Where to Stay in Keystone

River Run. Photo: © Vail Resorts

There are three bed bases at the bottom of the lifts in Keystone, River Run, Mountain House and The Lakeside. They’re all linked by free shuttle buses; and from both River Run and Mountain House there are lifts up the mountain.

Wherever you stay, keep an eye out for lodging discounts and packages from the resort – especially if you’re staying for more than three nights. Most of skiers who come to Keystone are American, and because they have so little time off work they tend ski for long weekends rather than whole weeks. That leaves a lot of accommodation empty midweek, which the resort is desperate to fill.

Almost all the accommodation is in self-catering apartments, or condos, as the Americans know them. They’re big by Alpine standards. Most are privately owned and then placed in rental pool – so the standard and style of the interiors varies somewhat. So long as you’re not expecting cutting-edge luxury, or brand-new appliances, you’ll be pretty pleased with what you find.

River Run is best for more advanced skiers

River Run is the most expensive of the lodging areas – because it’s closest to the main lift up the mountain – the River Run Gondola – as well as the best apres-ski.

The pick of the accommodation is at the Timbers and the Lone Eagle condominiums, which are both set across the river from the main village and are ski-in, ski-out. Both are upmarket by Keystone standards – but Timbers is the posher of the two. If you want to be more in the thick of things, then book the River Run Condos in the middle of the village – but try to get a top floor room, so you’re not bothered by noise at the weekends.

Photo: Keystone Tourism/Vail Resorts.

Mountain House is for families

If you want your kids to get the best of Keystone’s family-friendly ski school, stay at Mountain House. There are lifts up onto the Dercum slopes here, and its also where the ski school runs its Camp Keystone kids programme. Here, the Chateaux DuMont condo development is the place to stay – a little old-fashioned, but right next to the lifts and the ski school.

Don’t stay in Lakeside unless you can find a good discount

Lakeside is the one accommodation centre with no lift access to the mountain. Yes, there’s a free and frequent shuttle bus around the resort – but if you can afford it, stay nearer the lifts.