We all have that dream of waking up on Christmas morning in the mountains, snow falling, fire place lit and surrounded by loved ones. This year, I spent the holiday with my daughter in the town of Avon near Beaver Creek ski area. It was Christmas Eve and the first big snowfall of the season as we drove into Beaver Creek. The snow sparkled on trees lit with white lights that dotted the hillsides. On Christmas morning the sun was shining over the Rocky Mountains and the fresh powdered snow blanketed the landscape.
The condo faced the ski slopes and below was a walking path that ran along the scenic Eagle River. My passion? Skiing! I’ve been skiing since I was two and raced slalom and giant slalom through high school. I missed skiing the last five years and was excited to have the opportunity. Around the corner from the condo, I rented ski equipment from Beaver Creek Sports which sits next to The Westin. Residents and visitors can use the ski valet service which allows you to store your skis and boots overnight. Outside the doors of Beaver Creek Sports and The Westin sits The Riverfront Express Gondola which carries you up the mountain.
Near the end of the gondola ride, you pass a majestic building, The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, a luxury resort with ski-in, ski-out access.
We skied non-stop for the entire day. There were groomed slopes, trails, moguls, steep terrains, and easy runs and in the two days of skiing I only saw a part of the entire ski area. One of the lifts takes you over a home that used to be 38th U.S. President Gerald Ford’s home and there is a bunker built in the ground where the secret service stayed.
Saving the best for last, we were invited – well mom tagged along – to First Tracks. There is a Beaver Creek Club and once a month club members and invited guests are the first skiers on the mountain from 7 to 9 a.m. It was snowing, the powder was inches deep, the runs were forever and honestly, it was the BEST SKIING I have ever experienced.
It was truly a wonderful Christmas; time with family, meeting new friends, good food, great skiing, gorgeous views and a quaint little town with never-ending snowflakes falling from the sky.
A little bit about Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek enjoys more than 275 days of sunshine annually
“Renowned for legendary attention to detail, World-Cup mountain pedigree, intimate alpine village, and reputation as one the world’s best luxury family resorts, Beaver Creek Resort represents incomparable elegance and Rocky Mountain leisure. Beaver Creek offers luxury accommodations throughout three villages and ski-in, ski-out luxury lodges and hotels. More than 40 restaurants, elegant village boutiques, and activities such as world-class downhill skiing and snowboarding, snow shoeing, Nordic skiing, and ice skating in the Beaver Creek village.”—Vail Resorts
Dining
Dinner at three fine dining cabins, Beano’s, Zach’s and Allie’s, is accessible by Beaver Creek Snow Cat-pulled sleigh. Beano’s Cabin will continue to elevate fine dining into a feast for the senses, with a gourmet menu paired with a breathtaking wine list.
The Beaver Creek Club
Exclusively for the property owners of Beaver Creek, for over 30 years, The Club has offered the finest services, amenities, and privileged access including an elegant and spacious great room perfect for après ski. With slope-side ski valet services, dedicated concierge, private gourmet on-mountain lunch, a full social calendar with activities for the whole family, the Club delivers the best of Beaver Creek in every season.
Riverfront Village
Lodging: The Westin – Riverfront Resort & Spa or visit BeaverCreekMountainLodging.com.
Home Ownership: One Riverfront is the grand finale of the Riverfront Village.
Getting To and From Beaver Creek
Denver International Airport and the Eagle County Regional Airport.
Epic Mountain Express (EME) offers access to and from both Denver International Airport and the Eagle Airport.
Dates and Hours
Ski Season: Nov. 24, 2021 - April 17, 2022
Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Ski Area
Total Skiable Area: 2,082 acres
39 % Expert/Advanced (711 acres)
42 % Intermediate (776 acres)
19 % Beginner (345 acres)
Total Number of Lifts: 24
According to Peak Rankings Beaver Creek tied 7th for best overall mountain experience in the United States. Their verdict “So Beaver Creek delivers on the family-friendliness it’s known for, but it also offers a surprisingly thrilling expert experience. Lift tickets are extremely expensive—and not everyone will love the resort’s flagrantly moneyed atmosphere—but the excellent service and lack of crowds will make it worth it for many. In addition, those who hold an Epic Pass will get a decent value for their day.”
*If you know someone with the Epic Pass, the Buddy Pass ticket was $148.00 for a full day of skiing or consider purchasing the Epic Pass for the 22-23 ski year.
Additional Information
Snow Line: (800) 427-8308
Toll Free Reservations: (877) 204-7883
Beaver Creek Information Center: (970) 754-4636
Ski and Snowboard School: (800) 503-8748
Facebook.com/beavercreek
Twitter: @beavercreekmtn
Instagram: @beavercreek #beavercreek
Consumer Web Site:www.beavercreek.com
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/beavercreekmtn