One of our favorite things about Keystone Resort is Night Skiing! Keystone offers visitors with one of Colorado’s longest ski days- you can ski or ride long after nearly all the other mountains close. Your lift ticket is good all day and into the night! Watch the sun set over the beautiful Rocky Mountains while enjoying a few more runs. The serenity of the mountain at night is a completely different unique experience than what you get during the day. Check out the schedule below for night skiing hours and dates and be sure to try it at least once during your visit to Keystone!
2012/2013 Keystone Night Skiing Schedule Wednesday, November 21 – 25, 2012 November 30 – December 1, 2012 December 7 – 8, 2012 December 14 – 15, 2012 December 21 – January 6, 2013 January 9 – April 7, 2013 (Wednesday – Sunday and select Holiday Mondays) Open 7 days a week during March
Hours: (On Days With Night Skiing) Open until 8p Wednesday – Saturday Open until 6p Sunday and select Holiday Mondays A51 Terrain Park closes at 6p all night ski nights
The Bottle Shop opened early this Spring in the Summit Cove neighborhood, just 3 miles west of Keystone Resort Colorado. The shop has nearly 200 wines to choose from and all of the usual suspects in terms of beer and spirits. There’s a “make your own six pack” if you choose to express some individuality when it comes to beer, especially awesome for visitors looking to try out numerous Colorado tastes and flavors or if you can’t decide between your two favorites! When you walk into the shop you are greeted by fresh and bright turquoise walls and brightly colored bottles lining the windows- not your usual liquor store atmosphere, this is a place you will actually enjoy visiting! The Bottle Shop prioritizes local and Colorado brands and even offers delivery on local orders of $100 or more! The fee for delivery is $15 and delivery hours are by appointment between 5-9pm. A drivers’ license number must be presented upon delivery.
The Bottle Shop proudly hosts “3rd Thursdays” each month.
Meet new and old friends and share wines, beers, and spirits from 4-7pm on every third Thursday of the month. The Bottle Shop partners with other community businesses to bring you the properly paired garnish with you wine (think cheese, bread, and chocolate!). Third Thursdays will feature a local “somel-yeahs!” – community members sharing their “expert” views on the featured wine – either a new favorite or old friend. It is a terrific time to gather as a community for some sublime wine and good company and have some fun. The next Third Thursday will take place on October 18th.
Light dustings of snow have been seen on the peaks throughout Summit County over the past few weeks and everyone is gearing up for ski season. A-Basin is planning on starting their snow-making this week, and Keystone will be soon to follow. Keystone Resort’s opening day, scheduled for Friday, November 2nd, is just 29 days away! We are getting excited and will be giving away a FREE, 2-night stay in Keystone to whomever can guess the date of the first significant snowfall in Keystone of 4 inches of more!
SummitCove Vacation Lodging is hosting its second annual, ‘When Will It Snow?’ contest, offering contestants a chance to guess the date of the first significant snowfall of 4 inches or more in Keystone. The winner of the contest will be handsomely rewarded with a 2-night stay in a one bedroom condo in the beautiful Keystone, Colorado over the resort’s opening weekend, November 2nd through the 4th, 2012. Entrants are required to complete a quick signup form in exchange for their entry. In the event of multiple contestants guessing the correct date, a final drawing will be held to pick one ultimate winner. The winner will be notified by e-mail within 48 hours of the first snowfall. See all the rules here.
If you’re hosting your wedding in Keystone, Colorado your guests are most likely from out of town, and it’s probably fair to call your wedding a “destination wedding.” That being said, there are endless activities in Keystone for your guests to enjoy during their stay. The more they get to experience Keystone in their short stay, the more memorable their experience will be. We recommend picking out a few activities and invite your guests to do them with you! Create an itinerary ahead of time and e-mail it out to your guests. Provide them with all the details, including the meeting time, costs, and where they should make a reservation if applicable.
