Keystone Resort - Pitstops for Kids

Keystone lodging review: The Springs at River Run Village

March 7, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

During or latest winter Keystone ski trip with kids, we stayed in a two-bedroom condo in River Run’s The Springs. At the end of our trip, my nine-year-old declared it the best ski lodging he’d experienced. Why did he rate it above other ski-in, ski-out resort lodging? Three reasons: 1. the Springs pool, 2. the proximity to the River Run Gondola, and 3. the fact that it’s surrounded by woods.

The Springs is located at the far end of River Run Village, just far enough away from ‘village life’ to be tranquil (with plenty of snow to play in around the building), but close enough that you’re literally two minutes from dining and lifts. I loved the decor of the building, which is accented with lovely wall displays of wildlife, aspen trees, and other nature scenes. The lobby of The Springs features a bubbling creek, which flows outside to the pool area and funnels into the pool slide. The entire building is open, bright, and peaceful.

Amenities:

Our two-bedroom unit included a master bedroom with king bed and bathroom with jacuzzi tub and shower (plus a vanity with two sinks), a second bedroom with queen bed and bathroom with shower and tub, a full kitchen (with full-sized appliances), a roomy living space with couch and fireplace, and an entry with lots of hooks for coats and space for ski boots. We had three flat-sceen TVs in the unit, a large balcony, and lovely wooded views. We wished we had a washer and dryer in our unit; this may have been the only thing lacking.

The kitchen was well-stocked with plates, utensils, pots and pans, and the like. Bring your own coffee (though there is a coffee-maker and filters), plus items such as ziplock bags. Free wifi is in all rooms. Your unit comes with a parking pass for the heated underground garage, should you need it, and all units are assigned a ski locker. From the locker, it’s a one-minute walk to the River Run Gondola.

Located in the lobby is a media room set up to watch movies with stadium seating (first come, first served, though we never saw it used) and a nice toddler and preschool play room. There’s a pool table in the lobby, and space for board games or card games.

Pool and fitness center:

Yes, there’s a full fitness center at The Springs, though when I’m on a ski vacation, I get enough exercise on the slopes! Adjacent to the fitness center (and accessed from the lobby) is the outdoor pool complex. Included is a beautiful free-form heated pool with waterfall and small slide, plus a heated kids’ wading pool with fountains, and two hot tubs. One hot tub is designated as adults-only, but we found both hot tubs to get so crowded, we let the kids warm up where they liked (don’t tell). There’s plenty of seating with tables and lounge chairs in the pool area, plus a BBQ for communal use, though during our trip, it was much too cold outside to utilize either. We loved the gated entry at the back of the pool area, which leads directly into the parking area for the gondola and to the pedestrian bridge to the village; this made for a nice shortcut to and from The Springs.

Rates:

At the time of our visit, a two-bedroom unit was listed for $394 a night (one bedroom condos, which would easily house a family of four were $284). Shop around between River Run lodging options: nearly all buildings have some sort of pool amenity (though not all have slides) and all are in walking distance of the slopes.

Location within Keystone:

River Run Village is definitely our pick among Keystone lodging locations: kids have Kidtopia, the ice rink, the gondola and slopes, and rentals within walking distance, as well as dining options galore. The only time we needed to utilize the free Village to Village Shuttle was to go to Mountain House for Kamp Keystone and Lakeside Village for lake ice skating at the Adventure Center.

Directions:

From Denver, travel west on Interstate 70. Exit at the Silverthorne/Dillon exit #205. At the end of the exit ramp turn left (East) at the stop light onto Highway 6. Travel 6.2 miles into Keystone Resort.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we enjoyed a complimentary stay at The Springs for the purpose of review. Comped stays make it possible for us to provide readers with accurate reviews of kid-friendly properties.

Best of 2014: Best destinations for families you can book now!

December 22, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Every December, we take time to reflect upon the past year of travel, and select five experiences—yes, just five!—that we crown the best of the year. Last year, our top travel experiences of 2013 took us from Alaska to the Caribbean. This year, we’re focusing on the American West and MidAtlantic, showcasing everything from five-star city hotels to cabins. We stand behind these picks as the best destinations for families, 2014.

