Keystone, CO
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Getting there
If you’re flying to visit Keystone, there are a few airport options:
- Denver International Airport (DEN) – 90 miles from Keystone
- Eagle County Airport (EGE) – 65 miles from Keystone
- Colorado Springs Airport (COS) – 109 miles from Keystone
1 week in Keystone
This trip to Keystone was taken February 5th-11th. It was Harper’s first time seeing snow and all our first time skiing. Cameron started snowboarding when he was 16 and wanted to give skiing a shot. I tried snowboarding for the first and second time in my 30s – I’m not exactly proficient. So why not give skiing a try too?
We flew into DEN on a Sunday morning, got our bags, picked up our rental car, and started the drive to Keystone (1.5 hours, with no stops). On the way, we stopped at Beau Jo’s Pizza in Idaho Springs. You have to try a Mountain Pie!
From Idaho Springs, we drove to the Keystone Nordic Center and took Harper snow tubing. This cute little hill is a great starter for newbies. After tubing, snow angels, and building a snowman, we checked in at Hyatt Place Keystone.
That afternoon, we unpacked, walked across the street to pick up our rental gear, and ordered food delivery to the hotel.
We chose to stay at the Hyatt Place Keystone for a few reasons: (1) We used Chase points to cover the cost of the hotel; (2) Proximity to ski school – we walked every morning; (3) Free storage lockers; (4) Free breakfast; and (5) Laundry on site!
Day 2
With our brains still on Eastern time, we were up early. Harper, Cameron, and I made our way downstairs to the lobby for free hotel breakfast. When we were done, we went back to our room to bundle up for the day.
Harper and I both went to ski school for the morning (her class was way cuter than mine). I had a much easier time with skiing than I ever did with snowboarding. I’m so glad that I tried! After our lessons, we met Cameron and had lunch at Go Big Burger.
With full stomachs and exhausted bodies, Harper and I walked back to the hotel for a quick afternoon Nap. Cameron continued to ski for a bit. We spent the afternoon relaxing, playing at the hotel, and later ordered dinner for pickup from the Mexican restaurant across the street.
Day 3
Day 3 began with our free hotel breakfast and Harper going to her second day of ski school. I braved a few green runs with Cam and our friends. Surprisingly, I didn’t fall once!
We cruised down the mountain a few times and then ventured over to watch the kids. When they were done with their morning lesson, we walked over to the Mountain House Food Court for lunch.
After a little rest, we drove to Lakeside Village to ice skate. I could not believe how much Harper was loving winter activities and ice skating ended up being one of her favorite activities of the week. At the ice rink, you can rent skates, trainers for the kids, and hockey sticks.
That evening, we went to River Run Village for dinner at Rotolo’s and perusing the shops.
Day 4
As with our previous day, we started with a free hotel breakfast and ski school drop-off. This gave the adults a few hours of ski time together. We mostly followed our same routine except for after lunch. Harper wanted to ski more!
Cam and I took her over to the bunny slope. She went up the lift and down the hill more times than I can count. Around 2:30 PM, we finally convinced her to take a break. She and I walked back to the hotel while Cam and his friend went on some more intense runs. When they arrived back at the hotel, the wives swapped and went to enjoy the hotel hot tub.
Day 5
After our hotel breakfast, we drove over to River Run Village for a gondola ride up to the Mountain Fort and tubing! A lot of snow was falling, so we were happy to have the kids doing an activity versus skiing.
Harper LOVED the fort! She went down the ice slide over and over again until it was time for our tubing reservation. The tubing up there was not like our first day of tubing – these hills were BIG! This activity was at the bottom of Harper’s favorites list. It was a little too fast for her but she still did all three runs that we booked.
When we finished our final tubing run, we hopped back on the gondola for lunch at Timber Ridge Lodge. We were looking forward to the amazing views, but the snow was a bit too heavy to see. Regardless, it was a great experience and really fun place to have lunch.
This was our final night in Keystone so I wanted to make it special. I booked a dinner sleigh ride that left from Lakeside Village. After check-in, a bus took us to the sleighs. We were assigned our rows and enjoyed the amazing scenery to the cabin where dinner would be served.
At the dinner, we were served biscuits, stew, steak with veggies, and apple pie with ice cream. All while enjoying the most fun live music. This is an activity that I would book again and again.
Day 6
Packing day. We woke up, had breakfast, packed our bags, and said goodbye to Keystone. The drive back to Denver was gorgeous.
We met a friend at Ester’s for lunch in Denver and then played at City Park. After getting checked into our hotel, we ventured over to Stanley Market. It was filled with great little shops and restaurants! Dinner at Chi Lin was delicious and fun for the kids – they loved the robot cruising around with our entrees.
Day 7
Back to Florida. We woke up and made our way to DEN for our early flight home.
Additional Activities & Restaurants
We loved Keystone so much, that we went back again!
This time around, Harper and I went dog sledding in Breckenridge through Good Times Adventures. It was so much fun! Kids 5+ can participate.
Restaurants: 9280′ Sake House, The Crepe Stand, Mountain Top Cookies (right next door to The Crepe Stand)
