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The Dream
Keystone Resort’s history began in 1941 when Max Dercum purchased the
Black Ranch (now known as Ski Tip Lodge) along the Snake River and began
to dream up the concept of a Keystone Ski Area. By 1949, Ski Tip Lodge
opened to overnight ski guests. It would remain open and continue to host
innumerable guests over the next 63 years.
The Beginning
During the 1960s, Max Dercum and Bill Bergman actively pursued the development
of Keystone Mountain with the vision of establishing an international ski area.
In 1967, their dreams were realized. Keystone acquired approximately 513 acres
of land—470 from Wheaton College for $1.4 million and the remainder from
private individuals. The ski area originally opened with two lifts at the Key
base area (now known as the Mountain House Base Area), and two lodges, Keybase
at the bottom and Keytop at the top. 75,858 skiers soon flocked to the new ski
area for lift tickets costing a mere $5 per person.
The Development
Keystone became a leader in the industry with the addition of snowmaking in
1972. The price of $350,000 was high, but a worthwhile step considering the
winter drought of 1976. Before long, the resort began hosting annual events.
One of these, a six-mile cross-country ski event called the Keystone Caper,
attracted 480 entrants. The Keystone Ranch Golf Course then opened, and
Keystone began to gain a reputation as a service-oriented, family-style resort.
From 1984 to 1994, the resort saw considerable expansion. North Peak totaled
$15 million in installation and enhancements—12 new runs, two triple-chair
lifts, and one gondola. Night skiing was made available, and the Keystone
Conference Center opened with meeting capacity for up to 1,800 people—the
largest in the Rocky Mountain region. In 1990, two new quad lifts were
installed and The Outback opened with 300 acres for heli-skiing. The second
gondola and two high-speed lifts were also opened.
By 1996, Keystone Ski Patrol was selected as the "Outstanding Alpine Ski
Patrol" in the Rocky Mountain Division, and snowboarding was introduced
with the opening of a new a snowboard park—complete with half-pipe and big
hits. In addition, $36 million were invested in improvements at the resort.
Keystone Conference Center expansion was completed in 2000—with an additional
49,000 square feet—at a cost of $11.25 million. The River Course opened with
18 holes of spectacular championship golf, and the new Cross Country Center
opened with 25 kilometers of snowshoeing trails and 16 kilometers of
cross-country skiing trails.
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