Keystone Resort will present its 2nd Annual Winter Culinary Festival March 5-7, a multi-day event showcasing the Colorado ski and snowboard resort’s restaurants accompanied by culinary education programs, and special lodging values. The festival’s signature event, the Grand Tasting, features an evening of specialties from Keystone’s restaurants including the Keystone Ranch, Ski Tip Lodge, Alpenglow Stube, Bighorn Steakhouse and more on March 6 at 5:30 p.m. Guests will ride two gondolas to dine atop Keystone’s North Peak and can sample small plates with highlights from all of the resort’s restaurants. Reservations are required, and tickets for the Grand Tasting are purchased for $99 by calling (970) 496-4386.

For more event information, visit www.KeystoneCulinary.com. All dining reservations are made by calling (970) 496-4386.

Want to do more than wine and dine during your visit to Keystone? Don’t forget to book your Keystone Lodging!

Keystone has just managed to break the record books by building the largest Kid’s Snowfort! Each month Keystone sponsors events on certain weekends. This month Kidtopia is the 18th of February until the 21st. Some of the events are concerts and enteratinment from Radio Disney as well as the unveiling of the Snowfort! Next month Kidtopia is March 15-20. Events include pictures with Riperoo, cookie decorating, NASTAR Family racing at the top of the mountain, disco tubing at night and the chance to meet Smokey the Bear! A great time for the whole family, in a beautiful ski town!

Why not try Cross country skiing when you visit Keystone, Colorado this year? Cross country skiing is well-known for being a great way to get an amazing cardiovascular workout while experiencing the outdoors. Millions of people all over the world love the sport because it is easy to learn the basics, there is a low cost of entry, and perfecting your technique is challenging.

The Keystone’s Nordic Center offers more than nine miles of groomed trails on which people can learn or participate. Visitors also have access to more than 35 miles of packed trails that go through the nearby White River National Forest. All of these trails offer stunning views of local streams, forests and the Colorado mountains of the White River National Forest.

Beginner cross-country skiers-including children who are interested in trying the sport-can take lessons before heading out on a trail. Or, they can participate in a cross-country trail program offered through Keystone Resort. In either case, all of the necessary equipment (such as skis, poles, and boots) can be rented.

For anyone who has never gone cross-country skiing before, it is typically best to attend at least one lesson or training program. This is because the sport can be quite physically demanding. Lesson instructors will provide beginners with important information on how to use the equipment, proper technique, and training tips. Make sure to check the weather and layer your clothing accordingly for your day of cross-country skiing in Keystone.

There are many excellent trails in Keystone, Colorado that offer quiet solitude, gentle slopes, beautiful scenery, and pristine wildlife experiences. Try the sport yourself during your next Colorado ski vacation.

Get more information on Keystone Colorado cross country skiing by visiting the Keystone Nordic Center

Tags: Colorado, Cross Country, Keystone, Nordic, Skiing, XC

The A51 Terrain Park in Keystone is the #2 terrain park in North America according to Transworld Magazine. The park features over 100 different jumps, pipes, super pipe and rails! The three major jump lines are called I-70, Park Lane and Main Street. For those that are just starting to learn to jump and jib the incubator is a great place to learn, it is located right next to the three main jump lines. The snowboarding park has it’s own chair lift so skiiers and snowboarders can do laps around the park all day! The park is open Wednesday thru Sunday till 6 pm and 4 pm on Monday and Tuesday. Come enjoy runs in the #2 Terrain Park in North America!

Tags: Keystone Resort, Snowboarding

The Colorado Tourism Office unleashed the Snow at First Sight Campaign in mid October.  The goal was to push social media outlets including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to get people of all ages excited about Colorado and all that it has to offer.  Snow at First Sight was a chance for people who had never experienced snow to come to Colorado for a 3 month all expense paid trip and showcase Colorado to the world.  The contestants posted videos on at SnowAtFirstSight.com proclaiming why they should be selected to come to Colorado.  Earlier this month the 3 winners were announced.  They all came from different backgrounds and places across the world.  One contestant is from Hawaii, the second is from Atlanta, Georgia, and the third is from Australia.

During their winter adventure, the finalists will travel across Colorado, enjoying a variety of winter activities and working with local experts to learn how to ski, snowboard, snowmobile, snowshoe and more. The participants will also dine at some of the state’s notable restaurants, mingle at the hottest apres-ski spots, stay in deluxe Colorado lodging, experience spas and hot springs and enjoying other vacation pursuits that are popular with Colorado visitors.

The winners just left Breckenridge after having a great time skiing, sledding and hitting up the local spa at Sacred Tree BlueSky Breckenridge.  The winners hopefully are planning another trip to  Arapahoe Basin in the Spring where Key to the Rockies is planning on hosting some of the winners at one of our 100 Keystone Vacation Rentals.  Follow their adventures on Facebook to see all the fun things Colorado has to offer!

Tags: Arapahoe Basin, Colorado Toursim Office, Key to the Rockies, Keystone Vacation Rentals, Snow at First Sight, Snow Virgin, Videos, YouTube

Going on a ski vacation is already expensive but now airline companies are adding in a more cost! Once again United and Continental Airlines have increased their baggage fees! The first bag now costs $25 and $35 for the second bag. To bring two bags will now cost a passenger $120 round trip. That will cost more then renting ski equipment and that doesn’t include that hassle of carrying it through the airport and the chance of the airlines losing your luggage and it arriving half way through the trip.

Renting is a great option! With companies such as Ski Butlers you vacation can be a little more relaxing and worry free. With many different package options you can get an Expert package to a beginner package. May even be able to rent the same ski’s that you have at home. They deliver the ski’s and boots directly to your unit and pick them up at the end of your stay! No Hassle! This is a great way to save time and money!

Tags: Colorado, Keystone, Ski, Vacation