Winter is near! No, we don’t know when Keystone is opening. But, it’s better to be overprepared, than caught off guard right?? Here is our ultimate guide to getting ready for the beginning of winter and ski season in Keystone, Colorado!
1- Get your ski pass!
This one might sound like a no-brainer but it’s also the most important step. Getting a ski pass is the easiest way to get ready for a full season of fun, on and off the mountain! Here’s what we recommend:
- Epic Local Pass – Our choice pass that gets us unlimited access to Keystone, Breckenridge, and Crested Butte, all season long.
- Keystone Plus Pass – For those who are balling on a budget, this pass gets you unlimited access to Keystone with some blackout dates for the best deal! Then once Keystone closes in the spring, you can ski Breckenridge for the rest of the season.
- Keystone Crested Butte Four Pack – Not gonna make it out much this year? Get a deal when you purchase this advance four pack at a special price, good only at Keystone and Crested Butte.
Whichever pass you choose, you’ll be happy to have access to Keystone all season long!
2- Nikwax your gear! Reduce, reuse, recycle.
It may feel a little premature to treat your gear for the season but how can one really prepare for a surprise powder day?? You never know when that first really good storm is going to hit, and staying warm and dry on the mountain is the best way to maximize your ski time. Whether you’re due for a full kit upgrade, looking for a good deal on used gear, or just need to re-waterproof your shells, make sure to do it in the next few weeks so you don’t get caught off guard.
While it can be fun and trendy to get a new ski jacket every season, it’s even more fun and more trendy to reduce, reuse and recycle! Did you know that using Tech Wash and Nikwax every season is one of the easiest ways to extend the life of your gear? The best looking skier on the mountain is the one having the most fun, and what’s more fun than staying warm and dry without sending another jacket to the landfill!
REI in Dillon, Wilderness Sports in Frisco, Sun & Ski in Dillon, Rivers Clothing Co in Frisco
Click here to learn how to re-waterproof your gear to extend its life.
Where to buy used gear:
Patagonia recently launched a lot more worn gear here. We also like Recycle Sports in Frisco. And if you stop by REI in Dillon, they sometimes have good leftover “Garage Sale” gear.
3- Don’t forget sunscreen
Even a cloudy day on the mountain brings more UV exposure than you might expect. Make sure to put on sunscreen before every ski day and reapply at lunch. We like this travel mineral sunscreen stick that is just the right size to keep in your pocket while skiing!
4- Keep your feet warm and dry
Did we mention it’s important to stay warm and dry on the mountain? Keeping your feet warm and dry is one of easiest ways to stay comfortable. Whether you sweat through the first pair or just want a fresh pair of socks for après, you’ll never regret throwing an extra pair of wool socks in your ski bag.
5- Pick your Keystone Kickoff event at Warren Station and grab tickets!
With weekly events happening at Warren Station throughout the winter, there’s always something fun to do after your day of skiing at Keystone! Put on those nice dry socks, grab a bite to eat at one the River Run Village Restaurants, then head over to find your fun at the station! The fun kicks off the first weekend of November and continues throughout the season.
- Friday, November 6th and Saturday, November 7th – Warren Miller’s “Days Off” benefiting Dillon Valley Elementary
- Saturday, November 14th – Matchstick Productions’ “The Way Out” benefitting Team Summit
- Saturday, November 21st – Keystone Kickoff Concert with CB3 and El Paso Lasso
Click here to view all upcoming events on our calendar!
6- Sign up your coworkers for Ski Conditioning
Yes, we said it, conditioning. And no, we’re not talking about silky locks. Conditioning, a word you might have last heard during your high school sports career, is a cornerstone of athletic performance. There are several different establishments offering conditioning classes, including Summit Sports Lab and The Silverthorne Recreation Center. But beyond paying for a program and wanting to feel strong on the mountain, participating in an exercise class with your friends, family, or coworkers is a great way so stay accountable. Trust us. And don’t ask us how many lunge jumps we’ve done this month…
What did we miss? Send us your favorite ski season prep to get ready for skiing and riding at Keystone this winter! We’ll see you at Warren Station in no time to celebrate the return of winter and the sports we love most!
