Beaver Creek Skiing & Snowboarding
Resort Guide
Beaver Creek strives to create the best possible experience for skiers and snowboarders, luxury is the top priority. Just down the road from Vail, Beaver Creek pampers visitors with escalators and free cookies. The ski and snowboard area sits right above the town of Avon, a town with great restaurants, shopping and food. This does not mean, however, that Beaver Creek doesn’t have some fun skiing and snowboarding for powder hounds. Some of the powder stashes here can stay untouched for longer than nearby resorts, because many of the high-end visitors don’t venture off piste into the trees and chutes.
Mountain Overview
Lodging Information
Local Food Picks
Where To Find Lift Tickets
Beaver Creek has a good selection of terrain for every ability level of skier or snowboarders. Most people will start their day at the Centennial Lift. From here, skiers and snowboarders can reach the Birds of Prey lift. This is where Beaver Creek holds one of the only World Cup downhill courses in the United States. The Golden Eagle run, where the races are held, is rated a double black, be ready for steep skiing, and try to do your best Bode Miller impersonation. Beaver Creek has an impressive grooming fleet that continuously keeps the mountain fresh, which makes the mountain awesome for intermediates.
Advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders will have a great time ducking in and out of the trees finding powder stashes. Over on Grouse Mountain the Royal Elk and Black Bear Glades are a fun place to head on a powder day. Off of the summit of Beaver Creek Mountain , the Stone Creek Chutes can be accessed. This area is super fun, with tighter chutes, cliffs and natural features to jib on and jump off. This area receives fairly little traffic compared to the rest of the mountain, meaning that powder can be found long after a snowstorm.
Beaver Creek is a two hour and twenty minute drive from Denver, just 20 minutes west of Vail. For skiers and snowboarders coming from farther away, there are direct flights from 12 major cities to the Eagle Airport (EGE), which is a 20 minute drive from the ski area. Colorado Mountain Express, CME, operates shuttles from both the Denver International Airport and Eagle.
Beaver Creek’s lodging options are wide ranging, although mostly upscale. Skiers and snowboarders visiting Beaver Creek can stay in the town of Avon, or at the base area. From Avon, the city’s free bus system brings riders to the slopes. The Osprey at Beaver Creek is the closest hotel to a ski lift in North America, 26’ from the chairlift. Vail Resorts owns many of the properties in town, many of which offer lodging and lift ticket packages.
The Osprey
Lodging Packages
Our Favorite Snowboards Beaver Creek
LocalFood Picks
At 3 PM every day at the base of the Centennial lift, Beaver Creek offers free cookies to skiers and snowboarders coming off of the mountain. After a long day skiing or snowboarding, the warm cookies are a tasty treat. Beaver Creek, and Avon down the hill, have a great selection of both fine dining and casual restaurants. Ticino is a great spot for dinner, specializing in housemade pastas and pizza. Taqueria No Se Hagan Bolas is another great spot to grab some post-shredding grub.
Our Favorite Skis For Beaver Creek
Where to Find Lift Tickets to Beaver Creek?
Beaver Creek has some of the most expensive lift tickets in the United States. Depending on the length of a ski and snowboard vacation, buying Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass may also help to save some money. Children and seniors receive discounted Beaver Creek lift tickets, too. There are also lift ticket packages at many area hotels and lodges.
Epic Pass
Beaver Creek Weather Information
A hefty 323” of snowfall annually at Beaver Creek, which is usually open from mid November into April. The ski and snowboard area sees plenty of powder days throughout the winter, with January through March being the stormiest months, although big snowstorms can come through at any time of the year. Large snowmaking capabilities and a huge grooming fleet that works around the clock mean that Beaver Creek has top notch pistes The grooming here is some of the best in the United States.
For a luxury experience, from the parking lot to the peak, Beaver Creek has skiers and snowboarders covered. The fine dining and shopping in town is enough to wow any visitor, while the mountain still has some surprisingly good powder stashes for those willing to explore off the perfectly groomed runs (not many skiers and snowboarders who visit are, so you may have the powder to yourself!). Beaver Creek is a fun day trip in a longer Colorado ski or snowboard vacation, or a great destination in its own right.
View All Colorado Ski & Snowboard Resorts >
Explore More Resorts
FAQs
How difficult is the skiing at Beaver Creek? ›
Beaver Creek Resort offers terrain for all ability levels. Arrowhead Village and Bachelor Gulch have great beginner and intermediate terrain. Centennial is a perfect cruiser, steep enough for advanced skiers to let it out at speed, but wide enough for intermediates to make lots of turns.
