Whenever I place my kids in ski school, I tell the instructor to make sure they “stay safe, have fun and maybe learn a little, in that order.” Safety speaks for itself, but the key is for kids to have fun when they ski. And no place combines kids, skiing and fun better than Keystone Resort. We had the pleasure of skiing there last spring.
The resort itself is great for kids for many reasons, (and we’ll get to them), but several times a year they up the ante on family fun with their wild Kidtopia events. These special times offer a schedule full of music, entertainment, adventure and more for the entire family. One of the highlights is the largest snow fort in North America, built entirely out of ice and snow, it includes a slide, maze, drawbridge and more within its 12 foot high walls. Other Kidtopia events include movie night, disco snow tubing, cookie decorating, fireworks, ice skating, teen adventures, a western BBQ and more. Consider Kidtopia the “icing on the cake” of your family ski vacation.
And let’s not forget the cake itself! Keystone is great for families. First the layout of the resort is ideal. Much of the lodging is contained in “villages” with family-friendly condos. River Run Village and Lakeside Village are two of the best. Staying in one of these villages means you don’t have load the car or take a bus, just walk out the door for skiing, dining or other activities. We stayed a River Run village and found it incredibly convenient for us and our two kids.
Then there’s the mountain itself. The front peak is Dercum Mountain. There’s a nice variety of trails, including many of the easier slopes. This makes it convenient for new skiers to access appropriate terrain. As you continue beyond Dercum, you’ll encounter North Peak and The Outback, home to more challenging trails for advanced skiers. With over 3,000 skiable acres, and a 3,000 foot vertical drop, Keystone has enough terrain for any skier.
Logistically speaking, Keystone is also pretty easy. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Denver International Airport. You could leave the East Coast bright and early and catch some runs that day…though I would’nt recommend it for kids.
New for this season, kids ages 3 – 14 years-old can experience Keystone Ski & Ride School’s Camp Keystone. According to the resort “This new and exciting take on Ski & Ride School features theme days, new kid friendly learning areas, and best of all students that book for three or more days are guaranteed to have the same instructor! From check in to check out we are thinking of your child’s every need. With a simplified check in process children will be engaged on every level with goodies, a comfortable learning environment, friends, and memories that will last a lifetime.” Sounds good to us.
And best of all, Macaroni Kid is giving away an exclusive trip to Keystone for one lucky family! To enter, simply “Like” both Macaroni Kid National and Keystone Resort and then enter a comment below. Winner will be chosen at random on November 1, 2011. One entry per family. Additional details are below, and fine print rules can be seen here.
Prize will be given to one (1) winner. The prize consists of a four-night stay in a Keystone Resort two-bedroom condo for a family of four (two adults & two children); transportation to and from Keystone Resort from Denver International Airport; four (4) lift tickets for four days. Prize must be redeemed by August 31, 2012 and is based on availability. Winner will receive a certificate with redemption instructions. Reservations must be made directly with resort contact. Based on availability. Blackout dates: 12/24 - 1/2, 1/13 - 1/16. 2/20 - 2/23, 3/`12 - 3/16. Other blackout dates may apply. Winner may substitute non-ski activities (with similar approximate retail value to be determined by Keystone Resort) at Keystone Resort’s discretion. Certificate has no cash value and is non-transferable, but MacaroniKid.com and Keystone Resort reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value, if advertised prize becomes unavailable for any reason.
Krysta, your comment at #81 was chosen at random as the winner! I guess your daughter will be thrilled! Send me an email for details! eric(at)macaronikid.com Congratulations and pray for snow!
