Keystone Ski Resort Review: Finally Competitive?

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  • Опубліковано 22 жов 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 111

  • @josiahsimmons9866
    @josiahsimmons9866 4 місяці тому +36

    Keystone's night skiing used to be legendary with little to no competition. Nobody else did it as consistently across the season or for as late. But now, it hardly even exists at all.
    I remember back in 2015 when my family would go and put in nearly 12-hour days just skiing all over and at night, bombing down Spring Dipper, Flying Dutchman, and others.

    • @josiahsimmons9866
      @josiahsimmons9866 4 місяці тому +1

      I also definitely think that the mountain as a whole tends to be steeper than any of the other epic mountains. Our last trip we got to visit Vail and thought "really? You think that's a black run?" I legitimately think there are some sections of Schoolmarm that get steeper than some of the blacks at Vail.

    • @gogreenmsu03
      @gogreenmsu03 4 місяці тому

      @@josiahsimmons9866I agree it is on the steeper side, and it used to be even more so (as far as trail ratings are concerned). When I was visiting for the first time back in the late ‘90s, Star Fire was rated blue, which got me in over my head at that point in my ski career. It’s since been upgraded to black. I’m not sure if this is the only example of that; there may be others.
      Keystone is not one of my very favorite places to ski, but I do still enjoy it for its long, sustained vertical. Even many of the blues on Dercum are more fun than blues at Breck, Vail, etc. even if I like those places more overall.

    • @josiahsimmons9866
      @josiahsimmons9866 4 місяці тому

      @@gogreenmsu03 yeah, a few years ago the top section of Spring Dipper was upgraded to a blue. Funny enough, I think Breck, Vail, and others over rate their trails so all the rich snobby skiers can feel like they're good at it 🤣
      That being said, Keystone lacks truly extreme terrain. I know for certain Breck's hardest runs are harder than Keystone's. But I think the average difficulty at other resorts is beaten by Keystone

    • @himboslice_
      @himboslice_ 4 місяці тому

      Didn't they used to do some 24 hour of keystone even where everyone was blackout drunk or high as a kite?

    • @blueskiesskiing
      @blueskiesskiing 4 місяці тому

      @@himboslice_ I think this was stopped around 2007.

  • @FlipsTheTrips
    @FlipsTheTrips 4 місяці тому +51

    honey wake up - there's a new PeakRankings video

  • @plusultrafitness
    @plusultrafitness 4 місяці тому +15

    One thing not mentioned is that Keystone always seems to close the weekend after Easter. This year their last weekend was the first week of April while A-basin just 10min down the road is still open mid-June.

    • @Custom_Stryfe_Main
      @Custom_Stryfe_Main 4 місяці тому +6

      This is because Vail (the company not the resort) suffers from a severe lack of springtime employees. They close keystone due to lack of crowds, so people consolidate to Breckenridge instead, which saves money on workers and lift operations. By lack of crowds, I mean a serious lack of them, both Breck and Keystone had almost no people on keystone's closing weekend this year.
      As for A Basin, they're operated on the iKon pass, a different company that uses the Legend as their late season destination, while Vail uses Breck as their late season spot.

    • @tommyb6101
      @tommyb6101 4 місяці тому

      I found that out the hard way and had to "eat" a paid for condo April 9 and 10. I ended up in Breckenridge (and figured it was a manpower thing), but lesson now learned!!

    • @tannerboss
      @tannerboss 20 днів тому +2

      I work here lol, we have to close on the same date each year because of a large elk migration that comes through the mountain each year. Forest service makes us shut down

    • @plusultrafitness
      @plusultrafitness 20 днів тому

      @@tannerboss I had no idea, that's very informative. I feel like keystone could capitalize on informing people on that being the reason they close down earlier

    • @Dav1dChui
      @Dav1dChui 14 днів тому

      I'm a local. It is not because of workforce or anything else others speculate on. It's because of wildlife migration routes through Keystone, which is on national forest land!!!

