KEYSTONE, Colo. - Nov.2, 2007 - Keystone’s 2007-2008 season started today at 9 a.m., a week earlier than the expected opening date of Nov. 9, thanks to more than 2 feet of natural snow this month and efficient snowmaking.

Photos: Leisa Gibson. Keystone, Colo.

With one of the top five ranked terrain parks in the country, Keystone’s A51 terrain park team has committed to being the best from day one with more than 20 rails, boxes, wall rides and other terrain park features, making Keystone’s opening park the largest in the country.

The mountain will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with all lift access from the River Run Village base area for the intermediate run of Spring Dipper, the mountaintop beginner learning area of Kokomo and the opening terrain park features. Egress from the mountain is by downloading on the River Run gondola.

The best in the world - The U.S. Ski Team athletes and coaches - will begin training tomorrow at Keystone. And next week the resort will offer a special one-day sneak peek of night skiing from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 9 for Keystone’s official grand opening celebration.

Keystone’s opening today kicks off its 37th season, featuring:

• The fourth annual 36 Hours of Keystone event Nov. 30 - Dec. 1 that features 36 nonstop hours of skiing, video games, riding, celebrating and music and a chance to win $3,600 as part of the 36-hour Team Challenge.
• The Keystone Adventure Tour (KAT) offers more than 1,100 acres of guided snowcat skiing/riding expert terrain in three bowls and includes lunch catered by the Alpenglow Stube in the new Independence Bowl Hut.
• The newly expanded eco-friendly RockResort spa at the Keystone Lodge & Spa will debut Nov. 15 with five new treatment rooms. Features of the new spa include natural light, 100 percent wind power, organic products and more.
• With today’s opening, Keystone guests will be the first to experience the organic dairy and natural meats at on-mountain restaurants as part of Vail Resorts’ Appetite for Life initiative

For more info, visit keystone.snow.com