Tag: christmas in keystone

5 Reasons to Take Your Family to Keystone for the Holidays

If you haven’t decided on where to spend your holiday break this year, you might want to consider Keystone Resort.  Keystone is home to world class skiing and riding and is the most kid-friendly resort in Colorado!  Home to Keystone ‘Kidtopia’, there are daily, free events that are all centered around kids.  Enjoy incredible dining options, endless activities and some of the best snow in the Rockies! Here are 5 reasons to book your winter holiday getaway today!

 

The Most Bang for Your Lift Ticket Buck
Keystone is one of the few resorts in Colorado to offer night skiing, with select days offering 12 straight hours of skiing or riding.  Take all the breaks you want – we bet you won’t get tired of the incredible terrain at Keystone Resort day or night.

 

There are activities for EVERYONE
Let’s face it, some families have trouble finding common grounds.  Susie likes to stay inside, while Johnny is an outdoor adventure junkie.  Keystone is home to millions of activities, from daily Kidtopia events to ice skating, snow tubing, sleigh rides and even indoor activities such as pottery painting or a game of pool in the lobby.  Plan a family game night and then an outdoor activity the next night. Find some common ground in activities that everyone will enjoy!

Keystone on a snowy winter night

 

That ‘Holiday’ Feeling
Keystone doesn’t hold back on the holidays – enjoy the holiday lights in the village, Christmas trees, ice sculptures, holiday music, carolers, and even visit with Santa and his reindeer! Check out the amazing ‘Chocolate Village’ at the Keystone Lodge, where the entire scene is made out of chocolate! You’ll feel like a kid again when you experience the magic of Keystone during the holidays!

The amazing Chocolate Village at the Keystone Lodge and Spa

 

The World’s Largest Snow Fort
Where else can you explore the world’s largest snow fort on top of a mountain peak? Here at Keystone, kids rule! Have a snowball fight or just get lost in this huge snowfort located atop Dercum Mountain.

 

Fireworks Every Saturday
Another cool part of Keystone Kidtopia are the Saturday night fireworks that can be seen from multiple villages at Keystone.  Head up for night skiing and watch them from the gondola, or step outside on your River Run Condo balcony for an amazing show over the mountain. You can also see them from select properties in Mountain House, North Keystone and Lakeside Village!

 

These are just a few of the reasons to take your family to Keystone this holiday season.  Come out to Keystone to experience the wonder of the holidays and to create some unforgettable family memories! Check out available vacation rentals for the holidays here with SummitCove. 

Our Favorite Properties for Christmas in Keystone (That Are Still Available!)

The holidays are just around the corner and prime properties are booking quickly.  Here are a few of our favorite properties to enjoy when spending Christmastime at Keystone Resort.  Book your reservation today with SummitCove Lodging while these properties are still available for Christmas in Keystone!

 

Alders 54

Alders Townhomes in East Keystone are one of the newest developments at Keystone Resort.  This 3-bedroom, 3 bath townhome, Alders 54, sleeps 9 people. There are 2 living areas as well as a beautiful, spacious kitchen and great views of the outdoors.  You’ll love cooking up a holiday meal in the kitchen and spreading out on the sectional sofa with your family on Christmas morning.  This rental property won’t be available for long!

 

Alders 54 Living Area

 

Lone Eagle 3051

Lone Eagle condos are one of the few ski-in properties at Keystone Resort, making it a premier choice for a winter ski vacation.  Lone Eagle 3051 is a cozy 2 bedroom condo with a great balcony and a stunning view.  Luxurious finishes, a great master bath suite along with a huge kitchen make this the perfect place to host a holiday celebration.  Curl up next to the fire with your favorite Christmas movie and the whole family to make some holiday memories you’ll never forget!

 

Huge master suite with gorgeous bed at Lone Eagle 3051

 

Keystone Gulch Cabin 1668

If you are looking for a mountain getaway, tucked into the woods with that cabin feel, this private home, Keystone Gulch Cabin 1668, is the place for you!  The cozy family den features huge floor to ceiling windows that allow you to feel as you are outside in the woods! A large stone fireplace and huge sectional are the ideal place for opening presents early Christmas morning! Three bedrooms offer space for mom and dad, your teenager and two little ones, or whomever else will be visiting on your holiday vacation!

