Keystone Family Fun: 5 Activities to Try With Children
Keystone, Colorado, located 90 minutes from the Denver International Airport, offers outdoor enthusiasts year-round recreation for the entire family. From designated kids’ zones to classes for grandparents, the area has plenty to do — especially for multigenerational families. In fact, Keystone has earned a reputation as one of the top family ski resorts in Colorado. So when planning, get some Keystone family fun ideas and try these activities.
Keystone Family Fun: 5 Ideas to Please the Whole Group
Explore Kidtopia
Keystone’s Kidtopia is a seasonal festival made just for kids, but the whole family can have fun too! From dancing to tubing, families have lots of free daily events to pick from seven days a week. Try a scavenger hunt or Bigfoot adventure to see the area, or take a break for cookie time. In evenings, don’t miss pizza, movies and the Kidtopia fireworks show on Saturdays, which is a great way to end the day. Other events include the Kidtopia Snow Fort – the largest in the world – and Riperoo’s Village Parade, complete with a horse-drawn sleigh for small visitors to ride.
Snow and Ice Fun
Three mountains – one of which is the largest in Summit County – provide more than 3,000 acres of terrain to ski, snow tube and ride. Cross-country skiing at Keystone’s top-rated Nordic Center provides access to 35 miles of trails, or ski with a ranger on Fridays. A 50-plus Ski with Us program offers this age group complimentary guided tours on Thursdays, allowing them to meet new people and visit with locals. For more snowy fun, try a gondola ride, snowbiking or snowmobile tour, snowshoeing, or sleigh rides.
Families can ice skate day or night at the 7,200-square-foot Dercum Square rink. Keystone Lake also offers ice skating and hockey, and has the largest Zamboni-maintained outdoor rink in the U.S.
Golf in the Rocky Mountains
If visiting in the summer, tee off at one of two area 18-hole courses in Keystone. The par-72 Keystone Ranch course is a Robert Trent Jones design that includes views of longpole pines, meadows and a lake. Hurdzan-Fry designed the par-71 River Course at Keystone, which features a 194-foot elevation change with Lake Dillon and mountain views. During golf seasons, families can join SNAG (Starting New At Golf) to learn the basics and become more comfortable golfing.
Hiking and Biking
For more keystone family fun in summer, grab mountain bikes and head to the bike park, where 55 trails await riders. Beginners and intermediates should hop on roller coaster rides over bridges and berms. Meanwhile, experts can take a chairlift to reach incredible heights, and ride downhill through rock gardens and rock drops. For a more relaxed experience, Mountain Top Adventures and Adventure Post Tubing offer hiking options for all ages. Find the best Keystone hiking trails.
Find What You Need
Keystone has dozens of shops to browse for travel needs and gifts. From chocolate to gear, visitors find specialty shops and big-name brands. For souvenirs, stop by Rockin’ R Ranch, an old trading post-style shop. Christy Sports and Keystone Sports specialize in clothing, gear and accessories. Kids can shop at Kidz Cabin and Shirt Off My Back for their perfect item to take home. Read more about the Keystone shopping scene.
Need a place to stay? Browse accommodations in Keystone.