  • @rdlangston13
    @rdlangston13 4 місяці тому +2

    Texan here and this last January I did a trip up to Colorado for some snowboarding. We rode Beaver Creek, Keystone, and Breckenridge over 4 days I really liked Keystone the best of the three. LaBontes had a really cool vibe with loud music outside and lounge chairs scattered about. Made for a nice place to take a break, have a bbq sandwich and wash it down with a cold beer while watching people come down the mountain.

  • @edcotterjr1926
    @edcotterjr1926 4 місяці тому +5

    My favorite. The new access is a great plus. I hope it retains a family vibe.Thanks.

    • @kimball_stone
      @kimball_stone 11 днів тому

      That's keystone's niche, and has been since at least the 90s. You're probably set, if you like it the way it is! 🤙

  • @willythekid78
    @willythekid78 18 днів тому +1

    Back in the late 90's we always loved to take the ganjola up to the top of Skistoned... We didn't want to be late for safety meetings in-between runs. 😵‍💫🥴😵

  • @csmith0244
    @csmith0244 4 місяці тому +1

    Being from Ohio and an intermediate skier I was stoked this opened mist in time for my trip last winter. I had a blast on Bergman.

  • @JohnShields-xx1yk
    @JohnShields-xx1yk 9 днів тому

    Skiing cruisers is the most fun, if your going all day skiing can be taxing on your legs, I enjoy moguls here and there, but I'm not looking to burnout in the first few hours, there's nothing like cruising down long trails from top to bottom. Great content. Thank you guys.

  • @LAXtimmons
    @LAXtimmons 4 місяці тому +2

    I live in Summit Co and have access to Key, Breck, Abasin, Copper with Loveland, Vail, Beaver, Cooper not too far away. Each has plus and minus, Key no exception. Much better expert terrain elsewhere. Blues are good, with some on North and Outback more difficult to some. Greens have terrain... but please don't go early season as Schoolmarm is often referred to as the WROD (while ribbon of death) until January. Woodward at Copper has no peer for park. Smart $ travelers should book Keystone first week April if possible..... place is nearly deserted yet the snow is awesome. short note: Bergman runs are short and on pow days, the snow gets chopped up pretty quickly.

  • @Bufferton
    @Bufferton 3 місяці тому

    Thank you for adding terrain park segments!! Jibbers and park rats everywhere love it

  • @tucker.84
    @tucker.84 4 місяці тому +10

    Loving the reviews, especially in the middle of summer.

  • @rawnchydeard4669
    @rawnchydeard4669 4 місяці тому +1

    Having worked as a lift supervisor for Keystone at the turn of the century, and used to hit this terrain on the regular(thanks lift maintenance!), they really do have amazing shit.
    Just so much more crowded than it used to be. Holy shit.
    Edit: Bumping chairs at the bottom of the Wayblack used to be a badge of honor among the liftees.Them chairs are heavy!
    Apres should only be Jagerbombs at the GOAT. Dude, the GOAT.

  • @burninghops4449
    @burninghops4449 4 місяці тому +1

    Great review, as always. My only nitpick is that there is plenty of stuff to do in the Silverthorne/Dillon area a few minutes away from Keystone. 🍻

  • @rippakai13
    @rippakai13 10 днів тому

    Keystone is a super fun resort. Love that place

  • @suburbs1026
    @suburbs1026 4 дні тому

    Wayback is a fixed grip because the offload area isn’t large enough to accommodate the traffic from a detachable quad.

  • @RyanDeSutter3
    @RyanDeSutter3 4 місяці тому +3

    My problem with Bergman bowl is that I hate Bergman bowl but I LOVE independence bowl and some out of bounds areas

