Keystone looks to redefine itself as a major destination
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An aerial view of the new Kindred Resort in Keystone. Photo: Courtesy of Kindred
The sometimes-overlooked Keystone is emerging as a top-tier Colorado winter destination.
Why it matters: Developers expect fresh amenities to redefine the newly incorporated town's image, drawing new clientele to the slopes and allowing Keystone to compete with other Vail Resorts properties.
Driving the news: This winter brings a wave of upgrades, from luxury lodging to millions in infrastructure improvements.
- Most of the excitement is focused on the new Kindred Resort, which features ski-in, ski-out lodging in the River Run Village, four long-awaited restaurants and an upscale spa.
- The town, which incorporated in February 2024, is drafting master plans for the next decade — it's just 70% built out — and embarking on a tourism study.
- And thanks to the Bergman Express lift, added two years ago, skiers now have access to 550 additional acres of terrain.
What they're saying: "We're on a definite upward trajectory," Keystone Mayor Ken Riley told Axios in a recent interview.
The other side: Not everyone in the community is excited about the change at the family-friendly resort, particularly the six-story Kindred Resort with its 107-room hotel and 95 condominiums.
- Even Riley acknowledged it's a gamble. "We'll just have to see where it goes from here and what the impact actually is on Keystone."
Zoom in: Ryan Geller, one of the Kindred developers, said interest in the property — the condos are 90% sold — is huge. And more importantly, he added, the 13-year project was intentionally designed to blend in.
- "You always hope it's hand in glove — you just want to fit in," he said. "It was a huge piece for us to be part of the community, and not be a blight on it."
What's next: The Kindred property is expected to open in December with a grand opening planned in January.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to note that Kindred Resort has six (not 52) stories.