SummitCove.com Blog

5 Private Vacation Home Rentals for Your Keystone Spring Break Ski Trip

The holidays just ended, and that means it’s time to start planning your next break – Spring Break! You may want to choose to rent a private home in Keystone instead of a condo or townhome if you have a larger group, prefer more privacy or just want a larger space. These vacation homes typically have private driveaways, meaning there is more parking if you have multiple vehicles. Other perks often include private hot tubs, private garages, multiple living spaces and more. Although you may not be able to get as close to the ski slopes, we do have many private home options that are less than a mile from the lifts at Keystone. Here are a few (but not all) of our private vacation homes we have available for your upcoming spring break ski getaway in Keystone, Colorado.

Keystone Prospectors Home 669
This is one of our favorite private homes in Keystone, both beautiful and spacious with a ‘Western Modern Mountain’ feel and just a half mile from River Run. Enjoy the private hot tub on the lower front deck and beautiful views of the mountains. This home has an incredible art collection, large dining table and grand gourmet kitchen, as well as multiple master bedroom suites. Downstairs you’ll find Jack & Jill Bunk Rooms, perfect for all of the kids and another wet bar area. Park in the heated garage and enjoy all that this home has to offer!

View of the slopes from Keystone Prospectors Private Home — Living room with a ski slope view at Keystone Prospectors Home #669

Keystone Gulch Estate 1668
This 5-bedroom private home is located in West Keystone and offers a quiet setting that backs up to the forest, with trails out the backyard and the Keystone Stables just down the road. Enjoy the homes private hot tub and heated garage. There is a larger than life master suite with antler chandelier, sitting area and grand fireplace, as well as master bath with a jetted tub. Kids will enjoy the bunk room and playing together on the foosball table!

Grand master suite at Keystone Gulch Vacation Home — Huge grand master suite at Keystone Gulch Estate 1688

Goldenrod Home 7
A true getaway, Goldenrod Home 7 is located out in the Keystone Ranch Area. Massive in size with a large garage, heated driveway and private hot tub, you’ll love this private getaway mountain home. Exposed wood beams can be seen throughout the home and really add to the ‘mountain feel’ of this unique private home rental. Enjoy having 3 different levels for your group to spread out and get some privacy, all while staying under the same roof.

Grand Entrance at Keystone Ranch Goldenrod Home — Grand Entrance, Exposed Wood Logs and Gourmet Kitchen at Goldenrod Home in Keystone Ranch

Keystone Brom House 48
This private vacation home has views of Keystone like no other. In addition to the 270 degree views of the resort and surrounding mountain ranges, this home comes with 3 complimentary daily lift passes to Keystone, about a $400 daily added value! The savings on lift tickets alone is a great reason to stay at this property! Enjoy the Saturday night fireworks from the large wraparound deck, trust us, you’ll be amazed! This home has 3 bedrooms and can sleep up to 10 people.

Ski slopes views from Keystone Brom House Rental — Incredible Views of the Ski Slopes, Resort and Various Mountain Ranges from the Keystone Brom House

Lazy K Mountain Home 31
This 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom home is located in West Keystone and sleeps up to 16 people. The home features a private hot tub and sprawling backyard that backs up to the Snake River. You’ll enjoy 2 living spaces and and additional wet bar area in the basement for serving drinks or snacks. The last bedroom is a singles or kids room, featuring 4 single beds. There are plenty of places for your family or friends to hang out and enjoy this home!

Kids single room at Lazy K Vacation Home Vacation Rental in West Keystone — Singles or Kids Room at Lazy K Mountain Home in West Keystone

6 Reasons Why You Should Book Keystone Lodging Direct Instead of Through AirBnB

AirBnB and other large third party booking sites such as Homeaway or VRBO make searching for a property easy, by heading to one known site, but you may find these bookings to be less reliable than staying with a local property management company. You may not realize that you could be paying more, you might be sacrificing customer service and that you are risking the possibility of your reservation being cancelled unexpectedly. Here are 6 reasons you should consider booking your next Keystone Vacation directly with SummitCove Lodging instead of on Air B n B.

