KEYSTONE — The view up and down the Snake River valley from the base of Keystone’s gondola has always been a Colorado classic. And this year, skiers and riders can enjoy the vista from atop their boards as they glide across a new snow-covered bridge that leads right back to the gondola maze.
“This is the ticket,” said Stacy Miller, unbuckling her snowboard bindings for another ride up the hill. “It’s way safer than it was, with everybody speeding down the bottom of River Run,” she said, referring to the traffic jam that often formed at the base of the mountain before the new, wider bridge was built this summer.
The new bridge is the main improvement at Keystone, which opened for the season Thursday under bluebird skies, balmy temperatures and great top-to-bottom coverage on Spring Dipper and River Run — plus plenty of terrain park features.
A snowy October and cold nighttime temperatures helped the resort open a day early, much to the delight of locals and visiting skiers alike.
“This is starting my 50th season, and I still get goose bumps,” said Keystone’s Steve Corneiller, stopping in for a cup of coffee at the Inxspot just before the lifts started.
“I still remember cutting my teeth at Buck Hill (Minnesota). I saw my first Warren Miller movie in 1959 and I knew that I had to go skiing,” Corneiller said. “It got me to where I am today.
“It’s going to be a good season. Every season is a good season. It all depends what you put into it,” Corneiller added.
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