Colorado Slopeside Ski Condo
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Jackpine Lodge is the smallest and most unique condos in River Run. There are only 25 units and they are each unique and personal. Some of the buildings in River Run are large boxes filled with cookie cutter units that are built with smaller units to maximize rental profits. Jack Pine has larger units, distinctive appointments, and the units feel like homes instead of hotels. Our one bedroom unit is 780 square feet where most one bedrooms in River Run are 525 - 575 square feet. Also since our unit is located on the top floor it has high ceilings ranging up to more than 10 feet.
We have a skylight, a fireplace, a full kitchen, 2 TVs, a dvd player, an X-box, 1 full bath and 1/2 bath, a Murphy bed (a real queen size mattress instead of a fold out couch). Our condo is perfect for two adult couples, or a family with children that can share the Murphy bed. We use this condo as our home when we are in Keystone. It is impecably decorated with two double leather recliners that you can relax by the fireplace or watch TV after a hard day of fun!!
You can check out our VRBO listing at Keystone Colorado condo.
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| River Run Village and Jack Pine Lodge |
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Our condo is located in the Jack Pine Lodge in River Run Village at Keystone Resort. The River Run Village is a main "focus" of the Keystone Resort and is comprised of condos, homes, shops and restaurants. It provides a self-contained pedestrian village alive with festivals, special events, and a range of things to do. The Keystone Neighbourhood Company hosts many of the events and you can check out River Run Village activities and festivals.
Our building is the closest place you can stay to the new River Run gondola - less than 50 yards from our ski lockers to the gondola. The skiing at Keystone is remarkable. My wife and I are avid skiers and we have skied throughout Colorado and the world. We can ski anywhere and we would chose to ski at Keystone. There are runs for evryone - easy, cruiser or some very challenging. The layout of three mountains each behind the other allows you to ski without the excessive cat trails of Breckenridge or Vail. Check out the trail maps and you will see there is more than enough terrain for you.
Jack Pine Lodge has heated underground parking, ski lockers on the ground floor, a private gas grill and a Jacuzzi. You will really enjoy relaxing in the Jacuzzi after a full day on the slopes. Jack Pine Lodge shares a full heated pool maintained by the Keystone Neighbourhood. The pool area has a changing room and two additional Jacuzzis. You can get to the pools by very short walk throught the village, or you can go through the heated garages to reach the pool.
They say that "you come for the winter, but people stay for the summer". Keystone is a year around resort. Sure, downhill skiing is the main focus, but there is cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, ice skating, and many other winter activities. In the summer you have downhill mountain biking, fishing, hiking, paved trails thourhgout the county, and free concerts at Lake Dillon.
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Where to eat?
On the first floor of Jack Pine Lodge a short elevator ride from our condo is Kickapoo Tavern. Kickapoo Tavern has been here since River Run Village was established. That is a record that is based on good food and good times. It has great burgers, the largest nachos in Summit county, and a nice variety that will please everyone. Great casual dining.
Just a 1/2 mile down the highway is the Snake River Saloon. The Snake River Saloon is still casual, but it is a step above Kickapoo Tavern. Great steaks, trout, and chops!! They have a separate bar area that has music almost every night. They generally have specials for early birds - check the free Summit Daily newspaper.
For a wonderful romantic dinner make reservations as the Ski Tip Lodge. It is a short walk or an even shorter drive up the valley. Ski Tip Lodge is a reall 1800's log cabin stage coach stop. For years it was the home of the Dercums (the original founders of Keystone Resort). Today it is the location of a nice cozy romantic 5 star dinner. Mountain smart casual is appropriate attire. This is not a place I would take kids, but it is where I go for a special dinner with my special lady. Low ceilings, fireplaces, different menues every night. Chocolate covered strawberries by the fireplace.
One of the special family or visiting friends things we like to do is go the "Der Fondue Chessel". It is located in the lodge on the North Peak (second mountain back of the three Keystone mountains). You need to make reservations though Keystone Resort to have dinner at Der Fondue. Take the gondola to the top of Dercum mountain then take the second gondola from Dercum Mountain to North Peak and enter that large log lodge. High ceilings, a roaring fireplace, an oompah band and more food served Fondue/Raclette style - a chees foundue appetizer, salad, main course (each person chooses two: shrimp, steak, pork, lobster, chicken, venison, ect, ect) and all of this followed by chocolate fondue (white chocolate, milk choclate, and dark chocolate). It is a little pricey but by the time you are done laughing at the oompah band getting everyone up to the Chicken Dance I think it is worth the trip.
Down the road from Keystone Resort about 1/2 mile beyond I-70 is The Historic Mint Restaurant. This is a house of beef. They have an in-house butcher shop and you can pick your own steak or fish to cook on the grill in the center of the restaurant. Also they have "all the Prime Rib you can eat" as long as it is available. Great salad bar!! Bring your appetite!!
These are some of my favorite places to eat in Keystone. There are plenty more - just pick up the Daily Summit newspaper and you can find any type of food you want. Lots of advertised specials.
Of course our condo has a full kitchen. There is a small convenience store in River Run Village, but if you want real groceries stop at the City Market when you get off the interstate. It is about 1/2 mile up from I-70 on the left hand side. Pick up a City Market card (it takes about 10 seconds and they have great specials if you have a card). Our condo is so close to the slopes that it is as close to the base of River Run as the closest restaurant. Put some chili or soup in the crock pot and have a delicious, convenient meal back at the condo and save some money for the special meals.
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