We’ve compiled 2 Top Ten lists of must-do activities for guests at your Keystone destination wedding, based on the seasons:
Summer
1. Let the River Run Gondola take you up 11,640 feet and take in beautiful panoramic views of Lake Dillon, Breckenridge Ski Resort, and surrounding mountains, for free during the Friday Afternoon Club.
2. Explore the expansive Lake Dillon and rent a pontoon boat or kayak at the Dillon or Frisco Marinas.
3. Hike the backcountry areas in Montezuma to experience old mines, ghost towns, wildlife sightings and spectacular views.
4. See live music at one of the many summer concerts and festivals, like the River Run Rocks Concert Series, the Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour, or the Bluegrass and Beer Festival.
5. Get wet and go whitewater rafting down the Arkansas River, through Brown’s Canyon.
6. Rent a bicycle from Mountain View Sports and take a trip down Vail Pass, with unparalleled views and scenery.
7. Drink the famous and delicious blended Rum Runner on the shores of Lake Dillon at the Tiki Bar.
8. Have a picnic and take in the views at Keystone Lake.
9. Visit one of four local breweries in Summit County, including the Dillon Dam and Pug Ryan’s.
1. Enjoy a fine dining experience at altitude by taking a gondola to dinner at either of the on-mountain gourmet restaurants, Der Fondue Chessel or Alpenglow Stube.
2. Experience snow-tubing with friends at Adventure Point.
3. Go ice-skating at the largest, Zamboni maintained ice rink at Keystone Lake.
4. Strap on some snowshoes and explore some of the beautiful Colorado Wilderness on foot.
6. Marvel in chocolate heaven and check out the Chocolate Village at the Keystone Lodge and Spa.
7. Enjoy a beer or hot chocolate in an Adirondack Chair with views at the Summit House or LaBonte’s Cabin.
8. Bring out the kid in you and have a snowball fight at the larger than life Snow Fort on Dercum Mountain.
9. See some live music at the Snake River Saloon, The Goat, or Warren Station.
10. Try winter zip-lining, snowmobiling or dogsledding for a fun adventure.
We think these lists are a good start for first timers visiting Keystone. Use this to put together a Keystone activities itinerary for your guests. SummitCove is always glad to assist you and your guests during both the planning stages and once you arrive in Keystone. We can even create a custom landing page for your Keystone Wedding that includes photos, activity ideas, and itineraries when you sign up for our Wedding Gifts Program. The program offers you and your guests with discounted lodging, unlimited customer service and cash back for the bride and groom.
The Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame recently announced one of Keystone Resort‘s original founders, Bill Bergman has been selected for this year’s Pioneer category in the Hall of Fame, and will be inducted in October.
During the 1960s, Max Dercum and his partner Bill Bergman worked hard to make their shared vision of someday establishing an international ski area become a reality. It is said that Dercum had the vision but Bergman possessed the business savvy skills to turn it into reality. He is credited as the individual who transformed skiing into a corporate enterprise, something that originally began with small investors. In 1967, their dreams were realized when Keystone acquired approximately 513 acres of land and a couple years later in 1971, the first two chair lifts were put in, at what is now the Mountain House Base Area. Over 75,000 skiers soon visited the new ski area, with lift tickets costing a mere $5 per person and the lifts have been turning ever since.
Bergman as served as Keystone’s first president, for six years with an annual salary of only $100, and as he continued to be a consultant and the head of ski school for many years. Bergman was able to expand the resort and he came up with two huge ideas that are still standard practices used today at major ski resorts: the revolutionary concept of environmentally friendly trail design and the installation of snowmaking capabilities..
Married for 66 years, Bergman has had his wife by his side to keep his life exciting — and challenging as he puts it. “Jane and I are always teasing each other, it’s what we do every day,” Bergman said. “But without her love for Colorado and her family connection here, I might not have ever gotten to know what Summit County was all about.” During the time Bergman was building Keystone Resort, he wasn’t actual even a local. He and his wife lived in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he ran a law firm and played golf. He quickly fell in love with the mountains more and more and permanently moved to Keystone in 1999 and continues to play golf at least 3 days a week and has started his own golf club, ‘The Bergman Boys’ which consists of about 30 members. They typically play fast in the mornings and try not to hold anyone up.
