Nothing can be more rustic than staying at a property in East Keystone. This is where it all started back when Keystone founders Edna and Max Dercum owned and operated the Ski Tip Ranch and Ski Tip Lodge. Max and Edna turned an old stagecoach stop into the Ski Tip Lodge which housed the skiers for Arapahoe Basin. The Dercums opened both the Lodge and A-basin in 1946. Max also planned the development of Keystone Resort which opened in 1970. Their old ranch site borders the White River National Forest and is beautifully wooded giving the East Keystone Townhomes the feeling that you are away from the city and tucked into the peace and solitude of the mountains.

There are several lodging options to choose from in East Keystone and these lodgings have maintained the rustic atmosphere of Ski Tip Ranch. The properties here are an affordable option because they are not in the main village but instead a short shuttle drive away. Ski Tip Townhomes surround the Old Ski Tip Lodge which is now one of the premier restaurants at Keystone featuring four course dinners. These are large townhomes that will give your group plenty of space. They also have 2 outdoor hot tubs with a changing room and showers to enjoy after a day of adventure. Trappers Crossing Townhomes are across the road near the Snake River and also have a outdoor hot tub with changing rooms and showers. Settlers Creek Townhomes are just down the road across the Snake River. These large townhomes are furnished with mountain style and have Minnie’s Cabin; a log cabin which has a pool table, fireplace, and big screen tvs. An outdoor pool, hot tub, grill and outdoor fireplace are also connected to Minnie’s Cabin.

There is plenty to do around East Keystone. Enjoy the quaintness and history at the Ski Tip Lodge, ranked as one of the best restaurants in Colorado by Zagat. Rent some snowshoes or cross-country skis and follow the bike path to River Run. You can also drive up to the old mining town of Montezuma ten miles up the road and enjoy a peaceful ski or snowshoe along Peru Creek high up along the Continental Divide. There is also plenty to keep you busy at Keystone Resort. You can take the free Keystone shuttle to enjoy the shops and restaurants of River Run or Lakeside Village. Keystone offers plenty of activities for the non-skier: ice skating on the largest zamboni outdoor ice skating rink in North America, dinner and scenic sleigh rides, snowcat tours, snowmobiling, and the kid’s favorite – tubing.

So even if you are not coming to Keystone to ski, you will enjoy plenty of activities to keep you busy. Sometimes the best way to enjoy the mountains is getting away from the ski crowds and finding the beauty that brought Edna and Max here.