Keystone cash vs points for ski season?

skylynx

DIS Sponsor in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado
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Mar 1, 2003
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Just returned from a horse expo in Eagle, Colorado and DH and I decided to swing by Keystone on the way back to Denver as we thought we might like to sample the Concierge collection booking there early next year for a ski trip. What a gorgeous place! DH and I both felt like if Wilderness Lodge was a ski resort, this is what it would look like! We liked the River Run area and would probably book accomodations there. We spoke to the condo registration fellow, who was very helpful. He implied that there was a pretty wide variety of rooms you could get for a range of point values...it sounded so confusing in regards to what, besides "studio" or One-bedroom" could be expected in regards to what building you'd be in. I guess there were so many possibilities they just couldn't categorize and describe them all separately.

We definitely want to book a ski trip there in early 2009, but were wondering if anyone else other than us did a points versus cash price calculation-and if so, what did you determine? (Assuming weekday/weeknight/non-holiday peak time pricing fluctuations already taken into consideration, along with the booking fee.) Keystone's reservation website can be a bit vague about which accommodation/specific area you are actually booking. In fact, the registration person told us we'd be better off just calling on the phone to book. Hmm. We brought a resort map home from Keystone, so will be able to use that as a booking guide when we pick our travel dates. We were just wondering if any fellow DVC'ers had done a points vs cash comparison, and, if you did book accommodations, were they what you expected when you got there?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom!
 
Good grief, 2008, not 2009. Still on my Rocky Mountain high...can't think straight.
 
We booked a two bedroom using points several years ago at Keystone. We were in what was then referred to as the "Forest" section. I think that they have changed the names of the sections in the last few years. The section we were in was not close to either of the lifts, and was pretty old. The condo was not in pristine condition, but it was large and comfortable. There was a pool and laundry facilities nearby (no laundry in the unit). We took the bus every day to the lifts, which was kind of a pain, but it worked. I think that most of the condos are owned by individuals, and are rented out by the resort reservation service, so you are not going to get a standard product such as you get through DVC or another time share.

My brother rented a one BR condo in River Run while we were there. It was much newer, and walking distance to the River Run lift, but it was much smaller than our condo. I'm not sure if he had access to a pool.

I would recommend calling the Keystone reservation agent to get descriptions of the various areas and of the condos that are available in each one, including how close they are to the lifts, what the amenities are, etc. and the prices. Then call DVC with your choices once you decide whether you want to use points.

Keystone is a wonderful ski area. We really enjoyed it, and will probably go back some day.
 
Generally, I'd guess that paying cash would be a better value. Ski resorts offer so many great deals that it's hard to imagine a points exchange being better. If you are flexible on travel dates, go to some of the ski resorts' websites and sign up for email notifications of special deals. Also, the local chambers of commerce often have great deals.

Summit County is absolutely beautiful. The only bad thing about Summit is the altitude. Most Summit resorts' bases are about 8,500 feet (about 1,000 feet higher than most other resorts in that part of CO) and that gives some folks altitude sickness problems. Altitude sickness can be very serious, so even if you didn't have those issues at Vail/Eagle, be sure to read up on it.

In addition to Keystone, don't miss the town (and skiing) of Breckenridge. Great town!
 

Thanks for the advice. Called Keystone and booked a three night stay at River Run with cash rather than points in March. We calculated that even before tacking on the booking fee for concierge through DVC, it would be a bit more "expensive" to use points (based on the way we estimate our "cost" per DVC point). It wasn't a big difference, though, which was encouraging, as eventually we'll want to try to use points outside of the Magnificent Seven (oops, Eight). I think if you look hard enough, you can find authentically good values of our points outside DVC resorts (just not at non-DVC Disney resorts or on DCL...ouch!)

Now, after booking this trip, I have just realized it has been a bunch of years since my last ski adventure (at Jackson Hole) and that hardly ANYONE uses the older, long straight skis like I have anymore. Guess it will be new skis for Christmas or rentals!
 
Great pictures...thanks for sharing. That's what it looked like Monday when we visited...I'm dying to go back now!
 
Thanks. Also the one we were in (cream colored in the last pic) had underground parking which would really be nice in the winter. They may all have it but you could ask.
 
You'll love Keystone! If you want a fun dining adventure, try the Fondue restaurant at the top. It's pricey but a cool experience. The dinner sleigh ride is fun too. Definitely rent or buy the newer skis-so worth it!
 
You will love Keystone and if you have not gone skiing for a while, they do excellent lessons for adults and kids. It is our favorite place to go,(besides SSR!) we love the atmosphere. Be sure to go over to Keystone Village and go ice skating.

The condos are owned by individuals but have to meet certain standards set by Keystone so you never have to worry about that. And the daily housekeeping is provided by Keystone resort.

Have fun. We moved here(Denver 'burbs) 19 years ago from Chicago and still feel like we are on vacation every day.
 
Everyone's glowing responses are making me wish the summer away already and it's just beginning! My "hidden agenda" for this Keystone trip is to get my DH (non-skier from the soggy winter UK) to get into skiing the way he got into horses with me. It is so much easier when both people in the couple share the same passions (so no arguing about whether we should ski, ride the horses, buy DVC, book another Disney Cruise, etc.) We both just say yes!

We've been reading on the Keystone website about the restaurants at the top and the sleigh ride to the ranch...we are both latter-day cowpokes and so won't miss the ranch trip...and will certainly try to fit in the gondola trip to the fondue/raclette place as well. One of the things that appealed so much to us about River Run was the underground parking...no pretty buildings afloat in a sea of cars.

Thanks for all the info everyone is sharing!
 
I have skied Keystone and Winter Park more than any other CO areas. I have compared cash prices at several property management cos. I always stay at River Run and have used http://www.rmrminc.net/ several times with good results. The deals were always better than the resort's and you can view pictures/descriptions/prices of their units online. If the resort is offering ticket/lodging deals that may be the best however, because tickets are out of sight now.

At River Run, Black Bear and Jackpine are the closest to the gondola right now -- without paying exhorbitant prices for the liftside lodges. There can be a BIG difference in distance to lift from different lodges in RR. There is a map on the Keystone site to check where your lodge is. There are some huge "one BR" in Black Bear (I don't know about Jackpine) that have a Murphy bed in addition to the sofa and BR. However, last time I looked the one we stayed in was not available through rmrm anymore but through vrbo.

A year ago there was a rumor about extending the gondola closer to the RR condos and building a Marriott right at the base. (??timeshare) I was at Breck this past season so I don't know what is being said about that lately.
 



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