For the local Colorado snowboarder, Keystone is the former scourge of Colorado riders. That day is over brothers and sisters. Your mother's and father's family ski resort has completely redeemed itself. Keystone was one of the last holdouts in the state to allow snowboarding in its resort. Whether for apologies or plain old hard money, or both, Keystone has launched itself head first into snowboarding. Keystone now caters to all levels of rider. We love it all.
Keystone offers the all-mountain rider some of the best natural terrain and trees of any Colorado resort. With an average yearly snow total of 230 inches and proximity to the winds of the Continental Divide, you are almost guaranteed a chance of finding some powder stashes. Wide open spaces are offered for the advanced all-mountain riders on any of the resort's 5 bowls. For the jibber and pipe rider, you will find all levels of features in one of Colorado's best parks known, A51. For the beginning jibber you can check out Freda's Incubator to hone in your skills and move on to Main Street, Park Lane, or I-70. With an 18 foot pipe as well as an Olympic quality Super Pipe, you have all of your bases covered.
Whether you are just trying to get a feel for your edges or get that extra rotation to land your rodeo, the resort offers beginners as well as more advanced riders many opportunities to learn or advance their skills with top notch instructors in Keystone's Ski and Ride School. There are class lessons as well as private instruction all for a reasonable price. These very well trained men and women will have you out exploring the mountains in no time.
If checking out the pros is your thing, you can check out some of the Keystone events such as Superpark which includes the Boarding 4 Cancer Bachelor Auction. If you are feeling generous you just might win a date with the likes of Eddie Wall, Pat Moore and Scotty Arnold. You are bound to catch some pro's in action with one of the Park and Pipe competitions throughout the season.
Keystone is definitely the place to be for riders. Keystone has it all, night riding, sick snow, a top notch park, great tree runs, mild weather, and some of the best Apres-Ski fun in the state. The lift and rental prices are reasonable. Don't forget the sun block, with over 300 days of sunlight, you will need it. Make sure you thank the hard working men and women who shape and groom the parks and pipes. Without them, you would just be riding downhill with nothing to break your skull on. While you're at it, thank the liftees for keeping line order; thank the ski patrol for running down that drunken skier who almost hit that kid. All of these people keep the Keystone riding experience a great one. What is stopping you? Now get out there!
This guide to Keystone boarding was brought to you by Joshua Ikemire.