Great news for Season Pass holders!  If you have a Season pass to Keystone including a Summit Pass, Epic Pass, or Colorado Pass you can enjoy Keystone’s Passholder Appreciation Day Friday March 12th 2010.

What will the pass holder appreciation day mean for you?  If you are a pass holder you can come to the Mountain House Base Area to celebrate with a Free Lunch, thats right Keystone Resort, home of the $12 Epic Burger, will be doing a free lunch for all season pass holders at the Mountain House Base area at Keystone Resort, but you have to be there between 11AM and – Noon to receive your free lunch.

Can’t make it by 11am on Friday?  Don’t worry you can enjoy some drink specials, appetizer specials and a really good time over in River Run Village at the Parrot Eyes bar and grill.  The Parrot Eyes is located in River Run Village with in walking distance to the gondola at the Silver Mill building, pretty much in the middle of the village at Keystone.

If you have a season pass to Keystone and have not really taken advantage of it then this is a perfect way to add a day and add a sweet bonus to your season pass, free lunch and drink specials come on pack your stuff and head up to Keystone, why not spend Thursday Night in one of our condos, and then hit first chair Friday Morning, enjoy some of the latest powder runs and then drop down into Mountain House for FREE LUNCH…..  Hit the slopes again and then end the day at Parrot Eyes for margaritas?  We will see you there!

Call our vacation planners today to make  a weekend of it Spend Thursday night and Friday night with SummitCove and ride or ski Keystone on Friday and then ride or Ski Vail on Saturday, you can get two free lunches out of it?  Really that is a great Keystone Deal! Match that with discounted lodging specials for season pass holders and you will really have a great reason to head up to Keystone this weekend!

If you can not make it up on Friday for the pass holder appreciation day, you can still take part of the appreciation day but not at Keystone, you will need to drive over to Vail Resort to catch the 11am free lunch at Mid Vail or enjoy drink and appetizer specials at the Arrebelle.

Yes it is Super Bowl Sunday and the ski slopes are jam packed with people who are getting off of the mountain and wondering where is the best place to watch the Super Bowl when they are in Keystone Colorado?  The answer is simple, anywhere in Keystone is a great place to be!   Just kidding you have a couple of options, if you rented one of our amazing private homes you can enjoy the place from the comfort of your couch, but if you are looking to head out and about.  I would consider heading over to the Haywood Cafe, the only sports bar in Keystone Resort with good food, good drinks and tons of TV’s.  If that is not your cup of tea, you can enjoy the game at a number of other places, but they Haywood will have the most TV’s.  Next on my list would be to swing by the Snake River Saloon and catch the game there.  The Snake River Saloon has a couple of TV’s in the bar, good appetizer and bar menu as well as a good environment.  If you want an upscale fancy shmnacy place to enjoy the game and a nice steak head over to the Wolf Rock restaurant in River Run Village, The Wolf Rock is River Run’s best restaraunt by far and a great place to enjoy the game in a quieter more civilized fashion!

Enjoy the game, remember to drink responsibly and add a glass of water if you are new to elevation between drinks to keep the headache to a gentle roar tomorrow morning!

Looking to come to Keystone and enjoy a Mountain Retreat?  You have found the best selection of Mountain Retreats in Keystone Colorado if you are reading this post because SummitCove offers the largest independent selection of vacation rentals in Keystone Resort!  Choose from our private homes, mountain retreats, ski in ski out condos, efficiency studios and more.

We make booking your Keystone mountain retreat easy, make reservations online 24 hours a day or call us 24 hours a day 7 days a week to book your Keystone Mountain Retreat.  If you need help making a reservation have one of our vacation planners assist you in finding the best property for you.  If you are looking for a large private home in Keystone try Keystone Retreat 33 or North Fork Lodge 577.

If you are looking for a mountain retreat and don’t need a private home but want some space, take a look at the Town homes in East Keystone.  These townhomes are some of our returning guests favorite mountain retreats in Keystone.

Enjoy this Mountain Retreat in Keystone Colorado

The Pavilions at Keystone is a new development project in River Run Village which will focus on family-friendly entertainment. Encompassing everything from concerts and theatre performances to films and more, the Pavilions at Keystone will be a great way to enjoy Keystone after skiing. The pavilions at Keystone are also available for private functions (such as weddings, corporate events, or family reunions). The PAK (Pavilions at Keystone) will be a year-round structure and provide Keystone with the opportunity to offer year-round opportunities for the arts and culture. The greater Keystone area has a few other theatres and venues, but not in the heart of River Run Village. The PAK project has been in development for many years and the Keystone Neighbourhood Company has finally found a way to make it work.

The Keystone Neighbourhood Company has been hoping to build a large, permanent venue for art performances available all year, but the price of a new building was out of their reach. Currently, the KNC (Keystone Neighbourhood Company) operates a large tent. However, the tent is only available in the summer, as it cannot combat the cold winter. The compromise is to build a semi-permanent ‘sprung structure’ that is operable year-round and deflects the cold. The new technology is quite amazing. The new year-round tent will feature environmentally friendly PVC walls surrounding a thick layer of insulation. This allows the structure to be thick enough to keep out the cold and light enough to be taken down and reconstructed if need be. The facility will also feature in-floor radiant heating, a ‘state-of-the-art’ bar and removable stages; making it a truly multi-purpose facility for any need. The KNC is expecting this structure to work for approximately fourteen years, while they wait to raise funds for a permanent building.

