Keystone

A Home at a Ski Mountain

Keystone is a ski resort. At the base of Keystone Mountain various 'neighborhoods' of primarily ski condos have developed since 1970 when the ski area was founded by Max and Edna Dercum, who had already started Arapaho Basin and who owned Ski Tip Ranch. Ski Tip had served as the lodging for A-Basin since it was founded in the 1940s, but the opening of this new mountain was going to bring far more people to Keystone than the Dercums could feed and house.

Lodging for Keystone Resort quickly developed, starting around the base of the first lift. This core area of Keystone is called Mountain House, after the main warming house, and is primarily condo with great ski-in/ski-out convenience.

From this core, development spread west and north. Wild Irishmen was the next set of condos built in 1971, in what is now thought of as West Keystone. Close to the base area, the west side is mainly multi-story condos, and more of these types of lodging can also be found further west along Soda Ridge and Wild Irishman roads. As the meandering roads of Keystone go farther west, density decreases. The large single-family homes of Keystone Ranch spread out in this more westerly part of Keystone, surrounded by two golf courses. Trails abound and access to the national forest is easy from here, while a resort-run shuttle is all that homeowners needed to get to the lifts.

The neighborhood north of Mountain House, built around the Keystone Lodge and Conference Center is called Lakeside.  This little 'hood stands out because of its big-scale convention services but also for its large-scale lake - a skating rink in the winter.

Across Highway 6 - an area known as North Keystone offers more lodging, tennis and additional convention buildings.  Along the highway are some good, old-school bars that offer great music in the evening and a colorful atmosphere. More mundane services like gas stations can be found here as well.

The area around Ski Tip Ranch, like the more outlying westside, has developed into more of a single-family and townhome neighborhood, and is one of the last areas to be developed close to the base of Keystone Mountain.

In the mid 1990s, River Run Village and the River Run Gondola sprung up between Lakeside and East Keystone (around Ski Tip). River Run Plaza is the site of several seasonal festivals, and any real estate for sale in River Run can brag about prime ski-in/ski out convenience. River Run properties also offer easy access to its ground floor shopping and restaurants. Not bad on access to the national forest and the rest of the county via a resort-wide shuttle and free bus service, either.

History of Keystone

The ski resort founded by Max and Edna Dercum began on Keystone Mountain (renamed for them) and was half-owned by Ralston Purina, the dog food makers.The resort has since grown to three peaks and five bowls. Now, the geographically-largest resort in Summit County, Keystone has more than 116 trails, 15 lit for night skiing, 20 chairlifts, 2 gondolas and more than 1600 lodging units. The restaurant at Keystone Ranch is often named as the best in Summit County, and is just one of 34 restaurants. Newly refurbish, Lakeside includes a five-acre outdoor skating rink, which is the largest zamboni-maintained rink in North America, and its open at night too. So is the A-51, an on-mountain terrain park.

In the 1940s, Max Dercum had been a fire lookout for the forest service in the nearby mountains and imagined that Keystone Mountain would be idea terrain for alpine skiing. He bought the ranch and renovated Ski Tip Lodge, near the base of it. Skiing in the county started up Loveland Pass Road, when Dercum cleared a few runs at what is now Arapahoe Basin, with the help of several French Canadians and Colorado investors. From the one lodge to many, the skiing experience also grew and today Keystone Resort includes the original mountain, which has been renamed Dercum Mountain, the Outback and North Peak. Five other bowls are also part of the skiing experience at Keystone, which includes several run that are lit for night skiing - the only ski area in the county so equipped.

Keystone started as a travelers junciton point, with Ski Tip Lodge as stagecoach stop. It was the end of the line of the Denver & Rio Grande Western railroad which came from Denver, up South Park to Leadville then into Dillon and the mines of Summit County. From Keystone, travelers could make a long, horse-drawn trip to the railroad on the other side of the Continental Divide, which at its most westward extension reached Silver Plume, still about 30 miles away from Keystone over high mountains. Plenty of mining activity was going on all around this town, which is one reason the train came to Keystone, although it came late. Until 1882, the stagecoach was the only option from Georgetown to Leadville and Keystone was an important way station. The Denver, South Park & Pacific (as the South Park Branch of the Union Pacific) in 1884 completed another line from South Park over Boreas Pass into Breckenridge, and to the headwaters of the Snake River, then up Tenmile Canyon to Leadville.

The Snake River begins above Keystone in the mountain valleys around Arapahoe Basin and consolidates its forks at Keystone running along the base of the ski mountain until it empties into the Blue River - a tributary of the Colorado River - in Lake Dillon.

More about Keystone Neighborhoods

East Keystone:

Settlers Creek Townhomes: Quaint, but closely connected to the resort via free in-resort transportation. These townhouses are spacious, great for large families, or groups. High-end kitchens - granite counter-tops and stainless steel - allow your parties to stay in.
Amenities include in-unit laundry, outdoor pool and two hot tubs and access to Minnie's Cabin: a recreational cabin with billiard table, sitting area, fireplace and 60-foot flat screen TV.
Trappers Crossing Condominiums are situated near the Snake River and the White River National Forest with easy access to ski lifts, village activities, restaurants, shopping and more.

River Run Village: Ski-In/Ski-Out, restaurants, shopping, nightlife and seasonal festivals,
Lone Eagle Condominiums
Luxurious Ski-In/Ski-Out accommodations, closest to gondola, with on-premise Heated Pool and only a short walk to all of River Run Village's restaurants, shopping, nightlife and seasonal festivals.

The Timbers
Luxurious Ski-In/Ski-Out accommodations
Indoor/outdoor pool
State of the art lobby
Amenities include sauna and steam rooms, beautiful indoor/outdoor pool, outdoor hot tub, grill and fire pit
Short walk to all of River Run Village.

