News Archive

KEYSTONE, Colo. — December 20, 2012 —Mother Nature provided an early Christmas present for Keystone Resort this week with nearly a foot and a half of fresh snow falling at the Summit County, CO resort. That natural snow, complimented by the resort’s extensive snowmaking system, which has benefitted from very cold temperatures in recent days, will allow Keystone to open 1000 acres of additional skiable terrain for the coming weekend. Skiing and riding will be available on all three of Keystone’s peaks with the addition of The Outback on Friday, with almost 1500 acres of total terrain available by Saturday. Snow enthusiasts will enjoy superb conditions and plenty of room to explore, including significant hike-to terrain in the resort’s North and Bergman bowls. The Holiday cheer will also extend off the mountain, with Keystone’s famous Chocolate Village opening Thursday, a holiday ice show Saturday and appearances by Santa Claus, December 20-24.
 
Keystone will be open with nearly 50 percent of its 3,148 total skiable acres beginning Saturday, and almost 100 percent of its available terrain for night skiing and riding, which is the largest night ski/ride operation in Colorado. Those skiers and riders who enjoy making turns after dark have even more time to do so this season, as Keystone announced all night skiing operations would remain open until 8pm, December 21 through January 5. Skier services, including live entertainment at the Last Lift Bar will be open at the Mountain House Base Area, easily accessible by the Peru Lift. Free parking is available after 2pm at the Mountain House, and The Last Lift Bar provides a great après ski atmosphere. Free transportation to and from Keystone’s River Run Village and other lodging facilities is available nightly from Mountain House. The resort’s mountaintop snow tubing operations will also begin daily operations on December 21 and continue through the end of the season. Night tubing, including Disco and 80s themed tubing under the lights will be available nightly, December 21 through January 6.
 
Skiers and riders of all abilities will enjoy terrain openings this weekend with slopes being added on Dercum, North Peak and The Outback. Keystone’s famed A51 terrain park will also open Freda’s Incubator and 1-70 parks Friday. Freda’s will offer small and beginner-sized features perfect for first-time terrain park users while more experienced skiers and riders will enjoy more than 50 box and rail features and medium to large jumps across I-70, Main Street, Park Lane and The Alley. For those snow enthusiasts not as keen on the downhill thrills, Keystone’s Nordic center is now open for the season, with great conditions provided by more than 18” of snow that has fallen in the last seven days.
With more natural snow is in the forecast for early next week, Keystone will continue to expand terrain, with preparations beginning already on terrain serviced by the resort’s KAT ski operations.
 
Keystone continues to offer one of the best family ski experiences in the industry, bolstered by its new Kids Ski Free offer. Any child, 12 and under, staying two or more nights in a Keystone owned/operated lodging unit will receive free lift tickets for the duration of their stay. Keystone’s offer is as simple as childhood itself, without any red tape or restrictions. There are no blackout dates, giving families the freedom to take advantage of the special deal on weekends and throughout holiday periods, a rarity in the ski industry. Reservations may be made at Keystoneresort.com or by calling 800-328-1323. 

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Media Note
For high-res photos and broadcast-quality video footage, including the latest snow footage, please visit our Dropbox folder at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wcvr41spvmcas0g/PFtjG2Sf6b.

Click the Keystone Folder for an array of photo and video options.

Media Contacts
Laura Parquette, (970) 496-4107, (970) 333-3437, lparquette@vailresorts.com
Tucker Vest Burton, (970) 496-4065, (970) 485-2444, tburton@vailresorts.com