Keystone Winter Activities - Skiing, Snowboarding and More
Keystone is Colorado's premier FAMILY resort. Whether it's a tranquil sleigh ride, an exhilarating session on the tubing hill, an evening of ice skating, or a cruise down immaculately groomed slopes, most resort activities can accommodate all members of the family together. Please review this list of available Keystone and Summit County activities and then follow the links provided for additional information.
Keystone Colorado Skiing. Keystone is Summit County’s largest ski area (3150 acres) with something to offer for all ability levels. But it’s known first and foremost for family-friendly skiing:
1) Over 1600 acres of blue and green runs. Review trail maps at Keystoneresort.com under Ski and Snowboard heading.
2) An abundance of groomed runs (including Schoolmarm, the longest green run in Colorado—three miles long).
3) Five dedicated kids skiing areas (like Ripperoo’s Forest) with lots of cartoon characters and other brightly decorated diversions to keep the small ones excited about skiing. Go to KeystoneResort.com under Activities, then Kidtopia to see the Kids Trail Map.
4) Exceptional children’s and adult ski schools at both the Mountain House and River Run Village. (Go to KeystoneResort.com for more details.)
5) The largest night skiing operation in Colorado (open until 8:30 PM), which allows parents to put children in a full-day lesson and then pick them up afterwards for plenty of private skiing as a family when there are far fewer skiers on the mountain. A Night skiing map is also shown under the Ski and Snowboard heading at KeystoneResort.com.
6) The Area 51 Terrain Park (popular with teens and young adults). Not only is Area 51 ranked among North America’s best parks (over 100 jumps, rails, and jibs, plus a 22-foot superpipe), but it’s also open at night. If you’re coming to Keystone with teens, it’s not going to be a challenge to keep them occupied (skiing from 9:00 AM until 8:30 PM) . . . and exhausted. Be sure to have the younger family members review the videos, photos, and other information on Area 51 under the Ski and Snowboard heading at KeystoneResort.com.
7) Tubing Hill—Most popular tubing hill in Colorado (just a short free gondola ride from River Run Village to the top of Keystone Mountain). Five parallel runs with dedicated rope tow to pull you and the tube back to the top. Take a camera along—this is probably the one Keystone activity the family will most want to reminisce about until the next ski trip.
8) Snow Fort—A massive new ice-block fort the kids can climb through, then slide back to ground level. Parents occasionally allowed . . . with a permission slip from the child. Located at the top of Keystone Mountain (close to the gondola terminal). Nice way to take a 30-minute break from skiing or tubing for something totally different.
9) For the more adventurous there are also 1500 acres of advanced runs (about half the ski area), highlighted by Keystone’s new snowcat operation (KAT skiing) in three remote alpine bowls (at 12600 foot elevation, which assures prime conditions).
10) Advanced skiers can also access additional expert runs at nearby Arapahoe Basin (5 minutes away by shuttle or car), North America’s highest ski area (known locally as The Legend).
11) And if those aren’t enough options, the interchangeable Keystone lift ticket will also allow you to access (at no additional charge) even more adventures at Breckenridge, A-Basin, Vail, and Beaver Creek. It’s not uncommon for skiers to spend the day at another resort, come back to Keystone for a quick dinner, then head out again for an evening of night skiing (included with the same lift ticket), a show in the terrain park on the big jumps or superpipe, or a few runs down the world-class tubing hill.
Ice Skating. Keystone offers North America's largest Zamboni-maintained ice skating facility in Lakeside Village. Open 10AM-10PM daily. Five-acre site, hockey rink, and full range of equipment rentals (skates, toddler sleds, hockey equipment, etc.). Ideal site for family photos or just for spending a memorable evening together. For more information call 800/354-4386 (Keystone Activity Center).
Sleigh Rides. Take a peaceful ride along a scenic trail to a remote site for a gourmet dinner. Several options:
Keystone Ranch (right in the resort). 800/354-4386
Alpine Adventures (Montezuma--6 miles up the road east of Keystone. 970/468-9297
2 Below Zero (Frisco Nordic Center (15 minutes west of Keystone). 970.453.1520
Breckenridge Stables Sleigh Rides (20 minutes south of Keystone). 970.453.4438
Nordic Sleigh Rides 970.453.2005
Eagles Nest Equestrian Center (10 minutes north of Keystone). 970/468-0677
Snowmobiling. Snowmobile tours are an ideal way to take a break from skiing or just to experience the great Colorado outdoors. This is one activity kids will not have to be convinced to enjoy. There are many places around Keystone to rent your own snowmobiles or to take guided tours.
