One of the things that you shouldn’t miss out on when you’re next in Colorado is Keystone’s Night Skiing.
Keystone happens to be one of the few ski resorts in Colorado that offer visitors a night skiing option.
This unique experience is something every skier and snowboarder should try out at least once in their lives!
Table of Contents
- When Does Night Skiing Start?
- How Late Can You Ski at Keystone?
- Is Keystone Night Skiing Worth It?
- Is Night Skiing Extra at Keystone?
- How Much Does Keystone Night Skiing Cost?
- Food & Drink – Keystone Night Skiing
- Night Skiing Tips
When Does Night Skiing Start?
Night skiing at Keystone usually starts on the Thanksgiving holiday and finishes at the end of March.
Night skiing starts at the River Run base area. The River Run Gondola takes you up the mountain from where you start your night skiing adventure.
The slopes are lit with large floodlights so you can see the trails as you make your way down the mountain.
Make sure you wear the right lenses though! Even though there are lights, you’ll need either clear or yellow lenses for better visibility.
How Late Can You Ski in Keystone?
Regular operating hours at Keystone are from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.
However, on certain nights Keystone offers night skiing which means you can ski until 7:00 pm. This is an hour earlier than in previous years.
Night skiing this winter (2023/2024) will be available on weekends and holidays:
- November: 23 – 25 (Thanksgiving Thursday – Saturday)
- December: 23 – 31 nightly (Holiday Period Nightly)
- January: 5, 6, 12 – 14, 19, 20, 26, 27 (Friday’s & Saturday’s + New Years & MLK Sunday)
- February: 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 – 18, 23, 24 (Fridays & Saturdays + Presidents Weekend Sunday)
- March: 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 (Fridays & Saturdays through March 30)
Night skiing this season ends on March 30, 2024.
You can take a look at the official opening times here.
Is Keystone night skiing worth it?
Night skiing at Keystone is absolutely worth it!
Night skiing is not offered at many resorts in Colorado and in fact, there aren’t many large resorts in the US that offer night skiing.
Being able to get a few extra runs in under the stars is a unique experience and one that is totally worth it.
Another benefit of night skiing is that the slopes are often less crowded at night and the lift lines are shorter.
There is no doubt that night skiing is different to day skiing and you need to be adequately prepared, especially if it is your first time.
If you happen to be in Keystone this winter season and it’s your first time night skiing then make sure you take a look at our Beginners Guide to Night Skiing.
How Much Does Keystone Night Skiing Cost?
Tickets can be purchased from the ticket office but we recommend purchasing your tickets in advance online.
This ensures your ticket is guaranteed (they are limited) and you get a better rate than buying at the ticket office.
At the time of writing, night skiing rates at Keystone were as follows:
| Ticket | Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Adult (13+) | $148 |
| Ages (5 – 12 years old) | $96 |
Tickets can be purchased online here.
Important: You’ll need to pick up your night skiing ticket from the ticket window. The ticket does not automatically load onto your existing ticket.
Night skiing tickets are valid from 4 pm but can be picked up any time before.
To make the most of your experience, we suggest picking your night tickets up earlier in the day so that you can start riding as soon as the slopes open for the night session.
Is Night Skiing Extra at Keystone?
Yes – night skiing at Keystone is extra so you’ll need to purchase a ticket at the ticket office or online.
Food & Drink – Keystone Night Skiing
If you need something to eat or drink while you’re out night skiing then you can pull into Summit House (Top of Dercum Summit) which is the endpoint of the River Run Gondola.
Summit House is usually open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Opening hours are extended until 7:00 pm for night skiing.
Night Skiing Tips
If you’re going to be in Keystone this winter, and you’re heading out at night for the first time, we’ve put together a few night skiing tips that should help make your experience much better:
1. Dress warmly. The temperatures drop at night. This means you’ll need to layer up and wear extra gear. Your extremities such as hands, feet and head are likely to get the coldest so focus on keeping them warm. This will ensure you have a much more pleasant experience on the slopes and don’t call it an early night.
2. Use the correct lenses. Make sure you either use clear or yellow lenses to protect your eyes and help you see better.
3. Take it easy to start. Skiing at night takes a different set of skills and while the slopes might be quieter we always recommend taking it easy to start, especially if it is your first time.
4. Don’t ski alone. This rule is just as applicable to skiing during the day. At night with fewer people on the mountain, it always helps to have a buddy with you in case something goes wrong.
5. Have fun. This goes without saying but skiing at night is a unique experience that not all resorts offer. If you get the chance then get out there and make the most of it. If you happen to be able to share it with friends it will be an experience you’ll never forget!
Check out our comprehensive guide night skiing guide for additional tips.
Before You Go..
If you’re looking for alternative night skiing options in Colorado make sure you check out Steamboat’s Night Skiing and our guide to Night Skiing in Colorado.
Looking for alternative ski resorts to go night skiing in the USA? Then take a look at our USA Night Skiing Guide.
Night skiing for the first time? Then check out our Beginners Guide to Night Skiing.
