Beaver Creek Ski Resort is a Modern American Village Organized According to Alpine Standards.
The Beaver Creek ski resort is located in the state of Colorado, just a twenty-minute drive from Vail. Hidden in the mountains and sheltered from all unwanted attention, Beaver Creek opened its doors only in the 1980s. Since then, it has attracted skiers who love a blend of modern European charm and untouched American nature.
BC Village
Beaver Creek is small and intimate, and yet big enough to give the impression of a private ski resort for the select few. It is modeled on Europe’s leading ski resorts of modern architecture and gives out an impression of an alpine resort with an American flair. The village was built as a heated pedestrian zone without ice, surrounded by hotels and apartments. The center of the village is the main square where the ice rink is located. Just nine years after the opening, the Alpine Skiing World Championships have been held here and since then the World Ski Cup races in several disciplines are held here every year. Beaver Creek has become widely known and attracts more and more skiers from all over the world.
Ski resort
The ski resort starts above the village itself. From the centre, next to the Park Hyatt hotel, there is the Centennial chairlift, from the upper station of which there is another chairlift, the Cinch Express, which runs to the very peak (3,488 meters). The hosts boast of maintaining the trails, so they claim that they are being maintained for 20 hours each day, which results in extremely soft and fine snow. Due to the height and dry air, there is no ice on the top, and winter temperatures are stable and very low. There is a total of 23 cable cars and 150 trails. At the ski resort dominated by Grouse Mountain, there are different trails for everyone’s taste. From the long and steep ones to the light, maintained ones called Strawberry Park. One of the most challenging descents is the Birds of Prey ski slope, and the longest onel in Beaver Creek is 4.43 kilometres long. For snowboarders, there are two snow parks – Park 101 and Zoom Room.
Shopping, gastro, and après ski offer
As in any ski resort, sports equipment and clothing stores can be found here. There are also several jewelry stores and galleries where you can find quality Indian souvenirs that tourists especially love.
The gastronomic offer mainly revolves around steaks and western cuisine, but it is also possible to eat specialties of Italian cuisine – always present pizzas and spaghetti. There are only 16 bars and restaurants, and ones to recommend are Grouse Mountain Grill, Gondola Pizza, and Coyote Cafe. Perhaps the most original experience is a visit to the luxurious Beano’s Cabin hut, which is reached by sleigh and where romantic and elite weddings are organized. After dinner, there are plenty of options for locations to go out to. In the mentioned Coyote cafe, live music and a local DJ incite you to dance every day. Dusty Boot Saloon is a place with a real western mood.
Accommodation
Accommodation in Arrowhead and Bachelor Gulch is not significantly cheaper. Hyatt Residence Club Beaver Creek, The Westin Riverfront Mountain Villas, and Hyatt Beaver Creek Park are among the most prestigious. In addition to the hotel, it is possible to rent a luxury apartment, a hut, or a cottage.
More affordable accommodation can be found in the valley, in the towns of Avon and Edwards from where buses connect the main shopping areas, hotel resorts, and ski resorts. These towns exude a real western life, so it’s good to visit them and see how the locals have fun in the local saloons.
Although Aspen and Vail attract perhaps a more well-known clientele, Beaver Creek is no less exclusive, nor less popular and well-known.
How to get there?
Beaver Creek is best reached from Denver Airport by rented car. The distance is about 200 kilometres along the I70 motorway. There is also a local airport in Eagle town.