What is the hardest run at Beaver Creek? ›Beaver Creek: Birds of Prey
Mountain Reservations refers to this run, which drops 2,470 feet in under two miles, as "one of the most challenging downhill courses in the world."
Beaver Creek is the perfect place to learn how to ski or snowboard. Our expert Ski School instructors utilize small group programs and highly refined customer service to ensure each lesson is fun and safe. The dedicated Haymeadow Express gondola ensures that beginners of all ages can safely access beginner-only trails.
Is Beaver Creek less crowded than Vail? ›Beaver Creek is slightly smaller with 150 total ski slopes, to Vail's 193, but being smaller means there will be fewer crowds and typically shorter lift lines.
What is the hardest ski run in Colorado? ›Rambo, located at Crested Butte Ski Resort in Colorado, holds the prestigious title of being the steepest ski run in the United States. The pitch is set at an astounding 55 degrees, meaning you'll be holding on for dear life almost every turn.
Does Beaver Creek get crowded? ›Beaver Creek handles crowds well thanks to mostly well-placed lifts and fewer visitors than other Colorado resorts along I-70. Even on weekends and holidays, it's uncommon to see lines of longer than 10 minutes.
Is Beaver Creek bigger than Vail? ›...
Vail and Beaver Creek resort guide.
Resort facts and figures | Vail | Beaver Creek |
---|---|---|
Skiable areas (acres): | 5289 | 1815 |
Lifts: | 31 | 25 |
Hood Skibowl. Some of the steepest skiing to be found in Oregon is right at Mt. Hood Skibowl, accessed by the unassuming Upper Bowl Chair. This classic double chair rises to the 5,027-foot summit of Skibowl West.
Is 50 too old to start skiing? ›One of the best things about skiing is that it can be taken up almost as easily at 40 or even 50 as at 10 or 20. In fact, a grown-up is likely to do better at first than a youngster. The grown-up is mature enough to make the most out of his ski lessons—provided he is in reasonably good shape.
Is 30 too old to start skiing? ›There's no right or wrong age to become a skier or snowboarder. No magic time period where you can learn with no effort, and no milestone at which you're “too old” to get started.
At what age is it too late to learn to ski? ›
It's never too late to learn to ski. If you're over the age of 50, it will start to get a little more difficult to learn from scratch. Getting an instructor or private lesson is the best thing you can do if learning to ski in your 50s. Take it slow to start and enjoy the process.
Where do the Kardashians go in Vail? ›out in the cold: When in Vail, there are plenty of top-notch spots to stay, dine, and grab drinks. The Four Seasons Vail, for example, has hosted the Kardashian clan in the past. The five-star hotel has all the amenities guests could want, including a ski concierge, a spa, and a heated outdoor pool.
What is the best time of year to visit Beaver Creek? ›Based on the tourism score, the best time of year to visit Beavercreek for warm-weather activities is from mid June to mid September.
Is Beaver Creek an easy mountain? ›Beaver Creek is an ideal ski resort for beginners. There are separate beginner lifts and people movers directly at Beaver Creek Village. Beginners can ski on many easy slopes in the upper area. A very easy run leads from the mountain back to the village.
What is the scariest ski run in the world? ›The 78 percent gradient of Harakiri makes it the steepest groomed run in the world. One slip on this icy groomer would most likely send a skier tumbling down the length of the run. Harakiri, the Japanese term for ritual suicide, is a fitting name for the Austrian slope.
Where do millionaires ski? ›One of the most luxurious ski resorts in the world is St Moritz. The Swiss resort regularly hosts celebrities and leading business people because of its vast luxury options. Located in the Engadine Valley, it offers stunning mountain views.
What is the most extreme ski resort in Colorado? ›1. Silverton Mountain. Home to more than 1,500 acres of expert terrain that reaches up to an elevation of 13,487 feet, Silverton Mountain is no joke.
What is the steepest mountain in Colorado? ›Just outside of Lake City, Colorado, Slumgullion Pass is an ultra-high mountain pass with an elevation of 11,530 ft (3,514 m). With grades on the north side of the pass up to 9%, State Highway 149 is the steepest, maintained paved road in Colorado.
What is the most extreme skiing in Colorado? ›Gauthier, Arapahoe Basin
Arapahoe Basin 's Pallavicini Lift serves some of the steepest terrain in Colorado's central mountains, with Gauthier clocking in as the most extreme pitch, at about 46 degrees.
A bear walks up Lower Peregrine trail on Beaver Creek Mountain on Tuesday. A black bear got a powder day at Beaver Creek.
