January Provides Variety of Activities at Keystone Resort

With nearly two and a half feet of snow just this month, and more on the way ahead of the New Year, Keystone will usher in 2015 with phenomenal conditions and a lineup of festive family activities during January. Whether guests are trying something new; perhaps making good on a resolution to learn a new sport while participating in national Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, or simply wanting to create new memories with friends and family, Keystone has a variety of offers for January to make a family ski vacation more convenient and valuable than ever. Plus, following the New Year and outside of the Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend, January is considered an “off-peak” month for skiers and riders; meaning great deals on lodging, and the perk of feeling like you have the mountain to yourself.
 
Night Skiing
Don’t be left in the dark; Keystone features the longest ski day in all of Colorado with 243 acres of lit terrain available. Lifts turn from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday in January, and until 6 p.m. on Sundays. Special Holiday hours will allow skiers and riders to enjoy extended days on Sunday and Monday, Jan. 18-19.
 
Learn to Ski and Ride Month
Learning to ski or ride is an excellent way to become more active, participate in a new sport, and enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. There’s no better time to learn than January – National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, a snowsports initiative designed to encourage new participants with great offers across the industry.

Keystone’s adult beginner lessons are all available in a buy two get one free package starting from $262. First-time adult skiers and riders can purchase a $15 limited access lift ticket with any beginner lesson. For Children, Camp Keystone’s ski and ride school facility offers themed days, a 24-foot long slide that provides access to the snow from inside the building, and guarantees children the same instructor with three or more days of ski school booked in the Mountain House location. Additional adult and child lesson options can be purchased in advance online atkeystoneresort.com.

Women’s Ultimate 4 Ski Lesson
Available Jan. 1-3: New for the 2014-15 season, Keystone has introduced a lesson option just for women. With small group sizes – guaranteed no more than four women per class – female instructors and convenient timing, the Women’s Ultimate 4 are lessons catering to the specific needs of women in a supportive, encouraging setting. Whether learning a new sport, trying to keep up with the kids or wanting to get back on snow after some time away, these lessons are the perfect way to get one-on-one coaching in an intimate setting, with the private lesson price tag.
 
Chocolate Village 
Available Jan. 1-4: Keystone Executive Pastry Chef Ned Archibald composes this Keystone Holiday tradition from 8,000 pounds of molded chocolate. With a working train, flowing waterfall, three-foot tall white chocolate Christmas trees and an operating chocolate gondola, this stunning display is a must-see for Holiday visitors. Located in the lobby of the Keystone Lodge&Spa, the chocolate village is free and open daily through January 4. Photos of the chocolate village available here: https://vailresorts.box.com/s/iiik4u7znck4825iht09
 
9280’ Taphouse Pond Hockey Tournament
Jan. 23-25: An all-ages outdoor hockey event, the 9280’ Pond Hockey Tournament is hosted at Keystone’s five-acre Zamboni-maintained ice rink at the Lakeside Village. Tournament play occurs throughout the day, with live music by “Chris Thompson & Coral Creek” on Friday and Saturday nights from 4-6 p.m. The tournament features men’s, women’s, over 45 and a coed division. New this season, a youth division will be included. For more information, tournament schedule, or to register, please visit 9280pondhockey.com.

Savor the Slopes
Keystone is well known for its culinary prowess, including three AAA four-diamond rated restaurants and a number of signature dinging experiences. During January, guests can take in those signature experiences with Savor the Slopes, a rotating showcase of the best of Keystone’s foodie scene. Events will highlight food, wine, beer and spirits, and Keystone’s expert staff will be on-hand to elevate guests’ knowledge and enjoyment. All tasting events begin at 4 p.m. and are $25 per person with reservations required, 970-496-4386.
 
Jan. 21, Der Fondue Chessel – Taste of fondue
Jan. 22, Alpenglow Stube – Wines of Napa Valley
Jan. 23, Keystone Ranch – Farm-to-table presentation with Executive Chef Steven Vlass
Jan. 24, Bighorn Bistro & Bar – Creation of a menu item: the dissection of an entrée
Jan. 25, The Ski Tip Lodge – Hors d'oeuvres made easy with Executive Chef Brian Baker
Jan. 28, Der Fondue Chessel – Cabernet at its finest
Jan. 29, Alpenglow Stube – Wild game
Jan. 30, Keystone Ranch – Colorado spirits
Jan. 31, Bighorn Bistro & Bar – Craft beers with gastropub inspired bites
 
Burton Experience Snowboard Tour
Jan. 31-Feb. 1: The Keystone Burton Experience Snowboard Tour, a weekend full of free clinics, demos, activities and live entertainment, features discounted lift tickets and free, hour-long snowboarding clinics for anyone ages 3-and-older. Clinics will be held at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Mountain House base area on Saturday and Sunday. This family-friendly weekend will feature women’s only clinics, professional Burton athletes and music as part of the on- and off-snow activity.
 
Kidtopia
Keystone’s Kidtopia programming offers daily indoor and outdoor activities throughout the season, including a daily 4 p.m. Cookie Hour at the Dercum Square Ice Rink, Kidtopia Fireworks every Saturday at 7 p.m., pajama family brunch every Sunday from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and the world’s largest snow fort, perched 11,640-feet above elevation on Dercum Mountain. View the entire weekly schedule online at keystoneresort.com.