What to Bring
Weather in the Rockies is unpredictable. Even during the summer months, quick drops in temperature are possible. Regardless of the time of year, weather moves in fast and can sometimes be furious. The first rule of thumb when visiting the heart of the Rockies is to respect the mountains -- Mother Nature is in command here, and while we love playing in the snow, it's also important to pay attention to weather brewing over our peaks.
To make sure your family is prepared for anything and everything, here's a general check-list of things to pack:
During Summer:
The usual tank tops and shorts, and also:
- Jeans or other long pants.
- Long-sleeve shirts.
- Sweatshirts or a fleece.
- A rain jacket or poncho for frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
During Winter:
Layers. Start with a tight-fitting, breathable, non-cotton under-layer, then build outward with sweatpants, a light sweater or sweatshirt, and top it all off with a fleece that can be worn under an outer waterproof shell.
Lots of socks. Mix in some wool hikers along with your ski socks for the times you just want to walk around the resort.
Snow boots and sneakers.
Waterproof or Water-resistant Snow pants and jackets.
Eye protection. Don't overlook protecting your eyes from the sun, snow-glare and the elements. Goggles and sunglasses are a must for the entire family.
Waterproof mittens or gloves, glove liners, hats and neck gators or scarves. On snow days you'll definitely want a way to cover your entire face while skiing or riding down the mountain!
Sunscreen and lip balm. Colorado has more than 300 days of sun a year, and at 9,000 feet, you'll definitely need to slather everyone in SPF 30 or higher before enjoying time outdoors.
Baseball hats. Especially for the more fashion-conscious teenagers traveling with you, helmet-head can be easily disguised with a cap during lunch and apres ski.
A small backpack that can be left in a slope-side locker during the day, or that one member of the family can wear on the mountain to hold a bottle of water, sunscreen and other daily must-haves.
A Youth I.D. Card for each of your children. In case your child zips when you zag at a trail merge, we encourage you to fill out an I.D. card, stuff it in their jacket pocket, and instruct your child to present the card to any Keystone employee if they become separated from you at any point during your stay. (Download a sample Youth I.D. Card.)
Helmets (if you're not renting a helmet along with other equipment). Keystone encourages our guests to educate themselves on the benefits and limitations of winter sports helmets. Regardless of whether or not you choose to wear a helmet, every winter sport participant shares responsibility for his or her safety and for that of others using the ski area facilities.
Extra Diaper Bag and Supplies. If you're traveling with infants and toddlers who will be spending their days enjoying all the Children's Center has to offer, make sure to pack a bag that can be left at the Center with diapers, formula, baby food, medications and anything else your child needs during the day.
Evening Attire:
Keystone is a quintessential mountain environment. Meaning there aren't any restaurants where jeans, sweaters and general casual wear aren't appropriate attire for dinner.
Lastly, make sure everyone packs their sense of adventure!
