Snowmaking at Keystone


Snowmaking continues at Keystone Resort in preparation for the new opening date of November 5, 2009. “The great weather conditions have optimized the snowmaking this year”, according to Keystone Resort officials. If the early snowfall and low temperatures continue, Keystone will be opening Dercum mountain from top-to-bottom one day earlier than expected. Keystone has everything to make your winter vacation one to remember including fresh powder, world-class grooming, top-ranked terrain park, fine dining, family fun, and abundant snow!

“All of us are thrilled to see the (snowmaking) guns going strong. Lodging reservations have increased by 55% versus last year and I think everybody is going to be happy with the snow pack”, exclaims Gino Malara, board of directors member at The Timbers. “Since the pre-Halloween snowstorm that dumped over three-feet of snow in some areas of Colorado, people have been making lodging reservations for Christmas and booking vacation rentals as early as spring”, says Malara.

The snowmaking abilities at Keystone continues to improve year to year. Even during low snowfall years, Keystone has the ability to make enough snow to meet or exceed its objectives. Man-made snow lengthens the ski-season, and helps the resort open each season on-time. With a $23 million investment in snow-making gear, there are few other resorts that can match its efforts in this arena.

By beginning operations in October, Keystone was the first in Colorado to begin the process of making snow.
In 1991, Keystone became the first Colorado resort to rollout a $7 million automated snow-making system. With over 30 sensors scattered over the mountain, it controls the snow-making electronically.