Keystone, CO - anything interesting?

ChrisC

ChrisC

Well-known member
I get to go to the ski retailer demos at Keystone this year in early Feb.

However, I will not be demo-ing skis everyday and will have a down day. Is there any terrain worth seeking out? Or should I just shuttle up to A-Basin? There looks like there might be some interesting terrain in areas.

I have no transportation, so driving is out of the question.
 
As always, it depends on what you are looking for. From a lift serviced point of view. I love the tree skiing in the Outback. There are alot of fun runs out there, it just takes a while to get back there. Also, when The Windows is open on the back side of Dercum Mountain, I've had a blast there. I've only been to A-basin once and didn't see much of it so I can't do a good comparison of the two.
 
I generally avoid Keystone personally - for a number of reasons. My slightly overgeneralized view of the hill is this: Frontside to be avoided at all times as it's not very interesting, scratchy and super over-crowded (same with the handful of runs leading back to North peak from top dercum mtn), North peak has a handful of runs with decent pitch and can be OK for a few runs (usually groomed or small bumps in this area), By far the best of Keystone is the Outback area and skiing some good steep tree lines - or if your into it, hiking the bowls above the lift, though unless a power day, they really are not that steep so not really too worth much hiking IMHO.

If Abasin can get another foot or so of base between now and your trip, the new Montezuma bowl might start skiing good and eliminate some of the hidden rocks... (if so, it alone would probably be better than Keystone in my opinion).

Also, Summit County has free bus service throughout the county so even without a car you can get to Breck or Copper too, though it would be a slower trip than going direct to the various areas with your own car. But you can get where ever you want.
 
I have not skied Keystone in many, many years.

The hike-to bowls looked a little interesting. Wondering what the reality is?

I am only at Keystone for 2 days. And demo-ing one of these 2 days. I think Keystone is a poor choice of area for higher end skis, but I will see how this all goes down. Why manufacturers agree to demo their product there is a little questionable.

map.wintertrail0607.jpg
 
It's been like 2-3 years since my last day at Keystone myself. South bowl not really worth it (not very long or particularly steep), North bowl might be worth a trip or two, but I only ever go partway up the ridge, not the full hike. Bergman and Independence are newer bowls for Keystone and probably better, but then look at the size of the hike, at altitude. 1mile+ hikes like that will get you only a couple of runs total for the day at best...

Some day Keystone might put a surface lift up there, but until then it's so long of a hike that they can get away with charging a ton of $$ for snow cat service (on top of the expensive lift ticket cost).

But then, I should let someone else chime in as I'm just not a fan of Keystone.
 
Since you have the one day on Keystone, I would go somewhere else for the other one. A-Basin is the logical choice, but it does need more snow.

My guess is that because of the affiliation transportation to Breckenridge may be more convenient than Copper, and maybe your lift ticket is good there too. I like Copper as a better overall ski area, but I haven't seen the new Imperial Bowl. That and Horseshoe alone should make a day at Breck more worthwhile than a 2nd day at Keystone IMHO.
 
Well, it would seem that I am the token supporter of Keystone, so here goes:

The *best* thing about Keystone is that there are no lifts to the bowls. It is basically back country skiing that is avvie controlled, which is very nice in the state with the most avalanche fatalities in the US. (That said, I still wear a beacon out there.)

Hike out the gates off North Peak. Do the much easier hikes into North and South Bowls on Outback. Ski the trees/bumps on Outback. Ride Diamond Back as a warm up to get out there. Ride the super sick shit in The Windows on your way back.

Avoid Dercum mountain at all costs, but ride Flying Dutchman home at the end of the day.
 
I am supposed to be advising my brother on what skis to buy for 08/09...and cannot go too far from the scene at Keystone...and get a ride to Telluride.

Breckenridge is beyond a cell phone and bus in one hour.

Thanks for input.
 
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