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.
Denver International Airport
Beaver Creek (2.5-3 hours)
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
