Keystone Resort, a renowned ski destination in Keystone, Colorado, has a rich history intertwined with winter sports and recreational activities. Owned and operated by Vail Resorts since 1997, Keystone boasts three mountains and five bowls, offering diverse terrain for skiing and snowboarding.
Keystone Resort in Colorado. Source: Wikipedia
Early Days and Development
In the 1940s, Max Dercum, a former forestry professor and ski racing coach, and his wife Edna settled on a ranch outside the village of Keystone. Max's vision led him to file mining claims for land around an alpine cirque, with the dream of developing a ski area. Keystone ski area operates on National Forest System lands under a special use permit from the Forest Service. The 30-year special use permit assigns to the permit holder only a portion of the bundle of rights normally associated with real estate ownership.
The 1984 Land and Resource Management Plan and 2002 Revision established the final expanded boundary perimeter for Keystone Resort, including the eventual expansion of developed skiing onto Independence Mountain.
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Expansion and Improvements
North Peak opened for skiing in 1984, featuring seven trails serviced by two triple chairlifts. As part of the expansion, a second base area was opened at River Run, with a gondola running all the way to the Summit House. In 1990, Keystone entered the detachable industry, constructing two high speed quads to replace aging lifts on Dercum Mountain.
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In 1991, Keystone opened an expansion into the Outback, located beyond North Peak. Doppelmayr constructed three new lifts to service the expansion. In 1997, the Erickson triple chairlift on Dercum Mountain was replaced with a new Doppelmayr high speed quad, named the Summit Express. In 2000, the original Ruby (then Teller) lift was removed and replaced with a high speed six pack. In 2008, the River Run Gondola was replaced with a new gondola, with its base area terminal moved to a new location across the river.
For the 2017 season, Keystone built their second high speed six pack, bringing in Leitner-Poma to replace the Montezuma Express lift. In 2021, Keystone completed the upgrade of the Peru Express lift, replacing it with a high speed 6-passenger chair.
The Teller Lift Incident
On December 14, 1985, the upper bullwheel of the Teller Lift disconnected from the main gearbox shaft, resulting in dozens of lift riders being thrown from their chairs onto the slope below. Two riders were killed and an additional 47 were injured. Faulty welding was blamed for the accident. The lift was rebuilt by Yan as the Ruby Lift, free of charge.
Keystone Lake Ice Rink
Among the winter activities, Keystone Lake Ice Rink stands out, offering beautiful Rocky Mountain valley views and amenities. The skating fees are affordable, and it's free for seniors and children under four.
Benefits of Ice Skating
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Beyond Skiing: Summer Activities
During the summer, visitors to Keystone Resort can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, fly-fishing, whitewater rafting, paddle boat and standup paddle board rentals, and mountain biking. Keystone Resort is also home to two 18-hole championship golf courses, The Ranch and River Run. The Ranch course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Tips for Enjoying Ice Skating
To make the most of your ice skating experience, consider the following tips:
- Safety First: Always ensure the skating area is supervised, especially on natural ice surfaces.
- Take Lessons: Group lessons can help master the basics and build confidence.
- Wear a Helmet: Protect your head with a helmet.
- Get Good Skates: Invest in a decent pair of skates that fit well and provide good support.
- Dress Appropriately: Wear thin socks, athletic wear like spandex leggings, and layers to stay warm.
- Tame Your Hair: Keep long hair tied back to avoid obstructing your vision and balance.
Keystone, Colorado is 10,804 feet above sea level and is the pinnacle of United States winter recreation locations.
In February 2025, the Keystone Ski Patrol union reached a new agreement with Vail Resorts.
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