SAM Magazine-Keystone, Colo., Nov. 2, 2007-Keystone's 2007-2008 season started today at 9 a.m., a week earlier than planned, thanks to more than two feet of natural snow and efficient snowmaking.

Terrain park. Photo by Leisa Gibson.

The mountain is operating from the River Run Village base area for the intermediate run of Spring Dipper, the mountaintop beginner learning area of Kokomo, and the A51 terrain park, with more than 20 rails, boxes, wall rides and other terrain park features. This makes Keystone's opening park the largest in the country. Egress from the mountain is by downloading on the River Run gondola.

Among Keystone's first customers this year: the U.S. Ski Team, which will begin training here tomorrow. Also, with today's opening, Keystone guests will be the first to

experience organic dairy and natural meats at on-mountain restaurants as part of Vail Resorts' Appetite for Life initiative. \