Keystone

Closed
John "Fritzski" Fritz
SnowPak Local Insider
John "Fritzski" Fritz
Pros
  • Keystone is popular for its Kidtopia play area and endless family-friendly programs
  • Great for beginner skiing as the learning area is located at the bottom and top of the mountain
  • Boasting one of the best terrain parks in Colorado with its own lift
Cons
  • Crowds can be a problem if you're skiing on a weekend

Overall

4.8

If your version of après ski is night skiing then Keystone Resort might just earn a spot in your heart. This family-friendly resort boasts one of the longest ski days in Colorado which continues long into the night. One of the most popular mountains in the region, the resort has the largest ski area in the Summit County covering over 3,000 ac of stunning terrain on its three peaks and five bowls. The mountain has a vertical drop of 3,129 ft and known for its amazing blue runs, making it a haven for intermediate skiers. It has the best long groomers in Colorado as well as some of the most incredible glade runs and long bump runs in the region. If that’s not enough, Keystone Resort is also home to one of the country’s top terrain parks with over 100 features, kickers, rails and jumps as well as a dedicated chairlift to keep park rats real busy. Impressed?

Best month to go

January to March

The ski season lasts from late November through mid-April, with the peak period occurring between January and March. Bear in mind that prices and rates increase during this time, and the slopes can get very crowded. Weekends and holidays tend to run high as well, so check your calendar to make sure your visit doesn’t coincide with any U.S. celebrations. Christmas and New Year’s will always be more expensive, while three-day weekends (i.e. Martin Luther King Day and Presidents’ Day) see crowds flocking in. For the best deals, visit Keystone Resort during the first two weeks of January. These weeks are usually slower, and their prices won’t tear through your wallet. All that snow to yourself… It’s a true “winter’s tale”.

FLY TO

Denver International Airport

DRIVE/SHUTTLE TO

Keystone (2-2.5 hours)

River Run (Walk)

  • Heart of Keystone
  • Centered around the base of River Run Gondola
  • Wide range of accommodation

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Mountain House (Walk)

  • Walking distance to slopes
  • Quieter compared to River Run
  • Better value accommodation and larger condos than River Run

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North, East, West Keystone (1-2 mi)

  • North and West Keystone are great for larger groups
  • East Keystone is the most quiet
  • Short shuttle ride away from slopes

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Dillon/Silverthorne (5-10 mi)

  • 10-15 minute drive from Keystone Resort
  • Inexpensive lodging compared to the heart of Keystone
  • Limited nightlife

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For beginners

Keystone Resort has beginners covered with plenty of first-time training spots and beginner trails on Dercum Mountain. Beginner's with a bit more skill should check out the Spring Dipper, our top pick for those looking to take it to up a notch!

More beginners tips

For intermediates

There are fantastic blues to cruise across all three mountains at Keystone Resort, but if you love groomers you'll find the best stuff on Dercum Mountain. Check out Flying Dutchman to Jackwhacker to Beger to Dercum's Dash, you won't be disappointed.

More intermediates tips

For experts

Keystone Resort doesn't have the gnarliest of slopes but there's still fun to be had! Wolverine, Wildfire, Pika and Porcupine in The Outback are all some of our favorites, they're very loosely defined in gladed terrain, so feel free to get wild here!

More experts tips

Find freshies

The Outback offers gladed terrain featuring untouched pow otherwise hike to the bowls above the Santiago Express and Outback Express for the best fresh stuff.

Ditch the crowds

Take the Summit Express Lift instead of the River Run Gondola. Both take you from the base to the top of Dercum Mountain but the River Run Gondola gets quite crowded, particularly before 10:00am.

Non skiers

Keystone Resort has a range of activities available for non-skiers including tubing and activities at the nearby Frisco Adventure Park where you can go nordic skiing. Or shop til you drop at the Outlets at Silverthorne.

Families

Keystone Resort is known for its laid-back family-friendly atmosphere offering more affordable prices than other Vail-owned resorts. From daily Kidtopia activities to complimentary wagons to cart kids and their equipment around, Keystone is a family winner!

Save up to 37% when you book a Keystone package!

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Keystone Reviews

Fabulous 4.4 / 5
based on 171 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Superb!4.6 / 5Mar 22, 2020
Keystone ReviewsKyler A.
intermediate snowboarder
Great resort with the right amount on terrain. Great early season riding as well. Lifts are always staffed and meadical team is frequent and affective. Recommended for all ski levels.... More
Very Good!4 / 5Mar 22, 2020
Keystone ReviewsIan G.
expert skier
I really want to call out the rental team. They recommended a different set of skis for the conditions, and they nailed it. I had a great day skiing the powder and the bumps thanks to them.... More
Very Good!3.9 / 5Mar 22, 2020
GHGreg H.
intermediate snowboarder
River Run Village by Keystone Resort. The mountain, lifts, runs, etc. are awesome and 99% of the people that work at this resort and the shuttle company (Epic) were very knowledgeable, nice and helpful. However, the "premier" condo we rented reminded me of a hunting camp. The "condo" smelled like a gym locker room, dishwasher latch broken,... More
Good!3.8 / 5Feb 20, 2020
Keystone ReviewsAlex F.
intermediate snowboarder
Keystone is a great family resort that’s best experienced on a week day due to crowd size on weekends. If your advanced enough to get to the back side, the crowds are even less. Plenty of places to eat and grab a brew too.... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Feb 20, 2020
Keystone ReviewsEddie L.
advanced skier
Positioned geographically between Arapahoe Basin and Breckenridge, Keystone seems to fit the in-between character in just about every way. Certainly more resort-y and family oriented than A-Basin, but nowhere near the insane crowds that Breck attracts. The snow is great, and there is a variety of terrain available for nearly every skier or boarder.... More
Superb!4.7 / 5Feb 20, 2020
Keystone ReviewsNick L.
advanced snowboarder
I love this this place !!! It’s one of the bigger resorts that suited for beginners to experts... if you go to the outback and catch a cat to the top of the divide it’s freaking Gorgeous... More
Superb!5 / 5Feb 20, 2020
HHamed
advanced skier
One of the best resorts we have ever been to. There were so many slopes/rides that doesn't leave any lines. Beautiful scenery with great snow even during the night ski.... More
Superb!4.7 / 5Jan 05, 2020
Keystone ReviewsAndrew R.
advanced skier
I love keystone! It’s my favorite resort of them all. It has everything, diverse terrain, the right amount of amenities, and short lines. My favorite aspect, I’m embarrassed to admit, is that every run is downhill from the lift. There are zero places where you have to poke around or worse, uphill, to get where you wanna go. You can get anywhere and... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Dec 27, 2019
Keystone ReviewsShyam D.
intermediate skier
I love keystone resort with easy access by car, bus or shuttle. Great skiing with fast lifts and an enclosed gondola. The resort has lots of lodging options and long term off-site parking. They're plenty of other activities year round such as horse back riding, and spa.... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Nov 13, 2019
Keystone ReviewsZach R.
intermediate skier
I had a great experience here. It was wonderful. I really loved how I was treated by the staff and I felt welcomed. I met some great people on the lifts and plenty of people at the restaurant. I love coming here to ski and look forward to coming here many more times over the season. They cater well towards ever skill level and the signs for what... More