Keystone

Question

We are going to stay at Hyatt in keystone/dillon over new years. Any suggestions for things to do? We are not skiers. Plan to do a scenic lift ticket, ice skating and ice fishing.

Answer

Keystone and Dillon are great places to visit over New Year’s even if you’re not skiing. The area becomes a festive winter playground with plenty of non-ski activities, so you’ll have no trouble filling your days with fun and scenic experiences.

Since you’re already planning a scenic gondola ride, ice skating, and ice fishing, here are additional ideas that fit well with a winter trip and don’t require skiing:

Snow Tubing at Keystone’s Adventure Point – One of the most popular non-ski activities. It’s located at the top of Dercum Mountain and reachable via the gondola. Tubing lanes are fast, well-maintained, and great for families or adults.
Sleigh Ride Dinner – Keystone and several local outfitters offer horse-drawn sleigh rides through snowy meadows, often followed by a warm, cozy meal in a backcountry cabin with live music.
Snowshoeing or Winter Hiking – The Summit County area has easy and scenic trails. Places like Dillon Reservoir, Keystone Nordic Center, and Sapphire Point are perfect for a relaxed winter walk or snowshoe session.

You can also enjoy several activities within Dillon or nearby towns, all of which are less than 20 minutes from your hotel:

Dillon Ice Castles (if operating) – Some years the Ice Castles return to Dillon, offering tunnels, slides, sculptures, and glowing nighttime ice structures.
Dillon Amphitheater Area & Marina – While the marina isn’t open for boating in winter, the lakefront walkways are stunning, and the whole area feels calm and beautiful under snow.

Breckenridge Day Trip

Silverthorne Outlets – A nice indoor break if you want to warm up and do some shopping.

For evenings and New Year’s festivities, Keystone and Dillon usually offer a few fun options:

Holiday lights throughout the resorts and town centers – Keystone Village and Dillon both decorate heavily, making simple evening strolls enjoyable.
Dining at local restaurants – Reserve early for New Year’s week. Options in Dillon/Keystone/Silverthorne range from casual brewery dinners to nicer mountain-style dining.
Possible fireworks or light shows – Depends on the year, but Keystone or Dillon often host small holiday events. Your hotel may also have a celebration or lobby activities.

Overall, you’ll have no shortage of things to do even without skiing. The combination of scenic winter landscapes, cozy towns, and relaxing lodge-style activities makes Keystone/Dillon a great choice for New Year’s. Booking sleigh rides, tubing, and ice skating reservations early is highly recommended since the holiday week is very busy.

Keystone

More Keystone Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions