A First-Timer's Guide to Keystone, Colorado

Keystone is one of the most relaxed places to spend a Colorado mountain vacation. Instead of one historic Main Street, it is a resort community spread out along the Snake River at the east end of Summit County, with a big ski mountain on one side and a lake village on the other. It is a favorite with families, and it is only a short drive from Dillon, Silverthorne and Frisco.

If this is your first visit, here is how Keystone fits together and what to know before you arrive.

Where Keystone sits, and how high it is

Keystone is at 9,280 feet, and the ski terrain climbs well above that. Most visitors drive up from Denver along I-70 and over to US 6, arriving the same day they leave home, so the jump from sea level happens in a single afternoon. Plan an easy first day: drink plenty of water, take it slow on your first runs or hike, go easy on alcohol, and get a good night's sleep. Talk to a doctor about any medical questions before you travel.

River Run, Lakeside and the rest of Keystone

The first thing that surprises new visitors is that Keystone is not one town center but a handful of neighborhoods connected by roads and shuttles. The two you will hear about most are River Run Village and Lakeside Village.

River Run Village sits at the base of the ski mountain and is home to the gondola, ski school, shops and restaurants. It is the busy heart of Keystone in winter and the starting point for most summer adventures on the mountain.

Lakeside Village wraps around Keystone Lake, a short way down the valley. It has a quieter feel, with lodging, restaurants and the lake right outside the door. Many condos and homes are tucked into the woods between the two villages and along the river.

Getting around

Keystone is easy to explore without driving everywhere. The resort runs shuttles between its villages and lodging areas, and Summit County's free Summit Stage buses connect Keystone with Dillon, Silverthorne, Frisco and the rest of the county. Routes and times change between seasons, so check the current schedules when you arrive.

Arapahoe Basin, one of Colorado's highest ski areas, is a short drive up the road toward Loveland Pass, and Breckenridge and Copper Mountain are easy day trips.

Winter in Keystone

Keystone's ski terrain spreads across three connected peaks: Dercum Mountain, which rises right above River Run, North Peak and the Outback. Dercum has plenty of gentle runs for beginners and families, while the back peaks offer longer, quieter terrain for confident skiers. Keystone has also been known for night skiing on select evenings, so check the current season's schedule if you would like to ski under the lights.

Off the slopes, Keystone Lake freezes into a large outdoor skating rink in winter, with skate rentals nearby. Families will find kids' activities and events at the base areas through the season, and there is plenty of room for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the surrounding forest.

Summer and fall in Keystone

In summer, the gondola keeps running for sightseeing rides, and the mountain turns into a lift-served bike park and a network of hiking trails with views across Summit County. Down at the lake, visitors can rent paddle boats, kayaks and paddleboards for a slow afternoon on the water.

The paved Summit County recreation path runs from Keystone toward Dillon and Frisco, making it easy to bike or walk between towns. In September, the aspens on the hillsides around Keystone turn gold, and the quieter shoulder season is a lovely time to visit.

Where Keystone fits in your trip

Keystone suits a ski week with kids, a romantic winter getaway, or a summer stay built around the lake, the trails and the gondola. It feels calmer than the bigger resort towns, yet everything in Summit County is close by.

If you would like recreational oxygen during your stay, Peak Oxygen delivers in-home and portable oxygen concentrators to lodging in Keystone and across Summit County. It is for recreational use at altitude and no prescription is needed. Deliveries do not require you to be present. See our Keystone oxygen rentals, check prices and availability, or call us at (970) 368-9190.