So you know you'd rather spend your Spring Break catching freshies on a wide-open Rocky Mountaintop rather than catching waves on a crowded beach. March in Keystone is one of the finest times of year to visit, with its sunny days and sick corn powder. Even if your budget is more Ames than Aspen, a spring Colorado ski vacation is well within your reach. Resort towns are known for high price tags on everything from beers to board rentals, but these casual spots attract hundreds of ski bums on a budget every season. Read on to discover how to make Keystone work for you.
Why Keystone?
Keystone boasts three mountains, 103 trails, and 2,761 acres of slopes. The mountain is organized by difficulty level, so if you're new to skiing or snowboarding and want to stick with green runs (the easiest), then you can ensconce yourself in the proper zone and get after it. Keystone also boasts night skiing every evening of the week--a fun adventure unique to this resort. Plus, if you tire of Keystone, your lift tickets are good at some other renowned resorts just down the road. Basing your spring ski experience in Keystone is an excellent vacation move.
Getting Here
Getting to Keystone is a straight shot on I-70 west from Denver, Colorado's capital. If you fly into Denver International Airport, you can hire a shuttle company (the Colorado Mountain Express is a popular option) or you can rent a car. It is probably easier to have your own car-some of the best (and cheapest) lodging, bar and dining establishments are outside of the resort's main vicinity. Plus, your Keystone lift tickets are good for entry at Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basin (the locals' favorite) as well. You might want to check out one of these other resorts--they're only about twenty minutes from Keystone and offer a whole new selection of terrain. One vital fact to consider: the local ski traffic from Denver can be horrendous on Saturday and Sunday mornings and evenings, when weekend warriors head out of (and then back into) the city for a day or two on the mountains. Driving into the Rockies at almost any other time of the week is preferable.
Staying Here
A ski-in/ski-out condo right at the base of the lift might sound awesome to you, but it will be the most expensive option. Plus, though the resort manages the properties in Keystone's center, the condos there are independently owned. You're not really sure which one you'll get, and how nice it will be, until you arrive. Most importantly, if you choose a condo in the heart of the resort, you'll be surrounded by tourists and might miss out on the mountain town experience. Your only food options will be the expensive restaurants at the base of the mountain, so not only will your lodging cost more, but also your daily expenses will be higher.
A far better idea is to peruse the privately owned home listings on a web site like Zonder.com. You can scan available condos and houses and select one based on your price range and size requirements. You book directly with the owner, so you can ask questions about amenities and see pictures of the properties. If you do your research, it is possible to find a place for as low as $20-30 per person each night. If you go this route, and have your own car, check into properties in the surrounding towns of Dillon, Silverthorne, and Frisco. These towns are home to some of the more reputable and local watering holes and restaurants, and when you stay here, you're only about ten minutes from Keystone by car. The local government of Summit County does provide a free shuttle service called the Summit Stage, so if you won't have a car, you might still be able to rent a property within the county and enjoy easy access to public transportation. Check the Summit Stage route map or ask your Zonder host about access and convenience of this service from your lodging.
Skiing and Boarding Here
At least seven days prior to your trip, visit http://www.skicoupons.com for the best deals on equipment rental and lift tickets. Depending on the week you visit, you might be able to save lots of money by booking a multi-day pass online. At this site you can also view offers from different local equipment companies, and even click a button to compare rates. Expect to spend around $20 a day for rental gear, and more if you take precautions like wearing a helmet (key for snowboarders, and a good idea for everyone else).
Going Out (and Eating Out) Here
Towns in the Colorado Rockies are famously laid-back--visitors can be offended by lackadaisical service in many restaurants and pubs. Denver locals joke that the air is thinner in the mountains, and the lack of oxygen equals lack of attentiveness. Remember to take it easy and, if possible, adopt this attitude for yourself while you are here. It may not be right, but it is what it is. If you can get over this point, there are lots of fun eateries and bars. Cut costs here, too, by arranging to stay in a place with a kitchen, and stocking up on your favorite eats from the grocery store on your way to the mountains. You can make your own dinners and, even better, pack your own lunches for ski days and avoid the outrageous meal prices in the warming huts (all of these places have a "sack lunch" dining area for people who bring their own). If you are driving through or from Denver, try to visit a grocery in the city before you get to Keystone. You'll probably find a better selection and better prices. However, there are local grocery chains in Keystone and surrounding areas, so if you don't get to it until you're there: no worries.
Remember: securing the best deals might mean an even better experience than the generic trip assembled by a company or resort. Planning and tailoring a unique adventure for you and your friend means you spend less cash and have more fun. Enjoy your spring ski vacation in Colorado!
This travel review was provided by our fabulous snow-sport guru, Lissa Sayer.
We love to save money on the lodging and food, so that we can throw in another day of skiing. We also love to save money on lodging and food so that we can get a nice outfit after the vacation. Or during the vacation. Save cash while enjoying all of the comforts of home on a Keystone condo at Zonder.com.