The PAK will be adjacent to the Quaking Aspen Amphitheatre. The Quaking Aspen Amphitheatre is a permanent outdoor facility which mainly hosts children’s theatre, but also holds weddings and sometimes concerts. However, the Quaking Aspen Amphitheatre has limited electrical and lighting capabilities and this is why the Pavilions will be welcomed by the locals and vacationers alike. The year-round facility will help increase the activity in the River Run Village area and also in Keystone. There is some other nearby theatres, in Breckenridge and in Dillon, but for those wanting to stay exclusively in Keystone the Pavilions in Keystone is the way to go!

The Pavilions at Keystone has been operating since 2002, offering art camps and summer performances to all. The new project is slated for completion in July 2010 and will be a welcome addition to the River Run Village area’s energy and fun. Events are being offered in Keystone and are available for you to research or sign-up. I am personally excited for the Music in the Mountains Concert Series on Sundays and (for families) the Children’s Theatre Production of Rapunzel: A Family Rock Musical. Other events include the Annual Blues Festival and Art Show, Dancin’ in the Rockies and many other family friendly and fun events. For adults, there is a Bluegrass and Beer Festival and Smokey Joe’s Café. All in all, the summer season has some exciting events for the new Pavilions at Keystone facility and the winter season is sure to promise even more enticing performances.

Which condos in River Run Village have swimming pools?

This is a question that many of our guests ask before they come on vacation to Keystone Resort, having a swimming pool can be a great way for our guests to enjoy a vacation, the kids love it, the atmosphere is great, the water is warm and the sunshine is bright.  If you are coming to Keystone Colorado for a summer vacation or a ski vacation and need a swimming pool then check out these River Run Village swimming pools.  Whether you need to stretch out in the water after a day of skiing at Keystone resort or your kids need to burn some more energy a swimming pool is a great thing to enjoy in Keystone’s River Run.  So where are the pools at River Run Village? Here is a photo tour of the swimming pools in River Run Village

The following buildings have a swimming pool in River Run Village.

The Springs at River Run Swimming Pool

The swimming pool and waterslide at The Springs Condos

Red Hawk Lodge and the Red Hawk Town homes share a pool

Swimming pool at Red Hawk Lodge Keystone Colorado River

The Pool at Lone Eagle at River Run

Enjoy a soak in this heated pool and hot tub

The swimming pool for The Timbers at River Run Village

Swimming pool at The Timbers indoor outdoor pool

Dakota Lodge – Araphoe Lodge Jack Pine Black Bear Buffalo Lodge shared pool

The swimming pool with mountain range views in River Run Village

Expedition Station at River Run Village

Enjoy this large heated pool at Expedition Station Condos

Now in River Run Village the buildings are all within an easy walk from each other so getting from Silver Mill to the swimming pool at Dakota Lodge is very easy and simple to get back and forth, remember you can walk from one side of River Run Village to the other in just a couple of minutes but if you are looking to walk right outside and enjoy a quick dip you can when you stay at one of the River Run Village condos that has a private pool.

We realized that we might want to give you a warning that pool poaching in Keystone is not allowed or encouraged.  Sun bathing in Keystone can also be very dangerous if you don’t wear sunscreen as Keystone is much closer to the sun and you can get a sun burn much faster than you would thing.

Keystone Resort Nightlife – a night on the town

Whether you are a 20 something looking for other 20 somethings to share beers and good times with or if you are seeing a more sophisticated setting, there is definitely something here for you.  Keystone resort has it all – cozy and elegant wining and dining at the top of the mountain to dive bars where hats and snow pants are widely accepted.

Aside from the widely advertised sleigh rides to the remotely elegant Keystone Ranch or the mountain top restaurants Der Fondue Chissel and Alpenglow Stube only accessible by gondola Keystone Colorado has a variety of après ski and nightlife that everyone can enjoy.

Although nightlife in River Run Village is catered to tourists, it is still a fantastic place to be.  Kickapoo tavern houses delicious micro brews and tasty all American glorified bar food.  Just across the way the Spoon cafe is rather new with a normal full bar and somewhat overpriced food.  Parrot eyes is your place to be for some Mexican food and home to the biggest drink in Keystone – The Fishbowl is an mammoth drink that requires you and two others to imbibe.  Overall the bars and night life in River run are geared for the more sophisticated atmosphere and you can be sure that drinks are many dollars more than you will pay if stray away from the River Run Village.

Speaking of dollars – there are two places in Keystone that offer dollar beers all day everyday!  The Haywood Cafe is a cozy little cafe in the Gateway Lodge (same building as our office) with great eats which are even tastier washed down with a few dollar beers.  If you are a hair-of-the-dog type, The Haywood has delectable bloody marys as well as glorious mimosas.  Just down the street is The Goat – known for its soup and whisky The Goat can get down with the best of them.  They usually have a live band on Sunday nights, you can enjoy practically any board game, foosball, or pool, and the atmosphere is more local and casual.  If you’re looking for great live music, scrumptious appetizers and dancing, the Snake River Saloon is the place to be.

