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From first-hand experience, I can attest that the enthusiasm for a family ski vacation can quickly turn sour if your children are hungry, cold, or worst, lost on the slope! Here are a few tips to ensure that your family ski vacation is one you can recount with positive stories.
Clothing: Make sure your children are dressed in layers. We all know that layering allows our bodies to accommodate our constantly changing temperature. Avoid cotton clothing as it retains moisture and try some of the readily available wicking fabric products. A Turtleneck, fleece and jacket are all a good idea and the little one’s can shed layers as necessary.
Body Fuel: Stuff your pockets with Powerbar-like snacks, nuts, and dried fruit. Inevitably, someone will want to quit before others are ready because of hunger.
Extras: Make sure to keep a gear bag in the car with extra clothing items like mittens, socks, headbands, sunglasses, goggles, sunscreen, and lip balm. long underwear and socks. If you’ve ever seen the monumental size of the lost and found boxes at ski resorts, you will know that is only inevitable that someone will forget something…
Protective Eyewear: I can’t emphasize this enough. I hear more horror stories from my ophthalmologist friends about the dangers of the Colorado sun on young eyes, especially when it reflects off the snow. Make sure your children have UV protective sunglasses or goggles.
Plan for Being Separated on the Slope. While we all hope it never happens, I can assure you, it can happen much faster than you think. Make sure you plan a meeting place before you begin skiing in the event your child becomes lost. The information booth is a good place or decide which lift you will ski next so if you get separated. Make sure your child carries a piece of paper in a secure pocket that has your home, cell and lodging phone number as well as your name. Inexpensive walkie talkies are now available and are a big hit on the slopes.
Planning a little in advance ensures a great adventure, fun, laughter. It is a wonderful feeling to know that your children’s fondest childhood memories were of your family ski vacations.
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When a family decides to vacation in a beach or mountain resort, they usually stay in a Vacation Rental vs. a traditional hotel room. A Vacation Rental is a condo or a home that is owned by a private person (not a company) and maintained and service by someone (a property manager) it from someone who provides keys and services to them. This article provides an insiders look at the typical economic and business relationships between the parties involved.
There are 4 basic roles in a vacation rental transaction.
Guest -> Sales -> Property Manager -> Property Owner
Guest: Rents a property
Sales: Represents and is knowledgeable about one or more properties. (examples ski.com or vacationroost.com)
Property Manager: Provides on-site services to maintain, secure and clean the property and service the guests (or property owners) needs while in the property. They also coordinate the calendar so that only one guest or the owner is using the property. (examples skyrun.com)
Property Owner: Owns the property, pays the mortgage and utilities, maintenance, etc.
These 4 functions exist in every vacation rental transaction. Traditionally, the financial flow has been that the guest pays the property sales function (often called ‘tour operator’ or ‘travel wholesaler’ or the old term ‘travel agent’) for the condo (say $1,000). The sales function keeps 10-20% and give the property manager 80-90% of the rental price ($800-$900 in our example). The property manger keeps 25-50% of that and pays the owner whats left ($400-$650). Everyone gets paid for their role in the transaction. It is common in the industry with ‘traditional’ property management companies to raise their website prices by 20% to be able to pay for the 20% commission the sales function takes.
However as we know the internet can ‘flatten’ any sales transaction. If one party fills more than one of the roles, one or two parties in the process can be eliminated and money typically saved.
There are two typical ways this is happening in the market today:
- Property Manager has its own sales function:
Guest -> Property Manager -> Owner
- Advantages:
- Can pick from many available properties.
- Can talk to knowledgeable person to help plan the trip.
- Property Manager has enough properties and guests to be able to negotiate discounts with local restaurants and shops for ski equipment and lift ticket and discounts which can save $thousands.
- Property manager is on-site for a more hotel-like service experience to handle lock-outs or maintenance issues.
- Disadvantage:
- Owner pays property manager, so three parties are involved serving the 4 functions.
- Rent from Owner: Guest -> Owner
- Advantages:
- Price is usually lower for the lodging – A skilled negotiator can negotiate directly with owner and haggle directly with the decision-maker.
