The wait is over, winter lovers: the 2026/27 Colorado ski season is underway!
On Friday, October 30, 2026 Keystone Resort officially starting spinning its lifts for the winter, welcoming skiers and snowboarders back to the mountain for another unforgettable season of high-alpine turns, night skiing, and village festivities.
Keystone’s Opening Day comes on the heels of neighboring Arapahoe Basin, which claimed bragging rights as the first ski area in North America to open when it dropped ropes on Wednesday, October 28. With early-season snowfall and state-of-the-art snowmaking kicking into high gear, Summit County is once again leading the continent in winter stoke.
What Opening Weekend Looked Like on Dercum Mountain
Opening morning at Keystone kicked off with energy running high at the River Run Gondola. Dedicated early-birds lined up for first chair, greeted with upbeat music with a live DJ, free opening-day treats like doughnuts, halloween candy and coffee, and that unmistakable crisp winter mountain air and excitement for ski season.
Skiers and riders took their inaugural laps on signature early-season terrain across Dercum Mountain, carving down Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon, with laps on Montezuma Chair.
Why Early Season in Keystone is a Must-Do
If you haven’t experienced early season at Keystone in November and December, you are missing out on one of the season’s hidden gems:
Fewer Crowds, Faster Laps: Early-season turns offer wide-open trails and shorter lift lines, making it the perfect time to knock off the rust, dial in your ski legs, and test out your new gear.
Peak Mountain Excitement: Opening month brings a contagious, celebratory vibe across the base areas, local pubs, and restaurants.
Unbeatable Lodging Values: Early-season travel means prime availability and exceptional lodging rates before the peak holiday rush arrives. Checkout our Keystone Lodging Deals here.
Plan Your Keystone Ski Vacation with SummitCove Lodging
Whether you are planning a spontaneous weekend getaway to catch early tracks or booking your dream holiday escape, your basecamp matters.
SummitCove Vacation Lodging offers the largest selection of vacation rentals throughout Keystone, from slopeside ski-in/ski-out condos in River Run Village to cozy ski cabins and mountain homes with private hot tubs:
Walk to the Lifts: Stay steps away from the River Run Gondola or the Mountain House base area.
The "Key to Keystone" Perks: Every SummitCove guest receives exclusive local discounts on equipment rentals, dining, transportation and activities across Summit County.
Space for the Whole Crew: Choose from cozy studios to multi-bedroom townhomes equipped with full kitchens, fireplaces, and heated underground parking.
The snow is flying, the lifts are turning, and the mountain is calling. Don't wait until the winter calendar books up!
Ready to claim your turns? Browse our available Keystone vacation rentals at
