Are you ready to plan your family ski vacation but can’t decide where to go? If the answer is yes, look no further than Beaver Creek, Colorado.
Known as one of Colorado’s most family-friendly ski resorts, Beaver Creek has something for everyone in the family.
Beaver Creek holds a special place in our family’s heart, it’s where we’ve created some of our best memories; read on to find out what makes our kids keep asking to go back year after year and why you will love it too.
Why Kids Love Skiing in Beaver Creek
- The Mountain Snacks
- The Fun Zones
- Thursday Night Lights
- Apres-Ski Activities
1. Visits to Beaver Creek’s Candy Cabin
Did you know that Beaver Creek has a candy store located right on the slopes? You can ski or snowshoe to the cabin located at the top of Strawberry and Upper Beaver Creek lifts. They sell favorites like jelly beans, gum balls, giant lollipops, gummy bears or a chocolate bar. The cabin is small and can get crowded so it’s not the place to go if you need to warm up but there are a few picnic tables outside to enjoy the sun while the kids fuel up on their candy haul.
2. Exploring the Kids Zones and Beaver Creeks Signature Parks
One of our favorite things about Beaver Creek is that it has terrain for everyone in the family to enjoy; Steve and I could spend all day skiing Grouse Mountain’s black diamonds while our girls love zipping around the kids zones hidden around the mountain. Make your way through the teepees and wagons of Jackrabbit Alley or explore the wild western town of Tombstone Territory; with lots of small jumps and quick turns between the trees, the kids zones are a great place to practice your skills.
If you are looking for easier terrain where you can gain confidence on your ski, check out one of Beaver Creek’s three Signature Parks:
Haymeadow Park:
Just starting out on skis? Head over to Haymeadow Park where you can learn on terrain that is specially designed for beginner skiers. There are dedicated magic carpets, a chairlift and even a gondola so you can get comfortable using the lifts at your pace.
Red Buffalo Park:
This is our girls’ favorite part of the mountain. They love skiing through the covered wagons and teepees in Jack Rabbit Alley and trying new tricks at the terrain park. Keep in mind that Red Buffalo is at the top of the mountain so it can be colder and windier than at the base.
McCoy Park:
Discover Beaver Creek’s newest terrain in McCoy Park. The new park, entered from the top of Larkspur or Strawberry lifts, is a great addition for beginner skiers. The bowl is made up of gentle, wide open slopes, with lots of options to test out your skills between the tress, all in natural snow. One downside is that there’s only one way out of the bowl so the lift line can get long, especially at the end of the day.
3. Milkshakes at the Ice Cream Parlour
At the top of the Haymeadow gondola you will find another great spot for your kids to fill up on sugar. Stop by the Ice Cream Parlour for an ice cream cookie sandwich, banana split, sundae or milkshake on your way down to the Village. If your kids are anything like mine, they will love the signature Parlour Party and Cookie Time shakes (complete with chocolate shavings, whipped cream and an ice cream cookie sandwich).
The adults can also warm up at the Parlour with a coffee or hot chocolate spiked with your liquor of choice. You can also grab a quick soup/chili and grilled cheese lunch here.
4. Taking a Sleigh Ride to Dinner
Beaver Creek has 3 on-mountain cabins that can only be reached by an open-air sleigh ride for dinner. The kids will love seeing the snowcat that pulls the sleigh up close and then snuggling under the warm blankets as you ride up the mountain under the starry night skies. Kids are welcome at all of the cabins but Allie’s Cabin is particularly kid-friendly, offering a Family Dinner where parents can dine on a 3 course meal while the little ones enjoy their own buffet.
If you have a car available you could also head up to 4 Eagle Ranch in Wolcott where the whole family can go on a horse-drawn sleigh ride before enjoying the extensive buffet options and live music. After dinner, head outside for s’mores by the fire to finish off a perfect Colorado-style evening.
5. Finishing the Day with Beaver Creek’s Famous Cookies
Just in case the candy and ice cream weren’t enough sugar, be sure to stop by Beaver Creek’s traditional 3 p.m. cookie time; head to the base of the mountain near Centennial Lift where warm chocolate chip cookies are passed out by Beaver Creek chefs…the perfect way to end a day on the slopes!
6. Skiing in Thursday Night Lights
Every Thursday night kids can join members of the Beaver Creek Ski School in Haymeadow Park to form a giant skiing glow worm. Instructors will accompany the kids up the Haymeadow Gondola and the group will ski down in a snake-like formation holding glow wands. Spectators can dance to the upbeat music and watch fireworks display that takes place once the last skiers are down.
Kids must be Level 5 skiers to participate; you can sign up (for free) starting at 6:30 p.m. at the ski school in the Village.
