Worldwide Ski Resorts • USA • Keystone
Overview
The resort of Keystone is situated in the White River National Forest in the state of Colorado. This is know as summit country and is where of some of the best skiing that Colorado can offer is found. The resort is rather scattered and it is difficult to define the centre. There are seven separate built up areas known as neighbourhoods, which house the apartments and hotels as well as the other amenities such as the shops, bars and restaurants. Complimentary buses provide the links between the accommodation and the lifts. It is normally a very busy resort and attracts huge crowds at weekends.
The local Keystone ski pass is valid at the nearby resorts of Breckenridge, Beaver Creek and Vail and a shuttle service from Keystone to these other ski areas is provided. Accommodation is of an excellent standard and is plentiful, although it pays to book early. Keystone has the biggest floodlit skiing facility in the USA and one of the great attractions of the resort is the famous nightime skiing opportunities that are regularly held on Dercum Mountain during the week.
Profile
Keystone stands at 2835m and has an excellent snow record. In the rare event of poor snowfall, the resort also has the biggest snowmaking operation in the world, so lack of snow is never an issue. With 1,860 km of pistes to choose from, skiers and boarders of all standards will find plenty to occupy them both on and off piste. Intermediates in particular will find that Keystone has a wealth of varied and interest.
ing runs and the more confident will even find that some of the black runs are well within their range. Beginners will also find that the nursery slopes are first class, although those at the top of the mountain can be a little intimidating at first sight. There are plenty of suitable green runs on which to progress. Snowboarders can enjoy the enormous terrain park that has every conceivable feature to suit all levels of expertise. This is served by its own lift and is regularly floodlit. Ski schools are reportedly excellent with small classes and opportunities for more advanced lessons designed for experienced skiers who wish to hone their technique. Child care facilities are also said to be excellent and include organised ‘nights out’.
Mountain Information
Keystone’s main slopes are situated on three wooded peaks. Dercum is directly above the resort and has the largest area of runs that are mainly suited to beginners and intermediates. From here there are fast links to the other peaks — North Peak and Outback, that also have some excellent long, wide blues.
Experts will want to head for the Windows on the back of Dercum that holds 60 acres of ‘expert only’ tree lined slopes. The Outback also holds some top class but challenging slopes. Beginners will find the nursery slopes both at the top and bottom of Dercum Mountain. Snowboarders will find the resort ideally suited to beginners and intermediates, and experts will find the areas at the Outback fantastic sport. Mountain restaurants are situated in a number of locations on all peaks.
Apres Ski
There are some bars that regularly have live music, but the scene is generally quiet and short lived.
USA Resort Guide
Resort Information • Keystone
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Resort Height | 2835m |
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Top Station | 3650m |
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Bottom Station | 2835m |
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Vertical Descent | 815m |
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Drag Lifts | 5 |
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Chair Lifts | 13 |
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High Capacity | 2 |
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Opening Dates | Oct - June |
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Rating Expert | 8 |
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Rating Intermediate | 9 |
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Rating Beginner | 9 |
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Apres Ski Rating | 8 |
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Snow Reliability | 8 |