  • @JasonTaylor-po5xc
    @JasonTaylor-po5xc 4 місяці тому

    Keystone's early season is more legit than other resorts that technically open earlier. For example, the first resort to open this past season for Colorado was A-Basin but they only opened with a relatively short blue run and that was it for weeks. When Keystone opened, they did so with about 2.5 miles of trail - with a good part of Schoolmarm (plus a few other greens) down to the Montezuma lift back to the top. The learning area at the top was also open soon after opening. I'm surprised they close early each year, seems like they could have stayed open until May. A-Basin - which is next door, was open until mid-June this year.
    Keystone does have a good bunny slope area and starter green (Endeavor/Scout) at the top of the mountain (so pretty). The Ranger lift is only a fixed double but the runs are so short it isn't a big deal. By December, Mountain House base opens, which has another bunny hill area. Lessons are cheaper at Keystone than Breck or Beaver Creek, I highly recommend them. However, the progression after Scout isn't graceful. You go from a pretty easy and short pair of runs to Schoolmarm - a 3.5 mile rather challenging "green" - with sections that feel more blue if you are used to East coast skiing. Some of the blues at Breck are easier.
    My Epic progression:
    Bunny hill at Keystone/first timer lessons, then beginner lessons on Endeavor and Scout. Then, go to Breck base 9 - do all the green runs off QuickSilver lift. Then, I recommend trails over at Beaver Creek like Haywood, Sinch, McCoy Park and then Red Buffalo Park. Then, back to Breck for some harder greens (Peak 8) and then easy blues (Bonanza and Cashier). If you can do Bonanza, you can go for Keystone's Schoolmarm and related greens along the way. If you can do all Keystone greens, you are ready for Spring Dipper - which is a probably Keystone's easiest blue run.
    I'm also a fan of a "refresher" lesson at the start of each season.

  • @williambrunjes1301
    @williambrunjes1301 4 місяці тому

    Great video. Loved working at keystone the past two seasons. Just a heads up, the a51 terrain park is not included in night ski operations anymore.

  • @kyletazuma
    @kyletazuma 4 місяці тому +1

    Keystone always gets a bad wrap by advanced skiers and locals for some reason. It was the first major resort I skied and I have been twice now (live on east coast). I’ve also been to Vail, Steamboat, and have a trip planned to Utah next spring. I would go back to Keystone in a heartbeat. I thought it was an overall great mountain with plenty of acreage, diverse terrain, on mountain facilities, and plenty of lodging options. If you are not a local or an expert, Keystone is a perfectly good resort. However it’s a shame they did away with night skiing, I skied at night on Christmas Day 2020.

  • @blueskiesskiing
    @blueskiesskiing 4 місяці тому

    Good review. I ski in this area a lot, and would question one ranking -- there is no way I can see giving the same Snow ranking to Keystone, as you do for Breckenridge, Copper & Vail. Keystone almost always has less snow, often significantly less. For example, Vail averages 350" of snow a year, and Keystone gets only 230". Although Keystone may open 2 to 3 weeks before Vail, once the natural snow starts coming, Vail shoots right past Keystone in open terrain.

  • @uncleenk
    @uncleenk 4 місяці тому +1

    My home resort! This is where I learned to ski when I was very young, and some of my family lives here! I love the new Bergman bowl lift. The citizens of Keystone also just made it a city, which is very nice. My family once got stuck in the tunnel to keystone (forgot the name) for 6 hours because of an avalanche, so I would warn people from going there during a storm. I think it should be noted, that a lot of the lines are extremely fast, even though they look long. The Gondola line can have a 5~ minute line even when the line is longest. I think this review is very good, though I feel the navigation score is too low, because of how useful the signs are. I've had days where I only navigate with its signs.

    • @edcotterjr1926
      @edcotterjr1926 4 місяці тому

      Eisenhower Tunnel 1974.

    • @ryanshannon6963
      @ryanshannon6963 Місяць тому

      How's that bowl compared to Zuma bowl? I don't expect it to be as amazing, but if it's decent enough then that will work for our growing family. Now that we've got a toddler onboard, driving 30 minutes to Yay-Basin is suddenly less appealing.
      Thanks!

    • @uncleenk
      @uncleenk Місяць тому

      @@ryanshannon6963 Honestly, I couldn't tell you. I've never been to A-Basin (although I would like to).