Best Destinations for Families: our picks from 2014

Experience Grand Teton National Park ‘behind the scenes’:

You’ve heard it from us before: no outdoor tour operation does family adventure better than O.A.R.S. We loved their Rogue River itinerary, so we embarked on their OARS Jackson Lake 2 night adventure confident we’d have an amazing time. What makes it so great? Beyond the near perfect guest service we’ve found consistently with O.A.R.S., the Jackson Lake kayaking adventure allows families to see a new side of Grand Teton National Park. We slept literally in the shadow of the peaks of Grand Teton, hiked to lakes less traversed by car camping families, and swam on the far banks of the lake, inaccessible to anyone without a boat. Check out our full review of the O.A.R.S. Jackson Lake 2 night kayak tour.

Play cowboy or cowgirl for a week:

Also located within the boundary of Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, Triangle X Ranch is has been around for generations as a working ranch and guest ranch. For many, it’s become an annual summer tradition; when we visited, we were surprised to learn that almost 80% of guests are on a return visit. That’s your true review, right there! While at Triangle X dude ranch, we got to ride our personal horses for the week two times per day, hike, relax at the ranch, go on Snake River float trips, and enjoy plenty of family bonding time around the campfires, in the kitchen and dining rooms, and while on the trail. Want to take your whole family to summer camp? This is it. Read our full review of Triangle X Ranch.

Learn US government and history in our nation’s capital:

School-aged kids get so much out of Washington DC! Truth be told, so do parents. I didn’t expect to love our time in the nation’s capital as much as I did; Washington DC is safe, walkable, and family-friendly. Best of all, almost all the attractions you’ll want to visit are free to the public. Many tours do require advanced planning, however, so best get started for your spring or summer visit! We recommend a Club-level stay at Grand Hyatt Washington: it’s a spurge, but also makes good travel sense. You’ll be close enough to the action to walk everywhere, and can eat most meals in the relaxed atmosphere of the club. Read our full review of Grand Hyatt DC.

Step back in time in Gettysburg:

What a sobering, awe-inspiring, and important historical landmark to visit with kids! Gettysburg, PA is a must-do with kids old enough to learn about Civil War battles in the context of US history. We recommend this trip for kids ages 8 and up, and suggest families stay 2-3 days before or after a trip to study more American history in Williamsburg or Philadelphia. The Gettysburg historic battlefield is best toured with a licensed battlefield guide; book one to ride with you in your car for the absolute best experience. Be sure to leave time to explore the town, too. Read our full review of our time in Gettysburg.

Play in the snow in the Colorado Rockies:

Keystone Colorado is arguably the most family-friendly ski resort in the Rockies. It certainly goes out of its way to cater to kids. However, this doesn’t mean Keystone isn’t up to the challenge of serious skiers and snowboarders: behind kid-centric Dercum Mountain, two more peaks await, with steeps and deeps, cat-accessed terrain, and plenty of bumps. After each ski day, Keystone pulls out all the stops, with daily Kidtopia activities geared just for kids 12 and under, weekly parades, and even fireworks displays. No wonder Keystone has been compared to Disney…on ice. Check out our long weekend at Keystone.

Where did your family’s 2014 travel take you? What are your top picks?

Best Ski Towns: an overview of Keystone Mountain for kids

February 10, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

We love Keystone Resort for kids! If you’re planning a Vail area ski trip with children, head to Keystone where kids ski free, kid-friendly programming abounds, and ski village convenience reigns. There’s no better place to start kids off skiing or riding, but if you have expert skiers and riders in tow, don’t worry: so do we, and we found some of our favorite expert terrain and challenging runs at Keystone! Here’s our overview on Keystone Resort vacation planning:

Resort overview:

Keystone Resort is located in Dillon, Colorado in the heart of Vail ski country. From Denver, it’s a two-hour drive (read up on Keystone transportation tips below). Once in Keystone, families find themselves in a sprawling resort including 10 distinct ‘neighborhoods’, with lodging options ranging from vacation homes in the woods to condos in the heart of the villages (yep, there’s more than one). The ski terrain consists of three distinct peaks (Dercum, North Peak, and Outback), with a very orderly system: front Dercum Peak serves beginning and intermediate skiers and riders exclusively, with the terrain getting more challenging the further ‘back’ you go.

