Beaver Creek

Resort description:You know when you have arrived in a special resort when you enter through the security gates at the base of the mountain, to direct you to your accommodation and provide you with information. As you drive up past the golf course you marvel at the stunning properties on both sides of the road. Then you arrive at, one can only describe as, a stunning addition to your ski library. Beaver Creek exudes quality and high end infrastructure, most resorts envy.

Beaver Creek, 10 mile from its much bigger sister Vail and on the same ski pass, was developed from 1980 and is unashamedly exclusive, with a large choice of 4 and 5 star hotels, apartments and chalets, with most offering ski in ski out options. Walking is just an option as you ride the escalators up the slopes, through the centre of the pedestrianised village.

With such elegance and quality, staying in Beaver Creek is not a cheap option, though late and early season holidays throw up some veritable bargains, in normally great skiing conditions. Lack of snow has never been much of a worry . The village of Avon though, at the base of Beaver Creek golf course has plenty of inexpensive alternatives, from the new and rather swish, excellent Westin Hotel through to the superb condominiums of Canyons and Beaver Creek West. The new gondola takes you from Avon to  Batchelor Gulch which also offers some stunning accommodations, including the 5 star Ritz Carlton, right by the lifts. Just by is the most amazing 5 bedroom penthouse with its own private lift which we sometimes offer as a high end catered home.

The skiing in Beaver Creek suits all abilities. It is hard to find a better area for beginners and timid intermediates. At the top of the mountain are some wide, open, easy gradient green runs. Over at Batchelor Gulch and Arrowhead, the Green and Blue runs offer superb cruising  on well cared for wide pistes, in relative peace and quiet, due to the relatively deserted slopes. Experts and thrill seekers will revel at some of the steep terrain, including the mens downhill run,Birds of Prey and Grouse Mountain, which is a mainly muguled area. Want to practice your turns on the bumps, no problem. Larkspur has the idea solution of some short steep black runs. Snowboarders will love Elk Glade at Beaver Creek.

The village has a few bars and some excellent fine dining from Coyotes to Beaver Creek Chophouse. The two on mountain restaurants at Spruce Saddle and Red Tail offer good quality food at a reasonable price. The Dusty Boot is a great family choice.The nightlife however is rather subdued so do not expect a lot happening at midnight. That’s left for Vail.

Off the slopes there is a choice of high end shops and galleries, with an excellent ice rink in the centre, as well as the Villars centre, offering some world class entertainment. All in all Beaver Creek is a place to remember and return to. Many do.

Resort Information

Season 	              Nov - Mid April
Nearest Airport       Eagle Vail or Denver
Ski Area 	      160km
Ski Lifts 	      18
Ski Runs 	      86
Longest Run 	      5km
Resort Height 	      8,100ft

Snowball Ratings

Beginners 	     5 / 5
Intermediates 	     4.5 / 5
Experts 	     3.5 / 5
Families 	     5 / 5
Nightlife 	     2 / 5
Affordability 	     3 / 5
Non Ski Activities   4 / 5