- Owner is VERY knowledgeable about their specific property.
- By using a rent-from-owner website like VRBO.com, guest can look at and consider multiple properties from individual owners all over the world.
- Disadvantages:
- Takes more time/more phone calls – Have to talk to indvidual owners to consider multiple properties.
- No discounts available for non-lodging expenses.
- Owner is hours or more away from the property. To service the guest, the owner typically mails keys and then contracts with local cleaners and maintenance companies. There is frequently a charge added for cleaning by the owner for these services provided by 3rd parties.
So there are multiple parties involved that need to be paid even in the 2-party scenario, it’s just the owner that is coordinating them vs. the local property manager. So I’ll call this the 2+party scenario.
So both the 2+ and 3-party scenarios above have merit and both are better than the 4-party scenario. The scenario that SkyRun Vacation Rentals employs is a hybrid approach to these last two with the advantages of each. The basic premise is that when an owner contracts with a property manager to provide their guests services instead of contracting with individual cleaners and maintenance personnel, then everyone wins.
The property manager can provide the guest better service and discounts on other parts of their trip and provide the property owner one-stop shopping and 24×7 on-site support for their property and their guest.
The guest then has choice, they can rent from the owner directly on VRBO, or rent from the property managers’ website (www.SkyRun.com). Property managers like SkyRun and their owners can offer the guest all or part of the 20% they would pay the sales function. The property costs the same lower price whether rented directly from the owner or through SkyRun and the guest can even take advantage of specials on lift tickets etc offered by the property manager, whether the property rented directly from the owner, or from the property manager.
In summary, here is our advice:
- Look for property management websites like www.SkyRun.com vs. travel agent or wholesaler sites to save $’s. If you’re unsure, ask the company if they manage the properties directly or if they are offering properties from a variety of onsite property managers.
- When renting directly from an owner, look for a property that is professionally managed onsite. Then you get the best of both worlds. Low price and high service.
- And as always, look for the best TOTAL TRIP price including everything you’ll need and including all taxes/fees/etc.
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Wind rushing past my face,
Hair tossing behind my head
The feeling, the chill, the utter thrill.
The feeling I get when I’m flying down the hill.
Gliding across the soft blanket of white,
Weightless as if I were a feather.
Turn by turn, slope by slope, I take on the hill,
The monster of a mountain.
Moguls, jumps I challenge them all,
Wind rushing past my face,
Chilling me to my bones.
I feel the thrill swell, swell
Swell within me until I can’t hold it back.
Swoosh, swish, the snow billows up beside me
Into great clouds of white.
I can’t see a thing.
O the feeling, the thrill the utter chill,
The feeling I get when I’m skiing.
- Anne Cox – Age 11
 The poem author Anne at Keystone Tweet This Post
Many people don’t realize that Keystone has the most terrain of any resort in Summit County at 3,144 acres of in-bounds terrain. The mountain has a very unique 3 mountain-deep orientation where both base areas are on the front, then there is a back, then another front, then another back (with 3 bowls) then another front with 2 more bowls!
The first mountain is called Durcum Mountain named after Max and Edna Durcum, the founders of Keystone. It’s slopes are wide, long (2,500 of vertical top to bottom) and vary from gently sloped greens to blues with a few black diamond runs. The longest green run anywhere is here called ‘Schoolmarm’. Schoolmarm is wide and gentle through all of it’s 3.5 miles. Many long green runs are actually narrow fire roads. Schoolmarm is a great slope from top to bottom. It’s probably because of Schoolmarm that Keystone has a reputation as a green or blue groomer resort. It’s not…
Because off the back of Durcum mountain is blue cruiser Mozart, and 2 black runs (one groomed, one bumped) that take you down to the back of Durcum where you can come back (on the Ruby Express 6-chair) or head into the ‘Outback’ which is what the 2nd mountain is called. Use Mozart as a last resort, it’s the most crowded and worst snow conditions in the whole resort. It’s hard to imagine why so many people are on it, but let them stay there leaving the rest of the mountain for you… The Windows trees to the left of Mozart are a great find on a powder day virtually ignored and not really as hard as they look. They do get harder and harder the deeper you go into them, so pick your way down and dump into Mozart with the rest of the crowds as far down as you dare.