Where to stay:

For ski-in, ski-out lodging (for which there’s an abundance at Keystone), families will want to base themselves in either River Run Village or Mountain House. Mountain House offers Kamp Keystone headquarters, while River Run houses Kidtopia (more on both Kamp Keystone and Kidtopia below) and many more dining and entertainment options.

Condo and suite options abound at Keystone. Our pick: River Run Village. All River Run Village accommodations offer ski-in and ski-out proximity, or an easy walk to the River Run Gondola. You’ll need to take the free Village to Village Shuttle to the Mountain House area for Kamp Keystone (or ski there) but everything else is at your fingertips. In River Run, we stayed at The Springs, adjacent to the gondola and steps from dining and village fun (with an excellent pool complex, to boot) but you really can’t go wrong with any of the River Run buildings.

Where to ski:

As noted above, beginners and intermediate skiers will find an entire mountain of offerings on Dercum Peak. The newly opened Schoolyard features on School Marm include terrain features and trails with fun structures to ski through (like mascot Riperoo’s dog house). The H&H Mine (located off intermediate Santa Fe) lets kids ski through mine shafts. The A-51 terrain park is also located on Dercum. Intermediate and advanced skiers and riders will want to progress to North Peak for long, steep groomers and moguls, and finally to Outback Peak for tree runs, powder runs, and steeps.

One of the best features on Keystone for expert skiers and riders is the easy access to hike-able and kat-serviced terrain. From the top of Outback, skiers can wait in line for a kat shuttle, taking them to North or South Bowls for very fun powder runs without long hikes. (There’s also a five minute hike from this point that takes skiers or riders to great tree runs.) You’ll need to be an advanced skier to take advantage of this, and you’ll need $5 to ride the kat shuttle. Be flexible: the terrain is only open after avalanche control is conducted by ski patrol and only when weather and conditions permit. We waited about 10 minutes for our turn on the kat, and noted that advanced Kamp Keystone classes were enjoying the experience with their ski guides.

Tip: Allow 30 minutes or more for traversing between the three mountains: if you’re on Outback and need to get back to the front of Dercum, you’ll need to take the slow Wayback chair, which takes some time. There are no services (i.e., bathrooms or dining) on Outback, so plan time to get back to the Outpost on North Peak. The River Run Gondola and the Outpost Gondola run both directions, allowing you to download, but do close in strong winds.

Where to eat:

River Run Village offers great apres ski fare at 9280 Taphouse and Kickaboo Tavern. Both are kid-friendly, but the livelier bar scene is usually at 9280. New Moon Cafe serves a good, fast breakfast of burritos, breakfast bowls, egg sandwiches, and waffles (and keeps on serving it all day). Rockin’ R Ranch has grocery items in a pinch, though you’ll want to shop in Dillon for most ingredients for food in your condo.

For a nice night out, consider Ski Tip, located adjacent to River Run and the site of the historic beginnings of Keystone Resort. The charming B&B at Ski Tip offers gourmet (and often locally sourced) cuisine. We’ve also had great meals at Bighorn in Keystone Lodge, located in Lakeside Village. If you time your meal right, you can get a great view of the Saturday evening Kidtopia fireworks from Bighorn (which overlooks the lake). Spend a few hours skating, then head over for dinner.

For a truly special night out that’s also decidedly kid-friendly, book a dinner sleigh ride through the Adventure Center (in Lakeside Village). We loved our chilly but serene sleigh ride (complete with cozy blankets) to a remote historic ranch, where we were served classic cowboy fare and serenaded by a friendly guitar player. Kids of any age will enjoy the experience, but note that the event departs and returns to Lakeside Village, necessitating a Village to Village Shuttle ride pre-and post dinner (making for a long night). Kids over age 4 will have the best time (as will their parents).

