Area Guide
Nestled in a valley, Keystone Resort in Colorado will appeal to those looking for the “alpine” feel of a mountain town. Keystone, Colorado offers something for everyone during any season from beautiful mountain views of Dercum Mountain, to quaint River Run Village in the heart of Keystone. As a family friendly resort town, Keystone has just about any activity you can think of. Keystone makes the perfect Colorado Vacation for any family!
River Run Village
There are 5 main areas of Keystone; East Keystone, River Run Village, Mountain House Base Area, Lakeside Village, and Keystone Ranch. Each area offers specific features and amenities to care for your individual needs.
River Run Village is the heart of Keystone Resort. Surrounded by plentiful lodging, retail shops and restaurants, it is an easy walk to the ski slopes from anywhere in River Run Village. Made to look and feel like a true alpine escape, River Run is perfect for people wanting easy access to skiing, activities, restaurants, and shops without having to jump into a car and drive anywhere. The fun never stops in River Run Village during the ski season. Expect to have festivals in Keystone, contests, bands and more during the peak summer and winter months. Every Saturday during the winter, there is a professional fireworks display in River Run Village and most condos in River Run have a full front seat view of the show. See all of the properties we have available in the River Run Village of Keystone Colorado.
East Keystone is located about 1 mile to the East of River Run Village and offers a quieter escape to the Keystone Resort area than most other areas. Nestled in the trees and with spectacular views, this neighborhood has easy access via shuttle bus and is perfect for those looking for a quiet family getaway without all the riff-raff of most towns. See all the properties we have available in the East Keystone Area of Keystone Resort.
Mountain House
The Mountain House base area was the original base of Keystone Resort and this results in our guests today finding a fantastic value on our lodging options in Mountain House. Surrounded by plentiful lodging within walking distance of the slopes and dotted by local hang outs, Mountain House is for people who want to avoid long lift lines in a family friendly spot. Several shops and restaurants serve guests at the base area, and others are located just off of Highway 6 at the entrance to Mountain House. Most of the lodging here features mountain and ski slope views with the beautiful Snake River in the foreground. See all of the properties we have available in Mountain House Area of Keystone Resort.
Keystone Lakeside Village
Located next to the Keystone Conference Center, Lakeside Village is one of the nicest places to stay year-round. During the summer months, the Keystone Lakeside Village is home to the Taste of Keystone food festival, 4th of July fireworks and more. Keystone lake is open to paddle boats, canoeing and other fun activities for the whole family. Surrounded by shops and restaurants, Keystone Lake is a big draw for all seasons. The Snake River runs adjacent to Keystone Lake and a bike path that leads throughout Keystone and eventually around Lake Dillon and Breckenridge meanders by. Fireworks are shot over Keystone Lake every Saturday during the summer months and most properties have a front seat view of the show. During the winter months, Keystone Lake freezes over and becomes the worlds largest zamboni maintained skating rink in the world. A full 5 acres of frozen lake turns into one of the best places to play with the whole family with hockey rinks built in and skate rentals close by. See all of the properties we have available in the Lakeside Village of Keystone Resort.
Keystone Ranch
Keystone Ranch is home to 2 world class 18-hole golf courses. Mostly populated with private homes, Keystone Ranch offers views and scenery rivaled only by some of Colorado’s wilderness areas. Bike trails and national forest surround most of Keystone Ranch and there is high-end dining nearby at the golf course. You really have to see the ranch for yourself! The best part is that golf balls travel 20% further at this altitude! View the nicest private homes in Keystone Ranch.
What to do in Keystone Colorado
There are plenty of activities in Keystone Colorado for everyone. Obviously, the main winter draw for people is downhill skiing in Keystone Resort .Other winter activities include sleigh rides, ice skating, sledding, tubing, nordic skiing, and more. During the summer months, activities such as horseback riding, biking, hiking, gondola rides, fishing, river rafting, and more can easily fill up your day. There are many things to do in Keystone Colorado.
Keystone Ski Resort in the Winter
Keystone Ski Resort in Colorado is a haven for winter sports, and boasts the longest ski days in the state with its night skiing hours. Keystone Resort’s main village comes alive with daily festivals, demos, and bands. The fire pit in the center of the village is the place to get any info you need for upcoming events. If eight hours of skiing or snow boarding isn’t enough for you, visit Keystone Colorado for night skiing. 24 lifts service 2,227 incredible acres of a variety of terrain. From the beginner “bunny hill” at the top of Dercum Mountain to the extreme back bowls, Keystone has something for everyone. With wide, groomed trails, Keystone is an excellent place for the beginner to learn how to ski or snow board. If you are feeling more adventurous, try North Peak, with it’s steep cruiser runs and moguls for the skier who just can’t get enough bumps. The experts will enjoy the Outback’s tree skiing and fresh powder. Keystone has four different mountains to ski. For the cross country skier and snowshoes, Keystone’s Nordic Center features 16k of prepared trails. It also boasts 57k of un-groomed trails. The Nordic Center is a full service resort in itself with equipment rentals, lessons, a cafe and not to be forgotten, a tubing hill! Don’t forget to check out the powder skiing in Keystone Colorado too!
