Has skiing lost its luster? Not a chance. Here at one of Colorado's most popular family playgrounds, winter vacations will always mean the joy of gliding down freshly groomed corduroy, the challenge of carving new powder, and the promise of top-of-the-world views.
But for nonskiers -- your uncle, your sister, my sister, certainly -- Keystone's other winter activities, designed for all ages and interests, provide some equally enticing options. For my money, tubing, which involves flying down one of three humongous half-pipes carved into the snow near the mountain's summit, is just one of the thrilling possibilities.
The doughnut-shaped tubes, twice the size of an ordinary tire inner tube and suitable for riders age 6 and up, are constructed of heavy-duty vinyl with reinforced seams and two big handles. To ride one, you need no skills other than the strength to hold on to the handles, the lung power to scream as the tube picks up speed, and the nerve to stick it out until the tube bumps to a stop at the bottom of the run.
When Will; his sister, Katie, 12; and their dad, Dan Kitay, reached the head of the line, the tube operator helped them link handles to make a ''train." Then with a running start, she launched the three tubes over the edge. As they hurtled downhill, the kids' happy howls wafted back up the slope.
After 35 years as one of Colorado's leading ski areas, Keystone has built a solid reputation as a midpriced ski destination with a well-staffed ski school and a broad choice of hotels and condominiums. With the recent addition of some backcountry terrain, the resort now has 2,870 skiable acres and 116 trails on three mountains, with enough variety of terrain to challenge all levels of beginner, intermediate, and expert.
And when you need a change? Try tubing. Or rent a snowbike or a slope cycle, also available at Adventure Point. The snowbikes consist of bicycle frames with handlebars, mounted on very short skis. You sit on the seat and steer, as on a bicycle, but you also wear ski boots and short skis for better balance and sharper turns. If you don't want to rent ski boots, try a slope cycle, similar to a scooter, on which you stand.