  • @psarks1601
    @psarks1601 4 місяці тому +1

    I love Keystone, my favorite resort. Massive, yet still maintains a mellow feel. Awesome long bump runs on North Peak, great bumps in glades in the Outback, some of the best cruisers in Colo on the front side, and the Bergman lift to the two new bowls is a great addition. Nice steeps at the bottom of both River Run and Mountain House. 2 classic bars in the Goat and the Snake to boot. Keystone is a nine out of 10 for me, and all this an hour and 25 from Denver during the week. I won't argue with a couple of places ranked above Keystone. And we all love A Basin. But Breck and A Basin above Keystone, what a joke. A Basin has a good bar, Palli, and a late season, that's about it. But I understand you have to rank it high to please the hipsters 😂

    • @Oxy404
      @Oxy404 Місяць тому

      Right. Hating on keystone is the cool thing to do these days

  • @grantmason9844
    @grantmason9844 4 місяці тому

    Another great video! Hope we get to check it out this year, sounds like my kind of place.

  • @nickhebel5814
    @nickhebel5814 4 місяці тому

    I went to Keystone about 15 days this past season and agree with everything that was said in this review

  • @shawns2115
    @shawns2115 Місяць тому

    Just a heads up for night skiing the terrain park has not been included in night time operations since before Covid

  • @Dav1dChui
    @Dav1dChui 14 днів тому

    Interesting rankings... I've gone many days to almost all of the Colorado resorts listed above, and I wouldn't put BC, Copper, or Highlands above Steamboat, Keystone, and Winter park (in that order). Also, as amazing as Abay is...5th best in CO may be pushing it a bit

  • @Chuck787
    @Chuck787 3 місяці тому

    Cell service in the outback area was improved last year (at least for Verizon) to the point where I’d say it’s no longer an issue. I cannot speak for the other cell carriers though.

  • @sebastianviecco6891
    @sebastianviecco6891 4 місяці тому +2

    Wow!! This is the earliest of been!! Can’t wait to watch. And I hope the upcoming ski season rips the last season a new one!

  • @Discernftw
    @Discernftw 4 місяці тому

    On your video 8 months ago where you rated Colorado ski resorts, you didn't have Ski Cooper on that list at the end, but you do now. I happened to live in the midwest and I got 3 free days at Ski Cooper with my season pass here. Do you have a video where you did a ranking for Ski Cooper? I couldn't find it if so.

  • @theanalyticalllama
    @theanalyticalllama 4 місяці тому +1

    I've been waiting for this one! My home resort :)

    • @sebastianviecco6891
      @sebastianviecco6891 4 місяці тому +1

      Nice dude! The part of Canada I live doesn’t have any major local resorts. As a result, Banff, Whistler Blackcomb, and Kicking Horse are the main resorts I go to.

    • @theanalyticalllama
      @theanalyticalllama 4 місяці тому

      @@sebastianviecco6891 still sounds great! One day I hope to go to whistler

  • @Behine.DeChilis
    @Behine.DeChilis 2 місяці тому

    When does the terrain park usually open each year? Also, I really wish they would expand the night skiing again.

    • @PeakRankings
      @PeakRankings  2 місяці тому +1

      The main one opens in January, but they do have an early season park near the top of Dercum Mountain in December!

    • @Behine.DeChilis
      @Behine.DeChilis 2 місяці тому

      @@PeakRankings awesome. Thanks dude!

  • @zeanonimogameplay6305
    @zeanonimogameplay6305 4 місяці тому

    More happy day with new peak rankings video

  • @rdumontdebeque
    @rdumontdebeque 4 місяці тому

    I’d like to see a review of Sunlight Mountain and Powderhorn on this channel.

  • @Bohdisattva326
    @Bohdisattva326 4 місяці тому +9

    It’s called “fleastone” by CO locals for a reason. If you know , you know. 😂😂. .. pretty much every resort on I-70 is superior in so many ways I can’t even list them all here.

    • @pistepickers
      @pistepickers 4 місяці тому +1

      Right there with you!

    • @thealchemist6251
      @thealchemist6251 4 місяці тому

      You dumb,
      copper: sure good for park, that’s it
      Breck: perfect for folks like you
      A basin: actually better than keystone

    • @sbespn3820
      @sbespn3820 4 місяці тому +1

      What's your top 3 favorite resorts in CO?

    • @Bohdisattva326
      @Bohdisattva326 4 місяці тому

      @@sbespn3820 beaver creek, vail , wolf creek

    • @pistepickers
      @pistepickers 4 місяці тому +1

      @@sbespn3820 Not sure if you're talking to me or him, but for me, Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Mountain, Beaver Creek.

