Living in Florida, we have zero opportunity to ski. And up until this year, my children, who are four and eight, had never seen snow. My daughter has been begging us for years to take her somewhere, anywhere, where there will be snow on the ground in the winter. This year we finally made that happen.
For college, I attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, just a short drive from the ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains. I was an avid snowboarder during those years, and Beaver Creek was where you could find me most weekends. I loved everything about this resort, from the quaint European-inspired feel to the convenience of being able to walk everywhere, to the warm and friendly atmosphere, to the short lift lines and dozens of wonderfully-groomed runs. I left Colorado in 1999, and as much as I have wanted to go back, graduate school, work, kids, and life happened. Fast forward to 2017, with my kids regularly begging to see snow, we decided it was finally time to take the kids on a ski trip. So where did we choose to go? To Beaver Creek of course. And, I am happy to report that my memories of Beaver Creek did not let me down; it was just as beautiful and as convenient as I remembered it, almost 20 years later.
There is so much about Beaver Creek that makes it special and an ideal destination for a family ski vacation, but here are several things that stood out from our recent trip.
Photo: Jon Resnik, Beaver Creek Resort
Where to Stay
After a smooth flight to Denver (also check flights into Eagle County Airport), we rented a car and enjoyed a scenic two-hour drive through the Rocky Mountains to Beaver Creek to check into our hotel, the lovely Park Hyatt Beaver Creek. If you are looking for convenience and luxury, this is the hotel for you. Located right at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain, this gorgeous family-friendly hotel is oozing with refined mountain elegance, complete with impeccably furnished and comfortable guest rooms, cozy public spaces, and breathtaking views. Even before checking in, my kids headed straight out the back door to the base of the mountain to play in the snow. They were delighted.
The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek has every amenity you could want for a ski vacation - ski in ski out access, ski valet desk, a fantastic heated swimming pool, and five outdoor hot tubs underneath a waterfall. The Park Hyatt also has a children's playground, an excellent restaurant with mountainside outdoor seating, a full gym with several fitness studios, and a world-class 23,000 square foot spa with 23 treatment rooms (try the rose quartz facial - trust me, you will not be disappointed).
While nothing is far from the mountain in Beaver Creek, being so close to the base has tremendous advantages, it means significantly less lugging of gear! Admittedly, being burdened with two children and all of our equipment was one of the things that I was most apprehensive about from the get-go (and may have kept me from wanting to give a ski vacation a try for so long), so ski in ski out access was a huge selling point for me. And the best part? Not only is the hotel located at the base of one of the mountains, but the ski school drop-off point for the entire resort is right outside of the back door. In the morning, we were able to come downstairs, grab the kids skis from the ski school racks, and they were off!
Ski School at Beaver Creek
Speaking of ski school, this one delivers. Professional instruction is necessary, particularly for first-timers like our children (or never-evers in ski lingo). Beaver Creek offers age- and ability-appropriate group lessons, small group lessons, private, and family lessons for both skiing and snowboarding. We opted for the Ultimate Four Lesson for our kids, which limits the class size to four children (for more one-on-one time while still being able to make new friends).
When it is time for ski school to begin, the Buckaroo Express gondola, located right behind the Park Hyatt, whisks the littlest guests up the 400-foot hillside to The Ranch, a state-of-the-art Beaver Creek ski and snowboard school designed just for them. The gondola is dedicated to the learning area and makes it easy for kids and instructors to load the gondola together in a group rather than riding a lift. At the top of the hillside, the center's picture windows allow parents to discreetly view their kids learning to ski on customized slopes designed to facilitate the correct body movements.
And I cannot say enough good things about the ski school instructors. You can tell that Beaver Creek carefully selects their instructors and that they are chosen not only for their ability but their patience and personality. The instructors were warm, funny, and able to ease my children's nerves from the moment they met. On the slopes they had the children laughing and smiling while teaching them the necessary skills to stay safe and excel; my children had an absolute blast, and my daughter was passing me with ease and ability after just two days on the slopes.
Side Note: Equipment
As much as one needs the right instructor, one needs the right equipment. For those learning to ski, we found that Elan Skis and Elan Boots were the way to go for our kids. Elan employs something called U-Flex technology which studies (conducted by Elan, Ski Edina, and the University of Graz in Austria) have shown significantly enhances the learning process. Shorter skis tend to be stiffer, making it hard to turn, let alone learn how to ski. Elan's skis with U-Flex are 25% more flexible than regular skis, providing more ease and freedom and enabling kids to make effortless and smooth turns for more fun on snow. These skis make skiing as easy as walking. Complementing the skis, are U-Flex ski boots, designed with a flex that is natural to the movement of kids’ toes and the flex of the skis making even easier to turn. It also naturally keeps the feet warmer with more movement.The design also features a way to adjust the volume of the boot to grow with your kids’ growing foot size. One boot = 3 different sizes = 3 seasons of use = less money spent on gear. Elan sent us skis and boots for our kids to try out and my kids were racing down the mountain in no time, which I attribute to a combination of superior instruction and superior equipment.