 

Enjoy watching the snow fall at Keystone Gulch Cabin!

 

Springs 8864

The Springs is one of the most popular condo rentals in all of Keystone Resort and River Run Village.  The best parts of The Springs are its pool area, proximity to the gondola and additional amenities such as a movie theatre room and kids playhouse.  Your kids will never be bored while staying at this lodge in Keystone.  Springs 8864 is a one bedroom, 1 bath that sleeps 4, perfect for a smaller family with one or two small children.

 

Kids will love this waterslide and all of the other amenities at The Springs!

 

Ski Tip Ranch 8721

Ski Tip Ranch 8721 is a 4 bedroom townhome in East Keystone just steps from the free shuttle route. This spacious vacation rental sleeps up to 11 and has a wonderful back patio for a morning cup of coffee before you hit the slopes. Multiple levels offer added privacy and the fourth bedroom offers bunk beds, perfect for a kids room. Some added features include a jetted tub in the master bath, large dining area and private garage. You’re also just steps away from the famous Ski Tip Lodge, which offers some of the finest cuisine in Keystone,  perfect for an intimate Christmas dinner.

 

Large dining table at Ski Tip 8721 for a family holiday feast

 

Plan Your Family Holiday Family Ski or Snowboard Vacation Today

The holidays are one of the absolute best times to be in the mountains.  There’s nothing better than soft snow falling in a mountain village as you stroll through the shops and take in the cool mountain air, with the glimmering excitement of a waking up to a powder day, especially on Christmas morning.  Holiday decorations and lights amplify the charm, with the sparkling snowflakes adding to the magical feeling in the air.

 

If you’ve never visited Keystone Resort over the holidays, you might not yet know what you are missing. Forget Disney World!  Take your family to the mountains this year for their winter break getaway, where you can enjoy skiing, snow tubing, ice skating, snowmobiling, zip lining… the list goes on and on.  Most kids will even just have a blast swimming in the pool while it’s snowing or playing board games together as a family.  Don’t worry, the pools are heated year-round and it’s not as cold as it sounds!  Give your family the gift of experiences and memories this year that will last a lifetime.  Unwrap Christmas morning with a fresh ski wax and cup of hot chocolate out on the ski slopes.

 

Keystone hosts tons of fun events and activities for the holidays including the ‘Welcome Winter Family Carnival’ and ‘Pancakes with Santa’.  Santa will be around with his reindeer throughout the holiday season, to meet kids and hear about their Christmas wishes! There are also fireworks every Saturday with Keystone Kidtopia, once the season gets into swing.  Daily Kidtopia events will be happening with fun and free things for the kids to enjoy, such as parades, free cookies, arts and crafts and more.  In mid-December, the Snow Fort opens, a larger than life snow castle that kids can explore, play at and have snowball fights! Take the kids ice skating at the rink at Dercum Square, near Buffalo Lodge, Dakota and Expedition Station Condos.

 

A family Ice Skating at Dercum Square in River Run Village

 

There are places that will deliver a Christmas Tree to your condo or private home rental, complete with lights and decorations! Your holiday traditions can continue in the mountains.  Spend Christmas Eve together, sipping hot chocolate next to the fireplace.  This holiday memory will be one that stands out from the rest and you’ll never forget.  Book your holiday stay in Keystone today! 

A White Christmas in Keystone!

Today, Christmas Eve, started out cold, dry and sunny before clouds and showers started moving into the I-70 mountain corridor this evening. Snow should continue to fall through Christmas Day, keeping all road surfaces under an icy and snow-packed mix. Wake up Christmas Day to a couple of inches of fresh powder and warmer temperatures. We will then dry out on Saturday and stay that way for an extended period. Before I jump into the forecast, I just wanted to quickly share my experience from yesterday. I was at Keystone and had one of the best powder days that I can remember since I moved to Summit County back in October of 2014. Keystone has reported 15 inches of new snow in the last 48 hours and was the first mountain to break the 100 inch mark this season. Get out here and enjoy this awesome start to a great season! 