The outback (2nd mountain) has blue cruisers on all sides. They’re all wide, impeccably groomed and only one of them is popular. Try Alamo here for a blue groomer. The hidden/ignored runs on the Outback are right under the chair (geronimo) and even better are the runs the left of geronimo that are usually completely ignored. black, long, steady and bumpy, but powdery a week after a dump.
You can also hike (or take a cat trip) behind the outback restaurant (the best place to eat on the mountain during the day or night), to ericksson, independance and bergman bowls. all 3 great and worth the trip. The hike is long to the bowls (45-60 mins) but there are lots of places to jump into the trees before you get there where again, you’ll be alone. Make sure someone knows where you are, or better yet, ski with a friend.
On the 3rd mountain (North Peak) is one blue groomer (perfect and wide and WAY too crowded). But like the rest of Keystone, there are other places to go that are uncrowded and hidden. To the skiiers left from the top are some of the best blue treed glades I’ve ever found. the trees are wide and the terrain varied from gentle pitches to a few hidden canyons. There are also 2 hidden blue runs here (Elk Run) that appear on the ski maps but are hard to find… you ski down through a few widely spaced trees and then voila, they open up. Usually one is groomed and the other is not.
The terrain to the skiiers right from the top of the 3rd mountain is similar in that it’s treed and opens up to 3 or 4 open runs, except it’s BLACK and steeper than the terrain on the left.
And if you crave above tree-line skiing, a 15 min hike or a $5 snow cat ride is available straight ahead from the top of North Peak to 2 more bowls. The North Bowl to the left is steep at the beginning and the farther over you go, the gentler it gets. If you go all the way to the right (where the cat takes you), the pitch is an easy blue. South Peak has a steep entry (and a cornice to jump off of if you go in early to the right) and wide open deep snow for 10-20 turns before you get into a treed canyon run that is like a luge run. If you don’t like tight spaces and speed, stay out of South Bowl.
And I haven’t even mentioned the #3 ranked terrain parks, tubing hills, beginning areas, kids forts and tunnels and tree runs or a few more powder stashes that will remain ‘mine’ forever…
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I am typing this from a ski-in ski-out condo in Lone Eagle slope-side at Keystone on ‘Black Friday’. The family is still mostly asleep, but we’re heading out for early morning skiing soon. Keystone did a GREAT job this year of getting 10 slopes open for Thanksgiving. They had the tubing hill AND mountain house, which eased the congestion dramatically.
My wife and I headed up to the little town of Montezuma, just 10 mins to the East of here for some snowshoeing and xc skiing on their plethora of free trails. the snow cover is STUNNING up there. no rocks, plenty of fresh snow. There are many trails, but we trecked up to Saints John one day and up the main valley past the Ben Rothelsberger home another day (is that ‘The’ Ben R? does anyone know?)
Hat’s off to Keystone, and of course hats off to families and holidays where they can reconnect and recharge in the Colorado Rockies.
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Skiing and snowboarding can be lifetime sports for people of all ages. People ski from when they can walk up until they are over 100. It’s a commonplace occurrence these days to see people in their 70’s and 80’s on the slopes. It’s so commonplace actually, that most ski resorts have stopped their practice of letting anyone over 70 ski for free on a pass! But this diversity of age is what makes skiing one of the few truly multi-generational sports.
Everyone knows it’s easier to learn skiing (and anything???) when you’re younger, so what are some tips for the parent that wants to introduce their child to skiing? I’m no child educator or psychiatrist, but my own kids both love the sport and I’ve seen many bad examples out there on the mountains… so here is my 2 cents worth.
- DO NOT try to teach them to ski yourself – It is way too frustrating for you and the child and rarely works. Get them out there with a pro and some peers who are also falling and learning in a group and you’ll have a much better environment in which they can learn.
