Beaver Creek Resort, known for its luxurious accommodations and meticulously groomed terrain, offers skiers and snowboarders a vast playground to explore. With 1,832 acres of skiable terrain, three main base areas, and a variety of amenities, it’s important to know how to get around efficiently. This guide will provide everything you need to know to navigate Beaver Creek, whether you are a new or seasoned visitor.
Overview of Beaver Creek's Base Areas
Beaver Creek features three primary base areas: Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead Village. Each base offers unique services, dining options, and access to different parts of the mountain. Understanding how to navigate between these base areas is key to enjoying all the resort has to offer.
- Beaver Creek Village: The heart of the resort, Beaver Creek Village is where you’ll find luxury hotels, dining, shopping, and direct access to the mountain. Key lifts like the Centennial Express (Lift 6) and Haymeadow Express Gondola (Lift 1) provide access to beginner and intermediate terrain. Beaver Creek Village also hosts Ski and Ride School, making it an ideal starting point for families and beginner skiers.
- Bachelor Gulch: Located west of Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch provides a quieter, more exclusive experience. The Bachelor Gulch Express (Lift 16) serves as the main lift in this area, offering access to blue and green runs. This area is ideal if you’re staying in Bachelor Gulch or looking for more advanced terrain.
- Arrowhead Village: The westernmost base area, Arrowhead Village offers easy access to beginner and intermediate terrain via the Arrow Bahn Express (Lift 17). This area is perfect for those seeking a more relaxed atmosphere while still having access to all of Beaver Creek’s terrain through connections with Bachelor Gulch and Beaver Creek Village.
Getting between Base Areas
Navigating between Beaver Creek’s three base areas is easily doable whether you ski or ride the lifts.
- Skiing or Riding Between Areas: Skiing between Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead is easy, thanks to a series of well-connected trails. From Beaver Creek Village, you can take intermediate runs like Red Tail or Centennial to reach Bachelor Gulch, and from Bachelor Gulch, take the Intertwine trail to connect to Arrowhead.
- Shuttle Services: Beaver Creek offers a free shuttle service between the base areas. The shuttles run regularly throughout the day, making it easy to move between Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead without having to ski.
Key Points of Interest and Amenities
Beaver Creek is known for its luxurious amenities and thoughtful services. Here are some key points of interest to keep in mind as you explore the mountain:
- Beaver Creek Village: This bustling area is home to several dining options, including Citrea and The Dusty Boot, both perfect for refueling after a day on the slopes. You’ll also find ski rental and retail shops, restrooms, and the Ski and Ride School meeting point here. All of this is met with Cookie Time, every day at 3:00 PM.
- On Mountain Dining Locations: Curate your own culinary adventure with 12 dining locations across the resort. Options include the Candy Cabin where you can indulge in savory nostalgic treats at 9,840 feet, the Colorado inspired beer garden at Mamie’s and modern southwestern cuisine at Talons Restaurant.
- McCoy Park: As part of the newest, dedicated, family-friendly learning terrain, McCoy Park offers a one-of-a-kind inspiring adventure for the whole family. This expansion area that was added during the 2021-22 season, provides guests of all skill levels 2 new chair lifts, 17 new trails and 250 skiable acres as a must experience for all Beaver Creek guests.
Intermediate Terrain at Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek’s intermediate terrain is some of the best in Colorado, offering a variety of blue runs that are both scenic and fun.
- Centennial (Beaver Creek Village): The signature intermediate run at Beaver Creek, Centennial starts at the top of Centennial Express and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. This run is wide and groomed, making it perfect for carving big turns.
- Rose Bowl (Beaver Creek Mountain): For intermediate skiers looking for more of a challenge, Rose Bowl offers a collection of blue and black runs that wind through a beautiful, tree-lined area. Access Rose Bowl via the Rose Bowl Express (Lift 4).
Advanced and Expert Terrain
Beaver Creek also has plenty of terrain for advanced and expert skiers, particularly in the Talons area, which includes Birds of Prey and Grouse Mountain.
- Birds of Prey (Beaver Creek Mountain): This iconic area, accessed via the Birds of Prey Express (Lift 9), is home to Beaver Creek’s steepest and most challenging runs. Golden Eagle and Goshawk are two must-ski black diamond runs for advanced skiers.
- Grouse Mountain: For experts looking for a challenge, Grouse Mountain offers steep, tree-lined terrain. Screech Owl and Falcon Park are two black diamond runs that will test your skills.
Tips for Lift Access and Closing Times
Understanding how to navigate the lifts is crucial to making the most of your time at Beaver Creek.
Peak Lifts to Access Different Areas:
- To reach beginner terrain in Haymeadow Park, use the Haymeadow Express Gondola (LIft 1)
- To explore intermediate terrain on Beaver Creek Mountain, take the Cinch Express (Lift 8).
- For advanced skiers and riders, Birds of Prey Express (Lift 9) and Grouse Mountain Express (Lift 10) offer access to challenging runs.
Lift Closing Times
Most lifts at Beaver Creek close between 3:30 and 4:00 PM, excluding McCoy Park which is 3:00 PM, depending on weather conditions.
Final Thoughts
Beaver Creek Resort offers an unparalleled skiing experience with its wide variety of terrain and world-class amenities. From family-friendly beginner areas to expert-level runs, this guide has something for everyone, ensuring you can navigate the resort like a pro.