Keystone Resort’s history starts in 1941 when Max Dercum purchased the Black Ranch (now known as Ski Tip Lodge) along the Snake River and began to dream about the concept of Keystone Ski Area. By 1949, Ski Tip Lodge opened to overnight ski guests and has hosted many guests over the last 62 years.
During the 1960s, Max Dercum and Bill Bergman actively pursued the development of Keystone Mountain with the vision of establishing an international ski area. In 1967, their dreams were realized. Keystone acquired approximately 513 acres of land; 470 from Wheaton College for $1.4 million with the remainder purchased from private individuals. The ski area opened with two lifts at the Key base area (now known as the Mountain House Base Area) and 75,858 skiers flocked to the new ski area for a mere $5 per person. Two lodges were constructed for the opening of the ski area, Keybase at the bottom and Keytop at the top.
In 1980, the Keystone Ranch Golf Course opened and Keystone gained a reputation as a service-oriented, family-style resort. In 2000, the River Course opened with 18 holes of spectacular championship golfing.
Keystone Conference Center expansion was completed in 2000 with an additional 49,000 square feet at a cost of $11.25 million.