BEAVER CREEK RESORT GUIDE
Images courtesy of Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek Resort Overview
Beaver Creek is one of the hidden gems among Colorado resorts. Here, you will find luxury accommodations with easy resort access, vibrant restaurants, and appreciably fewer crowds than at its better-known neighbors, Vail or Breckenridge. The resort is very family-friendly, with terrain for all ages and ability levels. Steep, deep glades abound, as do smooth groomers for the more cautious. Much of the terrain offers breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains, and the scenes from just riding the lifts make the lift tickets worth it, even if there is no skiing!
Accommodations range from the upscale Ritz Carlton and Park Hyatt to slopeside homes and condos and more affordable options in the adjacent town of Avon. Avon is just across the access road from Beaver Creek, and most hotels offer shuttles to the resort, which is a nice alternative to Beaver Creek's pricey parking lots. Though on the smaller side, there is plenty to entertain the non-skier in the base village at Beaver Creek.
The Epic Pass provides unlimited access to Beaver Creek. The Epic Local pass offers up to 10 days with holiday restrictions. For those staying for a week, it's worth adding a visit to Vail, which is accessible on the same pass and just 15 minutes down I-70. Shuttles run regularly between the two resorts.
Snow Reliability
Snow-Making & Grooming
Ski School
Travel Convenience
Accommodations
Terrain Variety
On Mountain Dining
Extreme / Off-Piste Terrain
Quick Take
Let's Go
Ski-in ski-out lodging options abound. Most lodges have direct lift access or are a 5-10 minute shuttle ride from the main lift.
Ski equipment rentals can be sorted at the resort or through third parties. Better yet, check out our front-to-back ski butler service through our partnership with Ski Butlers.
Warm cookies at the base at 3 pm ALWAYS! Don't miss out! You can ride the high-speed quad straight down into Cookie Paradise.
Family-friendly with plenty to do outside of skiing, including the skating rink in the heart of the resort and a wide variety of shops and restaurants
Multiple terrain options for all levels. Arrowhead and Bachelor Gulch have exclusively beginner and intermediate terrain. Meanwhile, Birds of Prey is super steep and home to the World Cup Super G and Downhill races.
Beaver Creek tends to be less crowded than its neighbor, Vail (~15 minutes away); it can be fun to visit Vail for a day, but avoid the crowds by making Beaver Creek home base.
The lift infrastructure is incredible, with a special shout-out to the Centennial Express and Cinch Express lifts; they are truly one of class.
For those non-skiers or those who want to know the other sides of Beaver Creek, take a trip to the ice rink, a personal favorite, and in the summertime, try mountain biking on Beaver Lake Trail.
Hesitations
Larkspur Bowl, one of two bowls at Beaver Creek, offers plenty of steep and deep terrain that makes for excellent powder days.
Beaver Creek’s ease of access comes with a price; lodging and dining tend to be more expensive than at nearby Breck or Keystone.
True nightlife is limited; if you're looking to burn the midnight oil, it's best to go to Vail.
Insider Tips
Get some turns over in the Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead areas. Here, you will find great open tree terrain for all ability levels and fewer crowds. Especially in Arrowhead.
With the opening of McCoy Park, Beaver Creek added 250 acres of lift-serviced terrain designed for beginners and intermediates; this terrain features glades and bowl-like meadows, unique for those just learning.
For more cost-effective lodging options, look to the nearby town of Avon. Shuttle service to the resort is available at most, if not all, accommodations, and it is an easy 5-10 minutes drive from the main resort.
The Epic Pass is the key to unlocking value here. Beaver Creek is unlimited on the Full pass and up to 10 days on the Epic Local Pass.
Trail Map
For an in-depth breakdown of Beaver Creek's terrain, head to our Mountain Guide. Top trails and mountain stats included.
Getting To & Around
Beaver Creek can be an easy drive from Denver, go straight West on 1-70. If you have the means, traveling into Eagle Airport will be a huge benefit, as its only ~35 minutes away by car. Cars are not essential if planning to stay within Beaver Creek. Having your own transportation can be useful If you plan to explore the surrounding area, but you really don't need to leave as everything is right there.
Getting To
Closest Major City: Denver, CO
Distance: ~110 miles West
Travel Time: ~2 hours
Closest Cities: Vail, CO
Avon, CO: Distance: ~3 miles, ~7 minutes
Vail, CO: Distance: ~12 mi, ~15-20 minutes
Neighboring Resorts
Closest Neighbors on the Epic Pass
Vail (12 miles ~20 mins)
Breckenridge (50 miles, ~1 hour)
Keystone (50 miles, ~1 hour, 10 minutes)
Other Neighbors
Copper (~30 miles, 35 minutes)
Arapahoe Basin (~55 miles, 1 hour)
Travel by Plane
Closest major commercial airport:
DEN (Denver International Airport)
~130 miles West, ~2 hrs, 15 mins
Closest regional airport:
EGE (Eagle County Regional Airport)
~30 miles East, ~35 minutes
Private planes can also come into/out of Eagle Aiport
Travel By Bus
On-demand shutte services are provided throughout Beaver Creek using the Village Connect app
Airport shuttle services is available to / from DEN and EGE through Epic Mountain Express owned by Vail, as well as Peak 1 Express and Summit Express
Travel by Car
Cars are not essential if staying in Beaver Creek or the sourrounding area.
Pros: Conveniece, useful for getting groceries, greater optionality for dining and off mountain activities
Cons: Parking is limited and pricey. The best options are the Elk, Wolf and Bear Lots
Rideshares: This area is Uber/Lyft accessible