1. You’ll Pay Less
When you book a vacation rental property through a big third party booking site such as AirBnB.com, you are paying a service charge to the site- basically they are acting as a middleman between you and the property owner, taking their cut of the transaction. Skip the middleman and book direct with the property manager, such as SummitCove Lodging and you can save up to 10% on your Keystone Lodging by avoiding the third party booking fees.

2. Feel Good About Supporting a Local Business
Although not every property management company is local, SummitCove Lodging in Keystone is. We have been here at Keystone Resort for over 15 years and specialize only in Keystone resort. We hire local employees and are experts in the area. All of the money you spend with us goes right back into the local economy, which can’t be said for booking on Air B n B.

3. Earn Your Returning Guest Discount
One of the perks of booking direct with SummitCove Lodging is our returning guest loyalty discount. Every time you stay and book directly with us after your first stay, you’ll receive a loyalty discount of up to 15% on every future reservation! (Discount varies based on dates and length of stay.)

4. Take Advantage Of Our Expert Knowledge & Service
When you book a property on AirBnB, you can’t be sure what the experience will be like. You could end up staying with a company like ours, or you could end up staying with an owner who lives overseas and doesn’t keep up with their property or who is impossible to get ahold of. They likely work with contract workers and don’t have control of the quality of service and property care. We have a full team of housekeepers, maintenance and guest services on staff who take care of our guests and properties, 24 hours a day. If you have any kind of issue during your stay, you have someone here in Keystone just seconds away. Think about getting locked out of your property at midnight in the cold… call us and we’ll be there in minutes. Call that owner who lives in Florida or England? They might not even answer the phone!

5. Rest Assured That Your Reservation Won’t Be Canceled
Sure things happen – pipes burst, a big snowstorm comes in, Aunt Judy decides she wants to visit…your Airbnb host can cancel on you at anytime for any reason. This could be a huge problem, especially if you are visiting over a peak time period such as Spring Break or over the holidays when vacancy is non-existent and you might not be able to find another property. And so much for all that time spent on finding the perfect property! SummitCove Lodging won’t cancel your reservation and if on the slim chance there was an issue with the property you’ve booked, we would upgrade you into another one of our rental properties that is similar to or nicer than your original property. Don’t take the chance of not having a property to stay at when you arrive in Keystone!

6. Exclusive Guest Discounts on Dining, Transportation & More
We have built key partnerships with other local businesses in Keystone to offer our guests additional discounts and deals on all other aspects of your vacation including your airport transportation, dining, equipment rentals, activities and more. Each guest receives access to our exclusive Key to Keystone coupon book with hundreds of dollars of additional savings!

Don’t take these risks on your upcoming Keystone Ski Vacation! When you book with SummitCove Lodging, we promise to provide you with an unforgettable, worry-free vacation experience.

13 Keystone Resort Activities for Non-Skiers

You may think Keystone Resort is only fun for those who ski or snowboard. Well we’re here to let you know there are mountains of activities and fun things to do at Keystone, other than enjoy the ski slopes. Whether you want to stay inside or head outdoors, check out these 13 fun Keystone activities for your next visit to the mountains!

1. Relax By the River Run Village Firepit
Put your feet up by the fire and relax by the huge firepit in the middle of the River Run Village Plaza.

2. Go Snowshoeing
Explore the nordic trails at the Keystone Nordic Center or head out into the woods or an open meadow for some peace and quiet out in nature. Find rentals at the Keystone Nordic Center.

Go Snowshoeing in Keystone — Snowshoeing near Silverthorne, Colorado on a Sunny Winter Day

3. Enjoy A Coffee & A Good Book at Inxpot
There’s nothing like curling up on a comfy couch in the corner of a coffee shop on a cold winter’s day with a good book and a warm beverage!

