Just under two hours from Denver — yet worlds away from metropolitan life — Ski Tip Lodge is snuggled up in Keystone, high in Colorado’s Rockies. In winter, Keystone is a snowy wonderland of fun. Come summer, its lush green forests are perfect for hiking trails, while fall splashes the mountains with hues of red and gold. No matter which of these seasons you choose, Ski Tip Lodge is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a full day of exploring.
This former stagecoach stop turned family home is now a quaint bed-and-breakfast-style accommodation with 10 rooms. The outside serves up mountain-ranch vibes and is particularly lovely when blanketed with snow. Inside, you’ll find an authentic old-ski-lodge atmosphere and cozy rooms. A cheery fireplace beckons in the common area, and a shuttle taking you throughout Keystone Resort stops just outside the door. Mountain life doesn’t get much better than this.
The restaurant is out-of-this-world, A-plus, 100 percent ah-maz-ing. Did you see how many adjectives we just used? That’s not nearly enough to do this award-winning dining experience justice. Enjoy a prix fixe menu that rotates frequently and showcases seasonal ingredients. Past delights have included everything from ginger-carrot soup and green-tea sorbet to melt-in-your-mouth elk steaks and tender duck. Tip: Reservations are a must, so go ahead and make those when you book your room. Bonus Tip: Splurge on the wine pairing with dinner because the sommelier is so on point people write glowing reviews about her.
We’re gonna go with the history. Waaaay back in the 1860s, the Ski Tip Lodge was actually a stagecoach stop where miners passed through. In the 1930s, the property was purchased by Max and Edna Dercum, who helped open Arapahoe Basin Ski Area and went on to found Keystone Resort. If you’ve ever hit the slopes in Colorado before, you’ll know that’s kind of a big deal.
Come for the proximity to the runs, and stay for the views. Prepare your eyes to feast on sights of meadows, mountains and forests. These are stunners throughout the year, whether they’re decked out in verdant greens, shocking yellows or purply grays with snow-white caps. You can also see the ski hill, which, of course, looks best in winter when it’s covered with thick swaths of fresh pow.
“Such a quaint place. Nostalgia pours from every facade, from the fireplace in the common area, to the rooms with their individual designations, to the cookie jar at the top of the stairs leading to the guest rooms. Breakfast each day was a treat, but the best treat was the warm demeanor of all the staff. I look forward to returning.” — Marcel F., Google
Skiing, snowboarding and tubing are obviously the snowflake-covered elephants in the room here, but there’s much more to Keystone than meets the goggle-covered eye. Play a round of high-altitude golf at The Keystone River Course or Keystone Ranch (the latter designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.) and saddle up at Keystone Stables for a scenic horseback ride. (In winter, opt for a sleigh ride with 2 Below Zero). In summer, shred the slopes on a MTB, take a mountain-top yoga class or ride the gondola for stunning Rocky Mountain views you can’t get from the ground.
Photos courtesy of Ski Tip Lodge/Vail Resorts