The Small World Play School
As parents, we know that even the best-laid plans do not always come to fruition when there are children involved. So it is nice to have options. While he had a great time at ski school, our four-year-old was a bit tired after the first couple days and was not feeling up for it on the third day of our trip. Fortunately, we did not have to cancel our plans to ski. A short walk from the base of the mountain (and from the Park Hyatt) is The Small World Play School. With high caregiver to child ratios, they offer an alternative to skiing with age-specific playrooms and structured activities for children aged two months to five years old.
Snowshoeing and Wine
My four-year-old wasn't the only one who decided to take a break from skiing. Believe me, I could have ridden my snowboard down those gorgeous snowy mountains every day, but I decided to go a bit out of my comfort zone and try something new. The Snowshoeing Winter Wine Excursion sounded right up my alley - a chance to see and photograph other parts of the mountain that may not be accessible by skis and food and wine? Yep. Count me in.
While designed for those of all ability levels, the 90-minute tour was a bit of a workout, but in a good way, and well worth it. Our guide was fantastic and knowledgeable, we learned all about the history of the area as well as the unique natural environment. And, the views of the snow-covered peaks were truly breathtaking. After the tour, our group headed for the Osprey Fireside Grill, a lovely and cozy slope-side restaurant where we were served culinary and wine pairings befitting of a post-snowshoe hike. Abundant and delectable charcuterie, delicious wines and decadent desserts accompanied by wonderful conversation with a group of about ten delightful women made for quite the perfect excursion.
Beaver Creek Candy Cabin
A trip up the Strawbery Park Express lift will take you to the Beaver Creek Candy Cabin, a genuinely unique Beaver Creek experience. With magnificent views and loads of candy options, this is a fun break from skiing or a fun destination on its own.
Cookie Time
There is plenty to do off the mountain in Beaver Creek and several little things Beaver Creek does to make your stay memorable. Cookie Time is one of those things. Every afternoon at 3 o'clock, friendly chefs serve warm, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies from heaped trays to throngs of excited kiddos waiting at the base of the mountain. And wow were these cookies good.
S'mores at the Firepit at the Park Hyatt
And if cookies and candy aren't enough sweets for one day, it's time for S'mores Happy Hour at 4:00. After leaving the kids' skis at ski school and checking our skis in with the ski valet, we grabbed an apres ski drink and headed to the fire pit at the Beaver Creek Park Hyatt. It's easy to get carried away when there are giant galvanized buckets filled with marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers.
Ice Skating
Located in the heart of Beaver Creek Village, and right outside the back door of the Park Hyatt, is a picturesque ice skating rink surrounded by fire pits and comfortable seating areas. An ideal apres ski spot, the kids skated while the adults relaxed next to a roaring fire pit while sipping warm drinks from the Toscani Umbrella Bar. (Skate and helmet rentals are available.)
Thursday Night Lights and Fireworks
If you plan to be in town on a Thursday night, do not miss the Thursday Night Lights and fireworks show. Intermediate and above skiers and snowboarders ski down the mountain set to music, which is followed by a spectacular fireworks finale! Participate or find a spot to watch the show!
Photo: Austin Day, Beaver Creek Resort
Sleigh Ride to Allie's Cabin for Dinner
Allie’s Cabin, situated in a quiet aspen grove on Beaver Creek Mountain and only accessible by open-air sleigh, features gourmet fare and caters to children and families. Enjoy a three-course dinner (complete with a buffet of kids’ favorites) next to the glowing floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace; enjoy sweeping views of the Beaver Creek Village below, as well as time together in the intimate space of one of Beaver Creek’s three private on-mountain restaurants. Allie's is also a perfect place to enjoy views of the fireworks lighting up the evening sky for Thursday Night Lights (Tip: be sure to make reservations far in advance).
Beaver Creek Chophouse
Another excellent option for spectacular views of the slopes is at the Beaver Creek Chophouse. This kid-friendly spot was a winner for this family. My kids loved watching the snowcats go up and down the runs and we loved the food.
NEW Family Learning Area - OPENING FOR THE 2017-2018 SEASON!
And if it wasn't already perfect for families, Beaver Creek Resort is debuting a new 200-acre family learning area accessed by a new high-speed lift in the 2017-2018 season. Red Buffalo Park, located at the mountain’s highest elevation, 11,440 feet, provides 13 trails designated as a family adventure zone and features family-friendly amenities such as snow sculptures throughout the park, Kids Adventure Zones, and a dedicated Ski School Skills Zone. Guests enrolled in Beaver Creek Ski School will have exclusive access to the Cookie Cabin, a mountaintop refuge serving up Beaver Creek’s famed, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies all day long!
With a top-notch ski school, 1,832 skiable acres, a picture-perfect village and variety of family-friendly activities, it’s no wonder so many skiing families flock to Beaver Creek each winter. And this family cannot wait to go back.
Photo: Jack Affleck, Beaver Creek Resort
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The author and her family were guests of Beaver Creek Resort. Some activities, meals, lessons, and lift tickets were provided for the purpose of this review. Elan Skis and Boots were provided for review purposes as well. All opinions contained herein are those of the author.