4. Shop til You Drop
River Run Village is a shopper’s paradise, walk the many shops throughout the plaza or head to the Silverthorne Outlets for some good old retail therapy or the to pickup the perfect souvenir!

5. Go Ice Skating at 1 of 2 Outdoor Ice Rinks
Keystone is home to not 1, but 2 outdoor ice skating rinks, at Dercum Square in River Run and on Keystone Lake in Lakeside Village. Lace up those skates and perfect your balance out on the rink and then warm up with a hot chocolate!

Ice Skating Rink at Keystone's Lakeside Village — Ice Skaters Enjoying the Fresh Air at Lakeside Village Ice Rink

6. Brewery Hopping
Summit County is a great place to enjoy craft local beer, with 8 breweries in the area to try! Remember though, alcohol has stronger effects at altitude, so we don’t recommend trying them all in one day!

Dillon Dam Brewery, Dillon
Pug Ryan’s Brewery, Dillon
Angry James Brewery, Silverthorne
Bakers Brewery, Silverthorne
Outer Range Brewing Company, Frisco
HighSide Brewing, Frisco
Broken Compass Brewing, Breckenridge
Breckenridge Brewery, Breckenridge
Bonus: Breckenridge Distillery for Spirits Tasting!
Try a Few With a Craft Beer Flight from Pug Ryan’s Brewery in Dillon

7. Hit the Trails on a Fat Bike
Biking is not just a summer sport! Rent a fat bike and hit the snowpacked trails for some winter 2 wheeled fun.

8. See Live Music at Warren Station
Warren Station hosts tons of winter concerts & events all season long. On the 2020 music lineup for the remainder of the winter you’ll find Winter Bluegrass Weekend, Rocky Mountain Country Fest and Slim Wednesday featuring JoJo Hermann of Widespread Panic. Check up their full event lineup here.

9. Dinner & A Sleigh Ride
Two Below Zero is your key to a magical experience under a starry winter sky. Book a sleigh ride dinner and enjoy the starry ride out to their lodge where they’ll serve you an amazing camp dinner, drinks and provide entertainment for an unforgettable evening, followed by a second sleigh ride back to the lodge.

10. Relax at the Spa & Enjoy a Massage or Treatment
The Keystone Lodge & Spa can offer a world-class visit with spa treatments and massages. Treat yourself and truly relax with a day at the spa!

11. Go Snowmobiling or Zip Lining… or Both!
A must-try on a winter visit to Keystone, snowmobiling is a fun activity that everyone can enjoy and get out into the backcountry. White Mountain Tours also offers combo tours with snowcat rides & zip line tours for the true adrenaline junkies!

Heading down the zip line on a winter day — Winter Zip Lining with Top of the Rockies Zip Line

12. Try Ice Fishing
Big Ed’s Fishing Ventures will take you out on a half day, guided ice fishing adventure! You can even take home some of the fish you catch to make a delicious Rocky Mountain fish dinner!

13. Catch the Hill, Snow Tubing Style
Head to the top of the mountain for some snow tubing fun with your family or special someone. There are also numerous sledding spots in the area if you prefer to walk up the hill yourself with a sled!

There are so many fun activities here at Keystone that you may find you need to visit multiple times just to try them all! Book your upcoming winter vacation at Keystone Resort today with SummitCove Lodging.

How To: Get a Babysitter During Your Keystone Vacation

We love traveling to Keystone with our 3 children but we also value a night out to dinner, kid free. I was not quite sure about using a babysitting service but I read great reviews about Sitter Scout, so I decided to give them a try on our last vacation to Keystone and book a keystone babysitter with them. Our lodging provider, SummitCove Vacation Rentals, also had a coupon for us to receive a deal on their services during our stay.

We have a 3 year old, a 6 year old and a 10 year old. They are pretty good kids except when the get bored and fight with each other, so I needed a babysitter who would really play with them but would also be firm about bedtime and not eating too much ice cream. And that is what I wrote when I filled out my online profile. I was able to include special information for each child on my profile too. For example, I wrote that my 6 year old has to be tucked into bed with a story and her puppy stuffed animal. I also wrote that the older kid gets 1 hour of screen time and no more.

