Back in the 1970s, Keystone was a relatively simple and flat ski area. As such, hardcore skiers and riders tend to give it the Rodney Dangerfield distinction, also known as "no respect." Truth be told, Keystone has evolved into a breathtaking three-mountain behemoth, with terrain that's suitable for novices, cruisers and adrenaline junkies. Its long beginner runs allow new skiers to practice their new skills without the annoyance of constant lift line waits.  Intermediates enjoy the wide open cruisers. Advanced and expert skiers can get their adrenaline fix in secluded black diamond glades, untracked bowls, and bump runs with Volkswagen sized moguls.

If that doesn't impress you, consider the mountain stats:

*3,148 acres
*3,128 vertical feet
*121 trails
*20 lifts including 2 gondolas, 1 express six-pack and 5 high-speed quads
*Night skiing
*Tree skiing

Combine that with 240 inches of annual snowfall, and you have a recipe for a great ski vacation. Keystone is usually one of the earliest Summit County resorts to open. Furthermore, it's open until 9AM till 9PM, in case you still have energy at the end of the day. In fact, from late November to early December, you can enjoy 36 Hours at Keystone, a marathon snow-sliding event for the athletic and energetic.


Dercum Mountain

Some people have compared Keystone's terrain layout to a three humped camel. A large number of Keystone's trails are located on Dercum Mountain, which was named after Keystone founders Max and Edna Dercum. Here, intermediates will think that they've died and gone to heaven. Dercum Mountain has over 50 novice and intermediate trails. Some are three and a half miles long. Many of the trails on Dercum Mountain allude to Keystone's mining history. For example, if you see a trail called Jackwhacker, please get your mind out of the gutter! In the mining era, the burros, also called jacks, were engaged as ore carriers. The miner that drove the burros encouraged their compliance by using a whip, also known as a whacker. Thus, the name "Jackwhacker."  Depending on your abilities, this intermediate/advanced trail may or may not whip you into shape.

When Ullr is in a selfish mood, Dercum Mountain gives Mother Nature a hand with its state-of-the-art snowmaking system. In cold weather, visitors appreciate Dercum Mountain's River Run Gondola. When you reach the top, you'll find the new A51 Terrain Park, which was ranked in Transworld Snowboarding's Top 10 Parks. If you're new to the whole jibbing thing, you might want to start at the Incubator, which is a good preparation for the harder stuff at A51.

North Peak

North Peak is the second "hump" of the Keystone camel. This is where some advanced skiers and riders get their bragging rights. When you get bored with the terrain on Dercum, ski through a tree run called The Windows, or take the Outpost Gondola. North Peak is home to Keystone's famous mogul runs, such as Ambush and Powder and Powdercap. If your knees can't handle the moguls, try the long cruisers, such as Starfire and Prospector.

Outback

When the Outback area was added in 1990, Keystone began to rid itself of its stigma as a "gaper" resort. According the Vail Daily, if you don't know what a gaper is, you might just be one. However, this is not really a bad thing. A gaper is simply someone who is not familiar with the terrain of a ski area, the culture of the ski town and the appropriate way to dress for skiing and riding. (Hint: Don't wear jeans!) In general, gapers don't ski expert terrain, which is what is served in the Outback, along with great steaks. Kidding! A $5 snowcat ride brings you to Outback Ridge, which adds another 600 feet of vertical to the terrain. Call (970) 496-4FUN for details.

Keystone Ski School

If you want to lose your gaper status, consider taking a lesson at Keystone's renowned ski school. While the child and adult lesson are superb, the specialty clinics are spectacular. Keystone instructors are trained by Bob Barnes, author of the Complete Encyclopedia of Skiing. Bob is so dedicated to ski instruction that he offers free, weekly movement analysis sessions to Summit County instructors. If you come to Keystone in December, you will want to enroll in Bob's Boot Camp. This two-day clinic is open to intermediate and advanced skiers. Having skied with Bob, I will warn you that he will challenge all of your misconceptions about skiing. Bob used to teach with the famous Olympic Gold Medalist Mahre brothers. He subscribes to their credo, "If it didn't feel strange, you didn't change!" Listen to what he says, and you will become a better skier!

Aspiring ski divas might want to enroll in Keystone's two-day Betty Fest. These woman's only workshops include video analysis, discussions about nutrition, female-specific concerns and women's equipment.

That's the Ticket!

If you are only spending one day at Keystone, you can find discount lift tickets at City Market and Safeway. However, joining the Peaks Reward program has some valuable perks. Peaks Rewards offers discounted lift tickets, points for future purposes at all Vail Resort Ski areas and resort charging privileges. Instead of carrying cash, simply show your Peaks Rewards card at Keystone cafeterias and restaurants.

A trip to Keystone holds the key to a great ski vacation. Check it out! You won't be disappointed.

This guide to the season's best snow at Keystone was brought to you by Lisa Marie Mercer.