Saturday, June 15, 2013

Keystone Ski Resort celebrates opening weekend of summer season

Posted for Nancy Yearout
RE/MAX Properties of the Summit, #Breckenridge, Colorado
nyearout@colorado.net
http://www.realestate-breckenridge.net

#Keystone, Colorado

Mountain bikers made their way down twisting trails along the scenic mountainside. Kids jumped in bouncy houses and crawled through mazes. Couples stopped to throw beanbags and play chess while walking through the River Run Village, and others kept their winter dreams alive by drifting down still-snowy slopes on tubes.
 
“There is nothing like snow tubing in short sleeves and shorts,” said Laura Parquette, Keystone’s communications manager. “It’s a lot of fun to hold onto the winter vibe a little bit as we hold all of our summer activities.”
 
Parquette said Keystone has a little something for “every flavor” in the summer season.
 
“We have a range of activities all right here in a compact resort setting,” she said.
In addition to family friendly activities in the village, and at the top of the mountain, there are two golf courses and a five-acre lake on site. Activities on the lake include catch-and-release fishing, canoeing and kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
 
Keystone has 20 hiking trails open along the mountainsides. Resort staffers said they will continue to open more as the snow melts.
 
One of the main draws to the resort in the summer is mountain biking. Javier Diaz traveled from Colorado Springs to bike at the resort on Friday. He’s been involved in the sport for five years and says he finds himself coming back to Keystone again and again.
 
“This is one of the top destinations I like to bike,” he said. “I like it here because all of the people are friendly and it’s not as expensive as other places.”
 
The resort offers mountain-bike trails for beginners and for those who want to push themselves on more challenging terrain.
 
“Any level of rider can come out and enjoy what we have to offer,” Parquette said.
In addition to ongoing outdoor activities, a series of events will be held throughout the season. Next weekend the resort will hold one of its signature events: the Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour.
“Three thousand pounds of bacon will be turned into a wide range of tasty treats,” Parquette said.
Other signature Keystone happenings include the Keystone Wine and Jazz Festival and the Bluegrass and Blues Festival.
 
The resort will play host to a series of biking events, including the Beti AllRide Clinic, a sold-out, all-female, all-ability event next weekend to help mountain bikers build their skills. The Big Mountain Enduro will be held in early July. The competition offers big, challenging terrain in and around a mountainous landscape.
 
For locals, a new bike-in movie series starts next Thursday, June 18.
“You can hop on your bike and come out, and we’ll have refreshments and play a family friendly movie,” Parquette said. “That should be a lot of fun, and from a local’s perspective it’s a great way to get outside and hang out with neighbors and friends.”
 
The Friday Afternoon Club offers free rides on the gondola after 3 p.m. and live music and activities at the Summit House. There will also be a variety of kids events.
A full list of Keystone’s summer activities and events can be found at www.keystoneresort.com
 
Courtesy of the Summit Daily News