The sitters are pre screened and vetted and they match your families needs with an available sitter. Sitter Scout notified me that we were matched with Amy. Amy then called and we chatted for quite a while, talking about each of my children and about her. She was originally from Ohio but had moved to Keystone to ski and work. She had worked for Sitter Scouts in Ohio too and had a lot of experience with children of all ages.

Our big date night finally arrived and Amy showed up with games, puzzles, art supplies and a big smile. My husband and I hung out for about 20 minutes and the kids were already playing with Amy. She had started a fun game of Sorry and I don’t think the kids noticed when we said goodbye.

We had a wonderful dinner at the Snake River Saloon and when we got back to the condo around 10 pm, all the kids were asleep, the dishes were done and the toys were picked up. My 6 year old had her stuffed puppy in bed with her and her favorite book was on the nightstand. Amy said they had a great time and the kids were well behaved.

The next morning all 3 kids talked about how fun and nice Amy was. My 6 year old said Amy read her 3 stories instead of just 1! My older child said he didn’t even get on his ipad because they had so much fun playing games with Amy. They asked us to go out to dinner again so she could come back! I am so happy with Sitter Scout’s professionalism and their screening process. They did an excellent job matching a sitter to my kids. I will definitely use their service again and request Amy when we come to Keystone.

7 Reasons Why We’re Crushing Hard on Lakeside Condos

Write it down: Lakeside Condos in Lakeside Village at Keystone. These studio condos boast incredible views, full kitchens and are super spacious, considering they are studios. Read on to see why we’re crushing on Lakeside Condos and why you should book a stay at Lakeside for your next visit to Keystone Resort in Colorado!

One. The Views
Seriously, you can’t get any closer to the lake. These Lakeside Condo balconies practically hang over the lake and the views of the mountain ranges and evergreens in the background make these some of the best views at all of the resort. You’ll love sitting out on the balcony with a cup of coffee or a cold one, or enjoying the view from inside the condo with your dinner.

Two. The Location
In the winter, you are just yards away from the 5-acre frozen ice skating rink and the Keystone Adventure Center. In the summer, enjoy the lake on a stand-up paddle board, kayak or paddle boat. Enjoy morning walks around the lake in any season! The Snake River is just beyond the Lake as well as the paved Bike Path. You have world-class dining just next door inside the Keystone Lodge & Spa, at the Bighorn Bistro, as well restaurants like the Edgewater Cafe and Pizza on the Plaza downstairs. There is a free Keystone resort shuttle stop just outside the door. You can even walk to the Keystone Conference Center and Tennis Centers!

Three. Full Size Kitchens
Unlike some other studio condo options at Keystone Resort, most of the Lakeside condos feature a full size kitchen. Save money by cooking meals at the condo instead of eating out and keep any leftovers in the fridge! Enjoy a home-cooked meal overlooking the lake!

Four. Affordable
Since these are still studio condos, you’ll find some really reasonable rates all year long at Lakeside Condos. Save your money for an experience while you are here, such as a whitewater rafting trip, downhill snow tubing or a fancy dinner on top of the mountain at the Alpenglow Stube!

Five. Fireplaces
It doesn’t really feel like the mountains without a fireplace! In addition to the balconies and full kitchens, you’ll find a fireplace in most Lakeside vacation rental properties. Curl up by the fire on a summer evening after a day out on the lake or to warm up after a day out on the ski slopes!

Six. Access to the Lodge & Spa Pool Area
Lakeside Condo guests have full access to the heated pool and hot tub at Keystone Lodge & Spa. Enjoy a quick dip in the pool or a long soak in the hot tub after a full day of activities at Keystone Resort!

