Beaver Creek Resort Guide

Beaver Creek is frequently used for international ski race competitions so keep an eye out for the likes of Mikaela Shiffrin! However, the resort is good for all levels of skier with a great variety of gladed cruisers as well as more challenging blacks. High-speed quads whisk you up the mountain where you can enjoy cruising immaculate corduroy blue runs, many of which are groomed for a second time during the day. The children's ski school and creche are located in front of the Park Hyatt, and with a beginner area at the top of the lifts, novices can get a mountain-top experience at an early stage. There is enough to challenge the experts among you too with the bumps on Grouse Mountain, the steeps of Birds of Prey, Royal Elk glades and Stone Creek chutes.

With its family-friendly reputation, you would be forgiven for thinking that Beaver Creek is pretty mellow. However, the resort actually has a great range of skiing and is excellent for everyone from tiny tots making their first snow ploughs to those looking for some extreme thrills. There are actually some runs that have been classed as ‘extreme’!

Beginners - The incredible personalized service extends to the ski school and beginners will relish the care and attention they receive here. Kids will love the Adventure Zones dotted all over the easterly slopes, such as Hibernating Bear Cave and Rowdy Ridge. There are green runs all over the mountain so everyone can experience the views and big mountain feeling.

Intermediate - The runs around Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead are intermediate heaven - cruisey, tree-lined and generally pretty quiet. The Centennial lift also offers some great runs, particularly for those looking for a steeper blue.

Advanced - Grouse Mountain is where you want to head to if you are looking for some fear-inducing steeps, huge moguls or tree skiing in the Royal Elk Glades. Alternatively, try Stone Creek for some cliffs and chutes.

Beaver Creek is included on a number of different Colorado lift passes so why not hire a car and also ski Vail (just 15 minutes away), Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin during the course of your holiday. Alternatively, why not look at combining Beaver Creek with Aspen or Steamboat on one of our Colorado Ski Safaris.

The small, pedestrianised resort centre is clustered around the ice rink and has shops, top-class restaurants and a few bars. Even the resort centre just oozes luxury with escalators instead of steps, heated walkways and bakers with cookies waiting to greet you as you come off the slopes. There are plenty of activities as an alternative to skiing such as dog-sledding and tubing. There are a couple of nice terraces for apres-ski drinks and there are a few bars in town, but for more serious nightlife you will have to go to Vail. The small town of Avon at the bottom of the hill has some more shopping options and is 10 minutes by shuttle from the slopes.

Childcare - The Small World Play School is run by the resort and located in the Park Hyatt right at the base of the slopes. Mountain Sitters provide babysitting services. Many of the hotels also have childcare facilities and activities for children. These include the Ritz Carlton, the Park Hyatt and the Westin Riverfront.

Transportation - The village is nice and compact and most hotels and restaurants are within walking distance. However, the resort runs a bus service all around the resort and down to Avon, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead. All services are free and there is also a complimentary dial-a-ride service which runs late. For trips to Vail, there is a shuttle bus that runs from Avon daily. Please click here for more details.

Supermarket - There is a Wal-Mart and City Market in Avon which is open till late during the week. There is also a general store in the resort centre that sells basic groceries.

Weather - Being in the interior Rockies, Beaver Creek can get very cold in January and February so bring layers. However with 300 days of sunshine each year you are guaranteed to find a sunny spot to warm up in - just don’t forget the sunscreen.

Perhaps unexpectedly, Beaver Creek has a good range of restaurants. From inexpensive Mexican in the Coyote Cafe to pizza in the Blue Moose, there is plenty of choice for a relaxed meal. However, if you want to splash out there are of course some wonderful fine dining options whether it's on the mountain at Beanos and Zach's Cabin or in the resort such as 8100 in the Park Hyatt or the Grouse Mountain Grill in the Pines Lodge.

Après - Coyote Cafe and the Dusty Boot are casual bars popular with the locals. You can enjoy a drink on the deck at the Beaver Creek Chop House. Most of the larger hotels have bars good for either apres ski or pre-dinner drinks.

Meal delivery service - the resort offers a book of menus from dozens of different restaurants in Beaver Creek and Vail which will deliver to your room. This is a fantastic service if you want to stay in your condo with a DVD and a bottle of wine.

• Beaver Creek Ice Skating Rink - This is situated in the centre of the village and offers fun for all the family.
• Haymaker Tubing Hill - The perfect family-friendly adventure for winter visitors to Beaver Creek, head to Haymaker Tubing Hill and experience the rush of Beaver Creek tubing.
• Nordic Sports at McCoy Park - A dedicated snowshoe and cross-country ski area with 32km of tracked and rustic trails.
• Allegria Spa - located in the Park Hyatt, but available to all Beaver Creek guests, this spectacular health club and spa features twenty feng shui inspired treatments rooms, together with high tech fitness rooms and private pilates studios.
• Vilar Performing Arts Center - comedy shows, concerts, plays and more.
• Dog sledding, sleigh rides, snowmobiling etc.