The Crooked Moose Lodge's Guidebook

Groceries will be cheaper and you’ll have better selection if you buy them in Denver as there are only small, expensive grocers in Keystone. If that isn’t possible, stop at the City Market - 300 Dillon Ridge Rd., Dillon, CO 80435 when you get off 70 before heading into Keystone. There is also a liquor store to the left of City Market. If you forget an item and don’t want to make the drive all the way back to Dillon, there is a small grocery, liquor & gas station across US-6 at the light- Keystone Grocery & Liquor, 21801 US 6 W Dillon Rd CO 80435.

The main lot at Keystone’s River Run Village is still free (though there is always talk of changing this). It fills up on ski holidays/weekends so arrive by 9 if you can (there are overflow flows with shuttle service). TIP - Parents family parking is up front if you have little kids ask the guides if there are still spots & after your park, look for a red wagon. TIP - if you are skiing Breck where parking is expensive and far from the lifts: park in Keystone’s free lot & take the bus to Breck (Swan Mountain/Breck bus). The bus is free and drops you off much closer to the slopes.

(1) There is no cross country (XC) skiing or sledding on the Keystone resort’s award-winning Ranch golf course as it would damage the greens. But you can find out where to pick up a XC skiing trail that winds thru the Ranch by grabbing a map at the Nordic Center. (2) The trails & trees are part of the White River Nat’l Forest; they cannot be cut down for firewood or a Christmas tree. (3) Our neighbors on each side are very kind. Please be kind back & keep noise down outside after 10 pm (4) there is no parking on the streets in the Ranch; & (5) pool is open 8 am to 8 pm, mid June to Labor Day.

Keystone sits at just under 11,000 feet. If you aren’t used to the altitude, drink lots of water as you are coming to Denver, traveling into the mountains, and once you are here. Hydrating can help alleviate some the symptoms of altitude sickness, like headaches and fatigue. Consider spending a day in Denver or not skiing the first day if you experience some of these early symptoms. If you start to experience more severe symptoms, liike disorientation, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, nausea, or vomiting, seek medical attention immediately.

Moose do frequent Keystone Ranch and the area in general. If you spot one, don’t approach and give a moose at least 50 meters of space as they are territorial and protective of their young. If you accidentally realize you are near one, don’t run, yell, or try to look large, as these behavior could startle or threaten a moose. Instead, back slowly and calmly away. If the moose charges, you will NOT outrun it. Quickly, find something large like a car, boulder, or trees, to put between you and the moose.

This is as much an experience as a meal. Keystone hires award winning chefs to cook a fabulous meal for you - at the top of the North Peak of the resort. To get there, you take two gondola rides, starting from the River Run base area to get to the Outpost Lodge on North Peak. If choosing on food alone, I might pick the Keystone Ranch Restaurant over the Stube, but combining the good with the experience of going to the back of the mountain in the quiet, night is what sets the Alpenglow apart. 800.354.4386 or alpenflowstube@vailresorts.com

If unique once-in-a-lifetime experiences are what you are looking for, think about booking a sled dog mushing tour or snowmobiling excursion. Sled dog tours are six people per guide and in 2020 were $140/person for an hour a half outing. Reservations can be made by phone only between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 1.800.477.0144. For more information, visit https://good times adventures.com/dogsledding.html and for directions visit https://goodtimes adventures.com directions.html - they are located near the Breckendridge golf course.