Seven. Events
Lakeside Village is not the main village area of Keystone, but there are still tons of great events & activities that take place here. In the summer, look for kids fishing derbies, A Taste of Keystone over Labor Day weekend, live music on the lake, 4th of July special events and more. In the winter, enjoy the Chocolate Village next door at the Keystone Lodge & Spa, pond hockey tournaments and figure skating shows, plus fireworks over the lake for New Years. There’s always something fun to do in Lakeside!

SummitCove Lodging offers a number of vacation rentals at Lakeside Condos, so pick your favorite and get your reservation on the books! These popular studios book quickly, especially on event weekends and for Keystone conferences!

Why You Should Stay Somewhere Other Than the Keystone Lodge and Spa in 2020

Sure, the Keystone Lodge and Spa gets a lot of hype. It is the only spot in Keystone with valet parking and it does feature the Chocolate Village display in the lobby over the holidays! But, we beg you to reconsider your lodging options for your next Keystone vacation, because there is so much more out there!

Get Closer to the Slopes!
Let’s face it – the Keystone Lodge and Spa is only a mile and a half from the ski slopes, which isn’t really far, but it is when you consider how many lodging options in Keystone are within walking distance to the ski slopes or even slopeside! Choose a property where you have 2 – 6 minute walk to the slopes instead of a 10 – 15 minute shuttle ride, such as The Springs, Silver Mill, Liftside Condos or Tenderfoot Lodge. Or choose to upgrade your stay and stay slopeside at Lone Eagle Condos!

Cash in on the Views!
When you stay in Keystone, don’t you dream of waking up to amazing views of the ski slopes? Arapahoe Lodge 8119, Hidden River 5995, Ski Run 501, Slopeside 2800, Springs 8864, and the Keystone Brom House, are just a few of our favorite ski slope view vacation rental properties!

Ski Slope Views from Balcony of Ski Run Condos — Wake up to this view at Ski Run 501!

Stay Somewhere More Modern
The Keystone Lodge and Spa is one of the original buildings of Keystone Resort, built back in the late 60’s. It was renovated in 2010, but here we are a decade later. There are some wonderful newly constructed buildings in Keystone including The Alders Townhomes and River Run Townhomes, where you can enjoy the most modern and luxurious finishes and that ‘freshly built’ feeling!

Modern dining area at River Run Townhomes in Keystone CO — Mountain modern design and newly constructed, River Run Townhomes have it all!

Get More Square Footage for the Same Buck
Unless you book a larger suite, most of the rooms at the Keystone Lodge and Spa are a more traditional (tiny) hotel room. Why cram all of your ski gear, luggage and bodies into a tiny hotel room, when you could book a 1-bedroom condo that features a separate bedroom, living room and full size kitchen for a similar rate? You’ll also save money with the option to prepare your own meals with the kitchen instead of eating out for every meal!

Enjoy a Less Crowded Pool Area
There are over 150 rooms in the Keystone Lodge, and that’s not counting some of the surrounding buildings that also have access to the pool and hot tub facilities at the Lodge and Spa. That’s potentially a lot of people in one pool! Book a stay at somewhere like Flying Dutchman, Quicksilver, or Settler’s Creek Townhomes where the guest to pool ratio is much lower!

Heated Outdoor Pool at Flying Dutchman Condos in West Keystone — Large heated outdoor pool at Flying Dutchman, open year-round!

Choose a Heated Parking Garage Instead of Valet/Outdoor Parking
You may find that you enjoy parking in a heated parking garage better than valet parking anyways. Choose a building with a heated underground parking garage and you can keep your car warm and snow free and take the elevator straight up to your condo. Luggage racks can help you schlep your gear and you’ll be able to run down to the car anytime if you need to. Plus, complimentary parking for one car is available and you won’t have to tip a valet driver every time you want to use your car! The majority of the condos in River Run Village have heated underground parking garages and are all within walking distance to shops, restaurants and the slopes, meaning you might not even want to use your car at all during your stay!

