Keystone thinks big for future on-mountain improvements

In the April 11, 2007 Summit Daily News Nicole Formsa filed the following report.

Executives from Keystone Ski Resort (owned by Breckenridge Ski Area owner, Vail Resorts, and about a 20-minute drive from Breckenridge) touted their long-term plans for the county's largest ski area, including replacing the River Run Gondola, building a new on-mountain restaurant, relocating the Outpost Gondola, and beginning a $2.3 million expansion of the Keystone Lodge Spa.

Pat Campbell, Keystone chief operation officer, said Keystone has caught the attention of its parent company and is poised to take the next step. "People have really noticed the success that we're having, but also the incredible potential here at the resort, so I think we're sitting in just a great position looking into the future for development" Campbell said.

The master plan, which is subject to Forest Service approval, has at the top of the list the replacement of the 23-year-old River Run Gondola. As planned, the new gondola would start on the north side of the Snake River to shorten the walk from the free parking lot and would include a mid-station. The new gondola was originally planned to be tied to real estate development, but is now viewed as a stand-alone project and can move forward without a real estate anchor.

In addition, Keystone plans to replace the Argentine lift with a new lift that would whisk skiers from the Mountain House base to the top of Dercum Mountain. Also planned is a fine-dining restaurant which could eventually replace the award-winning Alpenglow Stube.