Keystone, USA
Freeriding
Keystone's three peaks are easy to roam between, and well-differentiated in terms of pistes and steeps so that groups of differing abilities can ride the same chair comfortably. Dercum Mountain is the main peak and can often be overcrowded with beginners and squirrely intermediates, so those in the know head to the North Peak or the newly expanded Outback for fresh tracks, steeps and beautifully executed mogul runs. There's steeps and glades for everyone in the Outback, especially in the area below the North Bowl. Another favourite for experts, though it does get tracked out and moguled-up, is the Windows.
South Bowl
Photo: Steve, WSG
The mountain now boasts three bowls with Independence (North and South) making a trifecta along with Erickson and Bergman -- all three of which afford steeps and deeps and nice rollers for riders. The glades in the Outback are some of Colorado's best and are not too well-trafficked; one of the best things about Keystone is that even when it's busy there is space to play.
Some of the most fun advanced runs can be found under the Santiago Express lift, while those picking up a board for the first time can feel like a hero making laps under the Argentine chair.
Freestylers
Voted by Transworld Snowboarding Magazine as one of the Top Five parks in North America, Area 51 is a smorgasbord of jibs, rails, boxes, ramps, kickers and walls.
Beginners learn the basics in the Incubator, before getting ready to join their more experienced friends hit more than 30 rails of varying degrees of difficulty and a 400-foot super pipe with walls that climb up to 15 feet in some places. The big bucks Keystone has shelled out to improve the park were worth it - Area 51 is now three times its original size, featuring a snow-bowl and a 50-foot flat bar, and an impressive night riding system that keeps people jibbing 12 hours a day.
Area 51 kicker line
Photo: Steve, WSG
Pistes
Grooming is a big deal at Keystone, with some beginner runs groomed twice a day to ensure Colorado Corduroy enough for all. Start with a screamer down Frenchman on Dercum Peak, then head over to the North Peak for a rolling good time down Anticipation or Prospector. In the Outback, Lodgepole is a sure winner, even on boilerplate days.
Beginners
Most of the beginner runs are clumped together on the front side of Dercum Peak, which can make for a busy slide at the end of the day, but a lesson or two with one of the resort's award winning teachers can get even a novice into a confident heelside turn. The Peru Express lift is a great spot to learn how to link turns and is in the sun for most of the day.
Resort Statistics
Resort Type:
Alpine
Winter: Nov to April
Summer: None
Lifts
Total Lifts: 20
Gondolas: 2
Chair lifts: 12
Drag lifts: 1
Other lifts: 4 magic carpet
Max people per hour: 35,175
Board Leashes required: Yes
Mountain
Total pistes/trails: 121
Total ride area: 3,148 acres
Longest run: 3.5 miles (5.6km)
Top lift: 3782m
Vertical drop: 953m
First lift: 2829m
Piste suitability
Green runs: 19%
Red runs: 32%
Black runs: 49%
Lift Passes
| Low Season | High Season | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | GBP | Average | USD | GBP | Average | |
| Day Pass | 93.00 | 61.42 |
77% |
93.00 | 61.42 |
61% |
| 6-Day Pass | 378.00 | 249.63 |
56% |
378.00 | 249.63 |
35% |
| 6-Day Linked area Pass | 378.00 | 249.63 |
46% |
378.00 | 249.63 |
24% |
| USD | GBP | Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season Pass: | 378.00 | 249.63 |
-53% |
Lift Passes:
*note that all passes are good at Keystone, Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basin*
Lift times:8.30am to 8.00pm
Snowfall
Average annual snowfall: 584 cm
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 20%
Facilities
| USD | GBP | |
|---|---|---|
| Days Rental of Board & Boots: | 35.00 | 23.11 |
| 4hr Group Lesson (full day): | 93.00 | 61.42 |
| 4hr Private Lesson (full day): | 415.00 | 274.07 |
Snowboard Schools:
Full day group lesson 90$ half-day 80$
Beginners 101$ *(includes restricted lift access)
Burton Women's learn to ride clinics 90$
Full day private lesson (1-6 people) 560$
Half day private lesson (1-6 people) 390$
Snowboard Hire:
Mountain House Base Area or River Run Village locations (970) 496 - 4619
Night Riding: :
From Jan to March, on wednesday to Saturday.
River Run Gondola and River Run Mid carpet open until 8pm and Summit Express and Area-51 terrain park open until 6pm
Other activities
Heliboarding: :
CAT boarding available but you'll need to be able handle youself. They run daily 10am-2pm $75 . You can also pick up the Outback Shuttle CAT to save some hiking. Tel: 970-496-4386 (4FUN) to reserve a space
Snowmobiles:
Yes
Further information
An award winning terrain park and expanded bowls make Keystone a snowboarder paradise
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ON THE SLOPES: Really good
OFF THE SLOPES: A little too family orientated
MONEY WISE: Reasonable. It's no Vail or Aspen but it's still got some hefty price tags.
HALFPIPE:
Yes - 1 Floodlit
TERRAIN PARK:
Yes - 2
BACKCOUNTRY/OFF-PISTE:Yes
TREE RUNS:Yes
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Snow forecast
Weather for Thu 17th:| Morning | Afternoon | Night |
 clear |
 rain shwrs |
 some clouds |
| Total Snowfall | |
|---|---|
| top | 0cm |
| mid | 0cm |
| bottom | 0cm |
| Powered by Snow-forecast.com |
Webcams
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Adventure Center Opening
Location: KeystoneMay 25, 2012 - May 25, 2012The Keystone Adventure Center will inaugurate the summer season by opening Friday, May 18th. Check out our new rental fleet of adult and kids bikes, or go for a paddleboat tour of Keystone Lake while ... -
Fishing Derby
Location: KeystoneMay 28, 2012 - May 28, 2012 Everyone wins with a Free Fishing Derby for kids 13 and under. Bring the whole family to cheer and enjoy a beautiful morning on the lake with raffle prizes, BBQ and live music following the event. ... -
Keystone Ranch Golf Course Opening Day
Location: KeystoneJune 01, 2012 Keystone Ranch Golf Course will open for weekend play June 1-24; Daily June 28 - September 30 Challenge yourself and take your game to a higher level on this classic mountain golf course. Winding ... -
Bike Park Opening Day
Location: KeystoneJune 15, 2012 Bike Park Opening DayJune 15, 2012 Location: Keystone Time: 10:00am - 7:00pm Add to iCalendar/Outlook Get ready for exciting mountain biking action at the Keystone Bike Park. The infamous Drop ...
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Weather & conditions
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Keystone Resort Snow Report - 0 inches new - 4/17/2012
New Snow in last 7 days: 1 inchSnow Conditions: Mountain ClosedToday's Forecast: Snow BaseMid-Mountain: 0 inchesLifts Open: 0 of 20 - Runs Open: 0 of ...
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Piste Map
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