Keystone Resort Winter Tip Sheet 2025-26
DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF THE MOUNTAINS
Keystone is a winter wonderland with more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain across three peaks and five bowls. From night skiing, snow tubing and the World’s Largest Mountaintop Snow Fort, to ice skating, sleigh rides and more, there’s snow much fun to be had from sunrise to sunset. Families love Keystone’s Kids Ski Free program! Kids 12 and younger can ski and ride for free every day, all season long with just two or more nights of lodging booked through Keystone Resort. Convenient touches like free parking make getting to the slopes of one of Denver’s closest ski resorts even easier. Plus, skiers and riders can start winter early at Keystone with the resort slated to open as soon as possible in October.
START YOUR WINTER AT Keystone
Dust off your gear and get ready to carve fresh corduroy in October! Thanks to Keystone's state-of-the-art automated snowmaking system, Keystone aims to open as early as possible to kick off the winter season. With snowmaking technology that senses temperature and humidity in real time, the resort is able to efficiently take advantage of early season weather windows and crank out snow at every opportunity to open terrain faster. With Keystone planning to start the season in October and Breck closing the season out in May, these Epic Pass resorts provide a whole winter season of fun, exploration, and family time with one of the longest combined ski seasons in the country.
KINDRED RESORT: NEW LUXURY LODGING & AMENITIES STEPS FROM THE RIVER RUN GONDOLA
Keystone's River Run Village is getting a major upgrade this winter with the highly anticipated debut of Keystone's premier luxury development: Kindred Resort. Kindred will feature ski-in, ski-out residences, a RockResorts-branded hotel with upscale rooms offering Dercum Summit views, and incredible amenities just steps from the River Run Gondola. There's a lot to be excited about, including features new to Keystone such as a year-round heated pool with patio cocktail service, four new dining options including a refined sushi and Asian fusion restaurant, valet parking, valet ski and bike storage, and a high-end full-service spa. Kindred Resort will also become the Keystone Ski & Ride School's new home base, and resort retail and rental shops will be available so guests can gear up and get out without ever stepping outside of the resort. Upon opening, Kindred will reaffirm Keystone as one of North America’s great mountain resort destinations.
THE MOUNTAIN THAT GROWS WITH YOU
Keystone Resort is home to three distinct mountain peaks that grow with your skillset – Dercum Mountain, North Peak, and The Outback - with a front-to-back progression and layout.
- Dercum Mountain: If you are a beginner, or looking to warm up your legs, Dercum Mountain is a natural first stop. Dercum offers a variety of learning, beginner, and intermediate terrain, the majority of which is groomed regularly. Never-evers can start on the Endeavor carpet to learn skills at the summit at over 11,000 feet with endless views of the surrounding peaks. When you’re feeling confident, work your way up to Schoolmarm, Keystone’s signature Family Trail that offers a gentle pitch from top to bottom for nearly 3.5 miles of green terrain.
- North Peak: When you’re ready to kick it up a notch, make your way to intermediate and advanced runs on North Peak. With never-ending, continuous groomers, long rides, and leg-burning bump runs, you’ll push your skills further. Explore North Peak’s wide open high alpine terrain by lapping Bergman Bowl with the recently added Bergman Express for an introduction to above-treeline terrain. These runs are best for experienced beginners or intermediates interested in leveling up to natural terrain and quickly changing conditions, all with expansive views and challenges. Bergman Express also provides incredible access to some of Keystone’s most advanced terrain in Erickson Bowl, and to the secluded Independence Bowl for a far-out experience (get ready to hike!) all while staying inbounds.
- The Outback: Keystone’s tallest and farthest peak is for those looking for more natural and rugged terrain. Think tree runs, rocks, and off-piste adventures. Just a short hike from the top terminal of the Outback Express, North and South Bowls offer secret stashes and untracked lines for skiers and riders willing to work for it.
From mild to wild, there’s fun in every wedge, carve, and jump at Keystone.
FIND YOUR FUN WITH EVENTS FOR EVERY FAMILY
This winter at Keystone, events bring endless opportunities and ways to play with your #KeySquad. All your favorites return for another year, while new offerings bring even more fun to the table.
*NEW* Snow Fort After Dark, select evenings
Sunset is just the start! Keystone’s NEW event series starts this season with a cosmic twist on the World’s Largest Mountaintop Snow Fort. Keep the on-mountain party going after dark with night skiing, music, and stars over the slopes on Dec. 27, Jan. 31, March 14, and March 28.
*NEW* BOEC Day of Inclusion, Dec. 19-20
The Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) celebrates 50 years of adaptive snowsports this year! Keystone Resort hosts a Day of Inclusion with community, special First Tracks, a parade on snow, and a party at the Mountain House base area.
NYE Celebration, Dec. 31
Ring in the New Year with night skiing and fireworks under starry skies.
*NEW* Keystone Military Winter Games, Feb. 7-8
The Keystone Military Winter Games brings military members and veterans from different branches together in friendly rivalry to compete in a variety of challenges to win bragging rights and snow sports glory.
