Mountain layout—Snowboarding

You won't find any double-diamonds here. For the most challenge, head to The Outback—a mix of open bowls, trails and glades. The quartet of Timberwolf, Bushwacker, Badger and The Grizz allow tree fans to pick how tight they want their forest. They also get massive bumps. Reach the two short black-diamond bowls here with a 10-minute hike from the top of the Outback Express. (This in-bounds terrain tops out at 12,408 feet, more than what's listed in the stat box, where we list lift-served terrain.)

Other than the Outback, Keystone's steeps are mainly moguled, a major drawback for many advanced snowboarders. North Peak is generally tamer than The Outback and is a great spot for working on technique and steeps. Star Fire, though rated blue, is a superb steep, groomed run and a good warm-up for this area. Break your own tracks through the trees directly beneath the Santiago Express or duck into Bullet Glades for an adrenaline rush. Another stash of trees is called The Windows and requires a short hike from the bottom of the Outpost Gondola (off Dercum's back side).

Don't like to hike but still want to get into the backcountry? Keystone Adventure Tours operates two cats (weather dependent) for a little taste of a backcountry experience while staying in-bounds. Snowcats leave from both the top of the Outpost Gondola and The Outback, giving you two choices: Make reservations and ride with two guides in Bergman and Erickson Bowls, or take a snowcat to North Bowl and South Bowl for unguided descents. Either way, this is about the most affordable cat riding you can get (see Lift Tickets for prices). While we can't attest to the terrain on the guided trips, the terrain in North Bowl is short and rather tame, though technical snow conditions can change that in a heartbeat. What makes it worthwhile is the lack of crowds, potentially finding some untracked snow and getting above treeline (there's no other way to do that at Keystone without hiking).

Intermediates have the run of the three mountains, with appropriate terrain on each. However, riders find the cruisers rather crowded. Dercum has runs such as Paymaster, Wild Irishman, Frenchman and Flying Dutchman that play with God-given terrain. The twists and natural steps on these cruisers represent trails at their best—they obviously did not have their character bulldozed out of them. Intermediates also can head to North Peak down Mozart, a wide blue run. Its width is essential, because it's the main pathway to the two rear peaks and can get crowded. On North Peak, Prospector and Last Alamo are the easiest of the blues, with Star Fire a good test for The Outback. If you think Star Fire is fun, not scary, head down Anticipation or Spillway to The Outback and play on the intermediate runs under the Outback Express chair. The advanced-intermediate glades to rider's left—Wolverine, Wildfire and Pika—are not as tough as the glades of the Black Forest, but also not a spot for timid intermediates.

First-timers and beginners will be glad to know gentle terrain is served by moving carpets and chairlifts, making it easy to get up the hill. Beginners should stay on Dercum Mountain, where nearly a third of all beginner terrain lies. The best runs for beginners are the legendary and long Schoolmarm, plus Silverspoon and Spring Dipper. True beginners should beware of that first plunge off the top onto Spring Dipper—for a short pitch, it’s blue, a bit steep and only for greenies graduating into their blue phase. Confident beginners who want the experience of spectacular views and lunch at the on-mountain restaurant at Outpost Lodge can head down afterwards via Prospector on North Peak. Prospector is blue, but about two-thirds of it are in a slow zone so it’s not too intimidating. Prospector merges with the slow zone on Mozart, but this trail is often crowded, so be alert. If you don’t want to try the blues here, take the Outpost Gondola back over to easier terrain on Dercum Mountain.

Keystone has a learning center at the top of Dercum Mountain, with two learning runs and a triple chairlift. Instructors who teach first-timers highly recommend the Discovery Learning Area, home to a self-contained kids’ ski and snowboard school. It’s a large, wide-open space protected from the wind and elements and is serviced by a chair and two moving carpets (a magic carpet replaced the T-bar for 2005/06). It’s less crowded than the rest of the mountain and is completely closed off to all other skiers and riders, so it’s pretty darned safe.

Parks and pipes
Keystone is a heavyweight contender with a top-rated terrain park, a superpipe, various festive events and the only legal night-riding in Summit County. The terrain park—A51—is in Packsaddle Bowl on Dercum Mountain, away from the mainstream runs with its own lift. To encourage snowboarders and freeskiers to claim this side of the mountain, the base area and Mountain House directly below it are designed with youth in mind.

A51 has three separate areas for beginners, intermediates and pros. The park features an 18-foot superpipe in the pro area that’s sure to challenge even the best riders. Keystone has really stepped up to the plate with its rails and funboxes. The resort tells us it’s in the running for the most rails in the nation but not all 51 of them are set up at one time. Instead they’re rotated to keep things entertaining. On any given day you might find a 150-foot-long rail plus signature rails like the rollercoaster rail and the pro-restricted flaming barbecue rail. Next to A51 is the A51 Incubator with smaller rails and features for those just learning to play in the park.