in Ski Magazine's Annual Reader Survey on best ski resorts, jumping up 14th last year! Neighbors Breckenridge ranked 7th and Copper Mountain 14th. Also,
SKI Magazine readers also ranked Keystone's A-51 Terrain Park number 6 and Breck's park came in third. Breckenridge also garnered top 10 mentions for off-hill activities and aprés ski.
By Barry Cox:
Keystone Resort has 7 villages to choose from, each with their own character and characteristics and lodging. Which is right for you? This article describes each village and you can decide which one you like.
Two of the Keystone villages are also base areas for the ski mountain. Mountain House and River Run.
Mountain House
This is the original base area for Keystone when Max Dercum founded Keystone in 1970. The Snake River Runs along the base of Dercum Mountain, so there is precious little space right on the slopes. Only 4 buildings in Keystone are actually ski-in ski-out. Two of those buildings are in Mountain House Village (Chateaux D’Mont the original luxury condo building featuring in-room hot tubs and Slopeside which is an economical ski-in ski-out building). Mountain House is FAR less crowded than River Run and has a nicer beginners and ski school area. You will find one cafeteria style restaurant, one ski rental shop and one pizza joint, but not much else in the village. Mountain House is like having your own private mountain though.
Intrawest (owns Whistler and Copper Mountain and Winter Park) developed the $700M River Run that is the quintessential alpine ski village. 12 individual condo buildings are arranged with shops and coffee houses and restaurants on the ground floor. The River Run gondola and high speed quad lifts service River Run. River Run is by far the most desirable location in Keystone as judged by numbers of guests wanting to stay there. The condo buildings are newer and the amenities are quite nice (pools, hot tubs, pool tables, saunas, fitness centers, etc). Downsides are that it’s expensive, the rooms tend to be smaller, and it can get quite crowded.
Typical Guest: Families and Young Urban Professionals
West Keystone
West Keystone is group of many traditional condo buildings that are of all ages. It’s only about 5 mins drive to either base area and is serviced by free shuttle buses that run every 20 mins in the peak season. The condos are nestled in mature pine forests and spaced out with nice Snake River Views. West Keystone is also where the two world-class golf courses are located. West Keystone is where you get the most for your money if you don’t mind being 10 mins or so from the slopes. Downsides are that some of the buildings are older, so it is recommended to be able to see the actual condo you’re renting as they do vary widely in quality.
Typical Guest: Families wanting value and people that come to Keystone year after year.
East Keystone
The newest addition to Keystone is East Keystone. Built on the old ‘Ski Tip Lodge’ property which was the original stagecoach stop after you passed over the mountain pass into Keystone. There are only a few condo communities and lots of multi-million dollar homes. The condos in East Keystone are large and new and nice and again, only 5-10 mins to the slopes at River Run.
Typical Guest: Affluent people wanting quiet and quality.
North Keystone
US Highway 6 bisects Keystone into the mountain side (to the south of US 6) and North Keystone which is everything across highway 6. You can get alot for your money in North Keystone. The buildings tend to be older, however there are some newer developments also.
Typical Guest: Young guests looking for cheap accommodations and Senior guests looking for value.
Lakeside Village
This is the village Keystone built around a 5 acre lake to go with the Keystone conference center. Nice older well maintained condos surround the lake that you can boat in summer on a canoe, or skate on in winter. There are also several shops and restaurants and the Keystone Inn, which is a 4-star hotel run by Vail Resorts
Typical Guest: Conference Attendee and people wanting a hotel instead of a condo.
Keystone Ranch
The 7th village is the gated community built on the original homestead site for Keystone Resort. Keystone Ranch doesn’t have condo buildings, only single family homes ranging from $1M and older to brand new huge homes valued at well over $10M. Only a few of the homes are available for rent. This is also home to the clubhouse for the golf courses which wind into West Keystone from here.
Typical Guest: Affluent guests wanting a home instead of a condo.
From Peter Reeburgh: Skiing Deep Powder without the High Price:
We all know how it feels to ski or snowboard deep powder. The sheer bliss of winding down the ski slopes without a care in the world. The peace, the quiet, and the fluffy snow blowing back on your face. You want it? Open you wallet.
