Keystone Colorado

A snowHead

Hi, Just joined the site so hello.

We are going to Keystone Colorado this year and wondered if any of you guys have got the inside scoop on the place?

I've been all over the net checking it out but there is nothing better than asking someone who has been there.

Looks like you guys have a great site here with loads of info so I hope to be contributing when I can.

Thanks for any info in advance.

A snowHead

@Gyro, Welcome.

I'm no expert, but did go there last year for a week, so happy to help. Anything specific you were after? Where will you be staying?

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Without wishing to wee wee too much on your chips - it tends to be the busiest of the Vail Resorts as its closest to Denver and I don't find the layout and the terrain great. If you just want groomers it's fine. But it is very close to A Basin which is a rad little place and Breck which has some great high alpine (& I mean high at 13,000ft) - free buses.

In 7 days I'd probably reckon on 3 Keystone, 3 Breck, 1 Abay. If you have a car go hit Vail or BC for a day if your pass allows it.

You need to Login to know who's really who.

Thanks for your replies.

We are staying at the River Run Condos. Just looking for places to eat, drink etc. Also the best supermarket.....I hear there are non on site so to speak so I guess its Frisco or Dillon? Alao anything else that may be of interest such as the $5 cat rides......I like the sound of those.

We have been to Colorado a few times and plan to visit Breck and A basin maybe Loveland (mainly because of the name).

Yeah ive heard it can be busy but busy America isnt busy Europe and they manage the lift lines so well, none of the 6 seaters going up with 1 or 2 people on, they always load them fully so everyone gets up the hill quicker.

So yeah, any info on anything you can think of would be much appreciated.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

How many people, what sort of ability/ aspiration? What time of year? Are you a snowboarder or skier?

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@Gyro,

We also stayed at River Run (Red Hawk Lodge), and we really liked it. We were a large group of 9, consisting of my wife and 3 kids(9,7,4), plus some friends of ours without young kids. It was an ideal base. Being able to walk to the gondola is a massive bonus, and the carts you get to wheel your stuff in are a great idea. Having a car also means its a short easy drive to Breck and A Basin, which my friends really enjoyed.

As we were with the kids we stayed at Keystone, and I was pleasantly surprised! My kids skiing came on loads, as the lessons only ever had 2 or 3 other kids in the group. I also never found the resort busy as we were there on a quiet week, so I suspect when you are going is important.

For intermediates its a great place. Loads of lovely groomed runs, plus some nice easy bumps runs if thats your thing. Sadly my 7 year old loves them, so I had to too!

Its basically 3 mountains with the main one (Dercum) in front, then North Peak behind, and The Outback behind that. Personally I preferred the skiing on the outback, with some great tree runs, plus the option of the CAT ride opening up the bowls. The snow does need to be good though for this to be worth it, imo.

Eating on the hill is typical of American resorts, with large self service canteen type places. The one on the top of North Peak was reasonable, and I believe there is a very nice sit down restaurant there too, but didn't try it. We ate in the condo most nights, so cant comment on places to eat in the evening, but the River Run 'village' did have a little bit of atmosphere, and was far nicer then the village at Winter Park. There were a few bars, that again seemed better then some I have seen in the states.

There is a Grocery store on the main road to Keystone off the I70, its on the left hand side about a mile up the road, but I cant remember its name. It is very obvious though. If you need ski hire, I've used Virgin Island Ski Rental in Dillon, and can recommend them.

I've skied Beaver Creek, Vail, Copper, Winter Park, Steamboat, and now Keystone. While its not my favourite of the lot, it still has plenty to offer. It does lack any steep runs though, but if you go to A Basin there are plenty there. Vail was far busier then Keystone. Get off Dercum Mountain and its actually a very quiet resort.

Hope that helps,

Jon

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

@jonkgray78, how's you hand?

After all it is free

@rob@rar, Still a bit wonky, but finally went back to work this week! Won't stop me skiing Wink

@jonkgray78, good news!

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

@philwig, There are two of us going on New Years day, we are snowboarders with 17 years experiance riding about 3 weeks every year......we can pretty much get down anything.....ish.

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

@jonkgray78, Jon, great report, thank you. We have also stayed at Copper and Winter Park, Copper was our favorite and we have stayed there for a month in total.

snow reports

I like keystone. On a sunny day I like to occupy a deck chair at La Bonte's BBQ, the music is good & entertaining watching people failing on the Black run and others being pulled for speeding on the blue run. If the snow is good a few laps using the outback shuttle Cat are in order, or hike up if you want to save $10 . Day lift passes are expensive, buy early to get a deal, the Keystone/ A-Basin season pass is only $319 if you buy now. I have not lodged there as we stay in Frisco or Dillon. Dillon is only a few minutes from keystone, we mostly ate the nightly specials at the Arapahoe Cafe Pub in Dillon. All good if you like beer and american food - ribs,pulled pork, chicken wings etc. At Pug Ryans for a steak and Dillon Dam brewery if there is big game on the screens. You should have a great time.

Spent a season at Keystone working out of Mountain House. Loved it. Very underrated resort. Some of the best and most challenging skiing is either side of the terrain park back to Mountain House.

You know it makes sense.

Keystone is not busier than Breck. Yes, the weekends can be crowded either place, but mid-week is usually not bad at KS. They have some great tree skiing when there is enough snow- some of the stuff in the Outback is pretty easy to find but there are some good hidden spots on North Peak that you will need an instructor or local help to get into.

I did a cat ride last season- I think it went up to $10. Just after a light snow and I managed to find a rock field that I though had more than 2" of light and fluffy over it. In an area that I hadn't skied before as I normally have just done a short hike from where the cat loads (which doesn't take you as far as the cat, but gets into some good stuff).

For lunch on the mountain, I prefer North Peak over the cafeteria at the top of the front side. The North Peak lodge is nice, the cafeteria tends to be less crowded and there is a nice restaurant if you want to splurge.

There are several supermarkets in Dillon. City Market is the biggest, but Natural Grocers is reasonably priced for a small market in a mountain town carrying all organic produce.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

Thanks guys for your tips and recommendations, it's always good to hear from people who have actually been to a place.

If you think of anything else please do let me know......it's never good to find the best bars, resturants or hidden powder stashes on the last day!!

Help!!

Keystone Colorado

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