How to get around:

If you didn’t bring a car to Keystone, no worries: the Village to Village shuttle is free, fast, and easy to use. This shuttle connects guests between Lakeside Village (home of Keystone Lodge), Mountain House, and River Run with ease; we’ve never found need to travel to any other sections of Keystone during our stays.

The drive from Denver International Airport to Keystone is approximately two hours, and we’ve always taken CME (Colorado Mountain Express). This van service should be factored into your transportation budget (check to see if it’s cheaper to fly to Vail from Denver), but after three trips with CME, I’ve found them to be always on time, always professional, and always good to work with. CME will take you directly to your condo registration or hotel registration building, then to your front door.

What’s Kidtopia?

Kidtopia is Keystone’s version of a kid-centric cruise schedule: it includes weekly free activities for kids and families such as scheduled parades, scavenger hunts, firework displays, painting and clay crafts at Kidtopia Headquarters, ice skating with Riperoo, and much more. The Kidtopia snow castle sits at the top of Dercum Peak, in which kids to can stop to play, climb, and slide down icy tubes into snow. You’ll get a Kidtopia schedule at check-in, allowing you to plan what you’d like to do or see. Tip: Kidtopia Headquarters are open most days for drop-in visits to paint or create pottery for a fee. This is a great activity in poor weather, or for younger siblings while older siblings ice skate at the adjacent outdoor rink.

In addition to official Kidtopia activities, Keystone also offers tubing at Adventure Point, which is at the top of Dercum Peak. We love that families can stop to tube in the middle of their ski day (if you’re wearing ski boots, you have to tube solo), or that non-skiers can ride the gondola up for a top-of-the-mountain experience. Make a reservation ahead of time! Ice skating is available at both River Run (on a traditional outdoor rink) or Lakeside Village (on the largest Zamboni-served skating lake in the US). There’s also a Nordic Center and snow biking.

What about lessons?

Keystone’s lessons for kids center around Kamp Keystone, a ski and ride center designed to be a multi-day experience. Kids booked in Kamp Keystone three days or more are guaranteed the same instructor each day, which is kind of a big deal (try getting the same instructor daily at other resorts and you’ll know what I mean). At the end of each day, parents are given a detailed account of their child’s progress, as well as a full report on EpicAcademy. (EpicAcademy is a new feature of EpicMix; with a Vail Resorts’ lift ticket, you’ll get mountain stats, photos, and Academy updates for yourself and your kids.)

Even advanced skiers and riders are taken care of at Kamp Keystone; they offer lessons through level 9. These groups head to the higher peaks of the resort, and often eat lunch on the go at any of the on-mountain dining areas instead of in Kamp Keystone, as most groups do. (Lunch is always included in full day lessons.)

Tip: Depending on the size of your family, opting for a family private lesson may be less expensive than enrolling each child in a group lesson. We love private lessons: usually, up to six people can be on one lesson, and family groups get to dictate where they ski and what they hope to do during their ski day. Instructors not only teach during the day, but also act as excellent guides, showing families parts of the mountain they may miss otherwise. Plus, private lesson parties use the ski school line…a huge savings in time during crowded days. If your whole family (or even just the kids) could use a lesson, but you’d still like to ski as a family, check out private lesson options! (Unlike group lessons, private lessons depart from both River Run or Mountain House from the Ski and Ride School buildings. It’s also possible to meet your instructor elsewhere on the mountain.

Have you skied Keystone? What tips can you share?

The above post is written in conjunction with my partnership with VacationRoost.com. As I disclose whenever applicable, our stay at Keystone was complimentary, for the purpose of review.

Keystone Resort vacation for families: Why ski Keystone with kids

January 17, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Almost all major ski resorts offer family-friendly amenities. However, only a handful are truly family-focused. A Keystone Resort vacation in Dillon Colorado ranks in our top three family-friendly ski resorts (along with sister property Northstar California and Big White Ski Resort). What makes Keystone kid-focused? A combination of programs, conveniences, and amenities, which, when offered in tandem, make for a dream ski trip for kids. Want a taste? Check out our Keystone Resort for kids video! You might find a few of the following kid-friendly features at any resort, but they only exist ‘under one roof’ at Keystone!