- Invest in lessons (see #1) – Most ski resorts will take kids as long as they’re out of diapers and the lessons last all day… from 9am to 3pm… and include lunch. The pace is slow and fun (see #3).
- It HAS to be fun for them – If it’s something you’re choosing for them instead of them choosing for themselves, it won’t work. But if you’re traveling and only have a week at the resort, there is pressure to maximize that time and get them on the slopes. To improve your chances, talk to the child before about skiing and lessons and what will happen. Show them how it will be fun, there will be a ‘magic carpet’ to ride up (no lifts), fun things to ski around, and lots of hot chocolate and breaks. And if it’s miserably cold or windy one day… take a break from the mountain. One cold miserable day and your child may never go back.
- Equipment – Equipment is KEY (and part of the fun). Your child HAS to be ready for the weather that may change throughout the day with good gloves and waterproof jacket and pants… so dress them in layers with warm long underwear and a fleece and then a jacket and make sure they have sun screen on before the day starts. Also make their ski outfit fun and something they pick out themselves. Take the out the night or the morning before and play in the snow to test out the warmth and show them how fun snow can be. HELMETS ARE MANDATORY and googles too. I like a neck-gator as well that can be put around the face (no scarfs).
- Relax and plan ahead – Put out all of the clothing and gear the night before in anticipation of the big day. leave 30 mins before you think you need to in order to beat the rush and the line checking in. This way you may get to meet the instructor too!
- Your Lodging – Believe it or not, the lodging you choose in Keystone can make a difference. Ski-in Ski-out lodging obviously provides one less thing that could be a problem. No one likes to walk a long distance in ski boots carrying heavy skis… this aspect of the sport could be a deal-killer for your child. But remember that condos on the shuttle bus are good too… the thing to avoid is long walks… so condos where you load up into the free shuttle that drops you off right at the snow are good too! Avoid anything with more than a 200 yard walk for young kids. Leave those for the teenagers and adults. So most condos in River Run are also popular for kids.
- Which base area? – There are 2 ski school locations in Keystone, which is best? Both have the same instructors and quality of instruction. River Run is the new base area at Keystone and is where the gondola and most of the shops are. It’s also where most of the people are… The original base area called Mountain House is MUCH less crowded AND larger AND the learning area is right there connected with the ski school building at the base of the mountain (where it’s warmer and less windy). A condo in West Keystone or Mountain House would provide easier access to that ski School. One thing River Run has going for it though is that you can get to your lodging from the slopes more quickly and come and go as you please. So it’s a great location for kids that already know how to ski and not in ski school.
- Skiing or Boarding? – The age-old question… I say let the child choose. Kids 3-6 will have trouble learning to board and it will be much more painful for them… so push them to ski, but 6 and older, let them choose.
- kids love their teacher and their lessons if the parents and expectations are put aside temporarily
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Finding lodging in Keystone Resort Colorado isn’t hard! There are 3 motels from 2 to 4-stars and over 3,000 privately-owned condos and homes that are rented out to vacation renters. That’s the good news. The bad news is that with so many properties to choose from in 7 different villages, how do you go about picking right one if you’re a first time visitor?
First, here is a handy google map of all of Keystone Resort with the buildings and village labeled.
Next, here are some tips to help you find Keystone Condo or Home that will fit your unique needs:
- Pick a village – Keystone is divided in to 7 villages, each with their own character and characteristics. You can see a map and list of Keystone Villages here. You can click on each village to see photos of the villages and a map of each village.
- Pick a way to get from your condo to the slopes - Do you want to be ski-in ski-out (0 to 25 yards to the snow where you can click in and go), a short walk (from 50 yards to 300 yards) or have a free shuttle bus take you right to the slopes? All 3 can be great choices for skiers of all ages but you’ll pay more the closer you are.
- Pick a ‘feel’ you’re after for your vacation – Are you looking for a cabin in the woods and some quiet? (east or west keystone) Is a view a ‘must’ since you don’t get to visit the mountains every day? (west keystone, mountain house or river run can all have views) Or do you want to be in the ‘center’ of it all (river run). Do you want new? (east keystone or river run).
