KEYSTONE, Colo. – November 4, 2009 – Thanks to help from Mother Nature last week, Keystone Resort announced it will open earlier than planned, on Thursday, November 5. The resort will open with top-to-bottom skiing and snowboarding served by the River Run Gondola with the Spring Dipper and River Run trails as well as the beginner skier learning area at the Gondola mid-station. Keystone will also open with one jump and more than 20 features from its A51 Terrain Park, the No. 2 ranked park in North America by Transworld Snowboarding Magazine.

New this year, Keystone is debuting the final phase of the River Run Gondola project with a new skier bridge connecting the mountain back to the gondola. The bridge will vastly improve the guest experience and give guests a shorter walk from the slopes making access to the gondola easier from the mountain. The Resort is also introducing several new programs in the Ski & Ride School and dining outlets as well as a new Keystone Scratch Game contest which will giveaway more than 2,000 prizes including a ski condo for the upcoming season.

The River Run Gondola will open at 9 a.m. and run until 4 p.m. with $65 adult and $45 child lift ticket prices valid through November 29, subject to change pending conditions.

“We’re thrilled to get an early start to the season and conditions are phenomenal on the mountain this year,” said Doug Lovell, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Keystone Resort. “At Keystone, we strive to provide our guests the highest quality service and the absolute best experience while at our Resort. The new addition of the River Run Skier Bridge as well as the new offerings in ski school and our dining outlets will certainly enhance the overall experience at Keystone while giving our guests great value.”

Keystone Resort Scratch Game and a Chance to Win a Ski Condo for the 2009-2010 Ski Season
Also new this year, Keystone is giving away $70,000 in prizes with the Keystone Scratch Game including a chance to win unlimited use of a River Run 2-bedroom condo and other instant prizes like hotel stays, lifts tickets, K2 skis, Ski & Ride School lessons, snow tubing, Epic Burgers and more. From opening day through December 20, 2009 with every purchase of a lift ticket, night of lodging, Ski & Ride School lesson and $25 or more at an on-mountain restaurant, guests receive an exclusive Keystone Scratch Ticket for a chance to win. For more information visit keystonescratchgame.com.

New Ski & Ride School Programs at Keystone Resort
For skiers and riders looking to improve their abilities on the snow this year, Keystone Resort is offering a great deal for Vail Resorts season pass holders on ski & ride school lessons for the 2009-2010 ski season. The Keystone Family Freedom Pack is available to Vail Resorts season pass holders for $225 and includes: four, interchangeable full-day kids or adults lessons with a world-class Keystone ski instructor; slopeside parking; lunch provided for children’s lessons and exclusive lodging deals. Also for $225 Keystone is offering the Adult Unlimited Ski & Ride School Lesson Pass which allows adult skiers and riders to take unlimited ski & ride school group lessons with world class Keystone instructors throughout the 2009-2010 season. The pass is valid Sundays through Wednesdays throughout the ski season.

The Family Freedom Pack and Adult Unlimited Lessons package must be purchased in person at the Keystone Pass Office or a Front Range Vail Resorts Season Pass Sales location before November 15, 2009 and is only available to Vail Resorts Season pass holders. For more information, visit keystoneresort.com or call 800-255-3715.

The Epic Mountain Burger and Lunch for Less Dining Options
New for the ski and ride season is the revamped Vail Resorts hamburger and Epic Mountain Burger. All on-mountain restaurants at Vail Resorts’ five mountain resorts will serve up a new “best in class” burger at last year’s prices. For those who spend their mornings racking up a lot of vertical on the slopes and are looking for a heartier fare, the new “Epic Mountain Burger” boasts all of the same fresh ingredients of the core burger with two quarter-pound patties instead of one.
Additionally, the “Lunch for Less” is a new value meal that will be offered at Keystone and all of Vail Resorts for $9.95 and will include an entrée, side dish and a beverage. The Lunch for Less meal may vary from day to day and from resort to resort and include a wrap and soup one day or a pasta and salad the next. It’s the perfect way to refuel on the slopes and experience a variety of menu offerings over a multi-day visit.

More Epic Deals for the Ski Season
Season Pass Deals: For skiers and riders looking to make the most of their ski season, the EPIC PASS and Summit Pass is available for a limited time only. The $599 unlimited, unrestricted Epic Season Pass for skiing at six resorts - Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly and Arapahoe Basin - all season long. After the sixth day of usage, Epic Pass holders are skiing or riding for free! Or, new this year, buy the $399 Summit Pass online (it’s the first time it’s been available for purchase online) for the best skiing in Summit County, Colo. with unlimited skiing at Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin. Visit snow.com or epicpass.com for more information. Summit Passes are available through Nov. 15 and Epic Passes are available through November 22.

Tired of seeing unobtainable lodging rates? Try the Guaranteed Rate Packages at Keystone Resort from $99

Guests are guaranteed the rate of $99 for a hotel room through December 18 and $149 for a one bedroom condo and $189 for a two bedroom condo all season long at Keystone. Blackout dates apply during the Christmas Holiday.

Ski FREE Stay FREE starts at $231 per person
Keystone’s Ski Free Stay Free gives skiers and riders two days of skiing and two nights lodging and get the third day and night free. Starting at $231 per person.
FREE LODGING with Three for Free when you book lodging at a RockResort property in Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge or Keystone receive “three for free”; a value that includes a free night of lodging, $50 resort gift card plus a free helmet cam to capture your experience on the slopes. Visit www.rockresorts.com.

FREE Ski Rentals with Lodging: The Free Skis & Boards package features lift tickets and a free ski and snowboard sports rental package per person for up to seven days at specific retail locations within Vail Resorts. For information and reservations, visit www.snow.com or call 800-404-3535.

For more information, please visit keystoneresort.com.