1. Ski-in, ski-out village lodging:

Yes, nearly all large resorts offer ski-in, ski-out lodging. But do they include heated outdoor pools with water slides? How about condos with game rooms, media rooms, and toddler play rooms? Everyone offers ski lockers, but at River Run Village, ski rentals, Kidtopia events (more on this below), dining, and daycare are all within easy walking distance as well. We’ve stayed in ski-in or walk-to-slopes lodging in multiple resort areas, and my nine-year-old ranked Keystone’s The Springs as the best for pool and hot tub fun, gondola access, and village access.

2. Kids ski free:

When staying two or more nights in any Keystone lodging, kids 12 and under ski free. No blackout dates, no exceptions, no kidding. We always recommend staying on-site in convenient resort lodging anyway; now, families can save lift ticket cash for a fun night out, a day with demo skis, or a special souvenir. Learn more at Kids Ski Free.

3. Weekly Kidtopia programming:

Kidtopia is a ton of fun, but many families don’t realize it’s on offer. Here’s what you need to know: when you check in at Keystone Resort, look for a weekly Kidtopia schedule. Kidtopia offers various events free to kids, based out of Kidtopia headquarters in Expedition Station in River Run Village. Kidtopia events range from face painting to cocoa with Riperoo (the Keystone mascot) to the weekly Kidtopia parade through River Run Village (every Saturday). Kidtopia headquarters also houses Ready, Paint, Fire, an art studio where kids can paint on canvas or create (and fire) their own pottery. This is a great indoor option for kids not skiing (or when poor weather brings families indoors).

4. Kidtopia snow castle and on-slope ski features:

No kid (or parent) can resist the amazing snow castle at the top of Dercum Peak! Pop off your skis and explore this multi-story snow castle, where kids can crawl through tunnels, slide down tubes, and walk through mazes made of ice and snow. The castle is a great place to take a 10 minute break from the slopes, or if you don’t want to stop, look for the School Yard features along green run School Marm, where kids can ski through Riperoo’s dog house in Riperoo’s Forest, try out small terrain features, and look for short, easy ski trails. For intermediate skiers, our favorite ski feature is the H&H mine, located off blue run Santa Fe.

5. Kamp Keystone ski and ride lessons for all abilities:

Keystone offers multiple Ski and Ride learning options, but kids will want to base their ski school experience from Kamp Keystone, the main ski school center located in Mountain House. Kamp Keystone is unique in that it offers evening activities (for a fee) and—this is a biggie—guarantees your child the same instructor every day (if booking lessons for at least three days). Consistency is key with resort ski lessons (and hard to come by) so enrolling in Kamp Keystone definitely gives kids an edge. Inside Kamp Keystone, kids can play on a replica ski kat or snowmobile while waiting to be registered, and if they need rental equipment, it’s fitted for them in-house (no carrying and confusion required). Abilities from ‘never evers’ to advanced and expert skiers are accommodated; my expert nine-year-old had a great group lesson with kids of his own age and ability. And because Keystone is a Vail Resort, it offers EpicMix Academy, an online record of your child’s daily lesson report, complete with current level (making it easy to migrate to other Vail Resort ski schools throughout the season).

6. Adventure Center and additional activities:

Kids taking an afternoon or morning off from the slopes can go tubing at Adventure Point, take a gondola ride to The Outpost (at over 11,000 feet) for a fondue dinner, take a sleigh ride to a historic ranch, or ice skate on either the Dercum rink in River Run Village or the lake in Lakeside Village (largest Zamboni-served ice skating rink in the nation). All the above activities can be booked directly from Keystone (call the Adventure Center in Lakeside Village), making Keystone a great resort for families with kids of many ages and ski abilities.

Read our Keystone Resort overview for families for dining picks, lodging descriptions, and on-mountain reviews!