Across the Highway in the Mountain View Plaza live Summit Pizza and Dos Locos.  Dos Locos offers authentic Mexican food and a fantastic happy hour – $ .30 wings, $1.00 tacos and $5.00 pitchers are prices that are hard to beat.  If you are inclined to exercise your vocal chords Thursday night is Karaoke night which is always a great time.  Should you think that those prices aren’t low enough for you, walk down the plaza to Summit Pizza and on a Monday or Wednesday they serve $ .50 beers and $1.00 slices until 11pm.

So if you’re brave enough to stray out of River Run, there are definitely deals to be had and if you’re looking to get a feel for the locals, definitely plan on leaving River Run Village.  Nightlife in Keystone is a real hoot to say the least and there is great beer and great times to be had all over the place in this town.

This is definitely the place you want to be.  This place is beautiful, exciting, relaxing, and utterly serene.  This place is sought out worldwide by thrill seekers, vacationers and adventurists alike.  This is Keystone Mountain Resort and there is no other mountain like it.

Stepping out of your car is a breathtaking experience… literally.  At an elevation of 10,000 feet some folks can feel the lack of oxygen right away.  Fortunately it only takes 24 to 48 hours for your red blood cells to get back in whack and adjust to this deliciously oxygen free elevation we have here at Keystone.  Lots of water and some good chocolate will usually cure the worst of sicknesses and on the plus side, when you return home your red blood cells will be supercharged for all your sea level activities!

Keystone Mountain Resort - Powder Day

Once you’ve acclimated to the altitude, prepare yourself for an unforgettable day on the mountain.  The best thing about Keystone is that even if it hasn’t snowed in weeks, the mountain is always fun, relatively ice free, and has something to offer even the zaniest of skiers and snowboarders.  The resort consists of four mountains – Dercum Mountain, North Peak, The Outback, and Independence Bowl.

Dercum Mountain, also known as the front side is home to mostly green and blue runs that range from the mellow “Schoolmarm” beginner run to the exhilarating “Go Devil” steep and slick black diamond run.  It is also the home of one of the best terrain parks in the world – Area 51.  With jumps that will make you wet your pants, rails the length of beluga whales about and jibs the size of planets Area 51 is always blustering with activity and excitement.  Even if you don’t intend to perform any stunts in the park, you can bet on seeing other people attempting some amazingly terrifying feats.

The other three mountains are for more advanced riders and contain steeps, shoots, trees, and some of the best powder stashes known to man.  A word to the wise – if you plan on hiking the bowls, plan for a long catwalk at the end of your fantastically powdery run.  These three mountains are sure to have everyone awestruck.

Keystone’s on mountain transportation systems are really one of a kind.  The new River Run gondola is complete with a mid-station loading point which eliminates your purpose for skiing down the typically icy river run face of death.  The outpost gondola takes you on a scenic ride to the outpost lodge/backside access of the mountain.  From the outpost gondola you can see the distant Breckenridge ski resort as well as countless other snowcapped mountain peaks – a view most only see in pictures.  There are 20 lifts total scattered through the terrain of Keystone Mountain Resort and every single one leads you to the top of a path to something amazing!  If you are curious about any of the runs finding a local is key to getting the low down – chances are, they have skied the willies out of the entire resort and would be glad to answer any questions you might have.  There are a lot of ’secret’ runs at Keystone that can only be found by those who know where they are – the right local is essential if you’re looking for untouched powder and unclaimed lines.

This place really has it all.  You are going to want to write home about this place.

Keystone Resort is teaming up with Food Bank for the Rockies and the Family Intercultural Resource Center and of course you, the avid skiier in Colorado.  From December 4th to December 27th and snowboarders or skiers that are coming to Keystone can get VIP parking at the resort when you bring donations.    There will be donation bins all over Rive r Run Village, at the Montezuma Lot, and over at the Keystone Lodge and Spa.   When you show up with donations the parking lot people will direct you to the VIP parking for Keystone.

Keystone Resort offers Carpools with 4 or more people the same VIP parking but if it is just you and your girlfriend and you don’t want to walk that far bring up some non perishable food items that will go to a good cause and you will be rewarded with not only feeling good for helping out a great cause but your legs will also approve of your donation after a long day of powder runs and bumps to not have to hike across the Keystone Resort parking lot.

According to 9 News, Summit County and Keystone will benefit from another storm tonight!  The prediction is 10 – 18 inches, so early skiing will be even better.  No crowds, fresh snow, and the last weekend to get your season pass.  Head up before the snow hits Denver Sat. evening.

Keystone is looking at another big snow storm for the weekend, skiing and snowboarding in the early season at Keystone Resort means no lift lines, great groomers, and an occasional early powder day with the mountain to yourself.  Keystone loves to open new terrain right after a good dumping so make sure you make it up to Keystone this weekend and enjoy!