But I Want A Massage!
Just because you aren’t staying at the Keystone Lodge and Spa, doesn’t mean you won’t have access to booking a session their world class spa facilities. Or you can skip the traveling and get a massage in your room! Namaste Bodywork features mobile massage and will actually perform a service in your vacation rental – talk about relaxing!

Keystone Resort is home to a wide variety of lodging and vacation rental options. SummitCove Lodging has vacation planners available every day from 8 am – 9 pm to help you find that perfect property for your dream vacation, based on what’s most important to you.

Feeling the Effects of Altitude? Here’s What You Can Do

We are from Florida and traveled to Keystone for a ski vacation. On the first day in Keystone my son started feeling sick. He had a headache and felt nauseous. I called our lodging company, SummitCove, to ask about Urgent Care. The person at the front desk gave me the Urgent Care information but she also mentioned that my son might have altitude sickness and gave me the number for Rent Oxygen.

I googled ‘altitude sickness’ and it matched my son’s symptoms; dizzy, fatigued, headache, nausea, loss of appetite and shortness of breath. So, I thought it was worth a shot to try oxygen and I called Rent Oxygen. They told me they could deliver an oxygen concentrator in one hour, which they did. The professional and friendly customer service rep. showed us how to use the Everflo concentrator. The rep. explained that they do not use oxygen tanks because they run out 3-5 hours. The concentrator pulls in air and concentrates the air immediately, so the machine never runs out of oxygen. He also said, two people can use the machine at the same time with a splitter. SummitCove Lodging also gave us a coupon for Rent Oxygen and we saved 10%. It cost less than going to Urgent Care and my son was able to stay in the condo and rest in bed comfortably instead of sitting in a doctor’s office.

Within a few hours my son already started feeling a little better and ate some pizza and drank a lot of water. By nighttime he was on the couch watching T.V. and talking with everyone. His headache was less and he did not feel dizzy anymore. He was still very fatigued but was getting better. That night my son slept with the oxygen and when he woke up he was like a new kid. He said he slept great and wanted to go snowboarding! My son is a tough kid and I was surprised he was so sick when the rest of us were doing ok, however we all did use the oxygen concentrator. Not only did it help my son but everyone would take extra oxygen before bed and we all slept great, which is unusual for me, while on vacation.

I was so relieved that my son felt better and could enjoy his vacation! We were only in Keystone for a few days and suffering from high altitude sickness is not the way my son wanted to spend his snowboard vacation. Rent Oxygen saved the day and being sea level people, we will never travel to high altitude again with having oxygen available to us.

The service that Rent Oxygen provided was wonderful. When we arrived at Keystone, after traveling all day, we were tired and I was grateful they could deliver the oxygen to us quickly. When it was time to leave they also came and picked the machine up for us. It could not have been more stress free in a stressful moment. It is not very fun to have a sick kid on vacation and not know where to take them and Rent Oxygen took care of that problem for us. We will always use Rent Oxygen when we come to Keystone! Thanks for getting my son well and out on the slopes!

5th & 6th Grade Colorado Ski Country USA Passports Programs Deadline Approaching!

If you want to save money and get your kids out on the ski slopes this winter, you have to checkout the Colorado Ski Country USA Passports Programs for 5th and 6th graders. The program offers free or highly discounted lift tickets at 22 member resorts across Colorado.

The 5th Grade Passport includes 3 days of skiing or snowboarding at 22 different member resorts, for up to 66 total possible days of free skiing or riding, with no cost.

The 6th Grade Passport includes 4 days of skiing or snowboarding at 22 different member resorts, with up to 88 total days possible for just $130.

