Travel Tips: 6 Ways To Save Time and Money for Your Ski Trip to Keystone

Dec. 03, 2015 By

Here are six easy ways to save money on your ski trip to Keystone. And, you’ll save time, too.

1) Avoid the lift ticket lines and window rates

The best way to save time and money is to buy your lift tickets in advance. Better yet, buy an Epic season pass if you’re planning to ski more than six days this season. If you missed the deadline for the lowest rates on the season passes or are planning to only ski a few days, don’t fret – you can still save.

The EpicDay tickets will save you some sanity by avoiding a long ticket sales line and some moolah. You can buy the EpicDay tickets online and on your phone. Here’s the deal – purchase the EpicDay tickets at least seven days in advance, and you’re guaranteed the lowest price PLUS your pass will be shipped to you. That means you can head straight to the lift when you get to Keystone. Once you have your EpicDay Lift Ticket you can add more days online or via mobile, so you can keep going straight to the lift. You’ll never stand in a ticket line again and get the lowest price on lift tickets.

2)Rent your ski gear in advance

If you’re planning to rent skis or a snowboard, do it BEFORE you get to Keystone. Trust us, you can thank us later. This is a great way to save money on your ski trip to Keystone – and save time, too. If you rent online, you’ll get a discount (up to 20 percent) and Keystone Sports will have your gear ready and waiting for you when you get to the resort.

Keystone Sports is located where you want to be: in both base areas (River Run and Mountain House). So, skip the rental line in the morning. Better yet, stop by the rental shop the night before your first day on the slopes and you can pick up your gear so you’re ready first thing for your first day on the slopes.

3)Ski for free

Yes. That’s right. For Free. If you stay at a Keystone lodging property, you get free night skiing on the night of your arrival. That’s a sure way to save money on your ski trip to Keystone, but it’s also a smart way to maximize your time on the mountain. Plus, as a Keystone lodging guest, you’ll get other perks for free, such as ice skating admission, yoga class, nordic ski trail fee and more. Kids 12 and under also ski free when you stay 2 nights or more. Contact us for more information or to book your stay.

4)Kids ski free

No blackout dates. No stress. No joke. The only catch is that you need to stay two nights or more at a Keystone lodging property and your kids 12 and younger will ski and ride for free. Book your lodging through KeystoneResort.com or by calling 866-736-8548. Here’s how easy it is:

Choose your lodging
Select two nights or more
Enter your children’s ages
Get excited and high five your family
Show up at Keystone and pick up your free kids lift tickets at check-in. High five again.

5)Dine on-mountain

You may not want to take a break from skiing and boarding, but refueling is necessary. Take advantage of our Food Court style options to get quality eats and then get back on the mountain in no time.

If your belly’s grumbling while you’re on Dercum Mountain, stop into Summit House to grab a bite to eat. With its wide variety of menu options, there’s something for everyone at Summit House. If you’re in the Mountain House village check out the Mountain House Lodge (food court is on the second floor) and enjoy fresh salads, hotdogs, pizza, burgers, and sandwiches. On North Peak, Timber Ridge is the perfect place to sit, relax, and enjoy an array of higher end cafeteria options. Or head to the best BBQ smoke house and the best beach on the mountain. Labonte’s Smokehouse has a beach, live music, beautiful views, and BBQ!

6)Plan your travel times on I-70

Keystone boasts the longest ski day in all of Colorado, so why rush to get in the car when Keystone offers skiing and riding until 8 p.m. on most weekend nights? Plus, there are a slew of award-winning restaurants and quick-eat locations that’ll keep you enjoying more of Keystone, and less time spent in the car.

To really save time, make sure you “know before you go” on I-70. There are certain times where you will encounter heavy traffic and delay your trip. Here are some tips:

The Basics:

Visit GoI70.com for real-time road information, travel forecast and I-70 news.
Avoid traveling westbound on Friday nights (3-7 p.m.) and Saturday and Sunday mornings
Avoid traveling eastbound on Saturday and Sunday afternoons (noon-6 p.m.)
Traveling after 7 p.m. is recommended most days if you can or during the week.
Always check road and traffic conditions before you travel so you’re not caught off-guard and unprepared. Make sure you check the updated traction and chain laws. For example, a restriction that began in 2015, requires all passenger vehicles to have chains, snow tires, other traction devices, 4WD, or AWD on certain stretches of I-70.
If the roads are icy and/or congested, consider spending the night in the mountains and then head to work or school or the airport early the next morning. Visit KeystoneResort.com for lodging deals.
Consider carpooling or taking a bus or van to the mountains. It’s beneficial to you and the environment.

If we missed any of your favorite tips or tricks, share them with us on social. Enjoy your trip to Keystone.