Using the advanced condo search on the SkyRun Vacation Rentals site, you can type your dates, your number of bedrooms and location and even what amenities you want and then see a list of all condos available with pricing for your dates. Then you can sort by number of beds, number each condo sleeps, square footage or price. It’s an easy way to find the best property for your needs out of over 115 properties we have available.
See this article on Selecting the Right condo for more information.
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If downhill skiing is not for all members of your family, why not try something new during your Keystone, Colorado winter ski vacation. Keystone’s Nordic Center has everything you need for a day of traditional cross-country skiing or the more challenging skate skiing. Both activities provide an excellent cardio-vascular workout while enjoying an amazing view of the woods and surrounding mountains. Keystone Nordic Center offers 9 miles of groomed trails and also abuts miles and miles of packed trails throughout the White River National Forest. The Center also provides daily lessons for any age. For more information, visit the the Keystone Nordic Center website or call 970- 496-4275.
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Selecting the right vacation rental for your needs can make or break your trip. Lodging is about 30-40% of the total cost of your trip with getting here and equipment and lift tickets making up 60-70%, so it doesn’t always pay to skimp on lodging!
Here are some things to consider:
location, location, location : do you want to be able to walk to the slopes? how about walking to restaurants and shops? if you have small kids, this may be a necessity. you can also save money by coming back to your condo for lunch or breaks instead of buying $10 hamburgers on the mountain. but don’t eliminate less expensive options that are convenient to the shuttle bus route. The shuttle bus in Keystone is free and runs all day and night. It takes you from most condos right to the slopes and you may actually have to walk less when riding the shuttle than you do from a walking distance condo…
tips: look at TOTAL TIME AND DISTANCE WALKING, not just how close the condo is. also… you can’t beat true ski-in ski-out…
size: when you buy a home, you look at the square footage. you should do that in a condo also. but don’t forget to consider the size of lobbies and common areas if you intend to use them.
tip: match the size of the condo to the size and needs of your group.
amenities: what’s in the condo varies widely. almost every condo has wifi internet and a fireplace, but some have HDTV and flat panel TV’s, video games, boot heaters in the ski locker, indoor and outdoor pools and grills (public and private) and an in-room hot tubs are a real trip-maker!
tip: compare amenities, not just price and location.
price: …and of course after considering your needs, compare price. There are many deals to be had now, and if you spend a longer time in the condo, or come during non-holiday times, you’ll be able to afford ALOT more for your money.
tip: SkyRun has mind the gap lodging specials that list times between other rentals for 15-30% off.
Summary: The internet has made it easier than ever to find and reserve the EXACT condo you want that meets your location, amenities and price needs. Don’t rent a condo that will be assigned to you later, rent exactly the condo you want and save at SkyRun Vacation Rentals.
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Keystone is known for it’s fine dining, but there are also many great casual choices within the resort. One option is always to take the 10 minute drive to Dillon where there are many many options from local eateries to national chains, but if you want to stay in the resort and dine casually, here are my picks (in order):
- Kickapoos Tavern - Steaks, burgers and burritos and soups and stews for a reasonable price. GREAT vibe with large areas for dining, a large patio and a very large informal bar area for even more casual experience. Live music many nights. – River Run right near the gondola – (970) 468-4601 – $$$
- New Moon Cafe – Great new addition to Keystone off to the side of River Run toward the Springs. Wraps, salads, sandwiches and more. Breakfast, Lunch and Apre. At night, funky place to hang out and listen to local musicians. The New Moon is the ‘real deal’, not touristy or fake. – River Run – (970)-262-3772 – $$
- Dos Locos – Mexican restaurant is locals favorite. Been in Keystone forever. Surprisingly great food. Dining upstairs for a quieter dining experience and bar and pool tables and a dozen flat panel TV’s downstairs for all ages. Happy hour at 3pm is perhaps the best deal in Keystone – Mountain View Plaza on Hwy 6 across from Mountain House base area – (970) 262-9185 – $$
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