Ski Beaver Creek, Colorado

For those of you that have skied Deer Valley in Park City Utah, you'll find something in common here at Beaver Creek Ski Resort. Luxury -- and lots of it!

Beaver Creek is a gated purpose built resort influenced by St. Moritz in Switzerland and Cortina in Italy. The rich and famous ski here and many have homes here as well. It's an easy two hour commute west on I-70 from Denver International Airport and close to Vail, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Breckenridge, and Arapahoe Basin.

The mountain features 149 trails serviced by 17 lifts. The base and summit elevation is 8,100 and 11,440 feet respectively, with a 4,040 foot vertical drop. The terrain is 19% beginner, 43% intermediate, and 38% expert. Grouse Mountain will challenge you with their steeps and bumps, Larkspur and Rose Bowl is wide open and mostly intermediate, Bachelor Gulch is manicured and gentle, Strawberry Park has plenty of gentle groomers, and the learning area has the Buckaroo gondola to wisk the kids up to the top of the learning area.

If you're up to it, check out the Birds of Prey World Cup downhill race course.

The Beaver Creek grooming staff grooms the slopes twenty hours a day, seven days a week. Fifty-two operators work ten-hour shifts. The result: lots and lots of pure corduroy for your skiing pleasure.

Beaver Creek resort is made up of 3 separate and distinct villages: Beaver Creek village, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead Village. At Beaver Creek Village you'll find an ice rink, boutiques, art galleries, bars, and restaurants. The center piece of Bachelor Gulch is the Ritz Carlton. The resort consistently wins awards for its food, wine, service, and lodging. For some late night excitement, check out Coyote Cafe, a popular locals hangout. Here, you'll enjoy live music, great drinks and free ski movies.

The Allegria Spa at the Park Hyatt, Bachelor Gulch Spa at the Ritz Carlton, or Spa Struck in the Charter at Beaver Creek offer all the treatments and facilities you come to expect in a world class luxury setting and are sure to please the most discerning traveler.

One of the biggest downsides to this resort for day skiers is the parking. Free parking is located away from the slopes and requires shuttle transport. Valet parking is available but for this, you'll pay around $50 if you include tips for drop off and pick up.

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