A friend enjoying the fresh powder 

Similar conditions to Thursday night will stick around for most of Christmas Day. A large cut-off storm to the West will be diving into the desert southwest throughout the day so the winds could quickly change. We could see our flow transition over to a West-Northwesterly direction on Friday so this may increase total snow amounts through Friday night. Northeasterly upslope winds will also move in on Friday night. This will bring light to moderate snowfall for areas along and east of the Eisenhower Tunnel so expect icy and somewhat snow-packed surfaces all the way down to Denver. In all, travel safe but enjoy the fresh snow and good company on Christmas Day! Wherever you are for Christmas, we hope that you will get a chance to enjoy all of this incredible new snow sometime over the holiday break! Merry Christmas Everyone!

 Written By: Trent Butler

Cutting Down a Christmas Tree in Colorado

Why buy a Christmas Tree when you can cut one down yourself?!

While most people will go to the grocery store or a local vendor this winter and buy their Christmas tree, I suggest taking an alternative route. Gather the family, go to your favorite outdoor spot with a mug of hot chocolate and cut down your own!   

Cut down your own Christmas Tree this year!
photo credit: www.fs.usda.gov

The Dillon Ranger District is now selling $10 permits that grant you safe access to Christmas tree cutting. Summit County is now an open district, meaning that as long as you have purchased a permit and stay away from certain areas, you are free to choose an appropriate tree and make it your own! There are obviously some guidelines to follow if you choose to take this route…

You are NOT allowed to cut down a tree in any of the following areas:

– ski areas
– campgrounds
– wilderness areas
– developed forest land
– in-town areas

When choosing a tree, look for a bunch of trees and then pick the smallest one.  This will promote the grove to grow faster and be healthier.  Cut the tree as close to the ground as possible, leaving only 6 inches or less on the stump.

That leaves quite a few places to find the perfect tree this season! Since the holidays are all about spending time with your family and enjoying each others company, add this to the holiday schedule and enjoy another great experience with your loved ones. Please make sure you get all the necessary information about what trees are and are not allowed to be cut down when purchasing a permit. Some great areas near Keystone to cut a tree are near Montezuma and the Keystone Gulch area. Enjoy!

Written By: Patrick Foley

 

Rent a Private Home in Keystone This Christmas!

Are you still looking for the perfect holiday vacation for the whole family? Come visit Keystone for a white Christmas on the ski slopes! SummitCove Vacation Lodging still has two private homes available over Christmas. Keystone River Retreat and Keystone Prospectors Home are both spacious houses with plenty of room for the entire family and all of your festivities.

Keystone River Retreat #1247 is a 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom house that sleeps 9 people comfortably. Located right across from the Keystone Stables, it has ample parking in the front, as well as garage parking. The living area is very open, with plenty of room for everyone to gather. There is also a large game room downstairs, ideal for families traveling with kids. With a fully stocked kitchen, this home makes it easy to cook meals for everyone. It is only a short bus ride away from Mountain House base area where you can find ski school, as well as generally shorter lift lines. Keystone River Retreat is a cozy and convenient choice for your family.
Keystone Prospectors Home #669 is a luxurious 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom private home, less than a mile from River Run.  Two of the downstairs bedrooms are set up with two bunk beds each, allowing this house to sleep up to 16 people; a great option for larger groups. With two spacious master bedrooms and two living rooms, this house is comfortable for the kids and adults, without feeling crowded. There is a private hot tub, perfect after a long day of skiing. Keystone Prospectors Home is only a short walk from River Run making it a great option for a group that wants to spend the day in the hustle and bustle of the resort.
To view and book either of these homes, along with a variety of condos still available for Christmas, visit our website at www.www.summitcove.com.  Call us today while we still have properties available for the Holidays in Keystone!

Chocolate Village at Keystone Resort Opens Soon

Keystone’s Famous ‘Chocolate Village’ Goes Up on December 20th!
When you are visiting Keystone, be sure to check out the Chocolate Village at the Keystone Lodge and Spa, a chocolatey holiday tradition that features over 2,500 POUNDS OF CHOCOLATE! The village has some really cool features such as a working chocolate gondola, a flowing chocolate waterfall, and a 6 foot tall white chocolate Christmas tree complete with presents.  Each year is different and brings something new, check out the village from December 20 – January 3. Free parking is available across the street at the Keystone Conference Center Parking Lot, use the underground tunnel to cross. Don’t miss this amazing holiday tradition at Keystone Resort!