This Chic Colorado Ski Resort Is Hiding a Serious Wild Side

A massive hawk's nest is in the tree above me, unnamed peaks tower in the distance behind me, and pristine powder beckons ahead, all tucked away between patches of aspen trees.

While this wild landscape is not the setting I was expecting for my third-ever ski lesson, McCoy Park also isn't your typical beginner's terrain. Open since 2022, this 250-acre area features two ski lifts, a warming hut crafted from beetle kill pine, 17 green and blue groomers with names like Serenity and Tranquility, plus plenty of ungroomed terrain to explore.

That morning, I'd proven myself in the Ski School Skills Zone. Now, my enthusiastic instructor had me navigating trees and hitting powder stashes in McCoy Park — skills I'd thought were way beyond my ability. The area may be promoted as a beginner playground, but he let me in on a secret: even a few days after a storm, fresh powder remains hidden in McCoy's trees.

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 back up that reputation. It's also home to some seriously challenging terrain, including the formidable Birds of Prey World Cup racecourse, which features a vertical drop of 2,470 feet.

Following my day at ski school, I took some time to revert to my trusty snowboard to tackle the black and double-black diamond runs of Grouse Mountain and ended the day by bombing 45-degree pitches in the Stone Creek Chutes area. My adrenaline rush rivaled how I felt as a novice cruising intermediate runs on skis.

Beaver Creek has proven to be a place where you really can have it all. Here’s everything you need to know to plan the perfect getaway to the upscale Colorado ski resort this winter. 

When to Go

Beaver Creek Resort typically opens around mid- to late November and closes in mid-April. The slopes start out busy because of the holiday season, but crowds dwindle in January. February and March are arguably the best months to ski at Beaver Creek because the snow from winter storms remains on the runs but temperatures are more comfortable. If you're looking for the best prices and smallest crowds, go in April.

Where to Stay

The Osprey, a RockResort

When it comes to accessibility, The Osprey at Beaver Creek doesn't disappoint. This ski-in, ski-out boutique hotel claims to be "closer to a chairlift than any other lodge in North America," located just 26 feet from the Strawberry Park Express. Other enticing amenities include the heated pool, outdoor hot tub, steam room, and ski concierge.

Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa

For luxe digs in the heart of the village, head to the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa. Not only does it offer ski-in, ski-out access, an outdoor pool, and five hot tubs (one under a waterfall, to boot), but it also has its own full-service spa. Drop by to try the famous Aqua Sanitas Roman Baths experience.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch

The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is a secluded oasis with its own grotto and Pilates and yoga studios. It offers luxury and privacy, including spacious penthouses and residential suites surrounded by the Avon wilderness. With such solitude, beautiful scenery, and good food — from sushi to tapas made with Colorado ingredients — you'll never want to leave the property.

Where to Eat

Mamie’s Mountain Grill

Mamie's Mountain Grill, located at the top of the Bachelor Gulch Express, is a German biergarten serving oversized soft pretzels with beer cheese sauce, sizzling sausages of the day, and imported brews on tap. You can drink at this slopeside spot from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., but food is served only from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Citrea

In Beaver Creek Village, Citrea offers upscale Mediterranean dishes like lamb osso bucco and grilled salmon served with Sardinian fregola. The patio is the place to be in the summer, but in the winter, the window seats are ideal for watching people skate around the ice rink right outside.

Beaver Creek's Dining Cabins

For a special dinner experience, choose from one of three cabins that can only be reached by snowcat-pulled sleighs. Beano's Cabin is known for its signature Rocky Mountain-inspired menu and Allie's Cabin for its comfort food, while the cuisine at Zach's Cabin channels that of the Alsace region of France.

Where to Après-ski

CBar

On a bluebird day, you can't beat the patio at CBar, an extension of the Vail & Beaver Creek Chophouse. It describes itself as a "sports bar meets oyster bar." Whether there's a game on the big screen or live music playing, you're almost guaranteed to stay entertained.

Hooked

Tropical islands shouldn't hold a monopoly on tiny umbrellas in your cocktails. The outdoor tiki bar on the patio of Hooked will transport you from the snowy mountain to somewhere warm and tropical — at least in spirit. This place is known for its potent mai tais on draft, but there's a range of tropical libations to pick from.

Coyote Cafe

Ice-cold margaritas and street tacos await you at the base of the Centennial Express lift. Right in The Plaza, Coyote Cafe is a colorfully decorated Mexican cantina that's easily accessible from both the mountain and slopeside hotels. Go between 3 and 6 p.m. for happy hour deals on beer, wine, and margs.

Off-mountain Activities

Go ice skating in Beaver Creek Village.

Ice skating is a great way to entertain the kids and break up time on the slopes, and Beaver Creek sets visitors up with an outdoor rink right in the middle of the village. It's open from noon to 9 p.m., so you can skate under the lights of the resort. It's also a relatively affordable activity — $10 per kid and $15 per adult, including equipment rentals.

Take in the scenery on snowshoes or cross-country skis.

Rent a pair of snowshoes from the Nordic Center, located next to the Strawberry Park Express lift, and hit some trails in McCoy Park. This part of the resort has more than 10 miles of rustic terrain, both groomed and not, prime for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. As you make your way through the wilderness, stop to admire views of the Gore Range and stands of aspen trees blanketed in snow.

Catch a show at the Vilar Performing Arts Center.

Get out of the cold and give your sore legs a break inside the Vilar Performing Arts Center, a cozy and architecturally stunning theater right in the heart of the village. Its calendar is constantly packed with a variety of acts, from well-known shows like "Stomp" and international names like Penn & Teller to local performers. There's something to see almost every night of the week.

How to Ride

Tickets

Beaver Creek is on the Epic Pass. Pricing for daily lift tickets changes based on demand and the day of the week, but a full-day adult ticket starts at around $250. You can save by buying your tickets online in advance and by bundling all the days you plan to ski or snowboard into one ticket. Beaver Creek tickets are available for a duration of up to seven days.

Rentals

The resort will deliver rental gear right to your hotel door via Epic Mountain Rentals' delivery service. You get your pick of skis or snowboard, from standard sport equipment to premium brands, and a custom fitting. Additionally, there are independent and resort-run retailers surrounding the mountain providing rentals for pickup or delivery. Beaver Creek Sports alone has nine locations, including the Plaza and a handful of slopeside hotels.

Skiing and Snowboarding Info

Beaver Creek encompasses 2,082 acres of skiable terrain — 28 percent of which is rated beginner, 38 percent rated intermediate, and 34 percent rated advanced. There are 167 trails and 24 lifts. The resort has three terrain parks — the learner-friendly Haymeadow Park and the Red Buffalo and McCoy parks for beginner to intermediate snowboarders and skiers.

Programming

Beaver Creek's Ski & Snowboard School offers a full menu of lesson options: group, private, first-time, advanced, adaptive, cross-country, telemark, alpine touring, and more. Just for kids, there's also an All Terrain Program, a full-day challenge for ages seven through 15, and the Beavo Program, an eight- to 10-day non-competitive course for ages five through 14. If your little one is too young to ski or snowboard, you can drop them off at Beaver Creek's Small World Play School before hitting the slopes.