Driving in a Winter Wonderland
Do you need 4 wheel drive to get to Keystone Ski Resort?
A question we are often asked is "will I need to rent a four-wheel drive vehicle in order to get to keystone?". The answer is a resounding "not at all". Keystone is renowned as being the most easily accessible ski resort to get to from Denver and earned this reputation for several reasons.
The first is convenience. The majority of the short drive from Denver to Keystone is along the major I-70. This route is a very scenic drive that brings you into the Colorado Rockies, meanwhile passing through some of the old Colorado mining towns from the start of the gold rush. The drive ends shortly after passing through the continental divide via the Eisenhower Tunnel, the longest mountain tunnel in the US and the highest point of the Interstate Highway system. Once you are through the tunnel, the Dillon/Silverthorne exit is a short 10 minutes away. Sometimes the road can get slick or snowy and we do recommend checking the 'CO-Trip' App if conditions are bad, as it will tell you estimated travel times and any current road closures.
Once you take the Dillon/Silverthorne exit, Keystone is a mere 10 minutes away on Highway 6, a four lane highway that is incredibly well maintained. Any night there is snow fall or accumulation on the roads, Summit County begins operating snow plows that run the entire night, or for as long as is needed depending on the snow. Keystone maintains and clears its own roads, parking lots, and even sidewalks daily. Summit Cove Lodging offers rentals at Lone Eagle and The Timbers, both of which are located along a heated road if conditions are still a concern for you. Also, much of River Run has underground heated garages, making parking a breeze and it's nice to not have to scrape off ice in the morning!
If you are worried about driving in the mountains, another option to consider is booking an airport shuttle. These shuttles do the driving for you and will drive you to our check-in office and then right to your vacation rental doorstep. We recommend staying in River Run or somewhere on the Keystone Resort Free Shuttle route if you are going to be without a car. All SummitCove Lodging guests receive discounted airport shuttles through Summit Express and Fresh Tracks.