Women in Powder, Feb. 21-22
This weekend is about empowering women, embracing the joy of winter sports, and creating a supportive, fun-filled environment where you can challenge yourself and celebrate the mountain lifestyle. Whether you’re looking to improve your skills, try something new, or simply enjoy time on the slopes, you’ll leave feeling confident and connected.
National Brotherhood of Snowsports Annual Summit Celebration, Feb. 28-Mar. 8
The NBS returns for its second consecutive year at Keystone for more competitions, themed parties, great food, and even better company.
Peaks & Beats, Mar. 21-22
Celebrate spring with FREE live music in River Run Village, music acts TBA!
Keystone Pride, Mar. 28-29
A ski parade, dance parties, and more? Say less! Keystone Pride returns in partnership with Mountain Pride for its third year.
Springtastic Celebration, April 4-5
Celebrate the season with a classic pond-skim SPLASH!
ICE SKATING, SNOW TUBING, AND SLEIGH RIDES, OH MY!
Keystone offers a whole bunch of ways to play in the snow! High atop Dercum Mountain, Keystone offers its signature Snow Fort, up to eight lanes of high-speed snow tubing action, and the best views in Summit County. In the valley below, go dashing through the snow aboard a horse-drawn sleigh to an original Keystone homestead where hot beverages around a campfire await. Take a spin or practice your best triple axel ice skating on the 5-acre Keystone Lake. And, for those that want to forego the chairlifts, the Keystone Nordic Center boasts 10 miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing, skate skiing and snowshoeing.
Looking for some rejuvenation after a hard day of play? Relax in the newly refurbished Alpenglow Spa, where you can take your pick of massage treatments, facials, or even the spa’s unique isolation tank!
With so many adventures to choose from, you can find your fun at Keystone and create memories beyond the slopes!
COZY UP BY THE FIRE OR FEAST ON THE FLY
From an international food hall in the high alpine to fireside desserts at a cozy cabin, Keystone offers everything from quick bites to multi-course dining experiences. Take a break from laps on the Bergman Express to dine at the gorgeous Timber Ridge Lodge on North Peak and enjoy beautiful, 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks. Or, take a step back in time to the days of Keystone’s founding at the Ski Tip Lodge, an old 1800s stagecoach shop that was transformed by Max and Edna Dercum (two of Keystone’s founders) into a bed and breakfast. Today, the Ski Tip Lodge still offers lodging, and whether you’re spending the night or simply enjoying its delectable prix fixe menu offerings for dinner, you’ll enjoy one of the finest dining experiences in all of Colorado.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to flash your Epic Pass and take advantage of Epic Mountain Rewards, which includes 20% off all on-mountain dining.
Kids Ski Free Makes Keystone the Place to Be
Easy on the wallet, easy on the rules, easy to get on the mountain! Keystone’s long-standing Kids Ski Free program has been providing kids with free lift tickets since 2012. Kids 12 and younger ski for free at Keystone with no blackout dates when families book just two or more nights through Keystone Resort. Lodging accommodation options span from affordable hotel rooms to family-sized condominiums. Book your lodging through KeystoneResort.com for details!
*NEW THIS YEAR* EPIC FRIEND TICKETS FOR PARTY LAPS WITH THE WHOLE CREW
Pass Holders with an Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Epic Military Pass, Summit Value Pass, Keystone Plus Pass, and most of Vail Resorts’ other season-long passes will receive 6-10 Epic Friend Tickets, depending on when they purchased their Pass. Epic Friend Tickets provide 50% off lift tickets at the company’s 37 North American resorts for the 2025/26 winter season. Plus, friends can also apply 100% of the cost of one redeemed Epic Friend Ticket toward an eligible 2026/27 Epic Pass – providing double the savings. More details on Pass options for the 2025/26 season are linked here.
SKI & RIDE SCHOOL
Starting this December, Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek Resort, Keystone Resort and Breckenridge Ski Resort will be launching a new technology in the My Epic app that takes Ski and Ride School to the next level. With innovative new features, parents and students can easily check in for lessons, receive real-time updates and photos, track progress, and celebrate milestones and skills with digital badges, all from the convenience of their phone.
HIT THE SLOPES WITH THE ULTIMATE GEAR MEMBERSHIP
Take advantage of the brand-new My Epic Gear, a gear membership service offering direct access to over 60 of the latest ski and snowboard models from 13 leading brands, offered slopeside right from Keystone’s Mountain House and River Run Base Areas. This first-of-its-kind membership combines the luxury of owning high-quality gear and the convenience of premium slopeside service, so you can spend less time hauling rentals to the slopes, and more time carving turns.
Stay connected
Visit KeystoneResort.com for terrain updates, snow reports, lodging deals, event details and the lowest-priced lift tickets guaranteed. Stay connected socially by following @Keystone_Resort on Instagram or Facebook.com/Keystone.
Media Contacts: Sarah McLear, sarah.mclear@vailresorts.com | Emily Kowalenko, emily.kowalenko@vailresorts.com Max Winter, maxwell.s.winter@vailresorts.com