Posted on 2/24/2019 by Alyssa Hubbard
The Best Places to Stay for Your Keystone Spring Break Ski / Ride Trip
There are alot of things to consider when you are picking out the perfect lodging location for your Keystone Spring Break ski or ride trip. The location, amenities, the types of activities you are planning on, and of course the size your group all play into the mix when you are searching for that perfect condo or vacation home. Here are some tips on the different lodging areas and villages that are available for your Spring Break stay while visiting Keystone Resort.
River Run Village is the heart of Keystone during ski season. All the properties in River Run are walking distance to the gondola plus shops, restaurants, and activities. This is a great location if you are coming on a shuttle, have small children, or just want to be where the action is! Almost all of the River Run vacation rental properties have underground garage parking and elevators, making it easy to unload all of your luggage and gear. Just about all the properties have outdoor hot tubs and either their own heated outdoor pool or access to the Dakota Lodge pool. Expedition Station, The Springs and Red Hawk all boast their own pools! Kids love to catch snowflakes on their tongues while being toasty warm in the hot tub! From the River Run properties, it's a quick walk to the childrens or adult ski school, or to enjoy a micro-brew during apres ski at the Kickapoo Tavern or for a hearty pasta dinner at Luigi's. Besides the ski lifts, this is where you'll find snow tubing, Kidtopia activities, the Dercum Ice Rink, Warren Station Events Center and the Kidtopia fireworks on Saturday nights. There will never be a dull moment staying in River Run Village!
[caption id="attachment_28561" align="alignnone" width="600"] Looking down into River Run Village from a Buffalo Lodge Condo in Keystone[/caption]
Mountain House is the old base area of Keystone. The properties here are less expensive than River Run Village and most are walking distance to the Mountain House lifts. Mountain House area is less crowded than River Run Village so it's perfect if you want to get on the lifts quicker. There is a beginner area off the small Discovery lift plus another children and adult ski school here so the location is great for families. There are just cafeteria style restaurants here but Mountain House does have one of the best apres ski bars in Keystone - The Last Lift Bar - where you can catch The Swing Crew live music on the weekends and end the day of skiing with a shot-ski. Chateaux Du Mont and Slopeside are the only two properties directly at the base area. Most of the other Mountain House properties are located across the Snake River along Highway 6, with fantastic views of the slopes, such as Ski Run, Frostfire or Tenderfoot Lodge. There is also some nightlife and restaurants nearby including the Snake River Saloon, Dos Locos and Pizza 101!
[caption id="attachment_28562" align="alignnone" width="600"] Enjoy the warmth of the outdoor firepit with a ski slope view at Slopeside Ski Condos[/caption]
Lakeside Village is a great place if you would like to have some places to walk to and great views, but want to take advantage of the lower cost of being on the shuttle to the lifts. Most of the condos here have beautiful views of Keystone Lake and the mountains, some of our favorites condo buildings include Lakeside, Lenawee, and Montezuma Condos. Lakeside Village has some shops, restaurants, the Keystone Lodge and Spa, and plenty of winter and summer activities. In the winter, the lake is the largest outside skating rink in North America. Around the holidays, there are ice sculptures, the Chocolate Village, and Santa, Cocoa, and Coloring at the Adventure Center. When staying in Lakeside Village, you'll need to take the free Keystone shuttle to get to the lifts. There is a pick up near each property and it runs every 20 minutes so there isn't much wait time! Lakeside Village is also the perfect place to stay if you're coming for a conference. There is a tunnel that goes under Highway 6 and you can walk to the Keystone Conference Center. Lakeside Village is perfect for those who are coming for more than just skiing and the Adventure Center keeps children busy!
West Keystone is made up of condos, townhomes, and private homes and set in a beautiful forested area. This area is for those seeking the tranquility of the mountains in a quieter setting. Most of these properties have wood fireplaces and the accommodations are larger than the newer properties of River Run. Most of the properties are on the free shuttle to Mountain House lifts. If you're staying out in the Ranch of Keystone, you will need to drive to the lifts and activities of Keystone. Most of the groups who stay here love to cook their own meals and play games at night. We also have quite a few large homes here so it's the perfect place for an extended family to stay. Another area similar to West Keystone is North Keystone, located just north of Highway 6. This area is nicely wooded, quiet with wood burning fireplaces and larger accommodations. These properties are also on the shuttle to the Mountain House base area. North Keystone is close to the conference center and is perfect for larger groups staying together because of the availability of larger townhomes.
The last area of Keystone is East Keystone. East Keystone is made up primarily of newer townhomes in a pretty forested area near the Snake River. This is the perfect location for those who want to want to be away from the crowds and enjoy the beauty of the mountains but still want more of an upscale newer property. The townhomes are great for families or groups with the extra room they provide plus they have private laundry which is nice for a long stay. These properties are on a shuttle to River Run Base area, just about ¾ of a mile away. The only restaurant in East Keystone is the award winning Ski Tip Lodge, perfect for those who would like to make it a special night enjoying a four course meal and exceptional wines. They also offer a wonderful happy hour! East Keystone is the area where there had been a 1880's stage coach stop so there is some history in the area.
[caption id="attachment_28898" align="alignnone" width="600"] Snow piles up on a winter afternoon at Ski Tip Lodge and Ranch[/caption]
We do recommend calling SummitCove Vacation Lodging's knowledgeable sales agents at 970-368-7023 to help you find the perfect location for you and your family or group. We look forward to seeing you this ski season during Spring Break!