Keystone Resort debuted with 50 acres of skiing and riding Friday, including top-to-bottom intermediate terrain on the Spring Dipper and River Run trails, to begin the 2014-15 winter season.
Several hundred early risers were in line prior to the River Run Gondola opening at 9 a.m., including some guests who camped overnight to get the coveted first spot in line. All were treated to complimentary fresh doughnuts, hot chocolate, coffee and Nature Valley breakfast bars. Additionally, the first 200 skiers and riders in line received an exclusive Keystone Starbucks travel mug and were entered into a raffle for great prizes including snowboards, long boards, and Keystone logo wear.
Keystone provided free parking across the resort on Friday as a thank you to guests for the early season patronage. Free family-friendly activities such as a bungee-trampoline, climbing wall and bounce house were available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Gondola Plaza and will be free throughout the weekend.
Following the on-snow festivities Saturday, families can enjoy a showing of “Muppets Most Wanted” at Keystone’s Kidtopia Headquarters in River Run Village at 4 p.m. Additionally, the annual Get Stocked movie festival at Warren Station continues on Saturday with two showings of “Pretty Faces,” a film starring women who take the path less traveled. Located in the heart of Keystone’s River Run Village, the first showing is at 5:30 p.m. with a second showing at 8 p.m.
Keystone is now open for daily operations, with lifts running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Updated condition reports, live web cams and the events calendar may be found online at Keystoneresort.com. Night skiing and riding operations will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 26. Lift tickets may be purchased online at keystoneresort.com, or via the new mobile ticket platform at snow.com.
Friday also marked the official return of Keystone’s signature Kids Ski Free offer. For the third season, children 12 and younger receive free lift tickets with just a two or more night stay in any of Keystone’s owned/operated lodging options.
Keystone’s offer is as simple as childhood itself, without any red tape or restrictions; there are no blackout dates, giving families the freedom to take advantage of the special deal on weekends and throughout holiday periods, a rarity in the ski industry.
To date, the resort provided more than 60,000 Kids Ski Free lift tickets and Keystone is proud to offer the industry’s simplest and most valuable Kids Ski Free program for a third year in a row. Reservations may be made at Keystoneresort.com or by calling 800-328-1323.