Non-Skiing Activities in and Around Beaver Creek
There’s also plenty to do around Beaver Creek for non-skiers or if you simply need a break from the slopes:
- Go ice skating in the Village (skate rentals available)
- Give snowshoeing a try
- Take in a show at the Vilar Performing Arts Center
- Take a snowmobile tour (will need to book with a tour operator)
- Ride the mountain coaster or tube at the Vail’s Adventure Ridge (just minutes away)
- Play games and win prizes at Beaver Creek FunFest (Saturdays)
- Shop in nearby Avon or Edwards (kids will love Wishes the Toy Store in Avon and the Bookworm in Edwards).
Beaver Creek also hosts lots of special events throughout the year so check out the events calendar for for other fun things going on while you’re there.
Tips For Planning Your Trip to Beaver Creek
Getting There:
Denver International Airport is about 2 hours from Beaver Creek; if you don’t want to rent a car, there are plenty of shuttle and private car services available. Be aware that traffic is usually bad on Fridays and holiday weekends going up the mountain and on Sundays coming back down. Also, the Eisenhower Tunnel and Vail Pass can close when it’s snowing so plan accordingly if you’re catching a flight.
Alternatively, you can fly into the Eagle Vail airport which is 30 minutes away. There are not a lot of direct flights into Eagle Vail but there are several daily connections through Denver.
Recommended private car service: Vess Limousine
Recommended shared shuttle: Epic Mountain Express
Getting Around the Resort:
Beaver Creek Resort consists of three separate villages: Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead. There is a free shuttle that regularly travels between Beaver Creek and Bachelor Gulch; rides must be booked in advance through the Village Connect App but you won’t usually need to wait more than 10-15 minutes. There are also buses that take you from the Village to the skier parking lots or into Avon.
Ski Passes:
Beaver Creek is part of Vail Resorts and accepts the Epic Pass; day tickets are available but a multi-day or annual pass might be more cost-effective if you’re skiing for multiple days.
Ski School and Childcare:
Beaver Creek offers ski school for kids starting at 3 years old. You can opt for either half-day or full-day lessons; kids taking full-day lessons will eat lunch in one of the mountain lodges. Group lessons meet in Beaver Creek Village around 9:30 a.m. so take that into consideration when booking accommodations.
If you have little ones that are too young to ski (or just don’t want to), there is childcare available in Beaver Creek Village for kids aged 2-6 years old. Childcare hours are between 8:30 and 4 so you don’t have to miss any time on the slopes. Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance.
As another option (and a more economical one), there is Care 4 Kids, a local babysitting service whose sitters come right to your condo or hotel room. We have used them for years and have had nothing but good experiences with them; you can hire a sitter for the full day or just for a dinner out, we’ve also been able to have the same sitter for an entire week.
Where to Stay:
You’ll find plenty of lodging options in Beaver Creek and Avon, from hotel rooms to suites to condos; be prepared to be a little sticker-shocked, lodging is not exactly cheap near Beaver Creek. These are just a few of the accommodations that you have to choose from:
Westin Riverfront Resort: Located off-mountain in Avon with a gondola to the base of Bachelor Gulch.
Ritz Carlton Bachelor: Ski-in/ski-out in Bachelor Gulch with pool, spa and fun apres-ski atmosphere.
Christie’s Lodge: Reasonably priced 1-3 bedroom suites with easy access to the town of Avon.
Where to Eat:
Most restaurants in Beaver Creek, Avon and Edwards have kids menus and many offer crayons or other small activities to keep your kids entertained. Reservations are a must, make them well in advance especially during the holidays, long weekends and spring break. Below are a few of our favorite restaurants to take the kids:
- Zino’s Ristorante (River Walk, Edwards): lively restaurant great for any occasion. Kids can stay busy with crayons and swizzle sticks while the grown-ups enjoy delicious cocktails and a contemporary Italian menu. This is one of our favorites that we go back to year after year.
- Blue Moose Pizza (Beaver Creek Village): low-key spot with lots of pizza, pasta, salad and beer/wine options.
- Buffalo Bar (Ritz Carlton, Bachelor Gulch): casual atmosphere for lunch or dinner with lots of kids options including pizza, burgers, hot dogs, chicken, salmon and more.
- Rocky Mountain Taco – Our favorite tacos in town! Their restaurant is in Minturn but they also have a food truck (with more limited options) near the Westin in Avon. At $3 per taco, you can try a bunch of their different fillings or you can opt for a burrito or quesadilla instead. Make sure to sample their variety of sauces, the habanero is my favorite but be warned, your mouth will be on fire.
Have you been to Beaver Creek? Let us know in the comments what you like best about it!