Posted Nov. 22, 2022

Prep like a Playground Pro!

The best way to make the most out of our Mountain Playground (and keep the whole family smiling), is to plan in advance! There’s a lot of moving parts and pieces to a mountain vacation, so taking a little time beforehand to do some homework is always a good idea. Here’s how you can make sure your trip to our winter wonderland is as smooth and magical as can be with some of our greatest insider tips & tricks:

Family Night Skiing In Keystone, CO.

Getting Here: Keystone is only 90 miles from the Denver International Airport, making it one of the closest ski resorts to the largest airport in Colorado. From the airport, hop on I-70 and head west. No car? No problem. Book an Epic Mountain Express for a convenient shuttle service from the airport directly to our resort.

Playground Pro Tip: If you’re driving to see us, make sure to check goI70.com before hitting the road for travel forecasts and tips.

Lodging: Keystone is your home away from home! Comfort is key (get it?), so we’ve got plenty of options for you to find your Goldilocks-zone home with a spectrum of lodging accommodations, from traditional hotel rooms to condos, townhomes and multi-bedroom properties. Search and book at our lodging page.

Playground Pro Tip: Kids ski totally FREE at Key! Kids 12 and younger ski for free with no blackout dates when families book just two or more nights through Keystone Resort. Lodging accommodation options span from affordable hotel rooms to family-sized condominiums. Book your lodging through our site for all of the details.

Parking: We know our parking sitch looks a little different this season with new upgrades to our village. But Keystone still offers tons of free parking at both of our base areas, the River Run lot and Mountain House East lot. Plus, access the Peru lift in just a few steps from Mountain House East or additional paid parking at the Mountain House West lot.

Playground Pro Tip: If you’re coming up with the kiddos, we have reserved front-row family parking zones! These are free parking spaces at the front of the River Run lot, just steps from the village, available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, see our transportation services page.

Playground Pro Tip 2: Parking in our main lots at River Run and Mountain House usually fill by 10 AM on weekends and holidays. Try arriving early to guarantee a spot or arriving in the afternoon to take advantage of our night skiing operations.

Night Skiing & Late Comers: One of Keystone’s ultimate insider tips & tricks is that you don’t have to rush to get your turns in! On select weekends and holidays, take advantage of our night skiing operations. Sleep in, avoid the day-time mountain-goers, and enjoy Keystone after dark and under the lights. Night skiing operations run from 3-8 pm, for more info check out our site.

Playground Pro Tip: Take a load off! Start your day late, enjoy a leisurely morning on your time off, and hit the slopes in the mid-afternoon. There’s still plenty of turns to be had even in the afternoon and evening, and parking generally starts to open up again around 1 pm.

 

Grey skies with snow falling in Keystone, CO.

Mountain House: Our Mountain House base area is a great option to get away from the hustle and bustle of River Run and start your day quick! Grab lift tickets, rentals, even a bite to eat. Plus, at the end of the day, enjoy après at the locals’ favorite, Last Lift Bar.

Playground Pro Tip: If we’re still talking parking, Mountain House provides the closest parking to any lift at Keystone, including FREE parking at Mountain House East! Pull up, park, and be on your way up Peru in just minutes.

Rentals: Ease is our middle name. Keystone Sports, located conveniently in the River Run Village, offers plenty of options for rentals. From first-timers to demos, secure your skis and boards in advance, with pickup and delivery options, here.

Playground Pro Tip: Did you just do a double take at the last sentence? Well, it’s correct: we deliver ski and snowboard rentals if you stay at a Keystone Resort property! Book delivery and our team will bring the best gear and expert advice right to the comfort of your lodging. Our new exclusive delivery center also offers ski and snowboard valet, an easy option to swap, return, and store gear for a seamless slope to village experience. For more information, look here.

Lift tickets: This season, we’ll be limiting lift tickets sales all season long to provide the best guest experience possible. Make sure to secure your lift tickets online and in advance to ensure your day out on the mountain.

Playground Pro Tip: Epic Pass holders, including Epic Day Pass and Keystone Plus Pass holders, are good to hit the slopes any day of the season no matter what. Make sure you check our lift ticket page early for availability to secure your spot in advanced, and you’ll also get the lowest price on lift tickets here.

Ski School: Class is in session! And school isn’t bad when it’s this cool. Whether you’re new to our mountain playground or a Playground Pro, lessons are a great way to get your skis (and boards) under you. Group and private lessons are available for all ability levels, ages 3 and up. Learn more here.

Playground Pro Tip: All of our Ski & Ride School instructors have their own inside tips and tricks about our mountains of fun here at Keystone. Not only will they help you build your skill level, but they can show you secret stashes, trails less travelled, and you’ll get to skip the lift lines all day long.

Friends skiing in Keystone, CO.

Stay in touch: On top of the typical skiing and riding, we have night skiing, sleigh rides, mountain top snow tubing, TWO mountain Snow Forts, the Nordic Center, ice skating...Plus, holiday celebrations, fireworks, Epic Pass Holder perks and more. So yeah, there’s always something to explore here. Make sure you’re keeping a pulse on our terrain and offerings all season long.

Playground Pro Tip: Download the free EpicMix app for real-time lift and terrain info, and alerts so you’re always in the know!

Playground Pro Tip 2: If you want all the insider tips & tricks to Keystone (plus some dreamy scenic pics and funny clips), keep up on social channels – TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, & Facebook.

For a one-stop-shop to unlock your perfect winter adventure, book your mountain getaway here.