Keystone is one of the highest resorts in the world and does a great job of catering for almost every taste. Its very similar in character to the nearby area of Breckenridge and it's almost, if not quite, as good. Believe it or not, it wasn't until the 97/98 season that owners Vail Resorts finally granted snowboarders access to the mountain.
The only skiing group it doesn't host all that well, are those beginners who really can't handle anything above the level of a green run. If you come here as a learner skier you will have two options: 1- progress onto the blue runs; 2 – ski the same run over and over and over. Keystone isn't exactly without mellow terrain, it's just without really mellow terrain. Piste lovers though will find that the standard of grooming here is excellent which makes a lot of the runs seem slightly easier than they otherwise might.
Intermediate skiers should really really enjoy a large selection of blue runs, but these unfortunately don't extend right to the top of the mountain. There are, though, some really good yet slightly easier black runs (like “Cat Dancer”) which might enable you to get your first steeper runs under your belt.
Advanced skiers have got a lot of choice on this ski hill .There are some really good tree lined runs on the lower half of the mountain, some of which are refreshingly steep and tight. The best skiing for experts though, is definitely on the upper part of the mountain, above the tree line. Here there are vast open bowls and ridges which have plenty of rolling terrain features and drop offs to hurl yourself off. Really really good. Terrain park facilities at this resort are good, but not as good as the ones at close neighbour Breckenridge. If you aren't used to the standard of parks in North America though, this one will certainly blow your mind.
Recent years has seen the establishment of one of the USA's largest cat skiing operations at the top of Keystone resort. From the top of the lifts, the snow cats can take you to the top of the ridge which spans across the mountains. 'Surely its way too expensive to be worth bothering with', you say. Actually it's pretty reasonable at $5 cash per ride and if you can afford that small fee you will buy yourself a really really amazing run down the mountain. Its almost worth the trip just so that you can try the cat skiing.
Keystone is a great fun place to be so long as you're not a complete beginner. Its probably the cheapest of the resorts in this area, yet still seems to be suitably suave and classy. I would recommend this place to my friends, but I personally prefer Breckenridge because the park is just a little better. Almost forgot to mention that Keystone has by far the most extensive night skiing in the Vail resorts area.
