Best Places to Ski in Colorado: Why All Ages Love Keystone

Perched on the edge of a perfectly groomed run, I paused, taking in the expansive view that stretched before me. The snow-capped peak of Breckenridge, Colorado, off to the distance pierced the clear blue sky on a day that was meant to be gray and filled with snow. The soft whoosh of snowboards and skis carving paths down the mountain blended with the hum of voices, this being spring break, and the mountain was filled with families. It was my first time back on skis in nearly a decade, but here I was, standing beside my now 21-year-old daughter, board strapped firmly to her feet, sharing a wide, eager grin at discovering a new ski resort together.

After years of hitting the slopes while she was little — Breck, Stowe, Jackson Hole, Whiteface, Aspen — this was the first time it was just us: mother-daughter. And the first time we were skiing together as two grown women. The sun-filled days continued for our entire 4-day weekend in Keystone, and the Summit County resort was the perfect place to reignite our shared passion for winter sports.

Why Keystone is Among the Best Places to Ski in Colorado with Kids

Keystone Resort Terrain

Keystone’s appeal lies not only in its size but in the diversity of its trails. Owned by Vail Resorts and the third-largest mountain in Summit County after Breckenridge and Copper Mountain, Keystone provides 3,148 acres of skiable terrain and more than 120 trails across three distinct peaks: Dercum Mountain, North Peak and the Outback.

Our adventure began at River Run Base Area, Keystone’s lively heart. The gondola had a 45-minute wait at its 8:30 am opening, which moved quickly but made us wish we had signed up for the 7 am First Tracks offered on Friday mornings. But once we made our way up the mountain, it was entirely possible to stay in the hills and connect to less-crowded ski lifts and gondolas, including the Montezuma Express, which took us to mid- and upper-mountain runs.

It also connected us to Summit House, Dercum Mountain’s high-altitude dining hall, but we preferred to grab a bite at the Timber Ridge food court, located at the top of North Peak and accessible via the Outpost Gondola from the top of Dercum Mountain. A short green run, Quandary, connected us to Bergman Express, which took us more than 12,000 feet for the best views of Keystone Resort and her surrounding Rocky Mountains.

For Sophie and me, tackling the wide, welcoming runs of Dercum Mountain was a way to get my ski legs back, with Schoolmarm, the resort’s longest green trail, offering 3.5 miles of a scenic gentle descent. The mountain is also home to Kidtopia Snow Fort, a large-scale snow structure with slides, mazes and towers all made entirely of snow. Although Sophie is now a college student, she couldn’t resist climbing in it.

During a run where Sophie, much faster than me, headed back to River Run, I mistakenly followed a turn that released me at the Mountain House Base Area. The beginner-friendly area is home to several ski school programs and a children’s center I would have missed if I hadn’t made a wrong turn. I could have taken Peru Express to get back to Schoolmarm, but after the long run I decided instead to hop on one of Keystone’s shuttles between the bases, which run every 15 minutes and also connect guests staying at nearby lodging to the slopes.

River Run Base Area, with its plentiful indoor and outdoor dining options, remained our base, especially as the resort was featuring a Peaks and Beats live music weekend event. Bands took to the outdoor stage to add even more energy to the already thriving atmosphere, and the plentiful free parking was where we stored most of our gear. Even the parking lot was lively with many people setting up music-filled tailgate breakfast gatherings before the slopes opened.

Keystone Lodge & Spa

Our home base for the weekend was Keystone Lodge & Spa. Known for a rustic atmosphere, the decor of this 4-star lodge, like most in the area, uses natural wood and stone to echo the surrounding landscape. Our room was pretty traditional with two queen beds, a couple of chairs, an armoire and a desk, but it was comfortable, warm and surprisingly quiet. (We were just feet from the elevator and lobby and couldn’t hear a thing!)

Dining at the lodge included dinner at the Bighorn Bistro & Bar, which celebrates Colorado cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. While the lodge doesn’t feature a sit-down breakfast, it does offer the Lakeside Deli, providing sandwiches, cereals, yogurts, fruit and coffee beverage — plenty good for grabbing something quick before heading to the slopes.