Ice Skating
Keystone has 2 outdoor rinks to choose from! The largest outdoor Zamboni maintained ice rink in the United States is right here in Keystone at Lakeside Village. Featuring a full 5 acres of ice skating heaven, it’s easy to play a pick-up game of ice hockey, pull your child around on a sled, or just have a romantic skate with your significant other. There is also a new rink, finished in December 2011, at Dercum Square in River Run Village. This is a smaller rink, but still boasts the fun of an outdoor skating rink!
Snowmobiling
Keystone is located at approximately 9,000 feet above sea level where the snow is plentiful and the views are spectacular. What better way to see even better views than by joining a snowmobile tour and seeing the top of the world at over 12,000 feet? Snowmobile tours are close by and exciting for the whole family in Keystone, Colorado.
Sleigh Rides
Looking for that Norman Rockwell vacation with your family? Keystone has it for you over any other place in Colorado hands down. Enjoy an evening sleigh ride through the Keystone Ranch area. They even offer dinner sleigh rides where they will pick you up, take you to dinner, and bring you home. What better way to enjoy the winter wonderland?
Snow Tubing
A super fun family friendly activity! Head up the gondola to the top of Dercum Mountain and you will find Adventure Point! A magic carpet will carry you and your tubes back up after a fun, fast thrill ride down the slopes on a inner tube! Don’t miss out on this fun activity!
Keystone Resort in the Summer
Come during summertime to enjoy festivals and street fairs nearly every weekend. Watch Mountain bikers race down Dercum Mountain and tackle extreme terrain. Fly fishing and a world class golf course are just two more reasons to visit Keystone Resort in the summer! Keystone Colorado boasts 2 world class golf courses…the River Course and the Keystone Colorado Ranch Course. Most of our condos are within walking distance of both courses so it is easy to make your tee time while the rest of the family takes the car and goes rafting for the day. From Sleigh Rides, Shopping, Scenic Gondola Rides, and river rafting, there is plenty to do in Keystone Colorado. A fitness center and indoor tennis are also available. In addition, there are also many special events held throughout the season. Keystone Colorado offers gondola rides for a small price in the summer to access the hiking and biking trails at the top of Keystone Mountain. Another great place to see is Keystone Gulch, which is right behind the horse stables. You can get to the “Outback” area via this dirt road. There are also many side trails for snowshoeing, biking, and hiking here.
Mountain Biking
The Soda Ridge Trail winds its way between the Golf Courses at Keystone Colorado and is easily accessible behind the tan time share condos seen from the parking lot. The trail connects into the network of trails at Keystone Colorado Ski Resort and the Colorado Trail. Not only do all the area trails make for some great cross country Mtn. Biking, but Keystone is by far the BEST ski resort for downhill biking. Bike rentals are available at the base area along with lift tickets to ride up to the top. No pedaling required….race or mosey down the trail at your own pace. Lots of great jumps, terrain parks, and more if you feel the need to show off. There are also guided ‘Ride the Pass’ bike tours (also downhill!) offered through Mountain View Sports, where all SummitCove Guests receive a great discount!
Fly Fishing
One of the best things about Keystone is the Snake River that runs through the entire valley. With easy access from any property in the Keystone area, the Snake River features some world class fly fishing for the avid or even beginner fisherman. Many fishing opportunities exist in beautiful scenery!
Hiking
Keystone has way too many trails to describe for hiking. However some of the best hiking is done at the top of Dercum Mountain, which you can get to by the Gondola or ski lift during the summertime. Whatever types of hikes you like, whether you want to stroll on a paved path, or hike up the steepest of peaks, it’s available for you in Keystone Colorado.
Horseback Rides
Keystone horse stables is home to a huge array of activities for your family or group. With short rides to full day rides and dinner rides, the horse trails at Keystone are unrivaled. Enjoy a challenging trail up onto the facing mountain of Keystone for spectacular views and fun!
Whitewater Rafting
Colorado has numerous rivers perfect for rafting for all types- whether you’re looking for a scenic ‘float’ trip or an invigorating thrill ride through 4-5 class rapids, you are sure to have the time of your life! Rivers are typically at their ‘wildest’ in mid-june as the snow melts, and get considerably lower as the summer goes on, usually ending the season in late August or early September.
Keystone Festivals
If you like festivals, you’re in for a treat. Keystone has many festivals during the summer. From the Bacon and Bourbon Festival, the Taste of Keystone, Keystone Oktoberfest and the Das Bier Burner 5k, Wine and Jazz festival, River Run Arts Festival, Bluegrass and Beer festival, and the Mountain Town Music Festival, chances are that you will come across a festival during your stay. Many of the events are held in the River Run Plaza- it’s possible to rent a condo with us and view the festival from your own private balcony!