Not true at many of Colorado's ski resorts. Sure, you can spend big bucks heli-skiing or chartering a snow cat for a full day of fun, but what if you were to just get your fill on a few ski runs and don't want to pay for a full day of such bliss?
Enter Keystone Resort Colorado. Keystone is known for their legendary 3 mountains, Dercum Mountain, North Peak, and the Outback. Keystone Resort caters to groups of people who vary widely in skiing ability. Beginner skiers usually stick to the front side of Dercum Mountain, yet if you're looking for the powder it's not too hard to find close by.
Secret Stash #1: The Windows at Keystone. It's a slight walk from the top of Dercum Mountain, but it's a really easy hike and you can call it quits and start making turns any time you want right off into the trees on a little-known run called The Windows. Steep, Deep and full of sparsely populated trees, you'll be in heaven for a good 1500 feet of vertical. Best of all, it looks like much more work than it really is on the map. The trail to hike is a snowcat trail and very well packed down and easy to walk on. It's a slight uphill, but not bad and easy if you are from a lower altitude.
Secret Stash #2: Timberwolf at Keystone's Outback. This one is lift-served so it gets skied off pretty quickly, but some great powder can be found in this area if you hit it right after a snowstorm. The best part is that the outback usually gets about 20-30% more snow than what Keystone officially reports in it's daily snow report. So….even if there is only 6 inches of fresh powder, count on a good 7-8 inches of fresh powder in Keystone's Outback area.
Secret Stash #3: At the very top of Keystone's Outback, there is a trail that you can hike up to the top of the next peak at 12,354 feet. Right in the middle is a small saddle where you can drop off to the South and hit the biggest powder stash Keystone has to offer and grab nearly 2000 vertical feet of sweet bliss. Sounds great doesn't it? Be warned…it's a really hard hike and takes a good 30 minutes. If you're not used to the altitude, you can kiss the rest of your day away from being so exhausted.
In recent years, Keystone found that they can actually make quite a lot of money giving people a ride on a snowcat so that they can grab some powder without having to hike much. For a mere $5.00 per run, you can grab a seat on a snowcat and do the same terrain as all those fit people are hiking to. This is a phenomenal opportunity to ski or snowboard some perfect powder without the high price of a full day trip….or maybe even get a taste of snowcat skiing to see what it is like.
Don't miss the powder skiing for the upcoming ski season. Think Keystone when you come to Colorado and remember the tips for finding the powder stashes. You just have to look for them.
Peter Reeburgh is an avid Mountain Biker, Snowboarder, and owner of SummitCove.com - Vacation Rentals in Keystone Resort Colorado which provides affordable luxury condos, and family friendly lodging in Keystone Colorado.
But check out where the latest high-altitude tests of the new Porsches were happening -- Summit County Colorado and the testers were staying at Keystone Inn.
"I am at a conference at the the Keystone Inn right now in Keystone, Colorado... a ski resort near Breckenridge. There are about 6 Panameras hidden in back parking lot, and a handful of Germans with laptops who aren't too interested in striking up a conversation. They've been here for a few days and the cars are modestly disguised with tarps, plastic, reflective tape, and big plastic crates over the rear spoiler, although there's not much that can truly hide a Porsche the size of an Avalon. The interior was also well disguised with vinyl covering the dash, doors, and even the steering wheel. Made my conference a little more interesting." - John the tipster
From Vail Resorts:
Season Opening Dates:Breckenridge- November 9 Keystone- November 9 Vail- November 16 Heavenly- November 16 Beaver Creek- Nov. 21
WHAT'S NEW THIS WINTER
>> Vail- Vail Mountain is replacing the Highline Lift (Chair 10) and Sourdough Lift (Chair 14) with new high-speed, quad chairlifts, which will expedite the trip to Two Elk Restaurant, China Bowl and Blue Sky Basin.
>> Beaver Creek- Beaver Creek improves its children's ski and snowboard school experience with the addition of the eight-passenger Buckaroo Express Gondola, a short gondola ride designed with the resort's smallest customers in mind. Families and friends staying in the Town of Avon will find the fastest and most convenient route from Avon to Beaver Creek Mountain via the new Riverfront Express Gondola, anticipated to open during the winter season.