This program has been running since 1996 and over 200,000 kids have participated in this program. New this year is the digital version of the program. No pass card is needed this year to redeem lift tickets, once your passport has been approved, you can go directly to the lift ticket office to pickup your tickets. Participating resorts for the 19 / 20 ski season are as follows:

Arapahoe Basin (Just 6 Miles from Keystone!)
Aspen Highlands
Aspen Mountain
Buttermilk
Cooper
Copper Mountain
Echo Mountain
Eldora
Granby Ranch
Hesperus
Howelsen Hill
Kendall Mountain
Loveland
Monarch Mountain
Powderhorn
Purgatory
Snowmass
Steamboat
Sunlight
Telluride
Winter Park
Wolf Creek

To register your child, parents or guardians need to create an account online. Click here to start the process. You’ll need a digital image and documentation to verify their current grade, such as a report card, school ID, school schedule, passport or birth certificate. This program is open to ALL 5th & 6th graders, not just those in Colorado! The deadline to register is January 31, 2020. The only blackout dates for the 2019-20 season are at Wolf Creek from December 27th, 2019 to December 31st, 2019.

If your child is new to the sport, you can also take advantage of the First Class Program, which offers one complimentary beginner, level one group lesson with an equipment rental package. This is available for 5th graders who have never experienced skiing or snowboarding. Special signup is required for this part of the program. If you have any questions about this great program, you can call 303.866.9707 or email passport@coloradoski.com.

When you are ready to use your passport days at Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, or Loveland, book lodging in nearby Keystone with SummitCove Lodging. Call one of our vacation planners and ask about the passport lodging discount or book lodging online using the code ‘PASSPORT’ to take 5% off stays at select 1 bedroom or larger properties located outside of the main village during the 19 / 20 ski season. Be sure to signup for the passport program by January 31, 2020!

Don’t Miss These Upcoming Events in January at Keystone Resort

January in Keystone is stacked with fun events to help you bring in the new year.

Last Days of the Chocolate Village
Through January 6, 2020
If you were too busy to make it over the holidays – don’t worry! You’ve got a few more days to experience the famous, Chocolate Village at the Keystone Lodge and Spa! This exhibit will be open through Monday, January 6, 2020, featuring over 7,000 POUNDS of chocolate in the form of an incredible little ski village and lifesize Christmas tree, filled with presents!

Kids watch the chocolate village at keystone resort — Kids Watch the Spinning Chocolate Tree at the Chocolate Village Display at Keystone Resort

Distilled: Backcountry & Bourbon
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Enjoy an evening of small batch bourbon tasting, paired with Avalanche Awareness with Jim Beam and Friends of the CAIC (Colorado Avalanche Information Center). You must be 21 or older to attend this event, as it includes 4 bourbon samples! There will also be a raffle to win swag from premier backcountry companies. Learn about Human Factors & Decision Making in the Backcountry from Aaron Parmet. Doors open at 6:30, with the event at 7pm. Tickets are just $20 online, in advance.

Warren Station Comedy Series
Friday, January 24, 2020
Spend an evening with some of Colorado’s top comics at Warren Station in River Run Village at Keystone. Sam Adams, winner of the 2009 Great American Comedy Festival, has performed across the country, boasting a profanity free act. Stephanie McHugh, has been on the Denver Comedy scene for over 15 years and will warm up the stage for Adams. Tickets for this event are $15 online in advance or $20 day of event. Doors open at 7pm with the show beginning at 8pm.

Kidtopia Events
Daily through April 10, 2020
Kidtopia makes Keystone THE PLACE to visit for families and kids! Daily events happen throughout ski season and most of them are free to participate in! View the Kidtopia Activity schedule here and pick out your favorites!

Fireworks Every Saturday
Every Saturday through April 11, 2020
Whether you want to see them up close during night skiing, from the warmth of the firepit in River Run or your from your condo’s balcony at The Springs, don’t miss the Saturday night fireworks at Keystone, happening all season long! In January, catch the fireworks every Saturday night at 7pm.

Balcony of the springs 8893 watching fireworks — Saturday Night Kidtopia Fireworks, Seen from the Balcony of Springs 8893 in River Run Village

9280 Pond Hockey Tournament
January 24 – January 27, 2020
With an adult and kids tournament scheduled, this fun event serves hockey fans and players of all ages! Hit the rink at Keystone Lake for a fun and competitive outdoor hockey ice tournament! Find out more details about this event at http://9280pondhockey.com/.