The lodge’s Adventure Center was also our meeting point for a special sleigh ride dinner. Boarding a bus for a 15-minute ride to Soda Creek Valley, we hopped on a rickety red wagon sleigh drawn by two massive draft horses, smaller than Clydesdales but larger than typical horses. With a couple of cowboys as our guides telling us about the White River National Forest, we rode to an original homestead in Swan Mountain, now part of the national forest. Inside an authentic cabin, we joined other diners at polished wooden picnic tables for a skillet steak dinner (vegetarian options were available for Sophie) while a local musician strummed her guitar and led guests in singalongs, with young children so excited they danced in the aisles. The evening ended with another sleigh ride, this time under a blanket of stars as well as buffalo plaid blankets to stay warm.

Although Keystone Lodge & Spa had an outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub just within our balcony view, we were too exhausted every night after such full days on the mountain. As its name implies, the resort also offers a spa with 10 treatment rooms. Guests receive complimentary access to its indoor hot tub, eucalyptus steam room, dry sauna and fitness center, with traditional spa services available for purchase.

New Luxury at Kindred

While waiting for the gondola at River Run, we couldn’t help but notice the new construction right next door. Turns out the development known as Kindred Resort will open by next ski season and plans to redefine Keystone by becoming the area’s first 4.5-star hotel and residences.

Its strategic placement means ski-in/ski-out privileges for guests of both its 107-room hotel and its multi-bedroom residences that will include rental options. The amenities are slated to be exceptional with a world-class spa, fine dining restaurants, an outdoor heated pool and even a heated grassy lounge that will stay green even in the dead of winter. The interior accommodations will be outfitted with high-end finishes, state-of-the-art appliances and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows providing Rocky Mountain ski slope views.

Anyone planning to visit Keystone next ski season will want to look into this property, which provides a ski and ride school, rentals, storage and valet, along with a kids’ club, a signature private club and a full-service spa.

The property will also be connected to the River Run Base Area with all its shops and dining options. Inxpot was our spot for coffees and sandwiches when we wanted to beat the traffic and skipped the hotel deli; 9280’ Sake House was our après ski bites and brews place of choice; and the Crepe Stand was our savory dessert go-to.

One place we wished we could try was the Alpenglow Stube, a fine dining adventure accessible via a gondola ride. Sitting at an elevation of 11,444 feet on the North Peak, it’s one of the highest fine dining restaurants in North America and is renowned for sophisticated dishes like elk carpaccio, truffle-infused soups and decadent chocolate fondue. The restaurant is temporarily closed, so we elected to try dinner at the next best high-end spot, Keystone Ranch, which occupies a building dating back to the 1930s. Tip: Order the special Grand Marnier souffle when you order your meal to give chefs time to prepare this signature and delicious gooey dessert.

A Year-Round Destination

Although we visited Keystone Resort in ski season, the destination is meant for year-round family fun. The same lift-serviced trails that provide access to skiers and boarders caters to hikers and mountain bikes in the summer, with the Bike Park popular for its drops and high-speed runs. Of course, the gondolas provide scenic rides and breathtaking views even in the summer and fall, with a Friday Afternoon Club on top of Dercum Mountain featuring live music and fun activities.

Keystone Lodge’s lakeside view happens to make it an excellent base for fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding on Keystone Lake, and horseback rides into White River National Forest are another way to get around when the snow melts. The town itself is packed with events all year, including family-friendly wine and beer festivals, concerts and art shows.

As our weekend at Keystone drew to a close and I left my daughter behind to finish her year at Colorado University, I made a mental note to return to Keystone during the warmer months to sample the snowless adventures.

Getting There and Around

The closest major airport to Keystone is Denver International Airport, located about 90 miles east. Renting a car or hiring a service will get you to Keystone in about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions. (Avoid the Loveland Pass as it’s extra windy and often requires snow tires/chains during winter months.)

Once in Keystone, the Summit Stage offers free public bus service throughout the county, and Keystone Resort provides complimentary shuttle services that connect various parts of the resort and lodging areas, making it easy to get around without a car.

Families Should Know

Although my daughter enjoyed Keystone as an adult, the resort’s Kids Ski Program allows kids 12 and under to ski free when parents book two or more nights at Keystone or any other Vail Resorts-owned property. Reach out to the CB Travel Advisor team for booking help.

Relevant Links:

Browse all ideas for family-friendly ski vacations in Colorado in Ciao Bambino

See our favorite Colorado destinations for skiing and more

5 reasons we love skiing in Colorado with kids

From toddlers to teens: Best family ski resorts for all ages

The 8 best ski resorts for spring break

How to choose the perfect family ski resort

Photos by Lissa Poirot except where noted.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.