Hi, I just booked a last minute trip (next week) to Keystone for me and my brother. This is my first time skiing and I'm a little nervous, so any insights below are appreciated!

Appreciate advice on the following:
1) Where should we rent equiptment? Should we reserve? Do I need a certain shoe or boot to bring with me or?
2) I heard (on this board) of discount lift tickets -- are these coupons or purchases, are the available at all food stores?
3) Lessons - This is my first time skiing, but not my brothers, should we take a group or private lesson, would he be bored if I asked him to take a lesson with me
4) Holding skis - walking around tips?
5) Getting on a lift tip?
6) Where to get a meal, etc? Night life? any other tips?
7) One night we are staying in Denver, what is a good hotel near the airport... out by 7am oh no!

We found the ski resort generally has good equipment for resonable prices. Plus if you have a problem or something doesnt fit, you are right there for an exchange. You try the boots on as you rent them.
Group lesson is fine for a beginner - they will also help you get on/off lift.

I can't answer site specific questions but have a great time.

1) Rent near the hill for convenience. You will rent skis, boots and poles as a package, so don't need anything of your own for skiing. For getting to/from the hill, anything waterproof with a lug sole should serve you well.

2) King Sooper grocery stores (there's one right off I-70 between Denver and Keystone) have discount lift tickets, as does the grocery store (?Safeway?) in Frisco.

3)I think a group lesson is a good way to start--actually, I would recommend a half day lesson each of the first few mornings. Whether your brother would be bored in your lesson depends on his ability level. Keystone lists 9 levels of skiers for their lessons. They also offer a combination lesson and resticted lift ticket (I'd guess restricted to th easy runs) at a discounted price.

4) I'm not quite sure I understand this question. Most skiers hold their skis over their shoulders. We also like to loop our pole straps around the skis and hold the poles.

5) Your instructor will teach you how to use the lift. Tell the lift operator you're a newbie, and he'll slow the lift for you (if it's a chair).

6) We've stayed at Breckenridge or in Frisco, so can't asnwer re: Keystone.

7) There are lots of hotels on Tower Road near DIA. Google Denver airport hotels and you'll find many major chains.

I'd like to add that you can call out to the operator that you'd like the lift slowed for you, for obvious reasons. (However, do NOT do this on lifts servicing black/blue runs only!)

Thank you for the tips... truly appreciated...

Amanda

Definitely do a group lesson. Ski instructors are very helpful and informative, and you'll have more fun learning with other beginners. If your brother would be at a different level, he probably wouldn't want to take your lesson. You can meet for lunch, and ski together after lessons.

I don't know where the beginners ski at Keystone, but I think one spot is a small lift at the top of the mountain. Don't be concerned about the "top" part - there's a gondola up to that point. I think they put the beginners area up at the top because the snow is better there, and you can enjoy the views. You can also take the gondola back down at the end of the day if you don't want to ski down.

I agree with the comments about renting near the slopes, so you can switch out equipment if you need to. Otherwise, there are hundreds of ski rental places; those further from the slopes will be cheaper, but less convenient.

Your ski instructor will show you how to carry the skis. If you carry them over your shoulders, be very careful you don't hit anyone near you. For that reason, I don't carry my skis that way if there are many people around. The poles-looped-through-the-skis thing looks easy, but it's just too much of a hassle to put them that way. The skis kind of lock together, so you can easily pick up both skis with one arm, and carry your poles with the other.

Have a great time!

We have just come back from skiing Keystone. You can rent at the mountain OR at Gart Sports in Dillon, on the way to Keystone. Gart is right next to the City Market (a King Soopers branch) where lift tickets are somewhat discounted. You might also get the newspaper--Summit ______ which sometimes has discount tickets.
Lessons. As a first time skier, you must take lessons. It is possible that for this you should do a package--equipment, lesson and lift ticket. As a true first time skier, you will not be at the top of the mountain--that area is a high beginner or low intermediate skill level. And you probably will not be getting on a lift for at least a few days. They have what are called "magic carpets"--a moving "carpet" that you step on and it takes you up the hill. Getting on a lift is not as difficult as getting off, by the way.
Your brother will be in a different level class--split up and both of you will improve.
To get to the ski school follow the road for free Skier parking--Gondola Road. When you get to the left turn for the skier parking, continue straight. There is a close in parking lot that costs $10. Park and walk down the "street" about 2 blocks and the ski school is on the right.
Lessons start at 9:30--you need to aim to get there by 8:15 to sign up and get your equipment.
There are places around there where you can rent a basket to leave your boots overnight.
You can make lesson reservations on the internet--but longer than the day before the lesson. It will save you some time that day.
Hotel in Denver--bid on Priceline for an airport hotel.
If you are renting a car, also bid on Priceline. I usually save as much as 50% in Denver.

Thanks Grechen!