Anyone stay at Keystone Lodge or River Run, CO?

[Laurajean1014]

If you have experience at this DVC destination, I would greatly appreciate your input. We have a request in with DVC on both of these locations for February 2003.

Thanks, L

 

[Texas Pooh]

We have stayed for three years now at Keystone as an exchange, and loved every minute of it. IMHO, its a great value. We have stayed in River Run (two bedroom) and the Premium (one bedroom, kids on sofa). We loved both choices, although the Premium is our favorite because of the ski in/out. Our kids have loved the ski school, adventure mountain (tubing) and the kids' night activities (free kids activities if mom/dad go out to dinner on the mountain). The Premium was plenty of room, even with the kids on the sofa; the two bedroom was truly spacious. We're headed back over NYE, in fact. Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

[MMCD]

Texas Pooh,

Donald Duck is my favorite. so I guess I'm Texas Donald. I'm a Copper Mountian freak after Breck lodging got too expensive. I haven't skiied Keystone since the improvements to River Run. I only like to stay at ski in/out.

How many points did you have to give up to stay at Premium and what weeks?

Where is the children's ski school as to your place of stay? Did you have to drive your kids over there then drive back to catch your ski in/out lift?

Copper's kid school is just a short bus drive or walk across a long, long, long, parking lot.

MMCD

 

[tbickford]

We have ressie's at Keystone for December 28 thru January 3. I don't have my paperwork in front of me, but I want to say we will be staying next door to the ski in/ski out in a 1 BR. That was all that was available when we booked.

We want our kids to take the ski school too. They (twins) will turn 4 years old on Dec. 27. Is this school something we should purchase before hand or is it safe to schedule it upon arrival? Does anyone know if there are special events in keystone for the New Year?

 

[Allan]

We spent a week at Keystone last March and LOVED it. This is definitely a trade we want to do again. Our 6yo had a blast at the kid's ski school.

 

[MMCD]

At all the ski places I've been to, the kid's ski school seems to be a zoo.

Try to arrive at the kids school before your 1st day of skiing. They may close by 5:30 pm. Register and get all their ski rental equipment. That way on your 1st day of skiing, you don't have to go through the "zoo" line. It will be like your kid is a "return" guess.

I've never preregistered my kids until I get there. Nursery care is what I recommend to preregister.

MMCD

 

[Texas Pooh]

Sorry for the delay in responding - pesky work got in the way.

It was 246 points for the week including NYE. The "premium" is on the same slope as the gondola, so you ski right in/out. Children's ski school is at the bottom of the gondola, so it couldn't be easier. I think its a good value, given what they get for rental on those units.

Tbickford, you'll be there when we are! there are tons of special activities for NYE at the skating pond near the lodge. You can call keystone directly and ask, or check out the website. Also, there is a daily newspaper of activities that you'll get once your there that will help. Every night, there is a family event (one year we looked at the stars with telescopes, had a story hour, etc.)

Ski school - your twins are perfect to start (mine started at 3). Your are in River Run, right near the base of the Gondola. There are two ski schools - one is a half day snow play with a half day ski, and one is all day skiing. You might think about doing a few days of each, which is how we started our kids. That lets them ease into it. Unfortuantely, the program of ski/ply is at Mountain House, which is a bus ride from where you are, which can be a pain with two kids and everybody's stuff. The all day ski program is either at the River Run ski area (right next to the Gondola) or at Mountain House; the River Run area is very easy from where you are. Mine did all day ski at 4 - although they would occasionally stay behind with the instructor for a nap and miss the afternoon - but they had done half day 3 first.

Registering the kids is a bit of a nightmare; lots of paperwork and fitting of skis. We have learned to do it the day we get there, after unpacking and before dinner. waitiing to do it on the morning of the first ski lesson is a sure recipe for tears and frustration (not to mention what the kids feel like ). There are a number of packages available; we find the most efficient is to buy ski school lessons for the week; you get the kids' skis and ski passes with that.


Last bit of advice: there is a program where the kids stay at Mountain House one night at week (pizza, movies, arts and crafts) for free while Mom/Dad get to have dinner out. When you get there, call the activity line and they'll help you with reservations for both. It is always a highlight of our trip!

Now, for all this advice, you need to make me a promise: MAKE YOUR CHILDREN WEAR SKI HELMETS. They are available for rental, or you can buy them (we bought, the kids like to put stickers on them). You will also use them when you take the kids tubing on top of the mountain, which is way too much fun. I have seen too many kids hurt without helmets.

 

[tbickford]

Originally posted by Texas Pooh
Tbickford, you'll be there when we are!

Texas Pooh,
THAT'S GREAT! HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! Thanks for all that wonderful advice.

 

[Texas Pooh]

TBickford,

How was your trip? There were several sets of twins in ski school with my kids during our trip - I asked several of the twins Moms if they were you (which, of course, meant I got a lot of strange looks) but didn't find you. Did you have a good trip? How did the kids like ski school?

We had a great time - thought the snow this year was better than last year, and really enjoyed the NYE festivities.

Texas Pooh

 

[tbickford]

Hi TEXAS POOH,

Thanks for asking about our trip.

We had a fabulous time at Keystone. The twins enjoyed ski school so much that they took ski school all five days. A few of the kid names that I remember in their class are Tyler, Katiepun, and Darcy. We also did an early afternoon with a personal trainer. The kids caught on so fast. We hope to go back in about two years (when their around 6) and hopefully it will be just like riding a bike (something you'll never forget)

The snow was wonderful and the kids got to see it snowing.
We did tubing one night and had some fun. We also did a sleigh ride that took us to a cabin for a steak dinner. It was a great experience. We went to see a few ice skaters at the rink as well as a few ice carvings. My husband did some night skiing. We were able to view the new year's eve candle ceremony from our room as well as the fireworks. On the way back to Denver airport, we stopped at Lookout Mountain and Buffalo Bill's grave.

Our next DVC trip will probably be at Disney World in August and then we will save up (bank and borrow) for an Alaskan Cruise in 2004 or 2005.

Hope you and your family had a great time and a Happy New Year. Take care!

 

[Sunseeker]

We own condo in River Run. Not all the buildings have pools within the complex . Some of them share a community pool and it is not much fun to race back to your condo in the winter time. So if pool usage is important to you inquire about this when you book. If you have any questions about specific buildings I may be able to help you.