  • @CrefloMack
    @CrefloMack 4 місяці тому +1

    Wohoo New ski video!!

  • @ItllBeFetch
    @ItllBeFetch 4 місяці тому +3

    Please tell me how I got here 47 seconds after the video had started and two people jave already liked it.

    • @ItllBeFetch
      @ItllBeFetch 4 місяці тому +2

      Been posted not started lol

    • @CrefloMack
      @CrefloMack 4 місяці тому +2

      cause I got here 13 seconds in :)

    • @sebastianviecco6891
      @sebastianviecco6891 4 місяці тому +1

      Idek. I got here 15 seconds after being posted. Which is crazy to me!

  • @SalmonPowered
    @SalmonPowered 4 місяці тому

    Respectfully, I think you might want to take another look at the state of your rankings for mountain aesthetic. I don't see how Keystone gets an 8 in this category while resorts like Mt. Hood Meadows, Crystal, Alpental, and Timberline get 7s and 6s. Keystone offers nice enough views, and maybe it does deserve an 8- but all four resorts I listed there are significantly more striking and unique. Meadows/Timberline offer an experience of skiing on a truly massive mountain that towers nearly a vertical mile above the top of the resort- I'm not sure there's anywhere else in North America that offers those kind of views (maybe Mt. Shasta?) and they are spectacular. And then having Crystal and Alpental ranked that low is just criminal. Crystal offers direct views right onto the centerpiece of a national park from the top of many chairs (and very nice views elsewhere, at least as good as keystone). Meanwhile, Alpental is fucking stunning- just look at any picture posted online (don't give me the argument that you can see the highway a bit, from some small corners of the resort- you gave Loveland an 8). If you want to argue that the views at those places get ruined by storms, so what- so do the views everywhere else. Besides, you have Revelstoke and Mt. Baker rated at 9 (deservedly), and half the time when I go there I can't see the bottom of the run I'm skiing, let alone any neighboring peaks. If you want to factor in how often the views are available, put that as part of the resiliency score.

  • @chromecrescent
    @chromecrescent Місяць тому

    What run is at 13:35?

  • @brendangranger3684
    @brendangranger3684 4 місяці тому

    Literally just this morning I was like "hmmm... when's PeakRankings gonna drop a new video?"

  • @financeexplainedgraphics
    @financeexplainedgraphics 4 місяці тому

    No expert terrain. That for me is a big setback unfortunately. But it’s a lovely mountain, great layout, and very fun to ski with more intermediate friends.

  • @PulsePolly
    @PulsePolly 4 місяці тому

    I know its small but can you review bear valley

    • @PeakRankings
      @PeakRankings  4 місяці тому

      Our written review is already up! www.peakrankings.com/content/bear-valley

  • @scarface548
    @scarface548 4 місяці тому +3

    vail stock crashes and this video drops 🤔

  • @thomaskl234
    @thomaskl234 4 місяці тому

    What’s worse, schoolmarm at keystone or mountain run at palisades?

    • @pistepickers
      @pistepickers 4 місяці тому

      Depends on the time of day lol

    • @blueskiesskiing
      @blueskiesskiing 4 місяці тому +1

      For the first 2 weeks of the season, Schoolmarm is often the only Epic Pass run open in the entire state of Colorado. Everyone with an Epic Pass on a single slope! Talk about dangerous!

  • @Coco-Cola8
    @Coco-Cola8 4 місяці тому

    You guys should make a video creating the best and worst ski mountain basted on tour data.

    • @SteveThompson-li2fc
      @SteveThompson-li2fc 4 місяці тому

      Pretty sure they have one if you look at their channel.

  • @hunterm915
    @hunterm915 3 місяці тому

    6 for lifts is hard to understand. Shouldn’t be penalized for having such a huge hike to area

  • @himboslice_
    @himboslice_ 4 місяці тому +1

    "keystone safety patrol will pull your pass" lmao
    is bro at 10:06 on cross country skis?

    • @vacasa-bs42
      @vacasa-bs42 2 місяці тому

      Nah, those are just really old-school skis. They were alot skinner and longer back in the day.

