Keystone for Families: Better than Ever with Bigger Snow Fort & More

The Keystone snow fort - bigger and better for 2011!

If you’re thinking about a Colorado ski vacation this season, but haven’t booked it yet, hightail it over to the Keystone Resort website and start planning it now. I fell in love with this family-friendly ski resort in the Colorado Rockies last February during a long-weekend stay. After just a short late-afternoon/early evening stint on the mountain last night, I was reminded of just how awesome the area is for families.

For one, the  “World’s Largest Snow Fort,” which debuted last year is back and bigger and better than ever. My kids climbed up to the castle ramparts, jumped off giant building blocks (that spell “Kidtopia”), and raced down a slide on this huge structure built entirely from snow (minus the plastic wavy slide and climbing rope to get up to the second level). Complete with Keystone-logo flags, plenty of twinkling lights and really cool decorative carvings, this snow fort at the top of the gondola next to Adventure Point, is a must-see for anyone visiting the ski area — whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart.

And the Tubing Hill! Oh, how my family loves the Tubing Hill. Even my cautious 8-year-old, who last year called it quits after one ride down the slope last year, decided it was “awesome” this go-around. Indeed, the five lanes are steep, with fun little hills at the end for extra thrills, but it’s totally safe — I always felt well wedged into the colorful tubes. Even when careening down the hill I never thought I’d flip or run into the sides of the lanes. Truly, it’s an adrenaline rush!

The two most cautious "tubers" ended up loving it!

Tubing isn’t necessarily cheap — it’s $29/person for an hour on the lanes. But between the blood-pumping excitement and the friendly staff that couldn’t be more helpful, tubing at Keystone really is worth a “splurge” for a family. Check the events calendar for evening disco tubing — crazy wigs, an Elvis costume, disco ball and music from the 1970s all add to the upbeat atmosphere.

One huge highlight of this recent short trip to Keystone: my sixty-something mom was in tow, and she, too, absolutely loved tubing. She was all set just to “take pictures” and “watch the kids,” but after I convinced her to at least sign the waiver to consider making the run down the hill with us, she relented. We giggled, snorted, shrieked down the hill together — I’m so glad I got to share this small slice of Colorado winter adventure with her.

My mom and I in front of the Tubing Hill yurt at Keystone's Adventure Point.

Still more adventures for families await for families at Keystone this winter with the return of the Kidtopia festivals. During certain dates this season, special complimentary events for kids take place, from face painting and glowstick ski parades to meet-and-greets with Smokey the Bear and cookie decorating. Be sure to check the online schedule, and if you can, book your trip to Keystone then.

With a top-notch ski school and varied terrain, plus loads of convenient condominium lodging options and kid-friendly restaurants (we had great wood-fired pies at Pizza on the Run not far from the base of the gondola), Keystone Resort is made for the whole family. I highly recommend it for a winter family vacation.

Here are a few more images of the super-cool snow fort:

My kids on top of the building blocks of snow that spell "Kidtopia"

The mountain vistas from the snow fort are awesome.

The snow fort is at the top of the gondola, next to Keystone's Adventure Point.