>> Keystone- Keystone has been making a ton of improvements both on and off the mountain. From the addition to Independence Bowl to our newly renovated, RockResort Spa, there are exciting changes all over the resort. More terrain to explore, more groomed runs to enjoy and more ways to relax.
>> Breckenridge- Breckenridge is building a new park on Peak 8 that will allow the resort to offer a park progression system located in one place. Breck's terrain park team is designing a multi-level park pod that will feature a beginner park and pipe, and an intermediate park - as well as the famed, expert superpark and pipe on Freeway. By building parks for all three levels in one place, skiers and riders will be able to move seamlessly from Trygve's beginner park and pipe to Park Lane’s intermediate sized jumps and rails while watching the pros hit Freeway.
>> Heavenly- Heavenly improvements for the 2007-08 season include the new Olympic Express high-speed quad chairlift, four new trails and the Heavenly Sky Flyer zip line at Adventure Peak- the longest zip line in the lower 48 states at 3,100 feet long, and guests will achieve speeds of up to 50mph. That's a rush! The new trails Cloud Nine, Bohemian Grove and The Pines located off Olympic Express, and Nova off Dipper Express, bring Heavenly's trail number to 95!
This info is a little dated but it is a good summary of where to get the best deal on tickets.
Discount Lift Tickets - Learn What Colorado Ski Resorts Do Not Want You To Know!
How to get Discount lift tickets for Keystone Colorado, Breckenridge Colorado, Arapahoe Basin Colorado, Loveland Ski Area Colorado, Copper Mountain Colorado, Winter Park Colorado, Vail Colorado, Beaver Creek Colorado
Updated for the 2005-2006 ski season.
Discount Lift Tickets in Colorado- All Colorado ski resorts make it difficult for anyone coming from out of state to get a great deal on lift tickets. Don't expect to get a great deal anywhere if you didn't start looking in late September or early October. As your Keystone Lodging provider, we can help, but WE DO NOT SELL LIFT TICKETS.
The most expensive way to ski is to buy your lift tickets at the ticket window without any coupons. The following information will help you find the best deal around no matter what time of year.
Colorado Ski Season Passes
If you are in Colorado in April, September or October, you can look into buying a season pass for Keystone, Breckenridge, and A-Basin. Both Loveland and Copper Mountain sometimes sell season passes into November. If you plan on skiing 5 or more days, a season pass to one of the areas ski resorts will more than pay for itself and is the cheapest way to go...even though you won't get to use it for the entire season.
:: Keystone :: Breckenridge :: A-Basin :: Vail :: Beaver Creek ::
Season passes are sold along the front range at places like Gart Sports, REI, and Christy Sports. Season passes for Keystone, Breckenridge and A-Basin usually cost around $329. A 2nd option is to pay slightly more and get 10 days at Vail or Beaver Creek added to that same pass. You MUST buy these in person, and you typically have to use it at least once before the holiday season, or it will become invalid for the rest of the year. These passes do have blackout dates during the holidays and during Presidents Day weekend usually, so make sure you read the fine print before purchasing these ski passes. If you're planning an early season trip (Before December 20th) AND a later prime ski season trip (January - April), this is by far the least expensive way to go. Best of all, once you get a pass that you have to buy in person, you can renew it over the web year after year.
:: Arapahoe Basin Only ::
This year, Arapahoe Basin is offering a season pass of thier own. For the 2005-2006 ski season, these are only $239. This allows unlimited skiing at Arapahoe Basin, but also allows you to ski at Keystone or Breckenridge for 5 days. One of the 5 days can be used at either Vail or Beaver Creek. This is an awesome deal if you're coming out for a short trip of 5 days or more. Best of all, you can buy these over the phone and just pick them up at the base area of Arapahoe Basin. As always, get in on this deal EARLY. Passes are usually sold in September and October only. Check out the Arapahoe Basin Website for full details.