Keystone Snowmobile Tours 800/354-4386
Good Times Adventures 970/453-7604
High Country Tours 970/668-9945
Breckenridge Snowmobiling 970/455-4040
Aspen Canyon Ranch Snowmobiling 970/725-3600
Nova Guides 719/486-2656
Tubing & Sledding Hills. Adventure Point, located at the summit of Keystone Mountain (one free gondola ride away), offers tubing fun for all ages! Even grandparents too wise to take the plunge will enjoy experiencing the excitement of all the kids (but may want to look away when the teens take their kamikaze runs). Adventure Point is known as Colorado's premier tubing hill (5 parallel runs--with rope tow for easy return to the top).
Hours: 12:00 PM -4:00 PM; PLUS 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM on all Night Ski Days!
Tickets for all activities can be purchased at the Adventure Point ticket office (top of the mountain) daily from 8 AM to 8 PM. Advance reservations are available by calling 970/496-4386.
Area 51 Terrain Park. Popular with teens and young adults. The park is divided into three separate sections (Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert) so each person can develop skills at the individual's own pace. Not only is Area 51 ranked among North America’s best parks (over 100 jumps, rails, and jibs, plus 2 halfpipes), but it’s also open at night. If you’re coming to Keystone with teens, it’s not going to be a challenge to keep them occupied (skiing from 9:00 AM until 8:30 PM) . . . and exhausted. See more details, photos, and a Night Riding map at keystoneresort.com under Winter Activities.
Dog Sledding. This is rapidly becoming a real favorite among our guests (summer and winter) and it's both exciting and educational for kids. This activity allows even non-skiers to tour remote mountain areas, pulled by a team of hard-working Huskies. A guide will stand in back to control the team . . . but they will allow passengers to take turns "at the wheel" when the terrain is appropriate. Even in the summer it's a great adventure for the family to visit the kennels, meet the dogs (and puppies), then ride on the summer dog carts to experience the sheer power of these phenomenal animals.
Snow Caps Sled Dogs 970/453-7855 Snowcapssleddogs.com
Alpine Adventures 719/486-9899 Alpineadventuresinc.com
Good Times Adventures 800/477-0144 Goodtimesadventures.com
Kat Tours. Keystone Adventure Tours offers an exclusive way to travel above the tree line to 12,000 feet for 360 degree views not usually seen by skiers. Travel in a heated snowcat for a full-day tour in the independent bowls. Lunch is provided in a warming hut catered by the five-star Alpenglow Stube. This is limited to expert skiers and riders only. Call 800/354-4386 for reservations. More information at KeystoneResort.com.
Nordic Center. Keystone's Nordic Center is located at the River Golf Course (just off Highway 6 at the Keystone entrance). Here you can enjoy a variety of activities including:
Old-fashioned tubing (walk up and slide down).
9 miles of groomed cross-country trails, with additional access to more than 35 miles of nearby packed trails through the White River National Forest.
Guided peak-to-peak trek on snowshoes (24 hour advanced reservation required).
Full Moon Tour
There is a Rental shop and information center located here for your convenience. The Nordic Center is Open daily from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. For more information please call 970/496-4275.
Silverthorne Rec Center. Info and photos at Silverthorne.org. 970/262-7370
430 Rainbow Drive, Silverthorne CO 80498 (7 minutes from Keystone just north of I-70)
The Silverthorne Rec Center has a wide array of activities for users of all ages. Four heated indoor pools, three with water slides (super slide, intermediate slide, and toddler slide). The facility also has a full range of workout equipment (cardio and free weight rooms), drop-in fitness classes for all ability levels, a large gymnasium, indoor running track, racquetball courts, two hot tubs, steam room, sauna, and other amenities. Child care is available while parents are using the facility. Free wi-fi in the lounge area. Very affordable with 15-punch or 25-punch family passes.
Child Care.
Keystone Child Care & Nursery (ages 2 months to 6 years old). Located next to the Silvermill shuttle stop in River Run Village. Sign up online at KeystoneResort.com under "Plan a Trip." 970/496-4181.
Summit Sitters--Will come babysit in your unit. 970/513/4445 See more info at resortsitters.com
We offer a variety of Keystone lodging options, including vacation homes and condos. We have 1-9 BR affordable to luxury rentals. Join us!