Keystone, CO

December 27th - January 2nd, 2008

Click HERE for the Keystone Ski Trip Itinerary

KEYSTONE TRIP REPORT

It was the BEST of times; it was the worst of times.  The snow was plentiful and the temperatures hovered around 0 degrees F with the Jet Stream dipping down on the western states.  It brought us snow, wind and cold temperatures--- you could say FRIGID.  Arriving Thursday, December 27^th in good spirits, we settled into our condos and got our bearings.  We skied Friday and warmed up with an Apres Ski at Parrot Eyes that evening.  On Saturday braved the cold skiing and riding Keystones powder and packed powder.  That night 25 of us ventured up the mountain via two gondolas, to Der Fondue Chessel for an excellent fondue dinner and entertainment.  During the chocolate fondue dessert course, we were told that the gondola back to the base was closing down due to high winds.  So we made our way to the Summit House where we waited, joked, bonded and some slept while a few lucky ones rode down in the snow cats.  Eventually the Keystone Ski Patrol gave us the go-ahead on the gondola down and we all made it back to the warmth of our condos--- three hours later than expected.  The smart ones of our group stayed at the condos heated pool and warmed up with pizza. 

            Being tired the next morning and looking to avoid some of the cold, nearly half of our group decided to take Sunday off and shop and sightsee at Breckenridge.  Little did they know that it would be too cold to stroll and the horizontal blowing snow would shut down the County’s Summit Stage Bus service stranding them and numerous others for hours at the bus station.  However, through determination, creative group thinking, and some good luck our Space Coast Ski Club group was able to bribe an off-duty Keystone Shuttle Bus driver to come over to Breck and pick them up.  While using a special password, “Kansas” (as in “there’s no place like home.”, our group was able to slip away from the waiting masses undetected and board the bus back to Keystone thereby avoiding a night’s stay in emergency temporary shelters.  Yes, even I 70 closed down that night from Loveland Pass to Vail Pass.  Those folks never want to hear the word “Breckenridge” uttered again!

            On the first day of the New Year half of us went to Vail for the day and found fresh powder, wide open bowls and beautiful sunshine.  It was the highlight of the trip for us.  The Jet Stream was lifting as our ski week was wrapping up.  Since the club’s last trip to Keystone in ’93, the Keystone Resort has grown and has a wonderful River Run Village.  It was a very cold ski week for all of us vacationers in Summit County but we made the best of it---Only the strong survive!

Happy New Year!