The 2012 Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place October 26, 2012 at the Omni Resort in Broomfield, Colorado and four other members will also be inducted at this time.
Fall is quickly coming, the leaves in Keystone have already started turning, and one of the first things that comes to mind for the fall season (after football) is… Oktoberfest! The River Run Rocks! Concert series is putting their own twist on Oktoberfest this year, with ROCKtoberfest, going on tomorrow afternoon in River Run Village. This event is the perfect Fall kickoff, featuring live music, delicious food, and of course BEER! The music is free and kicks off at 2pm featuring tunes from Redline Radio, Musketeer Gripweed, and even polka music to get into the ROCKtoberfest spirit. Redline Radio is a high energy, top-40 cover band from Denver, consisting of 5 members jamming out on a variety of instruments, including electric guitar, bass, drums, keys and harmonica. Musketeer Gripweed hails from the Fort Collins music scene, self-described as an “American Revival Stomp Shake Ass Holla” band, they are sure to get you up on your feet, moving and shaking! The festival and music run until 7pm and can be followed up with dinner or drinks at one of the many restaurants located within the village, including the Kickapoo Tavern and Wolf Rock Steakhouse. Book a condo in Silver Mill or Arapahoe Lodge and experience ultimate convenience by walking to the event from your condo! Call one of our Vacation Planners to reserve at a great, discounted price!
Other activities to try while you are visiting Keystone include Downhill Mountain Biking, Golfing, Hiking, and enjoying the amazing fall colors that are starting to change the hillsides to brilliant orange, yellow, and red hues! This is a great time to visit Keystone Resort Colorado!
Piggybacking off of the popular ‘Taste of Colorado’ Festival in Denver, The Taste of Keystone has become a well-known and long standing tradition in Keystone and is sure to impress any ‘foodie’. This year the event is in it’s 24th year and is taking place tomorrow, September 2nd in Keystone’s Lakeside Village. The Labor Day Weekend event features live music and amazing food tastings from some of the best restaurants in the country, all based right here in Keystone Resort Colorado. Participating food vendors include Bighorn Steakhouse, Alpenglow Stube, Black Bear Grill, Ski Tip Lodge, Keystone Ranch, Keystone Summit House, pastry chef Ned Archibald, Edgewater Café, Pizza on the Plaza, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Keystone Adventure Center, and Dos Locos. You can expect a nice variety of scrumptious tastings all afternoon at the event. Tickets are just a dollar each and the dishes typically range from just two to five tickets. Examples of the cuisine include the Ski Tip’s char-grilled tiger shrimp with avocado, Olathe corn salsa, cherry tomato and crème fraiche. There’s no better way to grab a taste of the good life!
There will also be a silent auction going on throughout the day, concluding at 2:30 p.m. with the winners announced at 3pm. Proceeds from the auction go to help support Summit County’s Mountain Mentors Program (www.summitcares.org). Tastings and live music, featuring the ever-popular WhiteWater Ramble, begin at 11 a.m on Sunday and run until 3pm. The event is billed as zero waste, meaning all plates, cups and utensils are biodegradable and recycling containers will be available throughout the venue.
Other activities happening in Keystone this weekend include the River Run Merchant’s Tent Sale, featuring huge discounts on both summer and winter items from retailers such as Gorsuch, Christy Sports, Keystone Sports, Kidz Cabin and more. Other resort activities include hiking, mountain biking, paddle boating, stand-up paddleboarding, and golf.
Be sure to check out some of our vacation rental properties in Lakeside Village for your next Keystone Vacation. The views can’t be beat and the location is central to shops and restaurants, activities on the Lake, the paved rec path and the Keystone Conference Center.
Take Advantage of the Free, Professional Epic Mix Photos When You Visit Keystone!