Winter Bluegrass Weekend
Friday, January 31 & Saturday, February 1, 2020
Back for its 9th year, Keystone’s Winter Bluegrass Weekend brings great live music acts to the stage at Warren Station for 2 nights of Bluegrass! On Friday, enjoy seeing Pick and Howl, The Lonesome Days and Hot Buttered Rum. On Saturday, kicking off February, watch Buffalo Commons, Rapidgrass and Head for the Hills. Tickets can be purchased online in advance for $15 per night or $25 for a 2-day ticket. Grab a single night ticket day of show for $20. Kids 5 and younger get in free! Book Lodging at Silver Mill Condos or Jack Pine Lodge to be ultra-close to Warren Station!

It’s the perfect time to make plans to visit Keystone and kick off a great new year & new decade! Book your lodging reservation with SummitCove Vacation Lodging and start planning all of the details of your trip, like which events you’ll attend!

The Perfect Colorado Vacation Activity: Dinner and a Sleigh Ride

My cousin from Holland was coming to spend the Holidays with us and we were also celebrating her 30 birthday, so I had to plan something special. We live in Denver and knew we wanted to take her skiing at Keystone but we didn’t know what to do for her big 30th birthday. While I was booking our lodging with SummitCove, our Vacation Planner recommended a sleigh ride, chuckwagon dinner with Two Below Zero. I looked at their website and it looked like a lot of fun and a unique experience for my cousin’s birthday. I booked our reservation online and I also saved 10%, because we were staying with SummitCove Lodging. It was an easy, painless process.

After a day of great skiing it was time to go to Two Below Zero for our sleigh ride dinner. We bundled up and drove 10 minutes over to Frisco. The office is located near the Nordic Center. We checked in and all the staff was so friendly. There was also a gift shop, which my cousin loved. She stocked up on Colorado gifts to take back to our family in Holland.

Next, our ‘Cowboy Guide’ gathered us to meet the beautiful, huge horses that waited for us outside with the sleigh. Once on the sleigh we each were given heavy wool blankets to cover up in and everyone was toasty warm. Our Cowboy was fantastic! He was telling us jokes and giving us information about the wildlife in the area. We saw a few rabbits and some deer! It was very magical gliding through the snow, being pulled by horses, through the forest under the stars.

We arrived at the cozy, warm yurt for our chuckwagon dinner and were greeted with hot chocolate and the option for peppermint schnapps, which tasted amazing! Next, the entertainment started and this guy was great and played some good guitar! His name is David Peel and he sang mostly Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson songs. He involved the crowd and knowing it was my cousin’s birthday he asked her to come up on stage. He did not know my cousin is a singer in Europe. He started playing John Denver’s, “Rocky Mountain High” and when my cousin started to sing with him, he was a little surprised that she had a great voice. The two of them together sounded amazing and my cousin was smiling from ear to ear!

Next, dinner was served and we had hearty soup, artisan rolls and either top sirloin steak or a grilled chicken breast. Dinner also included a baked potato, veggies and warm apple pie! It was yummy and there was a lot of food. When the pie came out, David Peel got back on stage and led everyone in “Happy Birthday”, for my cousin. Then, David asked my cousin to come and sing one more song with him. My cousin loves to perform, so she hopped up on the stage and they closed out the night with “I Won’t Back Down” by Johnny Cash. It was so much fun and my cousin felt so special. She never thought she would be singing a few songs on a stage, in the middle of the woods, on her birthday. It was definitely her icing on the cake!

It was time to get back on the sleigh and head back to our starting place. I didn’t expect much on the way back but the sky decided to put on a show for us and we watched shooting stars fall all around us! It was a perfect ending to a magical night! The personal feeling Two Below gives you when you are their guest is above and beyond! We felt like part of their family and I think the other guests felt the same way. I know I want to do this again with my kids and parents. This is an experience that everyone should have! Thank you Two Below for making my cousin’s 30th birthday one that none of us will ever forget!

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