Beaver Creek Resort in Colorado is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders. As part of a series on ski resorts, Huffington Post Travel offers our guide to Beaver Creek Resort, featuring all the key information snow lovers need to know before they hit the slopes.
The Basics
in Avon, Colorado, sits in the heart of the central Rocky Mountains. While the closest town to the resort is
, which is 20 miles away and has a small airport, travelers can also fly into the larger
, which sits 120 miles east of the resort. The ski resort resides in the larger Beaver Creek Village, which includes two villages on the mountain and two towns at its base that feature shopping, dining and entertainment. With its slogan "not exactly roughing it," Beaver Creek Resort caters to skiers who want to challenge themselves on the slopes as well as relax and have a good time.
The Mountain
boasts an elevation of 11,440 feet, featuring 1,815 acres of skiable land and a vertical drop of 3,340 feet. The resort's longest run measures a meandering 2.75 miles. The resort caters to advanced and expert skiers. Its winter ski season runs from around Thanksgiving to mid-April, and the area sees an average of 325 inches of snow ever year. Beaver Creek's slopes feature powdery snow, typical of West Coast mountain ranges. Beaver Creek supplements this natural snowfall with
to ensure the slopes are ready for skiers.
Trails And Lifts
Most of Beaver Creek Resort's
require some skiing experience. Just 19 percent of the trails cater to beginners, while 43 percent feature intermediate terrain and 38 percent are reserved for advanced or expert skiers.
, one of the resort's steepest trails, challenges even expert skiers with steep bumps.
exist on the resort's grounds; each terrain park caters to a different skill level (beginner, intermediate and expert) and includes boxes, rails, log slides and jumps. The resort includes
, including gondolas, high-speed quads and double- and triple-chair lifts.
In The News
Beaver Creek was considered as a host site for the
and hosted the World Ski Championships in 1989. Today, it hosts the annual
, which features three days of Downhill, Super G and Giant Slalom races. Beaver Creek's
allows guests to hobnob with celebrity chefs, including
Top Chef
winner Stephanie Izard, and feast on their cuisine. The 1995 film
, starring Steven Seagal and Katherine Heigl, was shot at Beaver Creek for eight weeks.
Cost
Beaver Creek Resort offers single-day lift tickets, which cost $73 for children 5 to 12, $105 for adults up to age 64 and $95 for seniors. The resort sells two-day through seven-day
as well. Eight slope-side locations offer single-day or multiday
, with packages running from $46 to $422. The resort's Base Mountain Sports
; brands include K2, Volkl and Rossignol. Beaver Creek's
offers lessons for all ages and skill levels; a one-day group lesson for a beginner adult costs $185, while a full-day
costs $745.
Apres-Ski
No shortage of activity exists off the slopes at Beaver Creek Resort. Skiers who have worked up an appetite can enjoy an open-air sleigh ride up to
, dine on a five-course meal and listen to live entertainment. At the base of the mountain, guests can take in the relaxed but lively
at spots like the Coyote Cafe, which features live music and ski movies on the TVs. For a fancier evening in the village, guests can check out a show or a live concert at the 530-seat
. Skiers looking to relax after a day on the slopes can pamper themselves at one of three
, which offer manicures and pedicures, massages and rejuvenating yoga sessions.
WATCH: Beaver Creek Resort
Advertisement
Powder magazine showcases Beaver Creek Resort on and off the slopes.