Beaver Creek

Closed
Heather Burke
SnowPak Local Insider
Heather Burke
Pros
  • Beaver Creek is the best ski resort for the ultimate getaway experience with upscale dining options
  • It doesn’t suffer from the same crowds as its bigger sister Vail
  • Top-notch grooming and superb upper terrain for beginners
Cons
  • Relatively expensive compared to other Colorado resorts

Overall

4

Welcome to Colorado’s newest ski resort, the one and only Beaver Creek, where luxury comes as standard. Everything at Beaver Creek is posh, planned and near perfection – it’s the Deer Valley of Colorado. Owned by Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek opened in 1980 modeled after Europe's best ski resorts St Moritz in Switzerland and Italy's Cortina, it's like Vail's classier sister - not quite as popular, less approached, but that's what makes it so precious.

Best month to go

January and March

Avoid

December and February

December is ideally not the month to go Beaver Creek as the weather is far too cold to be enjoyable. Although it is still rather cold, January is a better month to visit Beaver Creek as it sees fewer crowds than Christmas and February. Crowds tend to scatter throughout March and April with the exception of Spring Break. For the best chance of a bluebird day, visit during March, just before hotel and flight prices become expensive in May.

FLY TO

Denver International Airport

DRIVE/SHUTTLE TO

Beaver Creek (2.5-3 hours)

Beaver Creak Village (Walk)

  • Main village with the most amenities, restaurants and activities
  • All lodging offer ski-in access
  • Variety of hotels, condos and B&B lodging

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Bachelor Gulch Village (Walk)

  • Offers access to Bachelor Gulch Express lift for green and blue trails
  • Lodging includes The Ritz-Carlton and vacation rental homes
  • The only other location for ski and snowboard school besides Beaver Creek Village

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Arrowhead Village (Walk)

  • Lodging is limited to ski condos only
  • Offers access to Arrowbahn Express lift for green and blue trails
  • Located furthest from Beaver Creek Village

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Avon (Walk)

  • Small town with free shuttle to Beaver Creek Village
  • Variety of hotels including Westin Resort and Spa
  • Riverfront Express Gondola provides access to the base of the mountain

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For beginners

Beginners can ski with ease here as they can meander down one of many groomed trails at Beaver Creek. Be sure to check out Stirrup, a long windy green that's also our favorite run! The runs off the Elkhorn lift also offer fantastic progression trails for those looking to take it to the next level.

For intermediates

Intermediate skiers and riders will also have endless choices at Beaver Creek with the terrain off Elkhorn lift being our top pick! For our favorite run, start off on Lamplighter from the top of Elkhorn lift, followed by Board's Skiway and then Boarder's Loop back to base.

For experts

Beaver Creek doesn't have the most challenging terrain around, but Grouse Mountain is packed with black diamond and double black diamonds making it the best spot for more advanced skiers and snowboarders and includes our favorite the Black Bear double diamond! For the experts, the Stone Creek Chutes is where the fun is at!

Find freshies

The Stone Creek Chutes and anything on the Grouse Mountain are the best spots to find freshies. These areas feature the most challenging terrain at Beaver Creek and therefore sees fewer skiers and snowboarders tracking the fresh powder.

Ditch the crowds

The Centennial Express lift is the most family-friendly lift in Beaver Creek, which also makes it the busiest one of all here. For advanced skiers and snowboarders, the runs off Grouse Mountain are the best for avoiding crowds as this area only offers black or double black diamond trails.

Non skiers

The Beaver Creek Village might be small but there's still plenty on offer for non-skiers. Beaver Creek is known for its pampering so why not check one of the many spas? If that's not high up on the non-skiing activities list then the Vilar Performing Arts Center offers everything from Broadway shows to epic ski movies from the late Warren Miller.

Families

As a purpose-built resort, the small and easy to navigate village along with the abundance of beginner and intermediate terrain make Beaver Creek an ideal ski destination for families. For families with different skiing abilities, the Centennial Express lift gives access to a variety of greens, blues, and blacks trails that all lead back to down to the village, making it easy to ride up together and then meet at the bottom.

Save up to 37% when you book a Beaver Creek package!

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Beaver Creek Reviews

Fabulous 4.5 / 5
based on 100 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Sep 04, 2019
Beaver Creek ReviewsJared T.
intermediate snowboarder
Great family friendly resort. Tons of terrain, dining and lodging options. Lifts are fast, snow is good. Not for the extreme skier or rider but great for intermediate. Free cookies is a plus!... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Sep 04, 2019
Beaver Creek ReviewsMatt B.
advanced snowboarder
I've only been to Beaver Creek a couple times, but it is a ton of fun, and fresh warm cookies at the end of the day!! I loved the way Beaver was set up. It was very user friendly and easy to navigate from the first time I went there.... More
Superb!4.6 / 5Aug 08, 2019
Beaver Creek ReviewsLeslie B.
intermediate skier
Amazing family resort. Has something for all levels. Both my kids learned to ski at the ski school here which is amazing especially the Ultimate 4 and Ski Girls Rock programs which both have a max of 4 kids.... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Aug 08, 2019
Beaver Creek ReviewsRobert H.
advanced snowboarder
My wife and two kids 12, 15 had an amazing visit over Christmas 2017. The resort is in the most ideal location. It's perfect for easy ski in and out. There lockers for boards and skis and the resort offers multiple options for dining. Additionally, they have a very friendly and efficient shuttle service to main street. The rooms were well kept and... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Aug 08, 2019
Beaver Creek ReviewsJon B.
intermediate skier
Beaver Creek is the ideal location for a family ski vacation! My children have learned to ski in the "Ivy League of Ski Schools" as Beaver Creek refers to itself. My daughter has enjoyed skiing in the Ski Girls Rock program that features four girls with one female instructor. My 13 year old daughter has quickly surpassed my skiing abilities and... More
Average!3.4 / 5Jul 01, 2019
Beaver Creek ReviewsTimber W.
intermediate snowboarder
I was a bit disappointed with the terrain available here. Definitely caters to the “Vail Skier” type. Very expensive to do much of anything. Not a lot available after dark in the area. Snowboarding would be more fun elsewhere. I wouldn’t pay full price to go back here. One perk is the Burton store has everything available for demo and purchase and... More
Good!3.6 / 5May 03, 2019
Beaver Creek ReviewsConcierge Choice L.
advanced skier
One time awesome place to get away from Vails crowed slopes .Now a very richie place to visit. There are a lot of nice large homes and condos .too expensive for me , we just ski and leave . The runs are wide and nicely groomed .... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Apr 29, 2019
Beaver Creek ReviewsThomas M.
intermediate skier
Great skiing, and awesome restaurant and bar at the base. Lifts were quick, and loved the convenience of multiple options of slops from a single area. Very family friendly. Would definitely go back.... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Mar 22, 2019
Beaver Creek ReviewsGeorge L.
intermediate skier
Perfect for families with mixed abilities, ski or board. Quality full range of accommodations and price points, food, restaurants, instructors and off the mountain activities. Generally uncrowded. I fly fish on my off days.... More
Superb!4.6 / 5Mar 22, 2019
Beaver Creek ReviewsAron B.
advanced skier
Wonderful resort with wide open beginner and intermediate trails at the Mountaintop offering incredible vistas for novice skiers. Amazing ski school with World Class instructors, immaculate grooming and a beautiful village make this resort an outstanding overall experience.... More