Tomorrow is the FINAL DAY of our Snowcapped Early Booking Sale! 15% Off Ski Season Stays of 3 Nights or More*
This winter has been predicted to be an above average snowfall year and we are prepping for an outrageously awesome season here in Keystone! Keystone Resort is set to open on November 2nd, leaving roughly just 2 months until ski season starts. Prime dates and properties are filling up fast, so it’s a good idea to book now, not only for the best selection but for the best prices! Book your 2012/2013 winter season stay of 3+ nights and lock in last season’s rates, plus take an additional 15% off!*
Why Choose Keystone?
Keystone features world class terrain with something for every skiing or riding level, whether you are just learning or are a black diamond, powder-seeking pro! Just 90 minutes from the Denver International Airport and smack dab in the center of a cluster of other ski resorts, such as Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin, Copper and Vail; Keystone offers a central location with convenience that can’t be beat. Keystone is also one of the few resorts in Colorado that hosts night skiing, meaning you get more bang for your buck. There are also plenty of lodging options in Keystone, whether you want to ski-in, ski-out at Lone Eagle, enjoy private bubbly hot tubs and slope views like those at Chateaux DuMont or just have the convenience of walking to shops, restaurants, and the slopes like you’ll have when you stay in River Run Village. Keystone is also known to be one of the most family friendly resorts, offering activities designed just for kids, such as Kidtopia Kidsfest, the Snow Fort at the top of Dercum Mountain, and every day fun with activities like ice skating, tubing, sledding, sleigh rides and more! You’ll also have access to Keystone’s Epic Mix, which allows users to track their days, vertical feet, earn pins and even have free professional photos taken on the mountain to record EPIC experiences! Keystone really has something for everyone! Call one of our Vacation Planners today and have them help you find the perfect property for your next Keystone Colorado vacation!
Keystone is an amazing place to view Colorado’s Fall Colors!
A few of the leaves in Summit County have already started changing colors, meaning Fall is on it’s way.. and even better, that Winter will be here before we know it! Fall is an incredible time to visit Keystone; the summer crowds have dwindled and it feels as if you have the whole resort to yourself. Many of the restaurants in Summit County offer 2-for-1 deals, making it easy to enjoy a gourmet meal at just a fraction of the price you would normally pay. The temperatures are cool, making it the ideal weather for hiking and biking. Equipment shops start running fall sales to get rid of last year’s equipment, meaning you can receive savings up to 70% off on a new pair of skis, boots, googles, and other gear. The quiet and relaxed atmosphere during the off season is a nice change from the normal hustle and bustle at the resort. You can also visit some of the Fall themed events in Summit County, including Wine in the Pines, Oktoberfest, Fall for the Arts, Fall Fest and more.
Probably the biggest reason to come though is for the Colorado Fall Colors. Keystone is home to Aspens which change to brilliant gold and orange hues, creating hills of gorgeous colors. Although the exact dates cannot be predicted, typically September is the best month to view the colors. There are numerous trails in the Keystone and Montezuma areas that offer superb color viewing opportunities, including the Peru Creek trail and Keystone Gulch area. If you have never tried cross country mountain biking, it is a great way to cover alot of terrain and really submerse yourself in the beautiful scenery. There are many trails that are considered beginner level to get started on. You can also ride your bike up one of the scenic passes such as Loveland or Hoosier. Another way to view the colors is to take a scenic drive on one of the many beautiful roads in Summit County such as Montezuma Road, The Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway over Independence Pass, or the Copper Minturn Loop.
SummitCove is sticking with the 2-for-1 theme and offering A FREE Night, when you buy one night from September 10 until October 31st, at participating properties. Experience the colors from the balcony view shown above at Expedition Station or be tucked away in the woods at Trapper’s Crossing Townhomes. You can’t pass up these amazing prices during your Fall Color Viewing Tour! Take a break from the city life and experience the brilliance and beauty of the Colorado wilderness during one of its most beautiful seasons!
