If you're planning to visit Keystone, you need to know how to get around. As a Summit County local, I feel obliged to tell you that you that you shouldn't trust everything you read online! I discovered a page that said that the KAB Express provides free shuttle service from Keystone to Breckenridge. Well, it used to. About five years ago. However, at present, it only provides local service throughout Keystone.
Transportation routes throughout Summit County have a tendency to change as frequently as our weather, and that's pretty darn frequently. Here's another boo-boo: One website claims that you can take a Greyhound Bus to Silverthorne, and then transfer to our free Summit Stage Bus (970-668-0999). Uh, no. Silverthorne has not been a Greyhound stop for years. If you've ever been to the Silverthorne Transfer Center, you'd know that it's far too small to squeeze in my greyhound dog, let alone a Greyhound Bus. Greyhound (the bus, not my dog) now stops at Frisco.
That said; let's talk about Keystone travel tips. Keystone is served by two main airports: Eagle and Denver. Eagle Airport is significantly closer to Keystone, which leads one to ask, "Why do most people fly into Denver?" The answer is simple. Flights to Eagle, which is close to the upscale Vail and Beaver Creek Resorts, often cost up $400 more than a flight to Denver. However, there is one distinct benefit to flying into Eagle. If you fly in from Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas/ Ft. Worth, and book a night of lodging in the Vail Valley, your boarding pass and lodging confirmation will serve as a free, same- day lift ticket at Vail. While your Vail Valley lodging might be a splurge, there is a distinct benefit. The Vail area is at a lower altitude than Keystone, so you will have a day to acclimate.
There's an enigmatic shuttle bus that runs from Vail to Keystone. It's "enigmatic,' because its schedule changes each year. For 2008, it only runs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The bus departs the Vail Transportation Center at 3:30, and arrives in Keystone at 5:30. The bus from Keystone to Vail leaves at 7:30 AM. The cost is $20 round trip. Please call (970) 496-4FUN to make a reservation and to determine whether or not the shuttle still exists.
Denver International Airport is about one to two hours from Keystone. During high season, the drive can be longer. However, Keystone is closer to DIA than the other resorts. In what Floridian weather people call "inclement weather", either the Eisenhower Tunnel or the Loveland Pass might be closed. Then again, if you fly into Eagle, you might find that the Vail Pass is closed. Although this might be annoying, there is good news: Road closures mean lots of snow at Keystone. You might get there a day late, but the getting will be good!
Some websites suggest flying into Colorado Springs. This option is not so strange when you consider the fact some fares to Colorado Springs Municipal Airport might be up to $100 less than fares to Denver. However, expect a drive of at least two hours. On the other hand, if you are traveling to Keystone in the spring or summer, flying into Colorado Springs gives you a chance to check out this the areas' great sites and attractions, such as Pikes Peak, the Olympic Training Center and, uh, Focus on Family.
Once your flight has landed, you'll need to decide how you will get to Keystone. Rental cars should have snow ties and ski racks. If you would rather not drive in winter conditions, consider Colorado Mountain Express. You can book online and go point to point to the Frisco Transfer Center, or go door to door to your Keystone lodging destination. If you choose option one, you'll need to switch to the free Summit Stage. You will want the bus that goes to Silverthorne. If you're reading this in the winter of 2008, when you reach Silverthorne, stay on the bus. It will turn into the Keystone bus. Booking point to point on the Internet is your least expensive option. However, it has its problems. Skiers and riders going or returning from Keystone will be carrying their gear. If you board the bus with four roller bags, as well as your ski or snowboard gear, there's not going to be much room. Furthermore, the Keystone bus will give you an entire tour of the Town of Dillon before it reaches Keystone. In high season, you might be standing up for a long time. You can still save money by booking point to point and having your skis shipped to your Keystone lodging venue. The other option is to go door to door to your rented condo. It costs more, but it's hassle-free.
Once in Keystone, you won't really need a vehicle. If you turn on Krystal 93, our local radio station, you'll hear the following jingle at least four times a day. "Free transportation to your Summit destination." They're singing about the free Summit Stage Bus, which takes you to all destinations throughout Summit County. Locals pay a higher tax and visitors pay a "vacation tax" so that we can have this bus system, but it keeps drivers from New Jersey and Boston off our roads, so it's worth every penny!
Speaking of driving, if you've had even one drink, don't even think about driving around here. Our police force is pretty strict, and if they smell the slightest bit of alcohol on your breath, they are going to make you recite the alphabet. If you can't do it without using the rhythm of the Alphabet Song, they will give you a citation. Since the Stage usually runs until about 1AM, why ruin your Keystone vacation with a traffic accident or a run in with the police? Besides, the Summit Stage is a great place to listen to local gossip. Have fun at Keystone!
This comprehensive Keystone transportation guide was brought to you by Lisa Marie Mercer.