Keystone Resort: Keystone is definitely my favorite mountain in the vicinity. It feels less congested than Vail and the people are a lot friendlier than the Vail.
Keystone Resort is one of my favorite mountains to snowboard. It’s a very friendly mountain that’s very accessible when you stay in the area. There are lifts all along the mountain along with parking lots. Furthermore, there aren’t many pretentious, douchie or bro-ish snowboarders/skiers.
As I wake up in the morning, I look out at the mountain while I have my morning cup of coffee. I’m a little groggy from the night before due to the drinking but that’s nothing my morning coffee doesn’t subdue. Keystone has a nice cool breeze when I step outside to relax on the patio deck of our rental unit at the Enclave at Keystone Clubhouse. It has a nice view of the mountain with the sun trying to get out of the mountain’ shadow.
It’s 7:30 AM. I start to get ready as my friends start to wake up; I unload my board, boots, helmets and snowboarding clothes. I brush my teeth and help out with preparing breakfast. We eat breakfast and start to gear up then load our boards in the cars. I do a little stretch to loosen up my muscles because I know it’s going to be a long day on the mountains and I barely work out these days.
We arrived at Keystone Resort around 9:00 AM. The crowd is starting to form while people get into line for the lifts. We split up into groups and decide which trails to conquer for the day; we choose a meeting time for lunch then get into the line for the lifts. We stockpile into the cover lifts and enjoy the view of the mountains. It’s one of my favorite trips of the year.
I always enjoy my rides at Keystone Resort due to the courteous riders on the mountain. There aren’t any who cut me off and give me the look once they pass me by. I like it a lot more than Vail cause the rides are smoother and the runs are wider than Vail. The snow is a lot softer than Vail and they always groom the runs; Vail is a lot more bumpy and the runs are flatter than Keystone. Keystone Resort has smooth rides on Schoolmarm where I could relax and cruise; actually, all the runs are pretty smooth.
Once at the top, Keystone Resort view is epic as every view on top of every mountain. However, there’s just something a little extra special about Keystone that makes me smile. It’s a must ride when I’m in the area. They have night boarding/skiing and it’s pretty well-lit. It’s a lot colder and I definitely recommend layering up. The wait times are never over 5 minutes cause everyone is at Vail. The Gondola ride is like 15 mins max to get to the top.
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