Looking for a fun weekend of arts, culture, great deals, and fall color viewing? Come visit Keystone September 7-9 and attend a variety of events at the 2nd annual Fall for the Arts happening in Summit County. The weekend features over 20 different arts organizations, putting on events and workshops in conjunction with the colorful autumn leaves to bring together a community-wide cultural celebration of the arts across Summit County. Everything from music, visual art, art history, dance, theater, food and kids’ activities will be included in this 3 day celebration of the arts. Many of the activities and events are free and are located throughout the county, including at Keystone and Arapahoe Basin! Don’t forget, Saturday, September 8th is also the last summer session of River Run Rocks! with Redline Radio headlining the free concert in River Run Village.
Keystone Warren Station Center for the Arts is hosting ‘Music in Motion’, a concert featuring the Summit Community Orchestra, The Dercum Center, the Coral Society and CoMotion Dancers. Summit Community Orchestra will be playing Pirates of the Caribbean with kids from the Scale the Summit Music Camp, kids ranging from 8 years old to 18 years old. It’s a night you won’t want to miss! The Art Gallery at Keystone Lake, in Lakeside Village, will be open over the weekend and hosting an art show with work from local artists to coincide with the concert.
Arapahoe Basin
For the first time ever, Arapahoe Basin will be hosting a celebration featuring a clambake, lobster boil and live music event during Fall for the Arts weekend on Saturday, September 8th. The Clambake will feature a huge buffet of delicious food, including clam chowder, mussels, chicken, and all the fix-in’s while you listen to live music all afternoon. Reservations are required.
Breckenridge
The town of Breckenridge and the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance are teaming up to offer free admission at tours at the museums. On Saturday, Art enthusiasts can take a walking tour of 10 galleries during the 2nd Saturday Gallery Art Walk, featuring live artists and workshops. The National Repertory Orchestra is gearing up for a wine and cheese concert at a private home, and the Backstage Theatre will bring books to life in a new program for kid’s ages 5-12. Other activities include a photography workshop, distillery tours, ceramics studio, gourmet cuisine, glass-blowing demonstrations, wine tastings, cooking classes, music and much more!
Silverthorne
In Silverthorne, renowned author Mary Ellen Gilliland will be giving away copies of her latest local history book, “Breckenridge,” at a presentation about “the fun and folksy history of ranching” along the Lower Blue. Friends of the Summit County Libraries present Hare-Raising Tails, a puppet show for families, and Women of Watercolor will display their original watercolors at the Silverthorne outlets, where the Summit Concert Band will also play.
Dillon
In Dillon, the Alpenglow Chamber Music Festival is hosting two public concerts on Sept. 11 and 14 in addition to a private soirees on the 9th. Summit Public Radio & TV presents a classical concert featuring all-local talent on Sept. 9. The Town of Dillon is bringing live music to the Dillon Amphitheater on the shores of the Dillon Reservoir, with the John Truscelli Band on Friday night and Something Energetic Saturday night. Also in Dillon, “Marry Me a Little,” a musical comedy, presented by the Lake Dillon Theatre Company, which opens on Friday Aug. 31. The Summit Historical Society invites guests to experience history at the Dillon Schoolhouse Museum or you can sign up for a historic boat tour out on the Dillon Reservoir on Saturday.
Frisco
Frisco’s newest event, FallFest, will carve it’s way on to Frisco’s Main Street on Saturday the 8th. This all day Main Street festival has something for everyone including art shows, lumberjack shows, farmer’s market, wood carving, and live music. The event celebrates our mountain environment and benefits Friends of the Dillon Ranger District. At the Blue Spruce Inn, Elmer Koneman will give a visual projection tour of 24 opera houses around the world. If you are looking to get creative, The Summit County Arts Exhibit Committee will be painting a mural on the fence next to the Moose Jaw. Be on the lookout for the Mountain Majesty Chorus, a women’s a Capella group, singing along Main Street on Saturday.
This is a great weekend to be in Summit County! Visitors can enjoy plenty of cultural activities, while taking in the beautiful fall colors and taking advantage of lodging deals and 2-for-1 specials at participating restaurants. The final schedule of events for the weekend will be published Sept. 7 in the Summit Daily and can be seen online at www.fallforthearts.org. SummitCove Lodging is offering great deals on condos in Keystone for this weekend, so call us and make your reservation today!
