Keystone, Colo. — Sept. 19, 2017 — At Keystone Resort, kids have no age limit. It is a place where not only is play the root of all good, but play is for everyone. Keystone is a playground where kids of all ages can discover the magic of playing in the mountains and where grownups can discover that deep down, they’re still kids too.
Located 75 miles west of Denver, Keystone will open for the winter season on Friday, Nov. 10 and will be open through Sunday, April 8, 2018. The mountain playground includes more than 125 ski trails, free family-friendly events, the industry’s-leading kids ski free offer, the world’s largest snow fort, and plenty of on- and off-mountain adventures.
To let those kid flags fly, here are some rule-bending, family-friendly tips for a trip to Keystone Resort:
Use your outdoor voice
And shout from the mountaintops while you’re at it. Keystone Resort is home to more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain including three distinct peaks, five above-tree-line bowls, night skiing and an in-bounds cat skiing program. Skiing and snowboarding are some of the few sports that the entire family can enjoy together, no need to simply cheer from the sidelines.
Kids ski free, no takebacks
Every day, all season long, kids 12 and younger ski for free at Keystone with no blackout dates. Simply book direct with the resort for two or more nights in one of Keystone’s numerous lodging accommodation options, which span from affordable hotel rooms to family-sized condominiums. More than 100,000 free kids’ lift tickets have been provided since the inception of the program in 2012.
Take your coat off and play awhile
Time spent indoors may be minimal, but there is no need to sacrifice comfort. No matter the size of family or budget, the options of Keystone’s accommodations are welcoming. Guests can book lodging now through the end of October for savings of up to 30 percent, with accommodations within walking distance to skiing and snowboarding beginning at $129 a night.
It’s all fun and games. Period.
Kids of all ages are invited. Keystone’s Kidtopia features free activities and events on and off the snow each day of the week for the entire season. The family-friendly lineup includes activities such as a village parade and fireworks, snowball launches, ice cream parties and meeting Keystone’s Ski Patrol rescue dogs. And new for the 2017-2018 season, the Kidtopia Signature Event Series will feature multi-day events with additional activities and family fun.
The Kidtopia Spectacular, Dec. 15-24, marks the first signature event of the winter and kicks off the holiday season with a bounce house party, a mountaintop celebration and lighting ceremony of the world’s largest snow fort. The first-ever Kidtopia Culinary Festival debuts for the 2017-2018 winter, Feb. 9-17, with a savory lineup tailored to the youngest of foodies with cooking demonstrations, chocolate fountains, bakery tours, dessert specials and a celebrity chef event. The Kidtopia Music Experience, March 2-10, is the last of the signature event series and kicks-off the spring skiing and snowboarding season with music-themed fun including rock ‘n’ roll themed parties and the Snow Pants Dance Party, featuring live outdoor music performances from popular kid-friendly acts.
Color outside the lift lines
Keystone is a true winter wonderland. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, guests can enjoy a variety of additional adventures as an entire family. With Keystone’s enclosed River Run Gondola, mountaintop adventures like family snowcat tours, snow tubing and fondue dinners are accessible to the whole family regardless of skiing ability.
Learn your lesson the easy way
Go ahead, get back to school. While it’s more like a day-long recess while playing on a mountain, Keystone’s Ski & Ride School has offerings for kids, adults, beginners, experts and even entire families. Whether just learning to ski or snowboard, practicing new skills, or looking to go on a guided mountain adventure, the professional instructors at Keystone will help guests fully enjoy their skiing or snowboarding experience.
Spoil your appetite
Parents, and younger ones with discerning taste, will be pleased to find that Keystone is home to several top-rated restaurants. High atop Keystone’s North Peak and accessed by two gondola rides are the Alpenglow Stube, providing fine dining at 11,444-feet and the highest AAA Four-Diamond rated dining experience in North America, and Der Fondue Chessel, offering an authentic fondue experience in a true family-friendly environment. The Ski Tip Lodge, originally an 1800s stagecoach stop and once home to Keystone’s founders, features a dinner restaurant that has been voted one of the best in America by OpenTable. The Keystone Ranch, another AAA Four-Diamond rated restaurant located in an original 1930s ranch homestead, offers a genuine Colorado steakhouse with historic charm, in an extraordinary setting.
Ride the little red wagon of life
Hop in. At Keystone, complimentary red wagons can be found throughout the resort to assist with families toting gear, and excited kids, to and from the slopes. Additionally, free parking, including designated family parking spots, greet guests around the resort. Families can take advantage of the family only line at Keystone’s River Run Gondola. These small, yet convenient touches make the ride that much smoother.
Play for keeps
Or, play for fun. However guests choose to play at Keystone, they can be sure it’ll elicit laughter, bonding and life-long memories. For more information, visit keystoneresort.com.
About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading global mountain resort operator. Vail Resorts’ subsidiaries operate 11 world-class mountain resorts and three urban ski areas, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada; Perisher in Australia; Stowe in Vermont; Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan. Vail Resorts owns and/or manages a collection of casually elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning and development subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.