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 Unlike the panorama you often get when approaching a big resort, a good deal of Keystone's assets are hidden. That's because the resort's second peak, North Peak, is hidden behind the first one, Dercum Mountain (named after Keystone's founders Max and Edna Dercum), and the third peak, The Outback, is hidden behind the second. Get back to either North Peak or The Outback and there are Rocky Mountain panoramas sure to satisfy. Over the past few years Keystone, one of North America's busiest resorts, has made a number of improvements-some would say it's been a transformation-to keep the crowds coming back. Along with yearly upgrades of its snowmaking capacity (which now covers 956 acres) even more important changes, such as the building of River Run Village, should make the resort more attractive. River Run, with its collection of shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and condominiums at the base of the River Run Gondola, gave Keystone a needed focal point. With the rebirth of the Mountain House area, the resort's original locus, as an under-25 gathering point-along with a huge lighted terrain park in Packsaddle Bowl-Keystone has staked a claim for the youth market as a stand-alone group. That said there's plenty of family terrain at Keystone. Long green and blue cruisers wind down from the summit of Dercum Mountain. Further back on North Peak the blues give way to a few more blacks, while way back in The Outback North and South Bowls and the forest below them offer plenty of true black diamond terrain, much of it underused. Keystone has recently added 861 acres of snowcat-accessible bowl and tree-skiing, and has increased its overall vertical another 500 feet. The skiing and riding need not end when the sun goes down, because on most Wednesday to Sunday nights (and other selected dates) Keystone lights 15 trails, a ½ pipe and a terrain park. There are nearly a dozen and a half places to dine around the mountain, with choices ranging from the Bighorn Steakhouse to the more eclectic RazzBerrys, which features grilled trout, regional classics, and live jazz on Saturday nights. Families on the run can check out Pizza on the Run. And if your idea of night life does not include sliding and riding under the lights, Keystone has recently spent a cool million in new bars, clubs, and restaurants. There are 1500 lodging units in seven clusters or villages around the mountain; more choices are available in nearby Dillon and Frisco. Off-Slope Fun Keystone's Nordic Center maintains 16 kilometers of groomed trails and another 57 km of skier-packed trails that run through the White River National Forest. Lessons are available in classic and skating techniques, and snowshoeing. There's a family tubing center, too. Sleigh rides or two-hour guided snowmobile tours can be arranged (you can be a passenger or drive yourself), or take a Yoga class or Wellness Seminar. There are also a dozen tennis courts (day only), available first-come, first-served.
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Ski Report
Colorado