    • @himboslice_
      @himboslice_ Місяць тому

      @@vacasa-bs42 ya but why tf they riding them these days. that’s like riding a 1990 burton board

  • @LeoFan18
    @LeoFan18 4 місяці тому

    Nice

  • @bobboberson5755
    @bobboberson5755 3 місяці тому

    The snow at Keystone is by far the worst in the Rockies. An 8 is delusional.

  • @forestdweller512
    @forestdweller512 4 місяці тому

    Drove by it on my way to ABasin it looked super mid.

  • @itsjustajoke4679
    @itsjustajoke4679 4 місяці тому +2

    Went to keystone for the first time this winter. I have to say it was fairly disappointing overall

    • @Bushwacked487
      @Bushwacked487 4 місяці тому +1

      What makes you say that?

    • @tuckerstanton6628
      @tuckerstanton6628 4 місяці тому +5

      @@Bushwacked487 it's not as difficult as you think. Very limited Expert trails, and gets crowded.

    • @itsjustajoke4679
      @itsjustajoke4679 4 місяці тому +3

      @@Bushwacked487 below comment kinda nailed it. The expert terrain is few and far between. It seemed to consist of only moguls if expert rating, minus a couple. I like moguls but ripping some fast groomers would’ve been a nice change of pace. The night life seemed to be little to none and the restaurant selection was well below par in my opinion.

    • @tuckerstanton6628
      @tuckerstanton6628 4 місяці тому +2

      @@itsjustajoke4679 I agree, Keystone is just not it. I go to Copper Mtn for the parks, and ever since Woodward stepped in, they certainly overtook Breck and Keystone in terms of how well and gnarly their setup is. Epic will never be on the same page sadly.

    • @dickbowler
      @dickbowler 4 місяці тому

      Because you’re ass at skiing lmaooo

  • @MsMsmak
    @MsMsmak 4 місяці тому

    That being said.

  • @bfranco1519
    @bfranco1519 4 місяці тому

    Screw Keystone with their ski patrol cops!

  • @harveykramer3798
    @harveykramer3798 3 місяці тому

    Lived in Front Range from 1996 to 2022...and avoided Keystone (skied there twice)....flat, not much snow, bad lay out.....no Soul....Skied Loveland and Vail until front range got too crowded...now in a special place on western slope no lift lines.....watch the video Keystone is very flat and boring....way boring

  • @coloradoruffneck4230
    @coloradoruffneck4230 4 місяці тому +1

    Copper is still so much better.

  • @Blakeproski
    @Blakeproski 4 місяці тому +1

    Keystone has become way overpriced and highly overrated ! It tends to be extremely overcrowded and over managed. Food prices are outrageous and quality is poor. This seems to be the Vail is going in all is resorts. I am now 82yo and only ski about 70 or 80 day a year and that seems to be getting less each year so I guess I should not care to much. 23/24 season was my 78th season lets see how many more I can log!

  • @Kevhoe
    @Kevhoe 4 місяці тому

    Steamboat has wayyy better snow than Keystone.

    • @blueskiesskiing
      @blueskiesskiing 4 місяці тому +2

      As does Vail, Copper, Breckenridge & Loveland. 350" of snow a year at Vail, and 230" at Keystone. Keystone is in a bit of a snow hole.

  • @ethanhaynes9269
    @ethanhaynes9269 27 днів тому

    this terrain park was nothing close to what it was in 2023 season it was decent but not what it was

  • @LoriMarieFranco
    @LoriMarieFranco Місяць тому

    this feels wrong

  • @JimmyFlim
    @JimmyFlim 2 місяці тому

    Keystone is terrible. Nobody should go there. Copper and Winter Park are way way better. Everybody should go there.

    • @Oxy404
      @Oxy404 Місяць тому

      Lmao okay bud

  • @kimball_stone
    @kimball_stone 11 днів тому

    It's soulless and boring. With mountain safety eliminating the ability to go fast, and the barely existent night skiing, I just can't imagine going there on purpose, when you could go to A-basin or Copper instead.

  • @LoriMarieFranco
    @LoriMarieFranco Місяць тому

    i do not approve of this. please stop using me like josie