Red Hawk Townhomes
Upscale property that is secluded, yet steps away from the River Run Village
Short walk to lift access, restaurants, shopping and seasonal festivals
Heated pool, hot tub and fitness center
Amenities include in-unit laundry and high quality kitchens with granite counter tops

The Springs
Short walk to lift access, restaurants, shopping and seasonal festivals
The best of both worlds: secluded, yet steps away from the village
Family and adult hot tubs, heated pool with slide, wading pool for kids, movie theatre, playroom, outdoor area with firepit and grill
Beautiful lobby with fountains and pool table

Jackpine Black Bear Condominiums
Located in the heart of River Run Village
Short walk to lift access, restaurants, shopping and seasonal festivals
Spacious units
Outdoor hot tubs, firepits and grills
Newly renovated lobbies and exercise room
Heated underground parking

River Run Condominiums
Located in the heart of River Run Village
Short walk to the slopes, restaurants, shopping, nightlife and seasonal festivals
Pool and hot tub access
Heated underground parking

Riverbank Condominiums
Surrounded by the beauty of the Rockies, with mountain and wetland views
Affordable lodging within walking distance of the River Run Lifts
Sun deck with fishing access
Amenities include exercise room, vending & ice machines

North Keystone:
Keystone Center, Keystone Convention Center, the fire station, some employee housing and a few single-family homes in the neighborhoods called Sonne and Loveland Pass Village, and primarily towhomes and condos like:

Tennis Townhome Condos,

Sanctuary at Keystone
Quaint and peaceful, but closely connected to the resort via private in-resort shuttle
Spacious units are the most recently built in Keystone, featuring high-end kitchens and finishes
Great for large families, or friends that feel like family
Amenities include in-unit laundry, private garage, private hot tub and grill

Quicksilver Condos

Sts John - near tennis

Antlers Gulch Townhomes - on the western entrance

Mountain House
Key Condo (easterly near forest)
Walking distance to the slopes
Most affordable accommodations with closest access to lift
Walk to skier services, including: ticket offices, ski rental, child care, and Ski and Ride School
Close proximity to the Snake River
Amenities include indoor pool and outdoor hot tub, and clubhouse with sauna, and sitting area with TV

Ironwood Townhomes (easterly near forest)
Multilevel, premium townhomes
Walk to skier services at Mountain House: ticket offices, ski rental, child care, and Ski and Ride School
Enjoy two private decks with an outdoor hot tub, and a grill perfect for barbequing
Amenities include in-unit laundry, a jetted tub in master bathroom, and a private garage

Chateaux DuMont (near mthouse mainlodge)
Walking distance to the slopes
Spacious Units
Close to skier services: ticket offices, ski rental, child care, and Ski and Ride School
Amenities include in-unit laundry and hot tub

Slopeside Condominiums (near mthouse main lodge)
Walk to the slopes
Most Budget-friendly accommodations with access to lifts
Close to Skier services - Lift tickets, Ski and Ride School
Heated underground parking
Community deck - perfect for grilling
Access to Snake River

Gateway Mountain Lodge (east near Hwy 6)
Close to River Run Village
Steps away from a convenience store, liquor store, restaurant and spa
On shuttle route, short ride to River Run Ski Lifts
Budget-friendly
Amenities include Indoor pool and hot tub, underground parking, on-site laundry facilities and ski storage

The Inn at Keystone
Walk to the slopes
Spectacular views from rooftop hot tubs
Dog Friendly
Complimentary hot breakfast buffet included in stay
Budget-friendly

Hidden River Lodge (westerly near hwy 6)
Nestled along the Snake River
On the shuttle route and within walking distance to the slopes
Access to the recreation path
Hidden River Lodge lobby area complete with billiard table, fireplace, and workout equipment
Amenities include heated garage and two hot tubs

Lakeside Village:
The Seasons (near forest)
Secluded alpine ambience, and closely connected via free in-resort transportation
Walking distance to Keystone Lake
Access to hiking trails and bike path
Spacious units with open floor plans
Amenities include a club house with hot tub, fire pit, changing rooms and steam room

Keystone Lodge and Spa (westerly in village, near hwy 6)
Full-service hotel with spa, exercise facility, ski storage, restaurants and a bar
Alongside the beautiful Lakeside Village
Private ski shuttle to the slopes and to Keystone's two championship golf courses
Valet parking
Free ski check at base of River Run
Fast Pass to skip lift lines at the gondola prior to 10am

Lakeside Village Condominiums (near hwy6)
Located beside the beautiful Keystone Lake
Family-friendly village with nearby recreation and restaurants
Steps away from the Adventure Center where you can rent ice skates in the winter, and bicycles and boats in thesummer
Short shuttle to the lifts

West Keystone:
Forest Condominiums (nearest hwy6)
Quaint, but closely connected to the resort via free in-resort transportation
Surrounded by the beauty of the Rockies - Snake River, aspens, spacious lawns
Spacious units
Heated pool and hot tub
Budget-friendly
Access to hiking at the gulch trailhead

Soda Springs Townhomes (south of forest most west)
Quaint, but closely connected to the resort via free in-resort transportation
Spacious units
Recreation building with heated pool and indoor hot tub
Amenities include an outdoor pool and in-unit laundry

Northstar Townhomes (south and east of above two)
Secluded alpine ambience, but closely connected via free in-resort transportation
Spacious multilevel units with open floor plans
Great for large families, or friends that feel like family
Amenities include private heated garage and in-unit laundry
Access to Soda Springs recreation facility

Starfire Townhomes (just east of Northstar)
Quaint lodging in a wooded area, and closely connected to the resort via free in-resort transportation
Spacious units with open floor plans
Large decks and hot tub access
In-unit laundry