Skiing · · Peak Oxygen, Keystone
Most Colorado ski days end when the lifts stop in the late afternoon. Keystone is different. On select evenings in the heart of winter, part of the mountain stays open after dark, with lit runs above River Run Village and the gondola carrying skiers and riders up into the night. If you have never skied under the lights, it is one of the most memorable things you can do on a Keystone trip.
This guide covers how night skiing at Keystone works, how to dress for it, and how to fit it into your trip without wearing yourself out at 9,280 feet.
How night skiing at Keystone works
Night skiing happens on the front of Dercum Mountain, the side you see from River Run Village. A selection of runs is lit, and the lifts serving them keep turning into the evening while the rest of the mountain closes for the day. The schedule changes from season to season, and it usually focuses on weekends and holiday weeks once there is enough snow. Check Keystone's website or the app for this season's nights and hours before you plan around it.
When you look up the schedule, check whether your ticket or pass covers the evening session. Some visitors make night skiing the second half of a long day. Others do the opposite: a slow morning, a late lunch in the village, then a few hours on the snow once the lights come on.
Why it is worth doing
- The views. Watching the sun go down over the Snake River valley from the top of the gondola, then skiing down as the lights come up, is hard to beat.
- Quieter runs. Evening crowds are often lighter than a busy weekend afternoon, so laps can come quickly.
- More time on the snow. On a short trip, an evening session adds hours of skiing without needing another day.
- Something different for the family. Kids who have skied all morning often get a second wind for a night run or two.
What to wear when the sun goes down
Temperatures at Keystone can drop quickly once the sun is behind the ridge, and the chairlift ride is colder at night than in the afternoon. Plan on one more layer than you wore during the day: a warm midlayer, a neck gaiter or balaclava, and dry gloves or mittens. A spare pair of gloves in your pocket is a small thing that makes a big difference.
Goggles matter too. Dark lenses that are perfect on a sunny day make lit runs look flat and dim. Bring a clear or low-light lens, or a second pair of goggles, and swap before you head up. If you only have sunglasses, you will want something better for the evening.
Plan your evening around River Run
River Run Village is the base for night skiing, and it makes an easy evening. You can park or take the free shuttle, grab a snack before your first ride, and warm up between laps. Afterward, the village has restaurants, bars and fire pits within a short walk of the gondola, so dinner can be the last stop rather than a drive away.
If you are staying at Lakeside Village, Mountain House or in a condo along the Snake River, the resort shuttles connect the bases. Keystone's shuttle schedule can change at night, so check the last bus time before you set out.
Pace your day at altitude
A full day plus an evening session is a lot of time on the snow at elevation, and Keystone's base sits at 9,280 feet. Visitors coming from lower elevations often find that the second or third day is when they feel the long hours most. A few simple habits help:
- Drink water throughout the day, not just at lunch. Dry mountain air pulls moisture away faster than you might notice.
- Take a real break between the day session and the evening session. Go back to your lodging, eat a proper meal and rest your legs.
- Keep alcohol light before and during night skiing, both for the altitude and for the cold.
- Save night skiing for your second or third evening rather than the day you arrive, so your body has a little time to settle in.
Talk to a doctor about any medical questions before your trip, especially if you have a condition affected by altitude.
Make it an easy night
Night skiing is one of the best parts of a Keystone winter, and it is even better when the rest of the evening is easy. Lay out your evening layers in the morning, keep a spare pair of gloves in your pocket and know where you will eat afterward.
If you would like oxygen waiting at your Keystone lodging when you get back, Peak Oxygen delivers in-home and portable oxygen concentrators across Keystone for recreational use at altitude. No prescription is needed, and deliveries do not require you to be present. See our FAQ or call (970) 368-9190 with questions.
