One of my No. 1 goals when school is out of session is to keep my family outdoors, active in nature and learning. Our recent getaway to Keystone, Colorado, delivered all this in spades. Situated just 70 miles from Denver, Keystone is a world-class skiing and snowboarding mountain that offers an impressive array of on-and-off-mountain activities for every age and every level of expertise. From sleigh rides and ice skating to ski lessons and top-rated restaurants, the whole family can delight in Keystone’s winter majesty.
One feature that distinguishes Keystone from other Colorado resorts is that it affords visitors the opportunity to ski at night on the resort’s bountiful lighted trails. However, you don’t need to ski all day (or night) to have a wonderful vacation in Keystone. Family-friendly activities in addition to skiing and snowboarding abound in this mountain playground.
In addition to a phenomenal variety of winter activities and ski runs, Keystone is only 90 minutes away from the Denver International Airport, and the less time you need to spend in the car, the better. You'll definitely need a vehicle to get around during this vacation and getting one with all-wheel drive will help you manage the snow.
After getting off our flight to Denver, we picked up our car and headed to Gaylord Rockies to stay overnight. This family-friendly resort is a good place to stay before and after skiing. Located just 14 miles from the airport, it’s perfect for families like us who have traveled far and just want to unwind and recharge before driving out to Keystone in daylight.
Winter activities in Keystone are so much fun, and my son had an amazing time snowboarding. If your family is just learning how to ski or snowboard, booking lessons at the Keystone Ski & Ride School is definitely the way to go. Their helpful and knowledgeable instructors made learning a truly fun experience. Lessons are a great way for kids to have a great time and get comfortable with the terrain. They take the stress out of trying to teach someone in your own family how to ski and give parents some free time as well.
Our stay at the Lone Eagle Condominiums was incredible, and we especially appreciated having on-site laundry and a hot tub overlooking the alpine splendor. But what made our stay truly remarkable was being able to ski right into and out of our condo. Ski-in/ski-out accommodations are perfect for families because you’re able to spend less time trekking around and more time on the mountain. And that means a much more memorable holiday.
Lone Eagle had a free resort rental delivery directly to our condo, so we got our boots and ski gear delivered from Breck Sports. It’s a good idea to make reservations and get all your rental gear organized before you travel.
We stayed near Lakeside Village, a lodge area at the base of the mountain that offers an abundance of shopping and restaurants. There are plenty of activities in Lakeside Village for anyone in your family to do outdoors, but not necessarily on the slopes. We had a blast at Lakeside Village ice skating on the picturesque Keystone Lake. Another outdoor activity we loved was the Keystone Scenic Sleigh Ride. Cozying up under wool blankets and seeing the sights from our horse-drawn sleigh was truly magical. And there’s also a game room here if one child doesn’t want to ski as much as the other.
Keystone is also home to an impressive offering of top-notch restaurants and casual dining options. A variety of great places to eat lunch on the mountain and cafeteria-style dining made it easy for our family to refuel and recharge with tasty burgers and pizza. One night, we dined at Ski Tip Lodge, which was once an old-fashioned bed and breakfast. This acclaimed fine-dining establishment is a good place to go for a fancy night out in Keystone if you have a babysitter. We also enjoyed some delicious American fare at Big Horn Bistro, which overlooks Keystone Lake.
When You Go
Colorado Tourism: Colorado.comMargot Black is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at Creators.com. Copyright 2022 Creators.com
