Keystone Resort Mountain and Terrain
As the largest ski area in Summit County, Colorado, Keystone Ski Resort caters to a broad spectrum from beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers and families across its three peaks—Dercum Mountain, North Peak, and the Outback.
With 3,149 acres / 268 ha of skiable terrain, Keystone is a family-friendly pleasing mix of green open groomers, cruisy intermediate runs, fun bumps, confidence inspiring gladed terrain along with five bowls, and an award-winning mega A51 Terrain Park, there are runs and areas that work for any level skier and snowboarder.
With a longish vertical drop of 3,128 ft (953 meters) and 128 trails serviced by 20 lifts, Keystone has the size and scale to be a wonderful standalone weekly vacation experience or even longer if you are lucky enough to sore extra weeks.
Where to ski and ride if you are a beginner at Keystone Resort?
There are two options to make a start with your skiing or riding. One beginner area is at the bottom of the ski hill located at the Mountain House Base Area near the Discovery Lift and the other is at the top of River Run Gondola on Dercum Mountain. Both areas are designed with magic carpets to get you going safely and progress from there into beginner lifts.
For those of you who can ski and ride the greens, you are going to have days of fun carving up the green runs on Dercum Mountain off River Run Gondola and dropping down Schoolmarm’s rollers and banked turns. About halfway down be sure to take the kids through Riperoo’s forest and ski through his dog house. There are plenty of other greens in and around there also.
Dercum Mountain is the place for beginners and families with weaker skiers and riders.
Top 5 Green Runs At Keystone
- Schoolmarm
- Silver Spoon
- Jaybird
- Ripperoo’s Glade
- Scout
Is Keystone Resort Good For Intermediates?
The answer is a definite yes, as not only are there plenty of blue run options across the three areas, but also many of the blacks, especially the groomed ones are friendly to intermediate skiers so there are almost endless options to choose from for intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
Warm up runs on Dercum Mountain down a groomed Flying Dutchman is a great way to start the day. From there you can lap the Summit Express or jump on the Outpost Gondola, head down Spillway and explore the blues off the Outback Express.
Top 5 Blue Runs At Keystone
- Spring Dipper for warming up
- Frenchman
- Mozart (first thing)
- Anticipation
- Porcupine
What are the black runs like at Keystone?
If you are an advanced intermediate to expert skier there are plenty of areas at Keystone to challenge your skills as well as put a smile on your face. The Outback probably has some of the best lift-serviced skiing and riding at Keystone.
Runs like Timberwolf with its tight trees, Bushwacker with its great views of North Mountain and moguly trees. Badger leads you from open to tighter tress and all roads lead out from there down but you will need to pick your lines. One of the best runs is the Griz which isn’t too steep with plenty of trees.
The South Bowls and also very popular as the South Bowls offer runs like Wolverine and Wildfire.
Cat Shuttle Ride North Peak Or All DayCat Skiing And Riding!
It just might be the best $20 you invest in your whole trip when you catch a ride on the North Peak Cat Shuttle. The cat takes you up into the high alpine bowls of North Peak and into Bergman and Erickson Bowls. You can ski and ride back down North Peak to the lift served areas or hike further afield from there.
Your other option is to book a full day of cat accessed skiing that will take in other bowls.
Top 5 Black Runs At Keystone
- Go Devil
- Two If by Sea
- Bushwhacker
- The Windows
- Diamond Back
Keystones A51 Terrain Park
If you or someone in your group likes having fun in a terrain park, then Keystone Resort has an award-winning terrain park with everything you can imagine across 60-acres and six areas just waiting for you.
To make things even easier, all six areas are accessed by the A51 lift that gives you access to a mind-bending 100 features.
Every day is a new day in the terrain park and it’s recommended you always re-check all of the features before sending it. To stay safe Keystone recommends the following. Start small, Make a plan, Always look, Respect, and take it easy to have a great day!
Other Things To Know About Keystone Mountain Resort
Keystone Mountain has the largest night skiing in Colorado and the terrain that is lit up is family-friendly. The River Run Village is where you ride up and out on the River Run Gondola on Dercum Mountain.
The River Run Village is also a popular place to stay for families as they ski on Dercum Mountain. Keystone Mountain ski resort definitely offers delightful skiing and on-mountain adventures for the whole family no matter your skiing or riding ability level.
On and off-snow activities for the whole family like ice skating in picture-postcard surrounds on giant lakes, sleigh rides, and specialty areas like Dercum Square a snow holiday adventure to Keystone should be on everyone’s must-visit list.
SkiBookings can arrange your lodging, lessons, rentals, and lifts. Keystone is located in the White River National Forest. Use the Keystone EpicMix app for terrain status lift operating hours and interactive trail map.
Keystone Ski Resort Statistics
| Skiable Terrain | 3,148 acres / 1249 hectares |
| Vertical | 3,128 ft / 953 m |
| Top Elevation | 12,408 ft / 3,782 m |
| Base Elevation | 9,280 ft / 2,829 m |
| Average Snowfall | 235 in / 19 ft / 597 cm |
| Beginner Terrain | 19% |
| Intermediate Terrain | 32% |
| Advanced Terrain | 49% |
| Trails | 135 |
| Parks | 1 |
| Winter lifts Total | 20 |
| Gondolas Trams | 2 |
| Chair Lifts | 10 |
| Surface Lifts | 8 |
| Longest Run | 3.4 mi / 5.6 km |
| Mountain Restaurants | 5 |
| Snowmaking | 662 ac (267 hectares) |
| Season Opens | 7 November* (*estimate) |
| Season Closes | 7 April* (*estimate) |
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