Beaver Creek Local Guide
Every December, athletes and snow sport enthusiasts migrate to Beaver Creek for the Birds of Prey Men’s World Cup, one of the world’s premier ski events. It’s a medium sized resort relative to others in Colorado, but don’t let that bother you as the vertical is a massive 4,038 feet, which is the seventh highest in the nation. Beaver Creek has plenty of wide groomed trails, long top-to-bottom runs, and is well suited for beginners and intermediates. That being said, in the Strawberry Park, Larkspur & Grouse Mountain areas, you can find some of the best in-bounds tree skiing runs in Colorado. To provide variety, there are three distinct areas at the resort; Beaver Creek, Bachelor’s Gulch, and Arrowhead, all accessible within about a 20 minute ride from the first lift you get on. Go early to Bachelor’s Gulch and Arrowhead for the best conditions and also in the mid to late afternoon when the sun is shining down on you, providing soft snow and stellar views of the Vail Valley.
Beaver Creek Village is at the center of the resort filled with shopping, dining and weekly activities. Take in soaring alpine views throughout your shopping experience as you discover beautifully curated fashion boutiques, high end sports apparel, jewelry stores, art galleries and so much more. Beaver Creek has an excellent Nordic Center for those who want to enjoy a day off the slopes. Cross country skiing, shoe shoeing and excellent instruction for both are all location at the center in Strawberry Park. Set your alarm for 3:00pm daily to enjoy complimentary warm cookies at the base of Centennial Lift and throughout the village. If you want a relaxing day just for yourself, head over to the Park Hyatt and the Allegria Spa to recharge in the mountain alpine atmosphere.
Image Credit: On The Snow
Beaver Creek offers some of the best on-mountain dining experiences, coupled with a sleigh ride to get to and from your reservation. Allie’s and Beano’s Cabin are the standouts, and you can travel to Beano’s on horseback or take a free shuttle there. On top of that, Beano’s is one of Colorado’s best restaurants. Hooked is one of the more highly touted sushi and Asian fair restaurants in the Valley. Located steps away from the village, this high end hot spot is very popular amongst visitors and locals. At the base of Centennial Lift, the Beaver Creek Chophouse is the favorite Apres spot, with great food and drinks with an outdoor patio looking right up at the slopes. Looking for even more background on Beaver Creek? Check out our part two local guide, coming to the blog soon.
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