Are there Moose in Beaver Creek? ›
8) in Lionshead. A sign at Beaver Creek warns guests of an aggressive moose in the area. Colorado Parks and Wildlife began introducing moose in Colorado in 1978 and is liable for damage to crops, forage and fences caused by moose.
Do you need a car in Beaver Creek? ›If you plan on staying within Beaver Creek for your stay, it's recommended to enjoy the convenience of a shuttle ride and not worry about a car. If you are more adventurous and looking to explore more of what Colorado has to offer, a rental car will be the more convenient option.
What is Beaver Creek famous for? ›Beaver Creek Mountain is renowned for its stunning beauty and welcoming atmosphere, providing access to every level of skier. You'll delight in the meticulously groomed corduroy runs as you explore over 2,000 acres of terrain and dip into each of the three distinct base areas.
What is the biggest ski town in Colorado? ›VAIL. As the largest ski resort in Colorado, Vail has over 195 ski runs.
What is Beaver Creek known for? ›Beaver Creek is known as a mellow, family-friendly mountain. And its top-notch ski school and five-star services, including staff members who hand out free cookies at the base, certainly backs up that reputation.
What is the most difficult skiing in the US? ›Silverton comes out on top as the most difficult ski area (not really a resort) in North America. This is due to its insane summit elevation over 13,000 feet, and the fact that 100% of its trails are rated “expert”.
What is the easiest run in skiing? ›Blue slopes – easy
All ski runs with a maximum gradient of 25 per cent are marked blue. Short off-piste sections are excluded. Blue ski runs are ideal for beginners, children and returning skiers. They are good for learning and practising basic skills and are usually relatively wide.
The Streif is a source of pride and fame for the town of Kitzbühel. It's 3312 m (2,058 mi) long, incredibly technically difficult, insanely steep (with a maximum grade of 85% (40.4 degrees), and drops for a vertical of 860 m (2,822 ft).
Is Vail hard for beginners? ›Vail provides an excellent setting for a beginner or first-time skier.
Is Vail a hard mountain to ski? ›Vail is one of the hardest ski areas in the country, with a difficulty score of 76.8. This mountain ranks in the top 10% of most-difficult ski resorts in all of North America, mostly due to the fact that it has 53% of its trails rated as expert-level, and a vertical drop of 3,450 feet.
What is the hardest mountain to ski in Colorado? ›
1. Silverton Mountain. Home to more than 1,500 acres of expert terrain that reaches up to an elevation of 13,487 feet, Silverton Mountain is no joke. Several of the runs require that skiers take to the air and everything is ungroomed.
Do beginner skiers fall a lot? ›But think about it: As a beginner, you won't (or shouldn't) be going too fast, snow is softer than you'd expect, and falling is a part of learning. You'll fall. A lot. The only way to learn is to fall and just because you're skiing shouldn't make it scary.
Is Vail or Aspen better for beginners? ›Both Vail and Aspen come with beginner, intermediate, and expert trails but Aspen is the top choice if you want to experience the best and less crowded skiing opportunities.
What month is best for skiing in Vail? ›When to Visit Vail For Great Skiing and Snowboarding. December through March is the best time to visit Vail for great snow conditions. Vail Ski Resort and the nearby Beaver Creek Resort are a straight shot from Denver and easily accessed from I-70.
What month does Vail get the most snow? ›Local lore holds that March is our snowiest, wettest month. That isn't so. Recent data from the National Centers for Environmental Information that covers the period between 1991 and 2020 show that, at least in the town of Vail, February is actually the snowiest month, with average snowfall of more than 35 inches.
Does Vail have double blacks? ›Vail Skiing and Snowboarding - Expert
The marked double black trails are not super challenging relative to some other USA ski resorts, but still a bit of fun. Easy to get to technical trees are on the Front Side off the Gitalong Road. These include the Frontside Chutes, Mudslide, The Narrows and Pumphouse.
The snow conditions are usually better in the morning, as the slopes are always freshly groomed. Also, there is a higher chance that the slopes will be more empty if you go skiing quite early. Morning lessons are also great for kids as they usually are more motivated than later in the day.
Where do the Kardashians ski in Colorado? ›The Kardashians have made quite a few trips to the beautiful ski town of Vail. Here is how they've kept busy and the best spots to hit in town. The Kardashians are known for their luxurious vacations, and their trips to snowy Colorado ski town Vail are no exception.
Where do billionaires go to ski? ›One of the most luxurious ski resorts in the world is St Moritz. The Swiss resort regularly hosts celebrities and leading business people because of its vast luxury options.