:: Copper Mountain :: Winter Park :: Mary Jane ::
Copper Mountain is offering season passes for the 2005-2006 ski season for only $279. You can buy these without being present, but you must submit a photo of yourself so they can print your pass. Add a few more dollars and you can ski Winter Park and Mary Jane too. However, Winter Park is a solid 1 hour drive from Summit County. Still, the skiing at Mary Jane is legendary and you won't be disappointed with your day excursion to the snowpack in the Fraser Valley of Colorado.
:: Loveland Ski Area ::
Lesser known by people from out-of state, Loveland is a very inexpensive option. You'll see Loveland Ski area on your way into Summit County on the East Portal of the Eisenhower Tunnel. The closest ski lodging to Loveland is in Keystone....only 15 miles away. Loveland offers season passes for $253. Being an independant ski resort, you can only ski at Loveland. Loveland is one of the highest ski resorts on North America and they are usually the first to open the ski season in North America in October. Check the webste for details. They have an outstanding variety of terrain and there are little or no crowds at any given time.
++++++++++++ Warning ++++++++++++
Do not EVER try to use a 4 pack or season pass that is not yours. There are extremely stiff penalties including large fines and possible jail time if you are caught. The lift operators WILL catch you. A free lift ride is simply not worth the consequences.
++++++++++++ Warning ++++++++++++
Colorado Ski Resort "Four Packs"
Another money-saving tip is to buy what is called a "4 pack" for your ski resort of choice. A "4 pack" is 4 days of skiing for any 1 person. Typically the ski resorts sell these early in the season, but have also been known to sell them again in late March or in April. Buying late in the season is ideal...unknown to many, April is usually the snowiest month in Colorado!
:: Keystone :: Breckenridge ::
For the Keystone and Breckenridge 4 packs, you must buy them in person and they are not transferrable. In previous years they have been transferrable until people started selling them for a profit on eBay. $ packs usually run about $99 and are bought in the same fashion that a Season Pass is bought. The 4 packs do have blackout dates, so read the fine print carefully.
:: Copper Mountain :: Winter Park :: Mary Jane ::
Copper Mountain offers 4 packs for only $69 and ARE transferrable. This deal usually is around for about a week and may have already passed. If so, you're still in luck...both Copper Mountain and Winter Park offer 4 packs for $120, which is still only $30 per day. This offer expires on Dec 9th 2005, so jump on this quickly if you want to get in on the deal! There are usually rules and restrictions as to the dates you can use the 4 pack, so check the fine print carefully.
:: Loveland Ski Area ::
Loveland also offers a 4 pack as well for the 2005-2006 ski season. The 4 packs run only $99 but are only available through November 21st 2005. There are no blackout dates on these 4 packs and can be used anytime during the 2005-2006 ski season at Loveland.
:: Aspen :: Snowmass ::
Okay, so these 2 resorts aren't really all that close to Summit County, but if you want to see what celebrities do during the winter in Colorado...try Aspen or Snowmass for a day. Cheap passes are available, but you have to get them in person. They are available up until November 20th, 2005 at select locations around the Colorado Front Range.
Other ways to get Discount Lift Tickets
Are you a member of the armed forces? Keystone has a special setup with any active duty military, Reservists, National Guard and dependents. Rocky Mountain Blue offers a Freedom Pass for only $129. This pass is good for unlimited skiing at Keystone or Arapahoe Basin. It can be purchased at military bases in colorado including Buckley AFB, Peterson AFB, Schriever AFB, F.E. Warren AFB, Fort Carson and the Air force Academy. You can purchase this anytime during the 2005-2006 ski season and it is good through closing day at Keystone. THIS IS THE BEST LIFT TICKET DEAL IN COLORADO.
Keystone Lift Tickets Sign up for a free Colorado Gem Card. These cards will give you discounts at other ski areas that are further away. The closest resort that accepts this card is Loveland Ski area, which is about 15 miles away right at the Eisenhower Tunnel on the Continental Divide.
Keystone Lift Tickets Know someone with a season pass? Season Pass holders usually can buy a lift ticket for you for a deeply discounted price of $29-$59. The number of times they can do this is limited.
Keystone Lift Tickets Don't forget eBay! Many times people will buy a package deal and not be able to use it. Sometimes it's a 4 pack, sometimes it's someone who has an inside track to the resort and is trying to make some money on the side. Either way, MAKE SURE you check the lift tickets carefully to make sure you know what you're getting. Search around and see what you can find!
