Night Skiing in the Rockies

Few things put me in the holiday spirit like donning my favorite Christmas sweater and heading out into the crisp winter air at Keystone. Keystone’s Outpost gondola whisks you to the top of Dercum mountain in the comfort of a wind-proof Gondola.

Keystone runs its Gondola and a chairlift to access the legendary groomed blue squares that provide excellent terrain for skiers of all abilities. The terrain is well lit but be sure to bring a pair of light lenses for your goggles. On some Saturdays Keystone barrages the alpine skyline with a complimentary fireworks display that rockets from the ski slopes. Skiing under the fireworks through light rocky mountain powder is the holiday experience of a lifetime.

When chairlifts stop spinning all over the West, Colorado’s Rocky Mountain resorts keep options open to ski as late as 8PM. This can be an amazing chance to catch an afternoon-evening snowstorm (a common occurrence allying Colorado’s I70 corridor). This can also be a great chance to have the slopes to yourself and work on your skills.

But night skiing in the rockies does not stop at the resort boundaries. Last full moon, my friend Dan and I strapped climbing skins to the bottom of our powder skis and toured high up on the powder flanks of the 14,000 foot Summit County mountain Quandary. The full moon reflecting of the white alpine snow made it light as day as we climbed high above tree line. Across the road, a huge bonfire raged on the flanks of Baldy mountain as skiers and boarders celebrated the full moon between powdery laps.

Make the most of your time in the Rockies by heading back out onto the slopes after dinner; you may have your best turns of the trip! And we promise the hot tub will feel even better after you log a few more laps on those skiing legs!