Keystone: Work all day, ski all night
Want eco-friendly events?
The Keystone Lodge & Spa (part of the Keystone Resort & Conference Center) offsets 100 percent of its electrical use by purchasing wind energy certificates. Its resort kitchens, The Keystone Ranch Restaurant kitchen and the kitchen at the Keystone Conference Center all compost food waste with wood shavings to create soil used to landscape the resort. Other eco-friendly initiatives include the use of environmentally preferable cleaning products, extensive recycling programs and the integration of local and regional food and beverage products.
Want scenic activities?
A mountaintop snowcat tour (capacity: 12 per vehicle) gives attendees tours of Keystone’s backcountry without requiring them to strap on skis. On a clear day, they’ll get a stunning view of the Continental Divide. Two high-speed gondolas can take groups from Keystone Village to the top of Dercum Mountain, or to the North Peak and the Outpost. The Outpost also is accessible by gondola from the River Run Village. During the winter, scenic sleigh rides depart from the Keystone Ranch in West Keystone; during warmer weather, attendees can take a wagon or trail ride. Keystone Lake offers ice skating during ski season, and canoeing or kayaking during the off-season. There are two championship golf courses, both of which have spectacular views of the White River National Forest.
Want active adventures?
The largest night skiing operation in Colorado keeps slopes open past 8 p.m. Keystone’s bowls also offer tubing, snowshoe and biking trails. Hiring a Keystone Adventure Tour guide is an option if you have a small group of expert skiers. The guided tour will take skiers through the backcountry terrain of Independence Bowl and includes a catered lunch.
Want group dining?
The Edgewater Café overlooks Keystone Lake; the casual restaurant is open to the public for breakfast and lunch, but may be available for private functions. Six-course dinners featuring wild game and local cuisine are a hallmark of the AAA Four-Diamond Keystone Ranch restaurant, which is in a 1930s ranch house. From June to September, attendees can take a wagon ride to the Soda Creek Homestead for an old-fashioned cookout. Alpenglow Stube is a AAA Four-Diamond Bavarian restaurant on the top of North Peak. On-mountain dining also is available at Labontes Cabin and Outpost Lodge. Restaurants in River Run Village include the Wolf Rock Brewing Company and Paisano’s Italian Restaurant.