Keystone Lift Tickets Buy an Entertainment book for the Denver area. These books are PACKED with ski coupons. We typically buy these books and keep them available for our guests to use. The coupons are for slightly discounted lift tickets. ($5 - $10 off ticket window prices) There are also coupons for ski school.
Keystone Lift Tickets Buy your tickets on the front range in or around Denver. Go to any Safeway or King Soopers grocery stores, or ski and snowboard rental shop. They sell disount lift tickets for most ski areas.
Keystone Lift Tickets As your Keystone Lodging provider, just ask us and we'll do what we can to get you the right information you need or point you in the right direction to save you the most money given the time period of your visit. We typically keep a packet of coupons just for our guests use. When booking, please email or call us with your requests and we will mail coupons to you before you arrive. Coupons are first come first serve. These coupons usually come from Entertainment Books, and wherever else we can find them. We do not sell lift tickets.
BE CAREFUL - Some other lodging providers will entice you with a "package deal" saying that they will give you discounted lift tickets after your reserve your lodging...only to suddenly "run out" of the lift tickets after they have your money.
Peter is an experienced skier and snowboarder who resides in Colorado. As owner of SummitCove.Com, a successful property management company in Keystone, Colorado he is always on the lookout to save his guests money on vacation ski lodging, lift tickets and other area activities.
For more information about deals on ski condos and Keystone lodging in the Keystone Colorado area, visit SummitCove.com or call 303-618-0773 today.
53 days until the slopes open, Keystone and Breck are already receiving snow above 11,000 feet...
For skiing on November 9! But, snow making begins as early as October 15.
Also, the annual 36 hour Keystone party (where the slopes and bars and restaurants) are open for 36 hours straight is on November 30. Mark your calendars...
And if you want to see mountain cams of the resort, click here.
Quick news --- the 4-pack is back: 4 days of skiing this season at Keystone or A-basin for $129.
Guy Schlacter, a Keystone condo owner, has put together a good review of dining options at Keystone - its not very extensive but definitely good as a outside review:
I’ll start with some Restaurant suggestions for the higher end dining experiences – all based on first hand experience with my family and friends:
High End Recommendations:
Keystone Ranch – gourmet fixed price, multiple course dining and a elegant rustic atmosphere. Highlights include the food and the special couch-around-the-hearth dessert experience. Call Keystone resort reservations.
Der Fondue Chessel – bring your appetite (and I thought I was a big eater) – 4 courses of food – large delicious salad, cheese fondue (white or cheddar), meat/fish grill fondue, chocolate fondue dessert (milk or dark). The restaurant is in the Outpost Lodge – 30 minutes and two gondola rides from River Run Village – return trip can get chilly but they do provide wool blankets in the gondolas – tidbit: remember to carry your blanket from first to second gondola. The food was excellent and there was a live roving “Germanic” band. Call Keystone resort reservations. Kids are equally welcome and are half price.
Samplings (in Frisco) – excellent food with extensive wine list. Despite small portions even for a tapas style restaurant, we continue to return for more good food and know to order enough “samplings”.
The Mint (in Silverthorne) – best prime rib in the county and by many other standards. The Mint is known for the all you can eat, prime rib dinner that runs about $30. They also have a fine selection of steaks that you grill yourself. For some reason, their salad bar is always a standout mostly because it is perfectly chilled and fresh versus any gourmet selections. Very casual dining.
Moderate Dining Recommendations:
Ruby Tuesday (in Dillon) – yes it is a chain restaurant but the burgers are big and juicy. They also have a small salad bar and the veggies were nice and crisp.
Pug Ryan’s Steak House and Brewery (in Dillon) - very broad food selection but can get very crowded (30-60 minute weekend waits). Large portions and good food – I highly recommend the rib combo (beef and pork). Good microbrew beers to go with everything.
Welcome to the Keystone Resort blog by Deluxemountaincondos.com. We'll be using this blog to post the latest news related to Keystone Resort and highlight the best of what the area has to offer. Feel free to post questions or make comments in the Comments section.
