediates. Beginners will be happiest on Dercum Mountain, the first peak closest to the village. Intermediates can venture through the whole mountain with ease.

Schoolmarm beginner green run

Beginner run: Schoolmarm

Kids:

There are two kids areas with colorful distractions and graphics. It gives them other things to focus on such as huts, cartoon characters, colorful ribbons, etc ...

Kids terrain at Keystone

Kids park

Keystone Terrain Parks: A-51

Area 51 is probably the largest terrain park I have ever seen with an abundance of jumps and features I have only seen at Keystone. You may also enjoy watching as talented jumpers and riders take to the jumps and features. The other terrain parks are training grounds for A-51 with smaller jumps, low rails, features and 1/4 pipes to develop one's skill level.

Area 51 Rail Riding

Rodeo Jump

Extreme aerials are commonplace in Area-51

Night Skiing:
Night skiing at Keystone

Night skiing is available on the gondola served runs as well as from the Peru Express lift.

Night skiing and tubing at the "Adventure Point" tubing hill at the top of the gondola, is available until 8:00 pm (Thursday to Saturday) or until 6:00 pm (Sunday). Check the Keystone schedule (printed on the trail map) as long weekends alter the duration. All runs open for night skiing are rated as intermediate of beginner.

Village, Town & Shopping:

The Keystone ski resort has three base areas, two of which are accessible from the highway.

  • River Run: main Keystone base village with shops, restaurants, bathrooms, ATMs and parking. Base of the gondola.
  • Mountain House: at the base of Peru Experess lift, this base area supports the adaptive center and medical center as well as bathrooms, ATMs and parking.
  • La Bonte's Smokehouse: not accessible by car. Provides bathrooms, food and a place to stay warm.

The River Run village at the base of Keystone can support all of your dining and shopping needs. You will find an abundance of clothing shops. Check out our virtual tour.

The large Silverthorne outlet mall is very close and can occupy a shopper for hours.

Keystone Village entrance

The entrance to "River Run" village at Keystone as viewed from the parking lot

Keystone Village

Check out our spherical panoramic "Virtual Tour" of Keystone Village
(Series of 6 panoramic images of Keystone Village best viewed in full screen mode)

Links:

Next: Keystone Colorado Apres Ski, Dining and Nightlife

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